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Bangkok Trip 2017

tháng 3 12, 2017 architecture, asia No comments

Bangkok Trip 2017

National University of Singapore

SDE-Integrated Sustainable Design

Integrated Project Studio 2

Bangkok In Situ Workshop

at Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University

A Quick Guide to Ho Chi Minh City

tháng 2 03, 2017 asia No comments

A former capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh city or commonly known as Saigon, is one of the places in Vietnam you should definitely visit next to the more popular Hanoi. Here are 8 things to do in Ho Chi Minh if you are visiting for two to three days.

Visa

You can apply for visa to enter Vietnam online. Check your visa requirements prior to arrival. Click here for the list of countries which are exempted.

Getting to the City
Take Bus 152 (yellow bus) from the airport to arrive in the city center.
Other modes of transportation you can use are taxis and uber.

1. Walk around the city and see French colonial architecture
Ho Chi Minh City Hall
Completed in 1908
Architect | P. Gardes

Central Post Office Buiding
Completed in 1891
Architect | Villedieu & Foulhoux

Notre Dame Cathedral
Completed in 1880

Red bricks from Marseille

Opera View Building

Saigon Opera House

Completed in 1897 | Restored in 1975

Architect | Ferret Eugene

Modern Architecture

Bitexco Financial Tower

Completed in 2010

Architect | Carlos Zapata & AREP

The Cafe Apartment

Backpackers' Street

2. Drink Viet coffee and go for cafe hopping

Ho Chi Minh has a rich coffee culture and distinct taste. Viet coffee is generally sweet strong coffee with condensed milk. You should definitely try it! Give it a try in both versions of coffee sold along the streets and the one sold in cafes.

Leo Cafe

Drip coffee is the commonly used brewing method here

Loft Cafe

Click here for more details

M2C (Modern Meet Culture)

Click here for more details.

3. Go to Cu Chi Tunnel & learn their history

4. Explore Mekong Delta

If you have a more time in Ho Chi Minh, visit Mekong River. Going to Mekong Delta requires a full day in your itinerary.

5. Eat Pho! And try their local delicacies

You can try Pho in this food market

Five Oysters is a nice place to have a decent dinner in the city.

Banh Mi

Complimentary beers from the hostel

Vietnamese Snake Rice Wine

6. Learn some basic Vietnamese words
Locals speak limited English, learning some basic Vietnamese words will be helpful as you ask for directions and places.

Try memorizing the following phrases

Hello | Seen-Chow

Excuse Me, Sorry | Seen-Loy

Thank You | Gam-Un

Bye | Tham-Beet

7. Book a hostel
Hostels are cheap in Ho Chi Minh and you will be in the heart of the city as well. It will save you up from spending for transportation costs.

Some of these hostels have nice roof decks and view of the city

8. Visit Art Gallery Shops

Tips

1. Don't wait for the motorbikes to stop as it will be endless flow. There are few traffic lights in the area so just cross and keep moving. They will avoid you automatically. This only applies to motorbikes, if it's a car, it's a different story.

2. Take only Vinasun or Mailinh taxi for a fare rate.

3. As you will be doing a lot of walking around the city, be cautious of your surroundings and belongings.

4. Lastly, just feel the city and enjoy!

Here is a video of our 3D2N trip:

Click here for more about backpacking trip from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap (Cambodia)

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"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in you sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

-H. Jackson Brown (Jr.)

When in Penang

tháng 2 01, 2016 art, asia No comments

Penang, a peninsula in the northwestern coast, is another place to travel in Malaysia. Its name came from the modern Malay name Pulau Pinang which means "island of the area nut palm". This is a well-diverse city with a harmonious multi-racial population. In addition, it is now known for its public street artworks and installation displays.

The capital city, among its five districts, is the George Town. This was named in honor of King George III. It shows the fusion of the Eastern and Western culture which is also reflected their architecture. It embraces the modern era and at the same time it preserves the traditions and old warm charm of the historical site.

View of Penang Island from the ferry ride

There are several ways to explore the lovely island of Penang. These are some of the things you must do when you visit Penang:

1. See the murals and street artworks!

Ernest Zacharevic

He is a Lithuanian artist who lived and breathed Georgetown. He made these artworks for the Georgetown Festival of the Arts and Culture back in 2012.

Check his other murals and street artworks all over the world here.

Little Girl in Blue (Muri Street)

Little Children On A Bicycle (Armenian Street)

Click here and here for videos of Ernest Zacharevic working on a mural.

Boy On A Bike (Ah Quee Street)

Reaching Up (Cannon Street)

Rainbow Umbrellas which is located near the "Reaching Up" artwork.

The Awaiting Trishaw Paddler (Penang Road)

A real-life Trishaw Paddler in Georgetown

Street artworks became a popular trend in Georgetown and became the tourist attraction in the area. A lot of artists are now showcasing their works around the district. These are some of the street artworks to look out for:

One of the cat artworks in Georgetown

Reminders

bring cap/umbrella

wear sunblock

wear comfortable shoes

bring water

2. Go to Penang Hill

Penang Hill is the highest point in whole district of Penang island with 821 AMSL where you can have an overlooking view of the city.

The type of railway used in Penang Hill is a funicular railway, which is an inclined plane or cliff railway. This was first opened in 1923 during the British colonization era and was overhauled in 2010. Best time to go to Penang Hill is during night time to see the magnificent view of the island. And as you ride the train, go to the front part to have the best view and experience :)

Video going up to Penang Hill

Video going down from Penang Hill (better view)

3. Visit St. George's Anglican Church

First Anglican church in Southeast Asia region

4. Rent a bike

This is the best way to go around Georgetown, for artworks and installations are in different locations.

Visit Love Bike facebook page here.

5. See the well-preserved heritage buildings which include the Peranakan shop houses and buildings during the British era.

Clock Tower landmark

6. Ride the ferry going to Penang Island.

We rode the ferry (20-minute ride) from Butterworth Terminal (mainland Malaysia) going to Georgetown (Penang Island). You only need to pay once. No charge for the return journey.

6. Visit the Clan Jetties or the water villages.

This is part of the Penang Heritage Trail which is open to public. The location of the jetty settlements is just near the Penang Ferry Terminal. There are six remaining clan jetties in the island. The Chew Jetty is the most famous one and it is more open to public.

6. Interact and get-to-know the locals.

A better way to know a place by heart is to talk to the locals and know their stories. Don't hesitate to talk to them and be friendly. Just be cautious to whom you are going to talk to :)

Uncle and auntie were very good to us. They treated us like their family even for a short time.

7. Live in a hostel

It is economical to book for a cheap hostel in backpacking trip. On the other hand, choose carefully the hostels you will book. Read the reviews and comments of previous travelers and backpackers who went there already.