Biên Hòa city

The city at night - Tết 2013

---

Nguyễn Ái Quốc boulevard

 18 & 19 February 2013 - This is Part 3 of my 6-day solo trip in southern Vietnam by local bus and motorbike. When I arrived in Trà Vinh city in the Mekong Delta, I saw a board with word “Đồng Nai” at the bus station. I decided to make a short visit to this province before going back to Sài Gòn. Biên Hòa is the capital city of Đồng Nai province. It is located 60km from Sài Gòn. There are some industrial parks in this province and many northern Vietnamese work there. I have passed by this province several times before but never really visited it.

The bus ride from Sài Gòn (Bến xe miền Tây bus station) to Biên Hóa (Bus No. 601) takes two hours although the distance is only 60km. A bus ticket costs one US dollar (VND 20,000). It was peak hour when the bus got into the city, so it was quite crowded on the streets. I found a guesthouse near the bus station. Then I spent time walking along Nguyễn Ái Quốc boulevard. There was a great view of sunset and vehicles from a fly-over. Trees and shops are decorated with lights for celebrating Tết lunar new year.

Mobiphone shop - Decoration for the new year

Food is another great thing I enjoyed on this visit. I chose “Gỏi vịt” salad mixed with duck meat and another type of steamed rice cake with pork “Bánh ướt” which is a local specialty. I came back to Sài Gòn next day by bus.