Vietnam was never really on my travel bucket list. The first time someone raised the idea of going to Ho Chi Minh, my immediate reaction was a puzzled “Why?”

Ho Chi Minh, formerly known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest city and serves as its primary economic and commercial hub. Unlike Hanoi, which exudes an old-world charm, or the trendy resort escape Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh is defined by its fast-paced energy and crowded streets.

For many Filipinos, myself included, we associate Saigon with the Lea Salonga-starred West End musical. Aside from that, what I knew of it was the bare minimum. So when our trip finally pushed through, I had zero expectations of what the city had to offer.

While many travelers consider Ho Chi Minh a place to pass through rather than a place to explore, I discovered that spending a few days in the city is worth the experience.

1. Convenient and easy

One of the things that usually takes the joy out of traveling is all the logistics involved before you even reach the destination. Arranging itineraries, visa requirements, and long travel times can be exhausting. With Ho Chi Minh, you can skip all of those headaches.

Even with the recent surge of airline ticket prices, the cost of a round-trip, nonstop flight from Manila to Ho Chi Minh only ranges from ₱12,000 to ₱15,000, which is often cheaper than flying to El Nido or Siargao.

The flight from Manila barely takes three hours, shorter than many out-of-city road trips I’ve taken locally. And yes, Filipinos do not need a visa to enter Vietnam, making it an easy option for a quick, impromptu getaway.

2. Feel like a temporary millionaire

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be a millionaire, spending your dinero in Saigon is the best way to have a go at it. This is not only because of the low value of the Vietnamese Dong but also because it’s generally cheap to explore, eat, and stay in the city.

After paying astronomical hotel prices in Tokyo and Hong Kong, I was pleasantly surprised by how affordable accommodations are in Ho Chi Minh. While we did splurge on a premium hotel in the city center, there are countless well-located 4-star properties that you can book for under ₱3,000 a night. If you’re traveling in groups or on a tight budget, you can even opt for the boutique hotels and inns with spacious rooms for under ₱2,000 a night.

Taxis and ride-sharing apps are also inexpensive and accessible. I was relieved not to be forced into taking 20,000 steps a day, nor did I have to decipher the local train system just to get around. Traffic is bearable as long as you avoid the rush hours if you have a set schedule.

3. Unique food experiences

I have to confess that Vietnamese food ranks lower on my list of Asian cuisines, with Thai, Japanese, and even Filipino cuisine being superior, if my palate is to be trusted. But what impressed me was that while the flavor lacked a certain punch, the diverse dining experiences in Saigon more than made up for it.

The Lunch Lady is arguably the most famous street food stall in Saigon, with no less than the late Anthony Bourdain, who put it on the food map. We powered through a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup and fried appetizers on a sweltering Tuesday afternoon. It was too hot for soup, truth be told, but with that being the only thing on the menu, we didn't really have a choice.

Even fine dining is relatively affordable. I had a three-course meal at the Michelin-selected Vietnam House for just around ₱2,500 that included fresh prawn spring rolls, bánh xèo with crab and Iberico pork, and a generous portion of smoked duck breast for the main course.

Pizza 4P’s in Ben Thanh is another notable restaurant that you should not miss. It serves great Italian cuisine located in a beautifully restored French Villa designed by Vietnam National Architecture Prize Awardee Shunri Nishizawa.

Or if you want something more out of the ordinary (and Instagrammable), try the rainforest-themed Oasis Cafe, where the stone tables float on a pond filled with koi fish.

4. No bad coffee

I am not in any way a coffee connoisseur, but while I cannot lecture anyone on the finer points of what makes a good cup of coffee, I can instantly spot a bad brew. In Saigon, it seems that bad coffee is a myth. It must be something in the Ho Chi Minh water or perhaps just being in the midst of the whole Saigon coffee culture that made every sip taste better.

Whether it was in one of the Cafe Apartment shops or from the streetside coffee stalls, every single drink tasted superb. I particularly loved the Vietnamese Salted Coffee (cà phê muối), which tasted like a more intense version of the sea salt latte.

5. Local shopping finds

I went to Ho Chi Minh with no plans of buying anything. On the way back to Manila, I ended up with a new jacket, a couple of bags, three pairs of shoes, and a painting I got from a street-side art gallery — all for a little less than ₱6,000. If you want to shop, skip Bến Thành Market and the other tourist traps. Instead, go straight to the fashion street in District 3 or the independent boutiques in District 1.

We scoured so many old apartment buildings packed with trendy Vietnamese clothing brands. It was a lesson in not judging a book by its cover, as we discovered hidden gems inside unassuming, quite grimy structures. Some local Vietnamese brands that we loved include Rubies, Chautfifth, Nagashoes, Saigon Swagger, and LIBÉ.

So if you’re looking for a travel destination that’s easy, cheap, and accessible, Saigon definitely checks all the boxes. It may not have been one of the places I’d always dreamt of visiting, but it turned out to be a city I’ll gladly come back to.