The October's Issue

Food

Food and our environment

Food is definitely something the whole world is interested in. There are uncountable receipts, traditions, cuisines and subcultures. Food is not only our basic need, but it is also a tool for socializing, and being a part of our world. 

Since, the 2000s in some terms a food revolution has started to unfold, inspiring people to make healthy and wise choices day by day and paying more attention on the quality of food they eat. But how our every day food choices influence our environment we live in? And what kind of impacts we have on the planet when we decide to eat our steak for lunch? Interesting questions, lets find out the answer...

Fashion

Fashion Weeks Review

New York, Milan, Paris, London, the common thread that connects the above 
metropolises  in September-October is the wild pulsation of the fashion industry. Every year around this time of the year all who matters in the fashion industry gathers  to view and present next year's Spring Collections. Extraordinary and original cut lines, sophisticated designs and gorgeoues venues spiced with excitement and scandals.

Beauty

Winter Makeups

The top ten makeup styles for the upcoming Winter season. Also tips on how to keep your skin moisturized during the cold winter months protecting it from dryness and strenghthening its natural glow.

Travel

Versailles & Paris

How and where to spend a romantic long weekend in the magical city of Versailles and Paris. Sightseeing, restaurants, museums, walks, shopping and many more.. As we all know from Audrey Hepburn, 

 "Paris is always a good idea."

Culture

The Balinese Dance Culture

The lifestyles of Balinese people is expressed in their dance.

Not only do we learn about the Balinese religion from their dance creations

 but also we can understand their way of thinking 

and activities that belong to everyday life.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Land of Many Scooters

Ho Chi Minh City for 3 days, it was enough to satisfy my curiosity about the city. I didn’t have any ideas or imagination of how the city would be like, but I was ready for whatever it is that the city would offer. I must admit, I am quite easy with regards to travelling and an adventurer in another way. But indeed, I found my adventure and peace in one package.

Vietnam was quite special, I couldn’t figure out how or why but I would go back in a heartbeat if circumstances would allow me.

And to share some of the experiences I had, here are some of the moments I have captured along the trip and some useful information that you can tag along if you might consider flying over one day. But in case you were wondering, Yes… I did travel with a Lonely Planet in one hand and a Sony digital camera on the other hand.

Go

War Remnants Museum (Bao Tang Chung Tich Chien Tranh)

Address: 28 D Vo Van Tan
Admission: 15,000d
Opening hours: 7:30am-noon; 1:30-5pm

Reunification Palace (Dinh Thong Nhat)
Address: D Nam Ky Khoi Nghia
Admission: 30,000d
Opening hours: 7:30-11am; 1-4pm

Eat

Au Parc

My personal favorite in Ho Chi Minh, it’s a small well decorated Mediterranean café that serves the best smoothies in town. Plus the fact that they give away sparkling wine to women every night, this place is so friendly with a budget price range you would start to wonder if they do make money. The food is an average, but considering the ambience and the price, it is really not that bad at all. It is quite hidden along the street of the park but if you are in for a hunt, I totally recommend this place.

Address: 23 D Han Thuyen (Dhong Khoi Area)

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7:30-10:30pm
Sunday 8am-5pm
Cusine: Mediterranean
Price: 95,000-165,000d
Must-try: Fruit Smoothies

Pho Hoa

This place will definitely give you the real Vietnamese experience you actually came for. A very traditional Vietnamese canteen where you share tables with the local, where food you didn’t order are basically placed in your table to give you an easy reach of things and ends you up with eating food you didn’t come to eat nor asked but happy to have experienced. This is the place where I have learned to love drinking Iced Cocoa with Condensed Milk (Cacao Sua Da). Don’t even bother ordering it in another place, you will be disappointed. The Pho is impressive, I don't even want to try in another place.

Address: 260C D Pasteur (Da Kao Area)
Opening hours: 6am-midnight
Price: 45,000-50,000d
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Must-try: Pho, Cacao Sua Da (Iced Cocoa), Gio Chao Quay (Fried Chinese bread)

Drink

Vasco’s

If I would have an idea of Barcelona in Vietnam, this would probably be the closest one I can think of. It’s an outdoor bar filled with expats coming with a scooter to have a drink or two. The entrance might not look as fancy as it is but as you go in, you would feel as if you are in a different city. It is located in a tiny plaza where a few bars and restaurants are side to side that you can actually cross over if a drink here doesn’t satisfy you, which I highly doubt.

Address: 74/7D DL Hai Ba Trung (Dong Khoi Area)
Opening hours: 4pm-11pm
Must-try: Cocktails, Tiramisu

Sleep

Tuan Anh Hotel 168

An impressively tidy hotel with a surprisingly cheap 350,000d per night, the price made up for everything. The employees don’t speak English though. Better take the rooms on the next floors as it gets noisy at the reception during daytime. The hotel is located in Pham Ngu Lao Area known to be the backpacker district. It is quite convenient to anywhere in the city, and it’s a 200,00d worth a travel from the airport.

Address: 168 Cong Quynh Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 01, District 1 - Pham Ngu Lao / Tay Balo, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Area: Pham Ngu Lao
Website: http://www.agoda.com/asia/vietnam/ho_chi_minh_city/tuan_anh_hotel_168.html
http://www.booking.com/hotel/vn/tuan-anh.en.html

Shopping

Ben Thanh Market

Whatever it is you need or looking for, this is the only place you need to go. A bargain market on just about everything, name it, Coffee, Nuts, Clothes, Souvenirs. Everything is under one roof. Though here, you would have to practice your bargain skills.

Address: Cho Ben Thanh; DL Le Loi, DL Ham Nghi, DL Tran Hung Dao & D Le Lai

Must-buy: Coffee, Cocoa, Nuts




Transportation

Tan Son Nhat International Airport

Taxi

          Mai Linh Taxi: Call 38383838
          Vinasun Taxi: Call 38272727

Cyclo

                Price: 15,000-25,000d
                           40,000d (District 1)

Motorbike Taxi / Xe Om
                Price:  20,000d (Pham Ngu Lao)

Saigon Scooter Centre
                Price: 20$-100$ per week
                Address: 25/7 D Cuu Long, Tan Binh district
                Contact: 38487816
                Website: www.saigonscootercentre.com






Catherine Valencia