A “H? Chí Minh” Thing

By: Amanda Raquel Henri

Author of The Forever Travelor

Do you ever daydream about a euphoric adventure enough to awake the deepest life sleeper? Are you willing to endure the greatest form of amnesia?--A diagnosis of which you can get lost in the present so much that you forget the past? H? Chí Minh City in Vietnam is the place for you.?

History Of The Former “Sài Gòn”

Formerly known as “Sài Gòn,” H? Chí Minh is a place that holds great historical significance.?

In the year of 1946 and month of August, H? Chí Minh, North Vietnam's head of state at the time, had just been declared the giver of freedom to the people of Vietnam.?

H? Chí Minh’s actions and bravery created a light at the end of the gloomy, dark war in Vietnam. In his honor Sài Gòn was renamed H? Chí Minh--A name that when forever mentioned brings a memory of Vietnam’s departure from oppression, sacrifice, and uprising.?

H? Chí Minh Today

Modern H? Chí Minh is not only known as the "largest financial center of Vietnam," but is also known as a "place of forgotten worries" to most of its visitors.?

Captivated by the warm and welcoming culture of its natives, ageless temples, and Chinese pagodas, it is easy to find yourself consumed by the feeling of peace, coupled with adventure.?

On my own visits to H? Chí Minh, I discovered that it is a place that has been woven from a gifted seamstress--a designer able to make a fit for any and every person.

While other districts have some things to offer, District 1 of the city is the most popular joy seeker’s fulfillment center.?

Day to Sunset

Its daytime markets, historical sights and live shows will immediately draw you in.? à ? Show, a famous Bamboo Circus performance, gives a captivating retell of the city’s past, that transitions into the admirable fast-paced metropolitan life hybrid that it delivers now.?

What separates? à ? Show from others is it’s subtly captivating natural bamboo stage scene of which is composed of products of the perennial flowering plant.?

Journey With the Buddha

The most memorable and self-fulfilling moments that I have experienced in H? Chí Minh was on my visits to temples that seem to take me directly to a place of ultimate peace and tranquility.?

Chú Ng?c Hoàng, a small Buddhist Temple in District 1, leaves a silently pronounced effect of tranquility and self-realization. Within the temple are two small shops that carry candles most closely related to a Vassa candle (Tean Vassa), a large candle derived from beeswax and burned for the duration of the Theravada Buddhist festival of Vassa.

Across from the candle shop there is a quite talented woman. Surrounded by the peace of the temple, she strategically places beads on strings with each bead having a major significance to the teaching of the Buddha.?

Additional items available within the temple are iron-sourced carvings that depict the Vietnamese zodiac that match your year of birth, and carvings of the Buddha.?

Dining

H? Chí Minh City offers an endless array of delicious and diverse cuisine. Whatever you crave, the city has it!

In my adventures a few restaurants stick out. If you are in the mood for traditional Vietnamese cuisine, but may also like American cuisine options, CTY Kitchen and Bar is just the place.?

CTY offers high quality food and service with a relaxed atmosphere. Each table in the restaurant has a call button that’s convenient to get prompt service.?

My most memorable food was the C?m Th? T?m Rim Bà R?i (caramelized shrimp and pork belly claypot). Succulent and tender meat, coupled with shrimp seasoned in local spices was enough to make me want to visit the establishment on every trip to District 1.?

The watermelon cake was a unique adaptation of the mellow fruit. If you are a beer connoisseur, the Belgo Belgian beer is a pretty good IPA on tap. The Dragon IPA is great as well (more hoppy) and is canned. The beers are mostly in the 110k vnd price range. Two beers, dessert, and an entree averaged at 667,000 Vietnamese Dong ($28 usd).

Love Thy Self

It is easy to get lost in the unlimited adventures that the city has to offer, but when you are ready to be a little “selfish” and take care of just you, here are the doctor’s orders: First, “Book the Deluxe King Room at Hotel Nikko Saigon.” The best fares of 2024 were found on Priceline.

As soon as you enter your suite, call the hotel spa and reserve a massage type of your choice. I promise that you won’t regret it!

As you wait for your pampering appointment, take in the joy of your luxurious hotel room. I suggest ordering from the fairly priced room service menu. Or, if you are in the mood for a cozy dining experience, The Lounge on the first floor is a must! It has a full bar and select menu for restaurant style service.?

Additionally on the first floor, there is the La Brasserie Restaurant–a fine dining option for seafood lovers.? Starting at 6pm (1800) the restaurant offers a menu that has a breathtaking seafood buffet with endless choices of delicious foods including delicacies.

While the current price of the buffet may seem a bit pricey, it is all with good cause. First, each paid for 1,650,000++/person ($67+ usd) there is a free flow of house wine, cocktail of the day, beer, soft drinks, juices, coffee & tea. –Not to mention the unlimited succulent, high end seafood choices that await your consumption.?

(*) Price is subject to 5% service charge and VAT according to Vietnamese regulation.

The Experience

The room from most floors offers vivid city views through? floor to? ceiling windows. Draw a bath in your room’s deep soaking, stand-alone bath tub. Set the scene by activating the room’s warm lighting with earth tones. Play light, calming tones on your favorite music service such as Spotify (premium).

Enter your bath, but not before soaking a washcloth in the warm-fragrant water, and gently placing it over your eyes. Lay back and surrender to the serenity that Hotel Nikko Saigon has provided.

As you exit your warm soothing bath, comfort yourself in the thick soft robe provided by the hotel.? Set the air quality controller and the air condition to your liking, and close the curtains to provide a blackout scene. After placing it on do not disturb, let your phone play “rain sounds.”?

Afterwards, hop into the comfort of your soft, cozy bed.?

As you awake refreshed for your spa appointment, dress comfortably and prepare for the experience of your life!

Take the elevator to the 5th floor where luxury awaits.?

At The Ren you will be immediately greeted by both the peaceful natural sounds and the kind faces of the staff at the entrance.?

The wait room is even more relaxing as you enjoy the beverage given by the staff, the sounds, and the live lotus flowers, accompanied with zen stones of the room.?

The foot massage at Ren Spa (“Ren” which means “Lotus”) is unlike anything that you’ve ever experienced. The masseuse–ever so attuned with your needs hits significant pressure points--each designed to place you in the greatest state of tranquility.

? 10% discount for Staying guests, JCCH, JCCI members

? 20% discount for Fitness membership, KE and Hotel Apartment residents

After your massage there is nothing left to do, but retreat to your room, and drench yourself in the soft covers of your spacious bed and allow your body to drift away.

Too Much to Mention

I can tell you so much more about my extravagant escapes to H? Chí Minh City but it is much too grand. I think that the remainder of this journey to another world is better suitable for my next edition. Stay tuned for the next publishing of The Forever Traveler By Amanda Raquel Henri–where I will truly unravel the vibrant, unexpecting, and colorful nightlife of one of the top cities in Vietnam, H? Chí Minh.