ho chi minh city

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 592 – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Manila – A Taste of PAL’s Regional Widebody Service with a Last-Minute Equipment Swap [February 2025]

Last February, my friends and I flew to the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, for a quick 3-day, 3-night trip. We immersed ourselves in the city’s history at the War Remnants Museum, shopped at Ben Thanh Market, hopped between coffee shops, and savored healthy local cuisine at various restaurants. Like all good things, our trip eventually came to an end.

For this journey, we flew with the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines. Previously, I shared how our Manila to Ho Chi Minh City flight went and I thought it was a good one. Today, I would like to tell you how we unexpectedly ended up flying the airline’s regional widebody service due to a last-minute equipment swap. Read on to find out what it was like to fly Philippine Airlines’ Airbus A330 on a short-haul flight back to Manila.

Last year (August 2024), I flew to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for five days and five nights. I wrote about this trip, sharing details about our accommodation, itinerary, and day tours. I also listed the cafes and restaurants we visited during the trip. I hope you’ll check out the trip blog here.

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines, commonly known as PAL, is the Philippines’ flag carrier. The airline began operations in 1941 and is currently the region’s oldest commercial airline. It is part of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies and is also partly owned by ANA Holdings, the parent company of All Nippon Airways.

Philippine Airlines operates a fleet of nearly 50 Airbus, Boeing, and De Havilland aircraft, serving over 70 domestic and international destinations across Asia, Australia, North America, and the Middle East. The airline has a wholly owned subsidiary, PAL Express, which operates its domestic regional routes. PAL flies out of its hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao.

PAL is the country’s largest full-service airline, offering a premium experience to its passengers. It provides business class, premium economy, and economy class on most of its routes. Although it is not a member of any airline alliance, it has codeshare agreements with major carriers such as All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Gulf Air, and many others.

The airline also offers a lifestyle and loyalty program called Mabuhay Miles. It is the only Philippine-based carrier to receive a 4-star rating from the world-renowned air transport rating organization Skytrax. Philippine Airlines is known for its warm and heartfelt hospitality, which is uniquely rooted in Filipino culture.

In October 2024, I flew with Philippine Airlines’ Domestic Comfort Class from Manila to Daraga (Legazpi) via Cebu. It is the airline’s domestic premium economy product. Curious about the comfort class experience? Check out these flight reports: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2853 – Manila to Cebu – First PAL Domestic Comfort Class Experience – Was the Last-Minute Booking Worth It? [October 2024] & PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2927 – Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi) – Domestic Comfort Class Experience on a Turboprop Aircraft [October 2024].

Airfare & Inclusions

In September 2024, I came across a promotional fare to Saigon offered by Philippine Airlines. I told my friends about it and before I knew it, we all had tickets. We got our return tickets for $149.80 or ₱8,478.14, including foreign transaction and service fees.

The ticket included 7 kilograms of carry-on allowance, 30 kilograms of checked baggage, complimentary middle and window seat selection, wireless inflight entertainment, inflight meals on every flight, and the friendly service from the PAL crew.

Although the ticket was still more expensive compared to a ₱1 base fare ticket from rival Cebu Pacific Air, it was affordable for an airline like Philippine Airlines. It may not have been a cheap ticket, but it was definitely reasonable given what was included.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Philippine passport holders only need to present a valid passport and their eTravel QR code when entering the country. Non-Philippine passport holders may be asked to show additional documents, such as a valid visa or proof of onward travel. Entry requirements vary depending on nationality, so it is always a good idea to check with the relevant authorities for the latest information before your trip.

Before The Flight

A week before our flight, Philippine Airlines sent an email offering two optional upgrades: myPAL Upgrade and myPAL Seat Select Neighbor-Free. The first allowed us to bid for a business class seat starting at a minimum amount, while the second let us block the neighboring seat for a fixed fee. The airline sent another business class bidding invitation four days before departure.

Then, 24 hours before the flight, the airline sent another email advising that online check-in was now available. The message also included important requirements and airport reminders for the flight. That was when I found out there was a last-minute equipment swap. Our aircraft was changed from an Airbus A321 to an Airbus A330 widebody. I immediately filled out all the necessary details, chose a new window seat, and checked in for the flight back to Manila, Philippines.

About two hours before departure, Philippine Airlines sent a final email advising that the flight might not have personal entertainment screens. Instead, wireless inflight entertainment would be available onboard, along with instructions on how to use the system.

A massive thank you to Philippine Airlines for keeping passengers well informed about the details of the upcoming flight.

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Manila flight on Philippine Airlines was originally scheduled to be operated by an Airbus A321-231 aircraft. Just days before the flight, the airline swapped it for an Airbus A330-343E widebody. This 11.4-year-old aircraft is registered as RP-C8783.

Delivered to the airline in November 2013, the Airbus A330 features 18 lie-flat business class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, 24 premium economy recliner seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, and 267 regular economy seats also in a 2-4-2 setup.

Flight PR 592 took off from Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 9:38 a.m. local time, cruised at an altitude of 33,000 feet, and landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 12:58 p.m. local time. There is a one-hour time difference between Ho Chi Minh City and Manila, with Manila being an hour ahead. The entire flight lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes. This flight is a codeshare with Vietnam Airlines.

In case you missed it, I flew with Vietnam Airlines last January 2023 from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on the Airbus A350 business class. I wrote about this trip and I hope you can check it out here.

Airport & Ground Experience

Philippine Airlines operates out of Terminal 2, the international terminal at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

My friends and I arrived at the airport a few minutes after 6:30 a.m. Philippine Airlines has separate lines for business class passengers and status holders, economy passengers who checked in online, and regular economy class passengers.

We lined up for bag drop at 6:37 a.m. and finished by 7:14 a.m. The online check-in line moved slower than expected. After getting our boarding passes, we cleared immigration and security. The entire check-in process took 37 minutes.

ROSE BUSINESS LOUNGE

After clearing immigration and security, I stopped by the Rose Business Lounge for breakfast. I used my RCBC JCB Platinum LoungeKey entitlement to access the lounge.

The lounge offered a good selection of food and drinks, including some local dishes. It was quite crowded during my visit, but I still managed to find a seat.

BOARDING

The boarding process began at 8:49 a.m., starting with business class passengers, status holders, and priority passengers. Regular economy class passengers were then called to board by row.

By 9:12 a.m., the cabin crew had closed the aircraft doors, completing the entire boarding process in just 23 minutes. The plane pushed back at 9:23 a.m. and started taxiing to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Manila flight on Philippine Airlines was operated by an 11.4-year-old Airbus A330-343E aircraft. The cabin features 18 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 24 premium economy recliner seats arranged 2-3-2, and 267 regular economy seats also in a 2-4-2 configuration.

According to the airline’s website, each business class seat offers a pitch of 44 inches, a width of up to 24 inches, and reclines fully flat into a bed. Premium economy seats provide a pitch of 34 inches, a width of 19.5 inches, and an 8-inch recline. Regular economy seats have a pitch of 32 inches, a width of 18 inches, and a 6-inch recline.

All seats are equipped with personal entertainment screens. Business class seats feature 18.5-inch screens, premium economy seats have 13.3-inch screens, and economy seats come with 10.1-inch screens. Business and premium economy seats include USB ports and AC/DC power outlets, while economy seats have USB ports only.

Every economy seat also has an adjustable headrest, a headset, a tray table, a seatback pocket containing the safety card, an individual reading light, and a cabin crew call button. This aircraft does not have individual air vents. Before takeoff, the cabin crew offered blankets to passengers upon request.

I was seated in 57K for this short flight back to Manila. I found the seat spacious and comfortable. With the personal entertainment screen, I am confident I could easily handle a medium to long-haul flight in this seat.

INFLIGHT MEAL SERVICE

Philippine Airlines provides inflight meals on its international routes. On our flight to Manila, passengers were given a choice between two main dishes: beef curry with rice or fish with rice. The meal also included a small pack of dried mangoes, a bottle of water, and a beverage of choice. Meals were served individually rather than on trays and came with wooden cutlery and a napkin. After the meal, the cabin crew made another pass through the cabin, offering coffee, tea, or water to those interested.

I chose the beef option and paired it with a glass of apple juice. The meal was decent, though nothing extraordinary. Like the meal on our Manila to Saigon flight, the main dish was not quite to my liking. I have tried better inflight meals on Philippine Airlines, but I’m still grateful that the airline served a meal on this two-hour flight back to Manila.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

All seats on this aircraft are equipped with personal entertainment screens. Economy class seats feature a 10.1-inch screen installed in front of every seat. At the time of the flight, Philippine Airlines’ entertainment system offered 79 movies, 110 music albums, and 128 television show episodes.

This selection is more than enough for a short hop back to Manila. While the options may not be as extensive as those on Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, or Emirates, they are certainly sufficient for a medium to long-haul flight with Philippine Airlines. The screen was a touchscreen and responded well to input.

One thing to note: the inflight map, which is my favorite feature on any personal entertainment system, was not functional during this flight. How unfortunate.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

At the time of the flight, Philippine Airlines did not offer inflight connectivity on this route to Manila.

LAVATORY

My seatmate was asleep for most of the flight, which allowed me to leave my seat and visit the lavatory.

Cabin Crew Service

The cabin crew service on this flight was adequate, though nothing particularly remarkable or outstanding. The crew did their job well, ensuring that all passengers followed inflight safety protocols and procedures.

Disembarkation

The aircraft touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport ahead of schedule, landing at 12:58 p.m. local time. It then taxied to NAIA Terminal 1 for disembarkation.

The cabin crew announced an orderly disembarkation by row for economy class passengers, but some passengers did not follow this. Most stood up as soon as the seat belt sign was turned off.

Immigration, baggage claim, and customs took around 30 minutes from the time we stepped off the aircraft.

Flight Experience

It was an exciting flight with Philippine Airlines, from the reasonable airfare to the last-minute equipment swap to an Airbus A330 widebody aircraft. Allow me to summarize my flight experience with our country’s flag carrier. The flight had its standouts as well as its misses.

Let us start with the standouts. First, the return airfare was affordable compared to the usual Philippine Airlines fares. It was also reasonable considering it included 30 kilograms of checked luggage, personal entertainment screens, and a hot meal service.

Second, Philippine Airlines was proactive in sending multiple emails to inform passengers about upgrade offers and flight requirements. The airline even sent an email advising that our flight might not feature personal entertainment screens even though it ultimately did.

Third, the last-minute equipment swap worked in my favor, allowing me to experience flying on a widebody aircraft on a regional route. It was a true full-service PAL experience and definitely more enjoyable than flying on a single-aisle plane.

Fourth, props to the airline for serving a hot meal on this roughly two-hour flight back to Manila. Lastly, the personal entertainment screens made a significant difference in the overall flight experience.

Now for the misses. The check-in process took longer than expected, 37 minutes compared to the quick check-in on our Manila to Ho Chi Minh City flight. Second, the cabin did not feature individual air vents. This is a personal preference, but I like having control over the airflow at my seat.

Third, the main beef meal was just okay, nothing special and not quite to my liking. I have had better meals on Philippine Airlines before. Lastly, my favorite inflight entertainment feature, the inflight map, did not work throughout the flight. The aviation geek in me was disappointed not being able to track our journey back to the Philippines.

Despite these misses, I thoroughly enjoyed this flight with Philippine Airlines and will certainly fly with them again in the future. I hope to try their Airbus A350 aircraft next time.

Allow me to provide a summary of this PR 592 flight from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Manila.

Airline: Philippine Airlines
Flight Date: 25 February 2025
Flight Number: PR 591
Route: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam (SGN) to Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Duration: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 57K (Window)
Aircraft: Airbus A330-343E
Aircraft Registration: RP-C8783
Engines: 2 x Rolls Royce Trent 772B-60 Engines
Age: 11.4-years-old
Delivered: November 2013

That wraps up my experience flying Philippine Airlines on PR 592 from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) back to Manila.

If you have recently flown with PAL, I would love to hear about your journey! Feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments below. For any questions about the airline or this route, you can leave a comment or get in touch via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am always happy to connect and help however I can!

I hope you will check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines, as well as other airlines like Emirates, EVA Air, Qantas, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Cathay Pacific. I also hope you look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, I’d really appreciate it if you could like and follow my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This helps expand my reach and keeps you updated with the latest blog posts, itineraries, Hostel of the Day features, and flight reports on the website. Thanks again, and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 591 – Manila to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Economy Value Ticket to Vietnam’s Vibrant City with PH Flag Carrier [February 2025]

It was in September last year when my friends and I came across a reasonably priced return ticket to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with Philippine Airlines. We did not think twice, we booked the tickets right away.

Fast forward to February 2025, we finally took the flight to Saigon and spent a few days exploring this vibrant Vietnamese city.

Today, allow me to share how our Manila to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) flight PR 591 went onboard the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines. This flight report will give you an idea of what it is like to fly with PAL on one of their short-haul regional routes.

Philippine Airlines

Airfare & Inclusions

My friends and I booked our tickets during Philippine Airlines’ seat sale back in September 2024. We scored return tickets for just $149.80 each. My local bank charged me ₱8,478.14, including foreign transaction service fees.

The fare included 7 kilograms of carry-on baggage, 30 kilograms of checked baggage, complimentary middle and window seat selection, inflight entertainment via mobile device, inflight meals on each flight, and the warm, hospitable service of the PAL cabin crew.

While it may not be as cheap as Cebu Pacific Air’s ₱1-base fare promotions, it was still a great deal, especially considering the inclusions, the convenient flight schedules (no red-eyes), and the fact that we were flying with the country’s flag carrier. Philippine Airlines rarely offers fares with this many perks at such a low price.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Philippine passport holders do not need a visa to enter Vietnam for tourism or business purposes. We are granted a 21-day, visa-free, non-extendable stay. For trips longer than 21 days, a visa must be secured in advance.

Additionally, the Philippine government requires all departing passengers to complete an online departure form and obtain a departure QR code from the eTravel website.

Before The Flight

Then, 24 hours before the flight, PAL emailed again to notify us that online check-in was open. The message also included travel requirements and airport reminders. I filled out the necessary details and checked in for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City right away.

Around two hours before departure, we received a final email advising that our flight would not have personal entertainment screens. Instead, wireless inflight entertainment would be available onboard, with instructions on how to access the system provided in the email.

Kudos to Philippine Airlines for keeping passengers well-informed about available services and flight updates.

Aircraft & Flight Information

Our Manila to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) flight with Philippine Airlines was operated by an 8.3-year-old Airbus A321-231 aircraft (at the time of the flight). Delivered to the airline in November 2016, the aircraft is registered as RP-C9929. It features 12 angle-flat business class seats in a 2-2 configuration, 18 economy extra legroom (also known as domestic comfort class) seats, and 169 standard economy seats, all in a 3-3 layout.

Flight PR 591 departed from Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 7:04 a.m., cruised at an altitude of 34,000 feet, and landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City at 8:13 a.m. local time. There is a one-hour time difference between Manila and Ho Chi Minh City. The total flight duration was 2 hours and 9 minutes. This flight is also a codeshare service with Vietnam Airlines.

In case you missed it, I flew with Vietnam Airlines last January 2023 from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on the Airbus A350 business class. I wrote about this trip and I hope you can check it out here.

Airport & Ground Experience

At the time of our flight, all international flights operated by Philippine Airlines were departing from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

Philippine Airlines occupies one side of Terminal 1 for check-in and bag drop, with dedicated counters for business class passengers, those needing assistance, and group travelers.

I arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 3:45 a.m. and immediately proceeded to pay the travel tax. By 3:53 a.m., I had joined the check-in queue and was done by 3:57 a.m., a smooth and efficient process. The ground staff were courteous and professional throughout.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, my friends and I proceeded through immigration and security. We then spent the rest of the pre-boarding time relaxing at the PAGGS Lounge, which I accessed using my credit cards.

BOARDING

At 6:00 a.m., my friends and I walked to Gate 15 for boarding. At 6:08 a.m., the ground staff made pre-boarding announcements in both English and Vietnamese. Priority boarding for business class passengers, elite status holders, and those traveling with infants began at 6:17 a.m.

Regular economy passengers boarded by row. By 6:40 a.m., the cabin crew had closed the aircraft doors, completing the entire boarding process in just 23 minutes. The plane pushed back at 6:48 a.m. and began taxiing to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Manila to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Philippine Airlines flight was operated by an 8.3-year-old Airbus A321-231 aircraft. It features 12 recliner business class seats in a 2-2 configuration, 18 economy extra legroom seats in a 3-3 layout, and 169 regular economy seats, also arranged 3-3.

According to the airline’s website, each business class seat offers a pitch of 37 inches, a width of 22 inches, and a recline of 6 inches. Economy Extra Legroom seats provide a pitch of 34 inches, a width of 18 inches, and a recline of 5 inches. Regular economy seats have the same width and recline but a slightly smaller pitch of 30 inches.

Every economy seat is equipped with an adjustable headrest, tray table, seatback pocket containing the safety card, individual reading light, cabin crew call button, and personal air vents. This aircraft does not have in-seat entertainment screens. Before takeoff, the cabin crew offered blankets to passengers upon request.

I chose seat 62K, a window seat, on this flight to Saigon. The seat provided decent comfort for the journey, not the best I have experienced but satisfactory. There’s potential for PAL to upgrade their short-haul economy experience.

INFLIGHT MEAL SERVICE

Philippine Airlines serves inflight meals on their international flights. For our flight to Ho Chi Minh City, passengers were offered two main options: beef asado with rice or chicken sausage with hashbrown. The meal also included a small pack of dried mangoes, a bottle of water, and a drink of choice. The food was served individually (not on a tray), accompanied by wooden cutlery and a napkin. After the meal service, the cabin crew made another round offering coffee, tea, or water to passengers who wanted it.

I chose the beef asado with apple juice. The meal was okay, not particularly memorable and a bit too salty for my taste. My friends mentioned that the chicken sausage option was not great either. Having tried better dishes on previous Philippine Airlines flights, this one fell short, but I still appreciate that they serve a meal on this relatively short, two-hour flight.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

The aircraft used for this flight was not equipped with traditional inflight entertainment screens. Instead, the airline offered wireless entertainment accessible through passengers’ mobile devices. To use it, passengers needed to connect to the inflight Wi-Fi and visit the myPAL aero website. Alternatively, they could scan the QR code found on the flyer in the seatback pockets.

The wireless entertainment system provided a decent selection of movies, TV shows, and music to enjoy during the flight. It also featured a moving inflight map, although the map itself was not interactive.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

Philippine Airlines offers Wi-Fi connectivity on this flight, but it is limited to accessing the airline’s wireless entertainment system. Full inflight Wi-Fi for browsing the internet or using instant messaging apps is not available.

LAVATORY

Seated by the window, I did not get the chance to visit the lavatory during the short flight.

Cabin Crew Service

The cabin crew on this flight were warm and friendly, greeting and serving every passenger with their biggest smiles. They truly embodied the genuine heart and hospitality of the Filipino people.

Disembarkation

The aircraft touched down at Tan Son Nhat International Airport ahead of schedule, landing at 8:13 a.m. local time. It then taxied to the international terminal for disembarkation.

Business class passengers disembarked first, followed by the rest of the economy passengers. Immigration took about 20 minutes, while baggage claim and customs were quick and hassle-free.

Flight Experience

It was another pleasant experience flying with the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines. After flying with them to Jakarta, Indonesia last November, I found myself on another PAL flight, this time to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. The flight had its highlights as well as areas for improvement.

Let us start with the positives. First, the return ticket price was not cheap, but it was not too expensive either. As someone who usually flies budget carriers, I found the ₱8,478.14 ticket price reasonable for this two-hour flight. It included 30 kilograms of checked luggage, an inflight breakfast, wireless inflight entertainment, and an overall premium experience.

Second, Philippine Airlines ensured passengers were well-informed about airport and flight procedures. The airline clearly communicated upgrade options and the fact that the aircraft did not have personal entertainment screens, all through timely emails before the flight.

Third, I am starting to prefer NAIA Terminal 1 over Terminal 3. The check-in process at the Philippine Airlines counters took just a few minutes, and both immigration and security had minimal lines. The overall terminal experience was pleasant, despite the limited dining options in the pre-departure area.

Fourth, Philippine Airlines provided a complimentary breakfast service on this short flight. Lastly, the cabin crew were warm, friendly, and professional – truly embodying the “Heart of the Filipino.”

On the other hand, there were a few areas that could be improved. First, both breakfast options were just okay and unfortunately did not suit our tastes. The meal was also served individually rather than on trays, which would have made the service faster and more efficient, like how PAL serves meals on their Manila-Jakarta flight.

Second, the cabin is starting to show its age. I believe it is time for the airline to retrofit some of their aging narrowbody fleet with modern seats and personal entertainment screens.

Despite these points for improvement, I still enjoyed my flight with Philippine Airlines. Will I fly with them again? Definitely – if the price is right and reasonable. I am also eager to try their Airbus A350, which is used on North American routes, hopefully someday soon.

Here is a summary of my Philippine Airlines flight from Manila to Ho Chi Minh City:

Airline: Philippine Airlines
Flight Date: 22 February 2025
Flight Number: PR 591
Route: Manila, Philippines (MNL) to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam (SGN)
Duration: 2 hours and 9 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 62K (Window)
Aircraft: Airbus A321-231
Aircraft Registration: RP-C9929
Engines: 2 x International Aero Engines V2500
Age: 8.3-years-old
Delivered: November 2016

This sums up my experience flying Philippine Airlines on its PR 591 flight from Manila to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in Vietnam.

If you have flown with PAL recently, I would love to hear about your experience! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any questions about the airline or this route, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I’m always happy to chat and help however I can!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) Long Weekend: 5 Days & 5 Nights Around Vietnam’s Vibrant City for Less Than ₱22,500 All-In (Airfare, Food, Tours & Accommodation Included) [August 2024]

Last August, I flew to Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon), Vietnam, with a friend for 5 days and 5 nights. I have been to Ho Chi Minh City early last year, but only for a quick stop before going back to Manila. The last time I went around and explored Saigon was back in May 2014. Ten years later, I am back to check out what has changed in the last decade.

In this 5-day Vietnam trip, I only spent less than ₱22,500 all-in, including return airfare, accommodation, food, day tours, and lots of coffee. I will share in this post how I made it happen. I will also provide the list of expenses incurred during the trip.

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest financial and economic center. It may not be the country’s capital (it is Hanoi), but it is the country’s most populous city. It is also the main hub of the country’s southern region.

The city is known for its ‘old meets new’ type of culture, architecture, and way of life. It is a place to enjoy delicious food, great coffee, and hospitable locals.

In case you want to know, I flew to Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, last year. I wrote about this quick weekend visit and I want you to check it out here.

Plane Tickets

We booked our tickets 6 months before the intended trip and paid ₱6,358.84 per person return. We flew with Cebu Pacific Air in their late-night flight to Ho Chi Minh City and red-eye flight back to Manila.

This return ticket included 7 kilograms of carry-on luggage both ways and 20 kilograms of checked luggage on the way back. No preferred seats and inflight meals were included in the ticket.

This return ticket could have been cheaper if only we waited for the lower base fare promotion. It was still a good deal considering the flight duration, distance, and destination.

On top of this ticket, I also paid the Philippine Travel Tax of ₱1,620 before leaving Manila. This travel tax is required for all Philippine passport holders going out of the country for holiday or vacation.

In case you missed it, I flew with Vietnam Airlines last January 2023 from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on the Airbus A350 business class. I wrote about this trip and I hope you can check it out here.

Accommodation

Given the late-night flight schedules, my friend and I had to book 6 nights in our accommodation. We stayed at Akoya Central Saigon Hotel, near Bến Thành Market. We got a superior king room and paid ₱5,014.83 each for all 6 nights, including breakfast.

The windowless room includes a king bed, a private toilet and shower, a small refrigerator, a workstation, a safe box, and a clothes rack. The property has a lift, which can be used to go up to and down from the rooms. The property also has a breakfast buffet for guests who included this in their bookings.

Looking for a cheaper alternative? I went to Ho Chi Minh City in 2023 and stayed for a few nights with a family-owned hostel, Long Hostel. I wrote about my hostel experience and shared it in this hostel of the day feature.

Going Around Ho Chi Minh City

Going around Ho Chi Minh City can be challenging, depending on which part of the city you are staying in. If you stay around District 1 (like we did), you can pretty much walk to all major tourist spots. Some visitors rent a motorcycle to go around the city while others take a Grab, Southeast Asia’s version of Uber. Public buses are also available but can be quite challenging for visitors.

Traveling to and from the airport is best via Grab, the region’s ride-hailing application. In our case, we opted for a private airport transfer upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh City. We booked our airport transfer via Klook and paid ₱460.70 for two people.

Internet Sim Card

I bought an internet eSIM from ByteSIM and paid ₱398.59, including foreign transaction service fees. The $6.84 eSIM had 5 gigabytes of data valid for 7 days from the day of activation. The eSIM does not include local phone calls and messaging.

Are you in need of an affordable internet SIM for your next trip? Check out ByteSIM. Use my referral link and get a $3 off coupon after your first purchase.

Travel Insurance

One of my non-negotiables when going on a trip is getting travel insurance. This insurance protects me from any happenings, delays, cancellations, or unexpected circumstances during a trip.

For this Saigon trip, I bought my travel insurance from Malayan Insurance. I paid ₱408.00 for the Travel Master Insurance product that covers up to ₱1 million in claims.

Pocket Money

Most merchants and establishments in Ho Chi Minh City still prefer cash as the mode of payment. I got VND 1,500,000 from one of the ATMs in the airport arrival hall. I used my GCash Visa Card, and I was charged ₱3,557.11. GCash’ Visa card has one of the best international withdrawal rates in the country. Make sure to get yours before your next trip.

Tours & Activities

We maximized our time around the city by joining half- and whole-day tours and activities. We booked all these activities from Klook.

Mekong River Day Tour

My friend and I joined a large group tour to the Mekong Delta. Our guide, Huy, picked us up from our hotel, and we took a bus to Mỹ Tho. From there, we enjoyed a boat cruise to Unicorn Island (Ky Lan), where we explored an orchid garden, listened to local musicians, and snacked on fresh fruits. We also visited a local shop for coconut water, checked out a bee farm, sampled honey tea, and even took photos with a snake.

Next, we boated over to Cù lao Thới Sơn and toured a coconut candy factory. We then hopped on a motorized rickshaw for a ride along the river to our lunch spot. Before eating, we paddled through serene coconut canals on a small boat. After lunch, we took a tuktuk and boat back to the mainland.

On our way back to Ho Chi Minh City, we stopped by Vinh Trang Pagoda. We booked the tour through Klook for ₱1,011.05 per person after the discount.

Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour

We joined another group tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Our guide, Tom, picked us up from our hotel, and we took a private bus to a local lacquer village. After that, we explored the Cu Chi Tunnels, walking around various tunnels and bomb craters. After our tour, we enjoyed some boiled cassava before heading back to the city.

We booked the tour through Klook for ₱904.65 per person after the discount.

Street Food on Scooter Tour

We joined a night street food tour on scooters. Our guide, Denny, picked us up from our hotel and took us to various street food spots. We enjoyed a feast that included bún bò huế (beef rice noodle soup), banana sticky rice, Vietnamese beer, grilled scallops, clam soup, Vietnamese pizza, crispy banana crackers, beef rolls, fresh spring rolls, sugar cane juice, coffee pudding, and, of course, bánh mì. That was a lot of food in just 3-4 hours!

During the tour, we also explored the 24-hour flower market and zipped through districts 1, 3, and 10. We booked this street food tour through Klook for ₱1,599.05 per person after the discount.

Golden Water Puppet Show

The Golden Water Puppet Show is a captivating 45-minute performance showcasing enchanting Vietnamese folk tales and legends, all staged in a pool with stunning backdrops. The accompanying music and sound effects are provided by an orchestra using traditional Vietnamese instruments.

My friend and I pre-booked our tickets through Klook for ₱689.90 per person after the discount. Since the show often sells out, it is a good idea to secure your tickets early.

Places Visited in Ho Chi Minh City

Aside from the joiner tours above, we also took time to walk around District 1 and we went to the following places:

War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum offers a poignant look at the history and harsh realities of the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War. Its exhibitions detail the events that unfolded during these conflicts and their lasting impact on the country and its people.

This museum is a must-see in Ho Chi Minh City, and no visit is complete without it. Entry tickets are priced at VND 40,000 per person and can be purchased at the museum entrance. It is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bến Thành Market

Bến Thành Market is Saigon’s version of Central Market. It is a popular shopping destination for tourists or visitors. It started out as a trading hub in the 17^th century and has evolved into the city’s most famous market.

Bùi Viện Walking Street

Bùi Viện Walking Street is the city’s entertainment and nightlife center. It has restaurants, pubs, bars, and shops located along the busy 850-meter strip.

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is a Catholic cathedral built by the French colonists in the 1860s. It is the largest Catholic church in Vietnam and a known icon of Ho Chi Minh City. Entry into the cathedral is free of charge.

Saigon Central Post Office

Adjacent to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office is a renowned city landmark celebrated for its distinctive architectural style. It showcases a blend of neo-classical European design with subtle Asian influences. The building remains an active post office and is open to all visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City Book Street

Situated along Nguyen Van Binh Street, the HCMC Book Street is a pedestrian street dedicated to bookworms. Various shops sell new and pre-owned Vietnamese books and merchandise. The community also conducts workshops and selected activities for kids.

Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Building

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Building is the city’s local government office.

Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City

The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known as the Siagon Opera House, is the city’s main theater. The theater hosts cultural performances, musicals, concerts, and even official government functions.

Saigon Skydeck

The Saigon Skydeck is one of two observation decks in Ho Chi Minh City, situated on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower. It provides stunning 360-degree views of the city.

My friend and I purchased our tickets through Klook for ₱525.75 per person after the discount. Our tickets included a fridge magnet souvenir and access to unlimited drinking water during our visit.

Café Apartment Building

Situated at No. 42 Nguyen Hue Street, the popular Café Apartment Building is home to numerous cafes and restaurants. You can access these spots for free via the back stairs, or use the elevators for a convenience fee of VND 3,000.

Independence Palace

The Independence Palace was once the official residence and workplace of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. It features numerous banquet halls, offices, and rooms that hosted the country’s official functions. Today, the palace operates as a museum, attracting thousands of local and international visitors each day.

Tickets are priced at VND 65,000 per person, and the museum is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

RESTAURANT & CAFE Recommendations

Here is the list of coffee shops and restaurants we tried during our 5-day visit around Ho Chi Minh City.

Tonkin Specialty Coffee (Vietnamese Egg Coffee)

Trung Nguyên Coffee (Vietnamese Coffee)

Phúc Long Coffee & Tea (Milk Tea)

OKKIO Tự Do (Saigon-style Coffee – Bạc Xỉu)

Eggyolk Coffee (Vietnamese Egg Coffee)

21Grams – Vegetarian (Coconut Coffee)

Little HaNoi Egg Coffee (Vietnamese Egg Coffee)

Bếp Mẹ Ỉn – Lê Thánh Tôn (Michelin Bib Gourmand eatery)

Phở Phú Vương (Beef phở restaurant)

Phở Hà (Chicken phở restaurant)

Summary of Expenses

Here’s a summary of everything spent on this 5-day and 5-night trip around Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:

Disclaimer: The expenses above do not include personal shopping such as Vietnamese coffee and the likes.

I spent ₱22,318.12 for a 5-day weekend in Saigon, covering plane tickets, accommodation, tours, pocket money, and everything trip-related. I think I could have saved more by booking during a ₱1 base fare sale or reducing the number of days of my stay. Overall, though, it was an affordable, enjoyable, and interesting trip.

This 5-day Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) trip summary shows that traveling within a budget is still possible despite the inflated cost of everything around us. One needs to just plan everything out and choose the places to visit.

Have you been to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) recently? How was your trip? I hope you had fun! Which place do you want to visit again? I hope you can share your experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? You may send them to me via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) trip recap. I hope to visit more and more places on a budget and share how I did it with everyone. Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: LONG HOSTEL SAIGON – Family-Managed Homey & Value Hostel Found in the Heart of Ho Chi Minh City District 1

After spending 3 days around the beautiful city of Hanoi, I took a domestic flight with Vietnam Airlines on business class down to Ho Chi Minh City and spent a few days in Vietnam’s most populous city. I also took this time to meet with friends whom I had not seen in a very long time.

During this brief visit to Ho Chi Minh City, I stayed at a small yet homey family-managed hostel named Long Hostel. I am featuring this property in today’s Hostel of the Day feature to tell the world how wonderful and budget-friendly this is.

Long Hostel

Long Hostel is a small family-owned and run hostel in Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Located in a multistory building, the hostel hosts all types of travelers in its private and dormitory rooms.

In case you do not know, I try to stay and review hostels anonymously during my trips. I have been to a lot of hostels around Asia, Australia and Europe. I hope you can check all of these hostel features under the Hostel of the Day category.

Location & Access

Long Hostel is located at 373 / 10 Đ. Phạm Ngũ Lão, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam. It is in an alley within the busy and central District 1 and a few minutes away from Bùi Viện Walking Street.

The hostel is in a busy commercial neighborhood. It is near restaurants, cafes, hostels, hotels, travel and tour agencies, supermarkets, and banks. It is also near a local public market. It is 5 minutes away by foot (350 meters) to Bùi Viện Walking Street, 20 minutes away by foot (1.6 kilometers) to the Independent Palace, and 20 minutes away by foot (1.9 kilometers) to Bến Thành Market.

Ho Chi Minh City’s busiest airport, Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, is 20-30 minutes away by Grab or taxi without traffic. Fares vary depending on the time of the day. It is also 30 minutes to an hour away by local bus 109. The local bus fare costs ₫15,000.

Long Hostel’s location is easily a 10 out of 10. It is in a quiet alley within a bustling commercial area; it is practically near everything.

Room Options

Long Hostel only offers 2 room types: a private double room and a mixed dormitory room.

The hostel’s double rooms feature a large double bed, a working table and seat, a private toilet and shower (including towels), a stand fan, an air conditioning system, a cable television, a balcony (for selected rooms), a small refrigerator, a safety deposit box, and a closet.

The mixed dormitory rooms feature 2 bunk beds, an in-room shower and toilet (with towels), individual reading lights, and lockers. These dormitory rooms are also air-conditioned.

I booked 3 nights in a double room and paid ₫1,170,000 upon check-in; I paid ₫390,000 (around ₱900) per night. I booked through Booking.com and got an upper-floor double room with a strong and fast wi-fi connection.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Long Hostel has a long list of facilities and amenities that guests can enjoy during their stay.

Free, Fast, and Reliable Wi-Fi Connection – The hostel’s wi-fi connection is free, fast, and reliable. It is perfect for remote work, including video calls and meetings.

Complimentary Hearty Breakfast – Long Hostel provides complimentary daily breakfast between 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. They have 5 food and 5 drink options to choose from.

Communal Lounge & Business Centre – Hostel guests have access to a communal lounge and business center at any time during their stay.

In-Room Shower & Toilet – Each room is equipped with a toilet and shower. Double rooms have their own private shower and toilet, while dormitory rooms have them shared inside each room.

Bath Towels – The hostel provides bath towels to all guests, regardless of room type.

Air Conditioning in Rooms – All rooms are equipped with air conditioning systems to cope with the Saigon heat.

Free Drinking Water Refills – The hostel provides free drinking water refills to guests.

Boardgames and Piano – Long Hostel has boardgames that guests can borrow and play during their stay. Those who know how to play a piano can try playing the hostel’s piano.

Luggage Storage – The hostel provides complimentary luggage storage to all incoming and outgoing guests during check-in and check-out days.

Tour Desk – The hostel has its own tour desk. They can help guests book their day tours or transportation tickets to other parts of the country.

Coin Bank – The hostel has a coin bank where guests can leave coins they no longer need and take coins of countries they are traveling to.

Laundry Services – Long Hostel offers laundry services at an additional charge. Do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Cam if you want to have your clothes washed.

Long Reception Hours – The hostel has long reception hours. Ms. Cam and the rest of the team may not be in the reception area all the time, but they can be contacted via WhatsApp at any time of the day.

Friendly and Amazing Host Family – Ms. Cam and her family are great hosts. They make sure guests have a great time, from check-in to check-out. They also provide their WhatsApp number for questions or emergencies.

Secured Hostel Premises – The property is equipped with security cameras to ensure everyone’s safety.

Flexible Booking Terms – The hostel has a very flexible cancellation policy. Guests can cancel up to 1 day before the intended check-in date at no cost. They also honor the pay upon check-in mode of payment.

Hostel Experience

I had a homey stay at Long Hostel Saigon. I have been to many hostels around the world, and I found this hostel to be one of the very few that felt like home.

Allow me to elaborate on what I liked about this property. First, Long Hostel Saigon’s rates are one of the best and most affordable for private rooms in the area. Second, the hostel is in the center of Saigon’s backpacker district. It is near everything a tourist needs during his or her visit.

Third, Long Hostel offers a hearty and filling complimentary breakfast. I was surprised when Ms. Cam told me of this perk during check-in because I knew this was not included or indicated in my booking confirmation. I highly recommend their banana pancakes, fresh passion fruit juice (as shown below) and iced coffee.

Fourth, Long Hostel has a fast and reliable wi-fi connection. The hostel’s connection is perfect for those working remotely. Fifth, Ms. Cam and her family consider their guests as members of the family. They are very warm, friendly, and hospitable. Ms. Cam even gave me her WhatsApp number and advised that I could message her if something wrong happened at any time of the day.

Lastly, Ms. Cam and her family offer exemplary service to their guests. Ms. Cam made sure she was present in the hostel to welcome me during check-in and to send me off after check-out. She also did everything to have the broken air conditioning system in my room fixed within 2 hours after I notified her via WhatsApp.

I did not expect this property to have the usual hostel activities because it is run by a small host family. I read from past reviews that they also offer free beers during the night, but I was not able to experience it since I was out during those times. The only minor inconvenience I found during the stay was the lack of lifts on the property. It would be difficult for those with big luggage and heavy bags to go up the higher floors. It is not a big issue, but I believe it is a factor for some guests, so I had to take note of it.

Other than that, I had a lovely stay at Long Hostel Saigon. Ms. Cam was an amazing host. I recommend this property to all of you. I hope you can consider staying with them on your next trip to Saigon.

Interested in booking a stay with them? Feel free to reach out to Ms. Cam and the property on these platforms:

Long Hostel Saigon
Address: 373 / 10 Đ. Phạm Ngũ Lão, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Phone Number: +84 90 894 71 78
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/longhostelsg

This sums up my stay at Long Hostel Saigon. I hope you can consider staying in this amazing family-owned property in Ho Chi Minh City. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You will find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome & Z Hostel here in the Philippines. Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.