Not many days in Ho Chi Minh City but I received so much love, just that much makes me love this city and want to come back many more times.
My first visit to Ho Chi Minh City was in 1999 on a bus trip through Vietnam with my friends, I was overwhelmed by a city far away from where I live.
Ho Chi Minh City greeted me with sudden showers at sunset, rain came quickly and ended quickly, not as rains in the North. I miss Dam Sen and Suoi Tien with many beautiful scenes; Remember that Water Park brings a feeling of strong, scared, but assured right away because of the cute rescuers. Remember at 2 o’clock in the morning going to eat late, still the shop is open, remember to knock at the alley near the hotel, forget the way to go home deliciously. I thought to myself, I will definitely come back and stay longer to experience, but life is not what I wanted … The second time back to Ho Chi Minh City after more than 20 years of separation, now I am a quite special passenger on the flight. The plane landed, I was picked up by an elevator for the disabled. The ground attendant at Tan Son Nhat attentively served me even though I had a companion. When I left the airport, I received a lovely greeting “Have a nice visit to Ho Chi Minh City” with a smile that made me forget the fatigue during the long, warm flight with sincerity. “A good start to the” strange land “days – I thought to myself. This time, Ho Chi Minh City greeted me with the bright sunlight and met the smiling eyes of the students who came out to welcome me, although we have only met more than 20 years. Many stories, many student memories flooded back. You blame me for having an accident without reporting, blaming me all the time and closing a sentence that makes me cry: “You are as stubborn as before, I love you so much, really …”. You are still the same, frankly but honest. I laughed all the time, watching the streets, 20 years, so many changes. Coming to Ho Chi Minh City, I miss the old noodle bowl, the car that sells the noodles knocked in the alley. I visit a street noodle shop, the owner is a man in his 50s. Like many other guests, I ordered my own bowl of noodles. Maybe it was because I was in a wheelchair when I entered the restaurant, but he kindly came over to ask “Can you eat spicy kisses?” Then he waved to the child: “Oh, bring me a small tray to put the bowl on.” It’s just such a small concern that I’m so warm. His gentle smile made me no longer have distance, I am happy because of his sincerity and sophistication. I thanked him, he waved his hand: “It’s okay, you live with people together.” This country is so cute. Our group of friends made an appointment at Con Rua Lake to review old memories. Everyone with two hairstyles and laughs like when they were in college. My friend – a director of a company but no pants is a turn, he shorts T-shirt to drive a motorbike. Ordering rice paper and sipping with old friends, I poked it: “The owner is still like when he was short of food, lack of money for rent.” Laughing loudly, it said: “Ui now, I’m still the same as before, still the guy who likes to shop on the sidewalk, likes to eat steamed rice filled with the gravy of Mrs. Lan, the shop next to the school.” It’s a lavish city, but I still feel the rustic, sincere features through my friends. What reminds me of HCMC on this trip was a “fragrant” way back to the hotel. Having been warned “be careful not to be slashed by a taxi” so I keep an eye on the clock when getting on the bus. He got out of the car with a sunburnt-colored taxi driver, and with a bright smile he got off the bus when he saw that the “special” passenger was me. 
Ho Con Rua, where the young people of Ho Chi Minh City often come to play and chat. Photo: HOANG Trieu – Can you get in the car by yourself or do you need my help? A friendly gesture, a gentle but caring question that made me happy and did not feel different, I once again thought to myself how cute HCMC people are. – How far is it from here to the hotel? – Just going a little, now going to be stuck in traffic, but I’m assured, Tan Ky Tan Quy street is not as jam-packed as in Truong Chinh. A moment past some snakehead fish grilled, he opened the door for you to “enjoy”. He said and smiled. It is exactly as he said, the smell of snakehead fish fragrant the whole neighborhood, just listening to the scent is already attractive. He continued: – In the traffic jam, I have to sit for a long time and hear the smell of grilled fish, are you hungry? If you are hungry, take a bag of cakes that you leave behind to eat, there is a bottle of mineral water too, feel free to relax. All the way, he chatted happily, as if I forgot the crowded traffic jam outside. Arriving at the hotel, the taxi fare was more than a hundred thousand, surprising me. Who says the HCMC taxi “slashes”, who says to “be careful” with the city taxi. Enthusiastic, friendly, I secretly thank you. Ho Chi Minh City people also touched me when I went to dinner, struggling with high sidewalk steps but could not roll the car, 4 people sitting and drinking coffee along the road rushed to help. How so loving and touching. I thought of the old-noodle uncle’s saying: “It’s okay, let’s live with everyone else”, not only looks at each other, but also loves each other a lot. Ho Chi Minh City changed a lot, I was overwhelmed by the Landmark 81 building, Bitexco tower; I admire the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Post Office, enjoy when passing Thu Thiem tunnel, taking the train on the Saigon River. But even though Ho Chi Minh City has changed, the love of people is still the same. In Ho Chi Minh City not many days, but I received so many love, just that only makes me love this city and want to come back many more times. These unforgettable feelings make me far away from Ho Chi Minh City and I feel nostalgic and miss me.
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