Our First Stamp
A Vietnam Travel Memoir.
Xin chào! Last February 21, 2026, my husband and I traveled to Vietnam to celebrate two special occasions. Our first wedding anniversary and his birthday. It was also our very first international trip together.
The decision was completely last-minute. After seven years together, our travels had only taken us around the Philippines. Traveling abroad was always something we dreamed about, but between the costs, planning, and uncertainty of navigating a foreign country on our own, it always felt like a “maybe someday” plan. Then, just one month before our anniversary, we finally decided to take the leap.
After weeks of research, we chose a three-day trip to Ho Chi Minh City. We wanted a destination that was affordable, easy to explore, and known for its food, coffee, and culture. We were especially excited to try the Vietnamese dishes we’d only seen online and hunt for affordable pasalubongs.
We stayed at Eden Garden Hotel in District 1, which turned out to be the perfect base for our trip. Restaurants, cafés, convenience stores, and many tourist attractions were all within walking distance. Although it was just a few minutes from Bui Vien Walking Street, the city’s lively nightlife surprisingly never disturbed our stay.
Most of our activities were booked through Klook, including the War Remnants Museum, a Hop-On Hop-Off Night Bus tour, and a full-day Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta tour. Beyond those, we intentionally kept our itinerary flexible, leaving room for café hopping, spontaneous discoveries, and simply enjoying the city’s atmosphere.
Exploring Vietnam
Day 1 – First Impressions of Ho Chi Minh City
We landed in Ho Chi Minh City at around 8:00 AM. Since check-in wasn’t until 2:00 PM, we left our luggage at the hotel and immediately started exploring.
Our first stop was the Pink Church (Tân Định Church). Although it was closed, we admired its vibrant façade before having our first Vietnamese breakfast at Tân Định Market. We spent the rest of the morning visiting some of the city’s iconic landmarks, including Notre Dame Cathedral, Book Street, the Central Post Office, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and the Café Apartment, where we tried Vietnam’s famous egg coffee at Pô Cafe.
By the time we reached the Saigon Opera House, we realized our trip coincided with Tết, Vietnam’s Lunar New Year, as the streets were already coming alive with preparations and celebrations.
After hours of walking, we rested at a bus stop and watched tourists balancing the bamboo shoulder yokes used by local vendors before continuing to the Independence Palace. We skipped going inside because of the long lines and made our final stop at the War Remnants Museum. It was the most emotional part of the day, leaving both of us heartbroken and speechless as we learned about Vietnam’s wartime history.
Finding lunch wasn’t easy, but we eventually stumbled upon a local beer restaurant and where we got fried rice. By then, my feet had officially given up, so we booked a Grab back to the hotel, checked in, and rested before heading out again that evening.
We spent the night on a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour, enjoying Ho Chi Minh City’s skyline and the festive atmosphere of Tết. Afterward, we finally tried Pizza 4P’s, walked along the lively Bui Vien Walking Street, stopped by 7-Eleven for snacks, and ended the night back at the hotel, instantly falling asleep.
Day 2 – Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, and a Birthday to Remember
Our second day started early with a full-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. After breakfast, our tour guide picked us up from the hotel, and we made a quick stop at a lacquer painting workshop, where we watched artisans create Vietnam’s beautiful handcrafted lacquer art.
We then arrived at the Cu Chi Tunnels, where we learned about Vietnam’s history during the war. We saw hidden entrances, ingenious booby traps, and the underground tunnel system where soldiers once lived. We even crawled through one of the tunnels ourselves, and despite choosing the shortest route, it was still incredibly narrow and claustrophobic.
After an included lunch with fellow travelers from India, Japan, China, the United States, and the Philippines, we continued to the Mekong Delta. We crossed the Mekong River by motorboat before boarding a small hand-rowed boat that glided through peaceful canals lined with nipa palms, my favorite part of the tour. We also visited a coconut candy workshop, sampled honey tea, tropical fruits, and freshly made coconut candies, met pet snakes, held a honeycomb covered in bees, and enjoyed a traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music performance. We ended the tour sipping fresh coconut juice as we crossed the river one last time.
Back in Ho Chi Minh City that evening, we celebrated my husband’s birthday. Our original plan was to dine at a Michelin-recommended restaurant, but because of Tết, it was fully booked. Instead, we found a nearby steakhouse, bought him a small birthday cake afterward, and ended the night with coffee at Highlands Coffee.
When we returned to the hotel, I discovered a huge blister on my toe from all the walking over the past two days lol.
Day 3 – One Last Walk Through Ho Chi Minh City
Our last day was all about buying pasalubong. After finishing the coffee we had saved in the hotel fridge and enjoying one last complimentary breakfast, we headed to Ben Thanh Market. We had heard mixed reviews on TikTok, so we wanted to see it for ourselves. While the market had everything from souvenirs and snacks to clothing, we found the prices a little higher than expected and left without buying anything.
Instead, we stumbled upon a small souvenir shop near Saigon Square that turned out to be a hidden gem. It had everything we were looking for at much better prices, so we ended up buying almost all of our souvenirs there.
Our next stop was a supermarket for Vietnamese coffee and snacks, but Google Maps somehow kept leading us to a dental clinic. After laughing at our navigation mishap, we headed to Lotte Mart instead, where we stocked up on coffee, chocolates, snacks, and even a few toys for our fur baby, Miwo. All for around ₱3,000 (about $50).
Before heading back, we stopped by Fashion Street for shoes, enjoyed one last meal at the Indian restaurant beside our hotel, and somehow found yet another souvenir shop where my husband picked up a few T-shirts and caps.
Back at the hotel, we somehow managed to fit everything into our luggage before taking one last shower, checking out, and making our way to the airport.
What We Ate
I’d be lying if I said everything we ate was amazing. But I’d also be lying if I said we didn’t enjoy almost every meal. Looking back, my only regret is not trying more of the street food stalls. Still, every meal became part of the experience, whether it was a local specialty or something unexpectedly familiar. Here’s everything we tried during our trip:
Mì Quảng – Central Vietnamese turmeric noodles with chicken, vegetables, a light broth, and a crispy sesame rice cracker.
Cơm chiên – Vietnamese-style fried rice, served in a huge portion that we almost couldn’t finish.
Cà Phê Kem Trứng (Egg Coffee) and Cacao Sữa Muối (Salt Milk Chocolate)
Crab Pasta, Sausage Spaghetti, and Half-and-Half 4-Cheese & Truffle Pizza
Cassava Root with Crushed Peanuts – A simple steamed cassava snack served with crushed peanuts and salt, traditionally eaten by Vietnamese soldiers during the war.
Vietnamese set lunch – Braised chicken, omelet, mixed vegetables, soup, and rice during our Cu Chi–Mekong Delta tour.
Trà mật ong chanh (Honey lemon tea) Kẹo dừa (coconut candy), Chuối sấy (crispy banana chips), roasted peanuts, honey lemon tea, and fresh tropical fruits at the Mekong Delta.
Fresh Coconut – The perfect farewell drink before leaving the Mekong Delta.
Steak frites (French-style steak served with fries) and Magret de canard (pan-seared duck breast) at Cocotte.
Strawberry and Choco Wonderland Mini Cake from Tous les Jours.
Fish Korma (fish in a creamy, mildly spiced curry) and Butter Chicken (chicken simmered in a rich tomato-butter sauce) for our final meal.
Moments We'll Never Forget
One of my favorite experiences was cruising through the narrow canals of the Mekong Delta while wearing a traditional nón lá (Vietnamese conical hat). It was something I had only ever seen online, so seeing it in person felt surreal. My husband, meanwhile, loved the Hop-On Hop-Off Night Bus so much that he insisted we should do one in every country we visit.
One of the funniest memories happened on our very first day. After dropping us off at the hotel, our Grab driver tried explaining something, but Google Translate wasn’t much help. We first thought he wanted us to post about his service on Facebook (idk why we thought that), then convinced ourselves he was asking for a tip. I looked over and saw my husband already converting the amount into Philippine pesos before we even knew what he was talking about. After a few more attempts, we finally realized he was simply explaining the airport surcharge. We paid the fee through the app and burst out laughing. I still tease my husband about it to this day.
Our most unexpected experience happened at Ben Thanh Market. A vendor helped us pick out souvenirs, but when we realized we didn’t have enough cash, she insisted we pay another way or even let her accompany us to the ATM. We weren’t comfortable, so we decided to leave. Suddenly, several vendors surrounded us, pulling at my arms and offering bigger discounts. We eventually made it out, but my arms were red from being grabbed, and I was left shaken.
Thankfully, that was the only unpleasant experience we had in Vietnam. I don’t share it to discourage anyone from visiting Ben Thanh Market, but simply as a reminder to trust your instincts and always be cautious.
Overall, our stay in Vietnam exceeded our expectations. In many ways, it reminded me of home. The busy streets, the friendly people, the food, and the familiar energy made it feel surprisingly comforting despite being in a different country.
As our plane took off that evening, it finally sank in that our first international trip had come to an end. We returned home with heavier suitcases, sore feet, and countless souvenirs, but more importantly, with unforgettable memories from a trip that had once seemed impossible. What started as a last-minute decision became the perfect way to celebrate our anniversary, my husband’s birthday, and the beginning of what we hope will be many more adventures together.
Hẹn gặp lại, Vietnam!
Thank you for joining us on our first adventure abroad. I can’t wait to share more stories, memories, and destinations in the future. See you in the next one! :)
You're so cute! I always love reading travel articles, but they also make me want to travel. Especially when it's places like Vietnam. And yum!!! with all those food photos, now I'm hungry.
Specials thanks for including the pictures!
That was lovely to read <3
Having blisters after too much walking is relatable for sure
I remember back when I was visiting Bangkok, some of the food there was too spicy for my stomach so it was a bit of challenge :)
Congratulations on your first international trip!