Vietnam

Experiencing Ho Chi Minh City with Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon as the Base

After over a decade, I eventually returned to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to attend the International Travel Expo (ITE) HCMC 2023 courtesy of Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and Ho Chi Minh Department of Tourism.

Photo by Cuong Doan on Unsplash

After over a decade, I eventually returned to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to attend the International Travel Expo (ITE) HCMC 2023 courtesy of Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and Ho Chi Minh Department of Tourism.

This trip revealed to me how Ho Chi Minh City’s role as Vietnam’s economic powerhouse has grown in leaps and bounds, plus its people’s unwavering commitment to succeed economically.

Read about ITE HCMC 2023 here.

This time around though, I took it easy so that I could study and understand more of what HCMC is all about at a slower pace, probably also due to age catching up with me (sigh). Of course, neophytes should take the opportunity to make the most of their time in the city by ticking off the list of many famous landmarks and spots like the Reunification Palace, Saigon Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, 42 Nguyen Hue Cafes Apartment, and even Landmark 81, which massively changed the city’s skyline compared to when I first visited.

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The city now has grown exponentially. It has even expanded to incorporate the new Thu Duc City – also known as the Eastern City – across the river, with infrastructure like a mass rapid transit line, highway, and expressway aggressively being built to connect it to the rest of HCMC. With a burgeoning population of around 13 million, the city represents Vietnam’s dynamism and determination to become one of Asia’s economic hubs.

Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon

I had the chance to stay at the strategically located Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon in District 1, the very heart of HCMC, during the ITE 2023, which I think is one of the best lodgings for first timers due to its strategic location because I could conveniently walk to attractions like Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Opera House, and the National History Museum. Whether visiting HCMC for business or leisure, this five-star hotel is a dependable base complete with the expected modern conveniences and reliable services.

Exterior of Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon. Photo by Marriott International.
Exterior of Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon. Photo by Marriott International.

Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon presents comfortable hotel rooms and suites that feature indulgent bedding, high-speed Wi-Fi, and the signature panoramic view of Saigon River. Though the design of the rooms might remind you of the early 2000s, this property is remarkably well-maintained and provides everything the traveller needs. The hotel is even ideal for staycation. If you could, try snagging one of the Club Level rooms and suites, which grant you exclusive Club privileges, making your stay even more rewarding.

Among the things I like about the hotel is having breakfast between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. at the chic all-day food and beverage outlet named Viet Kitchen that has large windows facing east, allowing guests to look out to the constant flow of traffic, pedestrians, and the river beyond with boats and cargo vessels cruising on it. You can readily witness how bustling HCMC is just by looking at the sheer volume of constant traffic, a veritable sign of an ever-growing economy.

A Deluxe City Room at Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon. Photo by Marriott International.
A Deluxe City Room at Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon. Photo by Marriott International.

Breakfast at Viet Kitchen is a relaxing affair, especially when it is also accompanied by uplifting music. Its buffet spread integrates vegetarian and Indian sections, on top of delectable seafood dishes, international fare, and Vietnamese favourites. To fully appreciate the space, do come early in the morning before the crowd builds and the sun shines too strongly.

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For fast snacks and tapas, including refreshing beverages like delicious wines, handcrafted cocktails, and hot concoctions, guests can head to the European street café-inspired bistro-style R Bar, ensconced at one side of the hotel lobby and opens from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. This is an ideal place for you to hold discussions or meetings, even people-watch, amidst upbeat atmosphere.

The all-day dining outlet Viet Kitchen within Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon. Photo by Marriott International.
The all-day dining outlet Viet Kitchen within Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon. Photo by Marriott International.

After a long day of meeting, work, or exploring the city, take a rejuvenating dip in the open-air rooftop pool on the 21st Floor, accessible daily from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The hotel’s fitness centre is on Level 21 too and opens seven days a week, 24 hours a day. On that same floor, Renaissance Spa, which dispenses a blend of Eastern and Western spa therapies and wellness like massages, Ayurvedic treatment, body scrub, body wrap, eye treatment, facials, foot bath, manicure and pedicure, await.

Level 21 is where you can take in the view of some parts of District 1, considered as the best urban representation of contemporary HCMC. You can comfortably deduce HCMC as the city on the up based on the countless surrounding tall buildings and skyscrapers, besides realising that the city’s terrain is generally flat. This is also the place where Liquid Sky bar is located, affording you the dazzling view of the city’s skyline at night that is hard to beat as you imbibe your libation of choice, accompanied by fine bites and finger food.

Exploring Ho Chi Minh City

Read Gaya Travel Magazine’s first take on Ho Chi Minh City here on where to go and what to see here:

For Ho Chi Minh City first-timers, the following are some places worth considering:

The main altar inside Thien Hau Temple in Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.
The main altar inside Thien Hau Temple in Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.

Tip: When walking around Chinatown, or any other neighbourhood in HCMC, be sure to put on comfortable footwear, bring along a cap and umbrella in case it rains or when the heat from the blazing sun proves too much, and don’t forget bottled water.

One of the two Presidential Reception Rooms at the Reunification Palace. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.
One of the two Presidential Reception Rooms at the Reunification Palace. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.
A tourist getting ready for the Vespa Adventures' Saigon After Dark Tour. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.
A tourist getting ready for the Vespa Adventures’ Saigon After Dark Tour. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.

Tip: When crossing the busy traffic, be sure to walk very slowly so that the incoming traffic could anticipate your movement and swerve by accordingly.

Places to eat and drink in Ho Chi Minh City

Delectable vegetarian dishes served at Home Saigon. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.
Delectable vegetarian dishes served at Home Saigon. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.
The colourful decor of the bar at Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.
The colourful decor of the bar at Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.

Tip: Though you might fall in love with the aroma of Vietnamese coffee, remember that it might turn out to be stronger than what you are used to, so start first by sipping slowly and see how it affects you before chugging down the whole cup or glass.

Iced coffee served at Lacaph during a presentation session. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.
Iced coffee served at LaCaph during a presentation session. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.
The minimalist interior of the cafe called '%' at the Cafes Apartment next to Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.
The minimalist interior of the cafe called ‘%’ at the Cafes Apartment next to Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.
Inside Halal Saigon restaurant. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.
Inside Halal Saigon restaurant. Photo by Juhan Kamaruddin.

Interact with the locals

When you have the chance, strike a conversation with a local, especially an educated Vietnamese youth. You are bound to notice the rising Vietnamese generation, as the generations before them, aspire to continuously better themselves, increase their livelihood, and improve their quality of life. By simply looking at the attributes of the next generation, comprising youths who are determined to improve themselves and their lot, it is not a mystery why Vietnam is a dynamic country on the way up. The education system in Vietnam must be doing something right in developing these bright youngsters into nation-builders.

Maybe that fortitude could be traced back to the preceding generations, who were themselves hardy and fiercely independent fighters struggling to free their nation from the clutches of colonialism. Such fighting spirit must have successfully been instilled from one generation to the next. It would be interesting to see how much further Vietnam could go in the coming decades towards becoming a developed, high-income nation, perhaps earlier than the year 2045 as anticipated by the Vietnamese government and the World Bank, making Vietnam, especially HCMC, fascinating for the world to keep a close watch…

Gaya Travel Magazine expresses gratitude towards Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Ho Chi Minh Department of Tourism, and Wanderlust Tips for making the writer’s trip to Vietnam possible and smooth-sailing.

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