ASIA TRAVEL BLOG

Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the notable landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City that guidebooks say everyone should visit because of its architecture.

You can’t really miss it, even without a guidebook, since it stands as a piece of history among the modernization that is being constructed around it. It is not just situated on the sidewalk among other buildings the way that an ordinary church would be, but it appears as if the streets and the surrounding city were designed with the Cathedral as a focal point.

The interior and exterior of the building is definitely majestic, boasting the glory that any cathedral should have. The interior can’t be compared to those of Italy, but there is something to be said for the vaulted ceilings and organization of holy figures around the Cathedral.

What the guidebooks don’t tell you is that the exterior carries as a background in many Vietnamese wedding photos. Not taking wedding pictures at the Cathedral is like not taking pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower when you go to Paris for the first time.

I attend the nine thirty mass every Sunday morning and what strikes me is not the constant flow of tourists that move in, out, and around the cathedral, but the numerous brides and grooms that are stationed strategically around the building. You could spend a whole day sitting at the Post Office and observing the couples with their entourages: photographer, photographer’s assistant, convertible driver, umbrella holder, and backup camera crew (family and friends). The convertible driver comes in handy when shots need to be taken of the bride and groom sitting on the car like they were in their own parade. You see them waving like celebrities but they are not necessarily waving to anybody, just practicing for when the cameras start to roll.

The bride and groom attract attention away from the Cathedral, especially when they’re being chauffeured in their bright yellow BMW. There’s nothing like telling the world you’re getting married with the sun blazing, melting the make-up off your face while cameras and tourist eyes are directed towards you. It can’t really be called your special day when there are three other couples stationed five feet away between each other to utilize the same brick background that has the right amount of light. Snapping a picture of these couples is a lot more interesting than getting just a shot of the Cathedral.

If you can’t attend a wedding during your time in Vietnam, this is the best thing I suggest you do while you are here. The Vietnamese love taking their photos and it is fun to see what they are willing to endure (sun, sweat, photographic direction, tight clothes) to get the perfect wedding photo.

I don’t remember much about the numerous cathedrals in Italy, but the mental picture of wedding couples in the midst of traffic and tourists will always be a memorable reminder for Notre Dame Cathedral.

SGT/ASW

At La Dolce Vita in downtown Saigon’s ancient Hotel Continental Saigon, the sound of coffee dripping from the filter can be heard despite the ruckus from the street as this terrace café is partly sheltered from the city noise by a low brick wall and is situated at an angle that deflects a good part of the din, thus differentiating it from other cafés and bars on Dong Khoi Street.

To my surprise, La Dolce Vita is a nice venue with plenty of seating for guests to relax and observe the busy pace of city life, either during the daytime or in the evening when lights are turned on.

You may question the quality of the drinks and service here, and the price of course, given the seat availability. But trust me, the pleasant staff is always ready to serve guests drinks which are about half the price at other cafes on this boutique shop street.

For instance, a glass of authentic Vietnamese milk coffee averages VND35,000 (less than US$2), a price you can hardly find at the other coffee shops so near to the city’s landmark Opera House.

It could be that La Dolce Vita, next to a restaurant of the hotel, makes drink lovers and seekers of a warm ambience think the terrace café is a restaurant and not a place to stop for drinks and relaxation.

Besides a wide selection of coffee, tea and cocktails, the primary attraction of the terrace coffee shop lies in the history of the Hotel Continental, whose 19th century French architecture remains intact and still shines brightly.

The ancient building has stayed firm through 130 years and has witnessed many changes in Saigon from the 19th century till 1975 and of HCM City from 1975 till now. The terrace café offers more than the history of the old building.

In the café are black-and-white pictures on the walls depicting the Notre Dame Cathedral and other landmarks of Saigon for guests to admire before or after they can see those landmarks with their own eyes.

The Opera House is just a short walk to the left when you leave La Dolce Vita while you have to stroll less than ten minutes to the right to the cathedral and the old but well-preserved HCMC Post Office building.

Ben Thanh Market, one of the most prominent features of the city, is within a 15-minute walk and can be reached by strolling along Le Loi Street. It takes only five minutes to walk to the beautifully-carved façade of City Hall on Le Thanh Ton Street.

For shoppers, La Dolce Vita is a good place to rest or to begin a shopping journey to major shopping centers, namely the Parkson Saigontourist Plaza on the corner of Dong Khoi and Le Thanh Ton, the Tax Plaza on the corner of Le Loi and Nguyen Hue, the Eden and other shopping malls and outlets along Dong Khoi Street.

A little farther away are Diamond Plaza on Le Duan Boulevard and the Kumho Asiana on the corner of Le Duan and Hai Ba Trung, the newest shopping venue in the city. These outlets stock all the fashion items you can imagine to decorate your body, from local to world-acclaimed brands.

SGT