Contrary to the bustling atmosphere at the weekend, the streets of Ho Chi Minh City on May 30 were quieter after many Covid-19 cases in the community were announced. Many streets in the center of Ho Chi Minh City such as Dong Khoi, Le Duan, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Du, Hai Ba Trung… were empty. Le Duan Street (District 1) The corners of the central streets of Ho Chi Minh City no longer have the vibrant rhythm of daily life Nguyen Hue pedestrian street (District 1) has been temporarily closed to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic. Nguyen Van Binh book street has also been closed, the entrances are all equipped with tables and chairs, flower beds, and barricades. The area in front of Notre Dame Cathedral on weekends is often crowded with people to visit, today also very few people. Turtle Lake is quiet, no longer the familiar image of students who come here every weekend. Many streets in the city are empty Nguyen Huu Canh Street, even at rush hour, is empty of traffic Cay Go overpass (District 6), an important intersection at the western gateway of Ho Chi Minh City, is no longer crowded as usual. Vo Van Kiet Boulevard is a lifeline of traffic, connecting the two ends of the Northeast – Southwest of the city, but there are few cars on weekends, a very rare image compared to weekdays. A restaurant on Nguyen Trai Street (District 1) only sells takeaways, and at the same time keeps a distance of 2 meters from customers according to the requirements of the authorities.

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.

Loving a guy, a Saigon girl is like, is a friend in Hanoi but is addicted to eating Ba Chieu noodle soup, likes dating for coffee in District 2, on weekends for a fair market. Then I always love the green tamarind rows running along Vo Van Tan street, love the sudden rain, love the rustic and generous love here. Stepping on the street, there is always a call for “Aunt Ba”, two calls for “Uncle Tu” and then the sentence “yes” to confess “son”, why I feel enlightened, strange but … I feel sorry. Saigon girl is only 2 hours flying, but I still miss it strangely Saigon is sprawling and busy, but everyone who comes to play will feel “satisfied with the stomach”. Food in the land of Saigon is nothing to blame, North Central and South have enough nothing to miss: Hanoi pho, Hoi An chicken rice, Phan Thiet pancake, My Tho noodle soup or a plate of rice in the past. reputation … From popular to luxurious, you can eat whatever you want. Not to mention Saigon can also enjoy cuisine from all over the world imported here: eat French brunch, try spicy sour pad Thai, tasting Indian curry or enjoy Italian cuisine at a luxury restaurant. important. Admittedly, the cuisine here has never disappointed anyone. There is nothing more romantic than a sunset in Saigon Not all guests know that the specialty in this country is the sunset. About 4 o’clock in the afternoon, pass each other through the city streets, head held high to look at the sky, fluttering pink clouds. If there were no conditions, they screamed to each other to run out the window and onto the terrace to reward themselves with a spectacular stage. Asking Saigon people where to hunt the most beautiful sunset, it is Thu Thiem bridge, Cha La bridge, Ong Lanh bridge, or the road running along Van Don wharf. Saigon people looked at it and realized that the traffic flowed crowdedly, jammed along, but anyone passing Ong Lanh bridge saw the sunset so beautiful, they had to stop the car to admire a little, take a few photos and then return. . “Hey, listen …” The most wonderful thing is to go to the restaurants in Saigon alley, not only because it is delicious but there are real life stories every time, funny stories from aunts to uncles. Uncle, everywhere we hear a few laughter between the neighbors. Loving Saigon for its people, coming back here because of the intimacy they gave to the guests. Saigon people are proud, polite, talkative, are always amiable and “sweet”, but not sweet in the manner of commendable or polite. The sounds of yes, thank you, sorry … are already in the heart and are at the mouth. Honestly, injured the nature of Saigon people. Saigon is a funny place, the more you live, the more you want to go back. 2 hours flight time, 2000 kilometers is nothing when the Hanoi people come here always feel “satisfied with their stomach”. Listen, Vietjet has many incentives, competitive fares, flexible flight times with frequency Nearly 20 trips / day, not to mention the extra 20kg of checked baggage that has never been so reasonable and convenient to go to Hanoi or to Saigon! Fly with Vietjet from now until 15.4.2021, you will receive a 100.000 VND voucher upon successful booking and registration information at: https://evoucher.vietjetair.com/, the voucher will be used for the booking next flight before 30.6.2021. Take advantage of early flight booking, not when the tickets run out, the price increases or the flight time is over, you will regret it.