Tran Hung Dao's road to Cholon.

Tran Hung Dao Road,the main arterial road of the city which is a few metres towards the right from Crazy Buffalo Bar & Restaurant junction.

Vietnamese and Thailand's time are the same.As early as 6am,the street is already bustling with heavy traffics.

A very clean and pleasant   five foot walkway with all the nice shady tress lining the streets.

This road was named after General Tran Hung Dao, a national hero who defeated the Mongols Invasion in 1285.

Every February at the Cua Ong Temple,Quang Ninh Province( 50km from the centre of Halong city) there will be a festival in memory of Tran Quoc Tang who is the third son of General Tran Hung Dao who defeated many enemies and brought peace to the region during the 13th century. 

Buses on this side goes to Cholon bus terminal while across the road on the other side are buses returning to Benthanh Market terminal.

 For Muslim travelers there's a mosque along Tran Hung Dao for them to perform their "solat" prayers.

This is Thanh Duong Jamiul Islamiah Mosque at 459b Tran Hung District 1.

 As the case of "halal"food (no pork involve) for Muslim,there are also Muslim restaurants around.

 Islam in Vietnam is primarily the religion of the Cham people, a minority ethnic group related to Malays especially around the region of Chau Doc in the Southwest quite related to Kampong Cham people in Cambodia.

The ancestors of the Cham probably migrated from the island of Borneo and they are probably remnants of the Kingdom of Champa (7th to 15th centuries). Approximately 4,000 Chams also live in Thailand; many of whom have moved south to the Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, and Songkhla Provinces for work.

Cham form the core of the Muslim communities in both Cambodia and Vietnam.

Along the same stretch from the mosque nearby is a Chinese temple.
Tran Hung Dao Road is a very straight stretch of road and Cholon is about 6km from this point.

 To avoid the hassle of road crossing due to a chaotic traffic,one can hop into a local bus with route displayed costing about $0.3/ticket for a person (VND4000~5000), a visitor can travel as far as 15km.

Discovered this only stall along the side street after 15 minutes of walking.
Having breakfast with noodles- "Pho Bo" for 17,000Dong.

Along this side alley is where the seating area is located.

A very unique building just beside the seating area.

Looks like a French architecture.

 "BEATI MORTUI QUI DOMINO MORIUNTUR" This is a Latin word which means "Blessed are (the dead) which die in the (grace of) Lord".

"A Mass of Requiem and the Office of the Dead were said by the community. Please continue to keep him in your prayers."

  A gated entrance and there were also Chinese wording inscription on the side walls.

The inside view.

VINH DANH THIEN CHOA TREN TROI (Glory to God In Heaven)
 BINH AN DUOI THE CHO (Peace to mankind) TUI THIEN TAM (My Kindess)

CHO HOA BINH market is slightly near the riverside off Tran Hung Dao where another short walk further up will be the 5th District of Ho Chi Minh City,Cholon-the largest Chinatown of Vietnam.

The advetisement on VOCA brand refined sesame cooking oil.
Can be used in food industry, pharmaceutical industry, cosmetics making.

Chợ cá Hòa Bình là một trong những khu chợ cá đầu mối của thành phố
(This is one of the fish market area of the city's focal point)
 Hòa Bình means Peace.

Pham Ngu Lao Street,backpackers paradise.

Ho Chi Minh city formerly known as Saigon is a very vibrant metropolis and commercial capital of Socialist Republic Vietnam.

Vietnam is the 65th largest country in the world, covering about 331,689 square kilometers.
However, the massive Vietnam population 90,549,390 (July 2011 est.) , makes it the 14th most populous country in the world.

Thailand ranked 20th with a population of 66,720,153.

Compared to China where bicycles swarmed the street,over here in Ho Chi Minh city motorcyclist zoomed all over the roads even during off peak hours.





 A food stall vendor transporting his wares on a tricycle cart gets his priority against all the super fast machines.

Well he must be a "Pho" vendor. Pho is the closest thing Vietnam has to a national dish, originally from Hanoi; this hearty noodle soup is very famous and one must never miss this while in Vietnam.
 As the sunset in the horizon,the sidewalks of the city emerges with a new set of activities especially the street food vendors.
Vietnam’s street food are some of the best in the world.








The Sorya bus from Phnom Penh stopped across its main office along Pham Ngu Lao Street.
It was already 5:30pm and the whole area was bustling with all sorts of activities.
A park is just beside the main street.
Along this road were many travel and bus ticketing agencies.

Crossing the road is quite hazardous as one has to tackle with the oncoming vehicles on both sides.Heading towards  De Tham Street were many guesthouses which were popularly recommended on travel websites.Don't forget to walk into the alleys which even have more budget hostels.

  A shop selling Vietnamese flags and insignias along Pham Ngu Lao Street.

The flag of Vietnam, also known as the "red flag with yellow star"

Saigon was a French colony from 1862 to 1954. Japan occupied Vietnam in 1941-1945.
 In March 1945, the Japanese deposed the French colonial authorities and proclaimed an Empire of Vietnam with Bao Dai as emperor. At that time Vietnam was also called Annam with its capital at Hue.

In this photo,another 5 minutes walk from where most cross borders buses stop is the Benthanh Market.






Pham Ngu Lao was a prominent general in battlefield of the Dai Viet Army so this street was named after him.
The history of Vietnam begins over 2,700 years ago.
By far Vietnam's most important historical international relationship has been with China. During World War II, Imperial Japan expelled the French to occupy Vietnam, though they retained French administrators during their occupation.
After the war, France attempted to re-establish its colonial rule but ultimately failed in the First Indochina War.
The Geneva Accords partitioned the country in two with a promise of democratic election to reunite the country.
However, rather than peaceful reunification, partition led to the Vietnam War.
During this time, the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union supported the North while the United States supported the South.The war ended with the fall of Saigon to the North in April 1975.







 De Tham Street is the first lane off Pham Ngu Lao and midway is the Bui Vien St junction.

Travelers all over the world will converge in these two roads where there were many bars,guesthouses,hotels ,tour companies,open air bars and food stalls.
It has a similarity to that of Khao San Road in Bangkok except that there were no night market stalls
During the night the streets were fantastically very lively.

 

Crazy Buffalo Saigon Restaurant and Bar at the corner of DeTham & Bui Vien Street off Pham Ngu Lao main street.

A big red crazy club with beer and booze and music 24/7 days a week.
 Located right in the heart of the 'Backpacker Area' This Restaurant and bar is a hot spot amongst backpackers, locals and expats.

Along De Tham Street,same row across Crazy Bull Restaurant is the Sinh Tourist Office.

This is a very popular tour booking office which is unusually pack with travellers even during the night.

They have reasonable cheap tour packages within Vietnam as well as bus services to Dalat,Nha Trang,Danang,Hoi An Hue,Hanoi and Halong. Headoffice address:

246 - 248 De Tham Str., Dist.1, HHCM Tel: +84.8.38389593 Fax: +84.8.38369322
Email: info@thesinhtourist.vn Website: http://www.thesinhtourist.vn/

Hotels and guesthouses along the main street are slightly higher in room rates and easily being fully booked.

By venturing into this narrow alleys and backlanes off Bui Vien Street you'll be surprised to see a large section of the community live inside and as many as about 20 guesthouses similar to that of a homestay were available.

This hawker stall operates in the evening selling Vietnamese noodle called Pho and is quite popular among the locals.There is limited sitting tables as the alley entrance is shared with motorcycles going back to their community.

Most of the buildings here are 5 storey high and the only air flow that can be felt is along the alley's corridor.
Many of the housing blocks here have room to let.

Stayed at Phuong Van Guesthouse.

84/12,Bui Vien Dtreet,Pham Ngu Lao Ward District 1.

Ho Chi Minh City.

Tel:(84-8)22100754 H/p:0906 613 567

email:dungkhanhvan_hcm@yahoo.com.vn






Imagine a single bed fan room for USD7.00 per night.
This is far much better than staying in a dorm with the same price as noted in some travel sites.

It is family owned and the rooms are very clean and tidy.Towel,a small piece of soap and disposable toothbrush are provided minus the toilet rolls.

Satellite tv channels and free in house wi-fi is also provided.

I was given the first floor which has 2 fan rooms in a row,while aircond room is on the 3rd and 4th floor.

Travellers have to walk up the very narrow staircase as there isn't any lift.

A western toilet with hot shower.

The lady owner's grandson by the name of Hom is a fluent English speaker who graduated from the University of Dalat majoring in Business English.

He'll be available in the evening after his office work as a land surveyor.During the day,his elder sister will be manning the reception.

A view of the narrow alley where the community live.The local community are very closely knit and with this type of 4 or 5 storey building,olden days Vietnamese must have live in a multifamily in the same building block.

Tan Binh Industrial Zone,suburb Saigon.

It was close to 5:00pm when the bus passed by the Tan Binh Industrial Park.We were now 10km away from town centre and the road is getting more busier with loads of motorcyclist and cars leaving their workplace.

This industrial zone is just adjacent to Tan Son Nhat international airport and about 11km from Vietnam International Container Terminal in the Mekong Delta area.
The main port is just 6km from city centre.

Tan Binh Industrial Park has a planned area of 133.53 hectares, including 91.05 hectares for industrial land, 14.13 hectares for auxiliaries, warehouses and workshops, 19.84 hectares for transport, and 8.51 hectares for shade trees.

Land Leasing term here must be at least 20 years or 45 years at most with minimum area of 3,000 sq.m.

Land rents depend on the leasing term and the time the tenant contacts the proprietor (currently USD 55-60/ sq. m/45 years).

A total of 94 projects have been licensed to operate in Tan Binh Industrial Park.

Most of them are involved in the fields of plastics, packaging, foods, garments, glass, ceramics, industrial electricity, household goods, and mechanics.

The World of ALDO.
This brand name is synonymous with the famous shoes and accessories collection.
ALDO specializes in the creation of high-quality fashion footwear, leather goods and accessories. This sought-after brand pays close attention to detail and to fine craftsmanship.
1972 – The early days of ALDO Shoes was founded as a footwear concession within a chain of popular fashion boutiques.
The original group includes 4 Canadian stores in Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City and Winnipeg.It caters for the men and ladies footwear.

The SCETPA Building located at 19A Cộng Hòa, Tân Bình Dist, Ho Chi Minh City which is very close to Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

The building comprises a 10 floor tower and 100% of area are for rent.

Thanh Binh 1 Hotel is located at 315 Hoang Van Thu, Ward 2, Tan Binh Region.

Total number of rooms available: 16

Superior Double or Twin Room:USD51.00 .
 Deluxe Double or Twin Room:USD55.00 Suite:USD59.00

Wi-fi is available free inhouse.

Thanh Binh Hotel is 100 metres from Maximark Supermarket, located opposite Hoang Van Thu Park. Tan Binh Exhibition and Convention Centre is just 500 metres away while Tan Son Nhat International Airport is 1 km away.

The street scene after office hour in downtown Ho Chi Minh looks alike to Indonesian cities like Surabaya where the motorcycles are king of the road.

With no overhead pedestrian bridge,crossing the road is going to be a nightmare.

You need a good hindsight and judgement and always on alert at all angles.

The 'E-Town' building at 364 Cong Hoa Street, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The E-Town Building is located next to SaigonTech. This is one of the Software Parks located in Ho Chi Minh City.

E-Town campus is developed by REE Property,in addition to modern top quality office space, it also provides staff canteen, swimming pool, bank outlets, conference hall, supermarket, Gym in a safe and healthy green environment.

REE Corporation stands for Refrigeration Electrical Engineering, was established in 1977 as a state-owned company, became a joint-stock company in 1993, was then one of the first five listed companies in the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange.

 Tan Binh Vegetable Oil Joint Stock Company address is at 889 Truong Chinh St., Ward Tay Thanh, Tan Phu Dist.,

The Tan Binh Vegetable Oil Joint Stock Company before is "Tan Binh Vegetable Oil Mill" is a unit of production – trade belonging to the Vietnam Company of Vegetable Oil – Aromatic spices – Cosmetics of Ministry of Industry.

Main products: varieties of vegetable oil as refined coconut oil, refined peanut oil, refined soybean oil, refined sesame oil, refined palm oil and products serving to process in industry as shortening, margarine.

A shop with a rooftop shrine.
Statue of Gautama Buddha can be seen.
Presumbly, it can also be a chinese temple.

Surprisingly in the bus were a group of Viet Chinese family who spoke the Chinese dialect Teochew among themselves.

It is a language closely related to Hokkien.
"Teochew" is derived from Teochew Prefecture (Chaozhou Fu) in Fujian Province.