{"id":8806,"date":"2021-08-19T10:25:43","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T02:25:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=8806"},"modified":"2021-08-26T11:29:18","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T03:29:18","slug":"saigon-reopens-activities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/saigon-reopens-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Things That I’ll Do When Saigon Reopens, From Visiting The Book Street To Seeing A Play"},"content":{"rendered":"

Things that I can\u2019t wait to do when Saigon reopens<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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As a famous saying goes, \u201cTo live without hope is to cease to live.\u201d We Saigon residents are going through an unprecedented time, coping with the rapid spread of a deadly public infection as well as the suffocating days of movement restrictions.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, we\u2019ll need to find a glass half-full way to look at it, lest we allow ourselves to succumb to despair and hopelessness.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Until Saigon reopens, let\u2019s add fresh hope and zing to our restrictive lives by starting to plan our<\/strong> post-pandemic activities<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here are 11 of mine:<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Make an ordinary grocery trip to my favorite mall<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"<\/p>\n

When it\u2019s safe and lawful to travel again, I\u2019d love to travel to my favorite mall, regardless of how far it is from my home, to buy groceries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I will joyfully sit on a shuttle for 1 hour to travel from District 1 to Aeon Mall in T\u00e2n Ph\u00fa District<\/a> just to feast my eyes with Japanese food items that look as amazingly accurate as in pictures. I will also hit up Korean Town to buy <\/span>gochujang, kimchi, tteokbokki<\/span><\/em>,<\/span><\/i> and those instant noodles in Korean dramas that I\u2019ve been binging for the past 2 months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Even when I can\u2019t travel out of my neighborhood, I\u2019ll simply make a trip to the mall everyday, buy just enough for the day, and return at any time if I have a craving for snacks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Yup. You heard it right! A carefree daily grocery trip<\/strong> is definitely on my bucket list before Christmas hits.<\/span><\/p>\n

For those who don\u2019t know, we who live in Saigon these days shop with grocery stamps as if we were in the 80s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Every household is given a grocery stamp that dictates the two days of the week when they can hit the grocery store and convenience mart. These days are usually spaced out, meaning that if you go to the mall on Monday, you\u2019ll have to buy enough food for Tuesday and Wednesday as well because you can\u2019t go there again until Thursday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Covid-19 pandemic has certainly turned me into a financially savvy and forward-thinking grocery shopper. However, I sincerely pray for an end to these mind-bending essential trips and hope for stamp-free shopping pretty soon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Put on makeup and workwear again<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"<\/p>\n

The moment I can show up in public without a mask again, I\u2019ll put on makeup, high heels, and wear workwear again<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

I used to dread the daily routine of putting on makeup, picking out glam yet not-so-comfy workwear outfits, and wearing high heels for at least 8 hours a day. With my fully made-up face, I sweat like a Pepsi can on a rooftop amid the heat of Saigon as I navigated the streets on my stiletto heels to meetings with clients.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nonetheless, these days of 24\/7 casual clothes and a non-filter face has made me nostalgic for those days and the good hormones that kick in once my makeup is ready. I also miss the professional vibe and confidence that high heels gave me, even when I wore them to just run after cabs. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Overall, I miss the working life and strict dress code that gave me a valid reason to dress to the nines.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because of Covid-19, I now stand in front of a wardrobe of glamorous workwear items and can\u2019t find a reason to put any of them on.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Hit up a bar and socialize with people<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"<\/p>\n

When Saigon is fully reopened, I\u2019ll go to a fun place and socialize with people<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was never a crowd-loving person, and I tended to shy away from socializing with strangers in bars, beer fests, or public events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, the pandemic has made me grieve those times of physical connections and possibilities of making new relations more than ever. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

From attending birthday parties to hanging out at a book fair, all activities that are anchored in togetherness have been disrupted because of the pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n

The moment Saigon leaders lift the ban and all nightlife hubs reopen, I\u2019ll go to my favorite bar or any bar that still opens.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll order a tequila, strike up conversations with other loners, join a chess game with strangers, and simply enjoy being part of a crowd.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Buy a book at the Book Street\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"<\/p>\n

When Saigon reopens, I\u2019ll visit the Book Street<\/a> in District 1<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I will slowly feast my eyes on a plethora of books and immerse myself in the serene atmosphere of this local paradise for book lovers. If I come across a book that I genuinely want to possess, I\u2019ll buy it and hang the cost.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m a procrastinator in every sense of the word. That flaw of mine shows perfectly every time I hit the Book Street, home to nothing but books.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I\u2019m the kind of person who\u2019d take a very long time, perhaps years, to really finish a book. My house is filled with books that I haven\u2019t even touched. On top of that, I\u2019m also a cheapskate when it comes to buying books.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Everytime I spot a book on the shelf that I want to buy, I\u2019d check first if it\u2019s available online for free or cheaper if bought on TIKI. I can\u2019t remember how many times I\u2019ve convinced myself, \u201cI\u2019ll come back later for this book if it\u2019s not available on TIKI or cheaper.\u201d every time I came across a book that I really liked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Ride a bus around Saigon<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: @emily8103<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

When I can take public transportation again, I\u2019ll embark on<\/strong> a trip around Saigon by bus<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I rarely ride buses in Saigon, partly because I don\u2019t like the crowds. However, I frequently use the bus for rides to and fro Tan Son Nhat International Airport, because they are very affordable and the service is up to par.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: Kim Hanh Do<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

These days, the longest journey I can take is between my home and the nearest grocery store. Once, as I was on my way home with both hands carrying bags of groceries, it suddenly dawned on me that I\u2019d never taken a bus around Saigon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I regret never having given this a try, moving from one district to another leisurely and beholding the streets from my seat. On top of that, I can explore the city for as long as I want while resting assured that the bus rides are as low as VND5,000 (~USD0.22)<\/strong> for the first 15KM.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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6. Reunite with friends<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"<\/p>\n

Once the restrictive ban on dining in is lifted, I\u2019ll fulfill my promises of meeting my friends for a coffee<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

I hate to admit this, but the Covid-19 pandemic has brought me and many of my long-lost friends and colleagues together. I have been receiving messages from my old friends, probably more now than ever before, with whom I\u2019d lost touch with for years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

These messages centre around our health conditions, vaccination statuses, and promises of hanging out for a coffee the moment the ban is lifted. I could feel that these promises don\u2019t escape my friends\u2019 lips just for the sake of vanity, but they are sincere and provide us all a hope of normalcy to anchor ourselves in in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Suffering can bring out the tribal nature of people and create a bond between the sufferers. For those who are stranded in or who choose to stay in Saigon these days, the prospect of hanging out with our friends for a cup of coffee again is what keeps our hopes alive and minds sane.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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7. Buy a ticket and go to a real concert or see a play<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: <\/span>PH\u1ee4NG HO\u00c0NG BAN<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Once the mobility restrictions end, I\u2019ll buy a ticket to the first physical concert or play that takes place<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even before the pandemic, I was the kind of person who didn\u2019t like spending money on movie or theatrical tickets, even though I\u2019m a big fan of classical music. Before making a purchase, I would keep asking myself, \u201cAm I ready to commit my time and money to this? The price for this ticket can get me 10 pizzas instead.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Because of my hesitancy, I kept missing out on entertainment activities that might have afforded me unforgettable memories.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: PH\u1ee4NG HO\u00c0NG BAN<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Today, theaters and cinemas are an increasingly distant memory to many of us. Every sort of entertainment now occurs online, from watching movies to attending concerts. As comfortable and more affordable as digital entertainment is, it can\u2019t hold a candle to the physical version.<\/span><\/p>\n

I miss the palpable excitement of the audience when the curtains are lifted, the realistic sound effects, the incomparable visual impact of a large screen or engaging stage design, and the moment everyone giggles at a witty line or goes \u201caww\u201d at a romantic part.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: PH\u1ee4NG HO\u00c0NG BAN<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

I equally miss the part when artists bid adieu with graceful bows and the audience responds with applause and standing ovations to show their appreciation. That\u2019s way more satisfying than hitting the <\/span>Like<\/span><\/i> button or dropping an emoji.<\/span><\/p>\n

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8. Eat street food<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"<\/p>\n

Once Saigon resumes normalcy, I\u2019ll stroll around the city for a gastronomic tour<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll visit Ch\u1ee3 L\u1edbn for some juicy yet dirt-cheap <\/span>har gow<\/span><\/em>,<\/span><\/i> H\u00e0 T\u00f4n Quy\u1ec1n<\/span> for a steaming bowl of <\/span>wonton<\/span><\/em> from a stall that\u2019s older than me, and B\u00f9i Vi\u1ec7n for wok-fried snails with a bottle of beer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Before the pandemic, the streets of Saigon were always teeming with vendors and thick with food aromas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Saigonese residents\u2019 passion for food and pride in their culinary heritage are beautifully manifested in their vibrant <\/span>street food culture<\/span><\/a>. From a penniless student to a celebrity, they all share the table at their favorite street food cart.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Many street eateries in Saigon have been visited by renowned chefs from all over the world, including Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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9. Check in at Thu\u1eadn Ki\u1ec1u Plaza<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: Cafebiz<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The moment Saigon\u2019s F&B establishments are given the nod to reopen, the first place that I\u2019ll check in for dine-in and entertainment is Garden Mall<\/b>, then Thu\u1eadn Ki\u1ec1u Plaza<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been following The Smart Local Vietnam, you might have come across several of our articles about Thu\u1eadn Ki\u1ec1u Plaza, one of Saigon\u2019s most famous haunted grounds. I\u2019ve heard so many stories about this iconic place and even <\/span>written about its ghost stories<\/span><\/a>, but I\u2019ve never checked in there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: The Garden Mall<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Ever since <\/span>Thu\u1eadn Kieu Plaza became a Covid-19 hospital<\/span><\/a>, this place has been making headlines again and stories about it keep resurfacing on the Internet.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: The Garden Mall<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Once we return to normalcy, I\u2019ll surely go there and behold this living legend with my own eyes. I\u2019ll buy myself a sumptuous Cantonese meal and watch a play in its theatre.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: The Garden Mall<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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10. Go to church<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"<\/p>\n

Once religious establishments are given the nod to reopen, I\u2019ll put on my best <\/strong><\/span>ao dai<\/em><\/strong> and go to church<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Make no mistake, I\u2019m not a God-fearing believer who prays the rosary every day and attends online mass every Sunday. Even before the pandemic swept Vietnam, I skipped church pretty often.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the pandemic has ignited in me a desire to go to church.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/span><\/em>Sandip Roy<\/span><\/em>
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I miss the dazzling display of age-old stained glasses, the nostalgic smell of bibles inside enclosed boxes at the pews, and the serene vibe that envelopes the whole space.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On top of that, I miss the sound of the church bells ringing and the Gregorian chant singing by the choir that always filled my heart with peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sadly, I had the tendency to overlook these tiny details and simple practices. Only when I no longer have access to participatory worship and my sense of religious belonging is fractured, I realize how significant these elements are to my mental and spiritual well-being.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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11. Take chances and express my feelings<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: Pexels\/Anete Lusina<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Once the crisis passes and the fear of death is no longer on everyone\u2019s lips, I\u2019ll start pursuing a romantic relationship<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In an ideal world, we confess our attraction to those that we are attracted to. However, many of us just can\u2019t help but keep waiting for the other party to make the move first. We keep telling ourselves that the timing is not ideal and we\u2019ll save it for another day. However, the pandemic has proved to us that tomorrow is not always promised and missed opportunities cannot always be redeemed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most heart-breaking scenes that we all witness on a daily basis these days is separation. There are many words that remain unsaid, and they might have been the ones that meant the most.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nPicture for illustration purpose only<\/em>
\nImage credit: Tony Pham<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Social isolation and drastic changes have taught me that anything can happen, and we\u2019re all living on borrowed time. From the last Zalo call I didn\u2019t take to a message that I drafted yet never sent because of my Everest-high ego, there\u2019s not a day that goes by that I don\u2019t regret not doing the right things when I could.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Among these things is to express my feelings sincerely, wholeheartedly, and unreservedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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When Saigon reopens, I’ll look at my everyday life with a newfound appreciation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many lives, physically, financially, and emotionally. On the other hand, it has also given me a newfound appreciation and eagerness for the mundane moments that were once part of my everyday life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though a return to normalcy is nowhere in sight yet, we still need to look forward with hope and plans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hopefully, our increasing vaccination rate will build up our herd immunity and slow down the spread of the coronavirus. Until Saigon reopens, let\u2019s start making our post-Covid-19 bucket lists to keep our spirits up, while staying safe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/span><\/p>\n