Whenever I visit a city, I have a habit of taking aimless walks with my camera, capturing lots of random pictures. Unfortunately, they often end up stored on a hard drive, never shared with anyone. However, I’m thrilled that I’ve now started a travel blog, and I’m going through my old pictures, giving them new life and purpose.
In this post, I’m delighted to share a selection of pictures taken during my morning walks in District 1, HCMC, spanning from 2010 to 2022.
In the mornings, on the street, small restaurants bring in fresh fish and prepare them for lunch. Watching this process in the early hours is truly fascinating.
“Ben Thanh Market is a place where you can find most of the things you may need. However, the quality and pricing can sometimes be uncertain. Personally, I often visit the section dedicated to flowers, where I purchase roses to offer to the Goddess Mariamman. Bargaining is important in order to secure a reasonable price.”
While sifting through the pictures I took in 2010, I stumbled upon these photos taken in the vicinity of Ben Thanh Market. At that time, I had little knowledge about the tall, unfinished building nearby. However, during my subsequent trip to Vietnam in 2012, I discovered that it was the famous Saigon Sky Deck and even had the opportunity to visit, ascending all the way to the 51st floor. From the 50th or 51st floor, I was treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.”
“As I walked to the left from the ‘Thien Hai’ hotel, which is my go-to hotel, towards the iconic Central Post Office, I came across various captivating places and attractions, street vendors, multicultural restaurants, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral along the way.”
“I then walked to the Thandayuthabani Temple, which is located very close to Takashima Mall and Saigon Center. Since it was Christmas time and the weather was pleasant, there were Christmas decorations both inside and outside the mall. On the way back, I even strolled near City Hall to take some pictures before returning to the hotel
“One day, I took a right turn from my hotel and began walking. I was taken aback by the sheer number of motorcycles during the peak office-going hours. It was a sight unlike any I had seen before. I spotted a Starbucks, ordered a tea, and settled in to sip my drink while observing the bustling motorcycle traffic. Riding a motorcycle in HCMC is something I’ve never summoned the courage to do.”
“I encountered an issue with my camera charger, leaving me unable to charge my camera. I thought I might find a replacement at Ben Thanh Market and scoured all the electronic shops there, but to no avail.
It was the kind suggestion of some ladies in one shop that led me on a short walk just a few minutes away from Ben Thanh Market. Following their advice, I crossed the road and walked for a little over 10 minutes until I came upon a store called ‘Z Camera.’ I made a purchase there, and the new charger came to the rescue, allowing me to charge my camera.
It was truly enjoyable to embark on morning walks, capturing the essence of daily life, street events, iconic monuments, and the bustling traffic of HCMC. Whenever the opportunity arises, I’ll continue to explore this vibrant city and share my discoveries, gathering more information and posting it here during my next visit
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