Are you ready for it? - Reawakening my traveler self
Yearning for a part of me- travelling
One of the many things that I have always wanted to do again was to have international solo-travel at least once in a year.
My last international travel was way back in 2018, to Taiwan. The following year, I wasn't able to do so as I left work and returned to my hometown. It was a difficult period. Not only that, I lost my old passport and had to go through inconveniences to get a new one.
Last but not the least, 2020 onwards- the pandemic, we all know what happened, everything in the world stopped; that includes travelling for leisure.
Years of not travelling left a void within me. It was something that I always looked forward to yearly- my motivation to grind at work. It was my happiness, as I had always known that I am meant to explore the world.
I missed immersing myself into the crowd of locals and understand their daily lives; savor new flavors enhancing my palate and idea of good food.
I yearned learning a place's history and how it came to be in the present; exploring places that my satiates my eyes with wonder and awe. I wanted to meet new people in the most random places, connect and become long-term friends with them just like I always did back then.
I craved for the freedom I had always felt when I am on a different country as I have never been more of myself when doing so.
Best view, indeed!
"Book that ticket!"- The Universe to me
One random Piso Fare Sale¹, I checked for the overall cost for a round trip at Ho Chi Minh and I knew in my heart that it was Universe's perfect timing for me to get back on my feet and fill that void of my traveler side. I mean, my round trip ticket only costed for 5400 Philippine peso, including travel tax.
It's not everyday you can get a ticket for that price nowadays.
I was ready for it. I have my newly-issued passport with me and I am more confident financially. My salary has been way better than the last time I was travelling annually.
And so, I instantaneously booked a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam and booked a hotel afterwards. My upcoming trip's duration was for an entire weekday. I was fully decided to have a proper vacation at last.
As a coffee lover and a foodie, one of the many reasons why I booked for Vietnam is to experience first hand their authentic Vietnamese coffee and indulge in with their appetizing dishes.
Not only that, Vietnam, as I've read and seen in various travel content, is a country of great architecture, flavorful cuisines, rich, rooted, and well-preserved culture, and well-kept history that had greatly influenced on what Vietnam at present is.
Lastly, it does not require a visa for Philippine passport holders.
My flight was 3 weeks away from the day I purchased my tickets and I thought 3 weeks was an ample time to prepare for my trip. I was expecting that by then, I would have had my itinerary ready, OOTDs prepared, self-love spa and beautification sessions done, and luggage packed ahead.
However, the jam-packed schedule with work made me do preparations the last minute and decided to just search for places to visit and wing it on my mood for that day. I didn't get to have a proper spa day, too- so I thought of doing it in HCMC instead as Vietnam is also known for the best spa and beautification services.
"It is better to be overprepared than be offloaded!"- my mantra for immigration
Fast forward to the day of my flight, aside from jittering from excitement, I also felt extra anxious.
Extra anxious because I have read and heard recent horrible Philippine immigration stories wherein the officers would ask you the most ridiculous questions and documents that were not related to your flight at all such as yearbook, diploma, and even asked to open your social media accounts!
Now, who in the right mind would bring a yearbook for a short vacation?
With that, I went in to the battlefield fully prepared.
I have my Certificate of Employment with salary details included, my Income Tax Return statement, my company ID, my hotel booking confirmation, and my flight confirmation and receipt that included my pre-paid travel tax.
Since I lost my old passport and this new passport is an entirely blank slate, I thought that they might ask if it was going to be my first travel ever outside the country.
To be certain, I brought my updated notarized explanation on when, where, and how I lost my old and expired passport- sealed and signed by a lawyer.
To my delightful surprise, I was only asked of my company name and then, passport stamped! It felt like a huge thorn has been removed from my body.
I became relaxed and all I had to do was wait for my boarding afterwards while sipping that cup of iced mocha latte from a café inside the boarding area.
Meeting an on the spot tour guide
Itinerary wise, I thought of simply listing down the places to explore in HCMC and would just travel spontaneously as I usually did back then. Or would ask the hotel staff on activities to do when in HCMH. I already have an idea on what to eat and drink (like coffee, bahn mi, pho, and all) but none with the where exactly part.
With the guidance of the universe, I happened to meet, Kelly, my flight seatmate who is a legit Ho Chi Minh resident (born and raised). We talked about how her trip in Manila was and gave her recommendations on places to visit next time she'll be back.
She then asked me of my itinerary and I told her that I only have a little idea on where to go and what to do. So, she shared with me her recommendation lists on where to go as she has a Google map of Ho Chi Minh City with her recommended stops for touristy activities, places to visit, and restaurants to try.
Most of the places I went to were from her recommendations. I would not have thought of visiting the Ho Chi Minh Museum of Fine Arts if it wasn't on her list or even discover a bun cha restaurant close to my hotel, and appreciate the location of my hotel in the heart of the business district- Thank you so much, Kelly! You're amazing!
Touchdown, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam!
After 2 hours, we arrived at Ho Chi Minh City. Hello, Vietnam!- "This is it, pancit!"² I said to myself. I arrived at past midnight and waited for almost an hour at their immigration since there are tons of passengers arriving in the city as well.
There weren't any questions asked to me either- stamped! And I'm good to go and explore the city.
Their airport is similar to that of NAIA³ Terminals 2 and 3 but not as spacious as the two mentioned airports. However, it did looked very clean and it smelled really good, like a luxurious mall.
Then, it was time for me to proceed and check-in to my hotel. Thankfully, the Grab App⁴ is available in the country and I just seamlessly booked for a car ride. To add, they have someone in the airport to call and communicate with you in English and translate it in Viet for the Grab driver, so you won't get lost in the arrival area- helpful and convenient, indeed!
I was more than ready to chill at the hotel and call it a night as I conveniently sat on the passenger seat of the Grab car and wandered the midnight vibe of the city in awe.
On the next blog, I will share with you how I had a deep appreciation with the resilience and the fighting spirit of the Vietnamese during my War Remnants Museum visit and discovered a cafeteria along the way with the best and fresh dishes at a very affordable price. Stay tuned!
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