In order to experience the best that Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) has to offer, you need to get out of the car and away from the tour bus and get out onto the pavement. Seeing Saigon by foot allows you to smell the delicious food, experience the sights first hand and snap unreal pictures that will blow your friends and family away. walking tours of saigon
While the days can be stiflingly hot, you can beat the heat by taking your tour early in the morning or later in the evening, when the sun goes down (as with the food tour below). walking tours of ho chi minh
Truly experience Ho Chi Minh with one of these walking toursof Saigon – here are our top picks for your next trip. Ho Chi Minh walking tours
Saigon Street Eats – Eat like a local
When it comes to walking tours, my first thought is always “food!” Having a local show you around an area is always a big help when it comes to choosing the best and most flavorful cafes, food carts and restaurants nearby. A street food tour is the best way imaginable to combine history, culture and delicious grub.
Saigon Street Eats is owned by Barbara and Vu, and they are dedicated to showing you the best street food in the city. They boast that “you’ll try everyday Vietnamese dishes, some with a little taste of France, some with a little taste of China. There’s even a little taste of Korea!” Tours start daily at 5:30pm, so get ready to stuff your belly and learn from a local.
Tails and Trails – Alternative history with a twist
If you are looking for a fantastic history tour in Saigon, look no further than the dynamic team at Tails and Trails. They believe that history should never be boring, and they write interesting tours that cover the highlights but also take you off the beaten track. walking tours of vietnam
Their three-hour tours take you on a “journey through the myths, fiction, and non-fiction, of Ho Chi Minh City, unveiling its rich history and modernizing present. Soak in the sights, learn some Vietnamese phrases, and delve into the psyche of the nation.” They offer their tours on the free tour model, and so everyone can afford to take part in their phenomenal tours.
Saigon Free Walking Tours – Pay what you wish!
Free walking tours are sweeping the planet, and Saigon is no exception. The free tour model is brilliant – enthusiastic and educated guides take you on an intriguing walk through the city, and at the end, you pay them what you think it was worth! Saigon Free Walking Tours offers a four hour Saigon City Tour, a full half day that will allow you to see the major sites with a skilled local guide.
On this tour, you will see the People’s Committee Building, the Saigon Central Post Office, and the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, all of which are breathtaking examples of French colonial period architecture. Tours then visit one of either the Reunification Palace or the War Remnants Museum before finishing at the Ben Thanh Market.
Cyclo Tours – Join the slow tour movement
Ok, so strictly speaking a cyclo tour does not fit under the walking tour umbrella, but we would be remiss to not at least mention the ever present cyclo as a perfect tour option. While some drivers do speak a bit (or a lot) of English, when it comes to an in-depth and fluent English tour of the sites, a typical cyclo that you hail on the street might not fit the bill.
Thankfully, the specialized team at Urban Adventures HCMC has put together a 5-hour tour of the best sites in the city with their Cyclos and Markets tour. Visiting historic buildings such as the Reunification Palace, the Opera House, City Hall, and Continental Hotel, as well as three local markets, this tour will help you experience the best that Saigon has to offer, all from your perch on a Cyclo.
The best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh will amaze you with bold flavors, fresh ingredients, perfect balance – and super cheap prices. We lived in Ho Chi Minh for several months and ate out almost every meal.
There are literally thousands of Ho Chi Minh restaurants worthy to visit. Keeping this list short enough to be useful was really tough. We included some better-known places, but we tired to focus on hidden gems that most tourists never visit.
Of course, it’s really subjective, but here are our picks for the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh.
Bahn Canh Ghe is one of the best-kept secrets of Vietnamese cuisine. It was love at first sight with this gorgeous soup, and it tastes even better than it looks. If you enjoy crab, this is your soup. And this restaurant serves up the best bowl in Ho Chi Minh.
Their secret is home-made noodles, produced daily in the restaurant.
Price: 65,000VND ($2.75USD)
484 Nguyen Tri Phoung St, P 9, Q 10, Ho Chi Minh
Pho Le
Pho is the classic Vietnamese dish. It mixes savory broth, delicate rice noodles, meat, and piles of fresh herbs. Honestly, you can find excellent bowls on every street, but the best Pho restaurant in Ho Chi Minh is a hotly debated topic.
After sampling countless worthy contenders, Pho Le is our favorite. Their broth is special. Other places make a delicious bowl, but seem to take shortcuts.
Pho Le’s broth is made in the traditional way. It takes hours of painstaking preparation, and we can taste the difference. Pho Le also offers the widest variety of meat to add to your soup.
Prices at Pho Le are a bit more expensive than other places, but worth every penny.
Price: 75,000VND ($3.25USD)
2 Locations run by same family
305 Vo Van Tam St, P 5, Q 3, Ho Chi Minh
415 Nguyen Trai St, P 7, Q 5, Ho Chi Minh
Pho 2000
We add Pho 2000 more for its fame than for its food. Pho 2000 is the most famous restaurant in Ho Chi Minh, because President Bill Clinton ate there. The moment is commemorated on the wall and at the table where he sat. This bit of history is the main draw.
The Pho here is decent, but not great. Pho 2000 is conveniently located in the main tourist area. Unlike like many Pho restaurants, they have a good selection of other dishes too.
Price: 30,000-75000VND ($1.5-3.25USD)
3 Phan Chu Trinh St, P Bến Thành, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
Bun Bo Gahn
This restaurant serves up our favorite bowl of Bun Bo Hue (Vietnam’s second most famous dish). Like Pho, Bun Bo Hue has a savory beef broth with citrus notes from the lemongrass. Unlike Pho, the noodles are thicker and denser.
Bun Bo Hue is typically a bit spicier, but not by much. The soup at Bun Bo Gahn is delicious and authentic. The desserts called Che are also very good here.
The restaurant has a lovely setting and great location. Bun Bo Gahn is a few blocks from the main pedestrian street, Nguyen Hue.
Price: 15,000 – 48,000VND ($0.75-2.25USD)
88 Ho Tung Mau St, P Ben Nghe, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
Quan Bui
Quan Bui is one of the prettiest restaurants in Ho Chi Minh. The food is awesome and authentic too, but the beautiful décor and atmosphere is what really brings us back.
The walls, furniture, and even menus are decorated with iconic images of Vietnam and it’s people. And the food is fantastic as well.
Our favorites are the steamed Seabass and the sautéed Squid. Prices are very reasonable for such a classy spot with a range of quality dishes.
Price: 59,000-99,000VND ($2.5-4.5USD)
3 Locations
17A Ngo Van Nam St, P Ben Nghe, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
8 Nguyen Van Nguyen St, P Tân Định, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
39 Ly Tu Trong St P Ben Nghe, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
A Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich that looks deceptively simple. A Banh Mi is a flavor bomb that changed the way we think about sandwiches. They combine perfect baguettes with savory pork, fresh herbs, and magical, secret sauces.
There are Banh Mi stalls all over Ho Chi Minh, but “Banh Mi Huynh Hoa” is the clear champion. Even late at night, there’s always a long line of locals.
This is even more impressive because the prices here are double what a normal Banh Mi costs. These locals are not rich folks.
If they’re willing to pay double for these, they must be worth it. And in our opinion, they’re a bargain.
Price: 30,000VND ($1.25USD)
26 Le Thi Rieng, P Ben Thanh, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
Quan Com Me Kong
This is the best restaurant in Ho Chi Minh for a big hunk of grilled pork. It’s totally delicious and surprisingly cheap. We were randomly walking around District 1 when we found this hidden gem.
The fantastic smell is what drew us here. We followed our noses and discovered this place packed with nearby office workers.
As reflected in our list, noodle soups are huge in Vietnamese cuisine. They are wonderful, but sometimes you just want a slab of smoky pork. They serve them up here with a pile of fresh rice for a hearty, filling meal at an incredible price.
Price: 60,000VND ($2.5USD)
136 Suong Nuyet Anh St. P Ben Thanh, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
Bahn Duc Nong Ba Gia
You’ve probably never heard of Banh Duc Nong, but this soup is as tasty as it is unique. The combo of pork and wild mushrooms gives it a blend of savory and earthy flavors, with hints of sweet and salty in just the right balance.
Banh Duc Nong also combines a variety of textures like creamy and crunchy. It’s a real treat that most visitors never get a chance to try.
The best (and cheapest) restaurant in Ho Chi Minh for this dish is Banh Duc Nong Ba Gia.
Price: 15,000VND ($0.65USD)
76 Cuu Long St. P15, Q10, Ho Chi Minh
5KU Station
This is one of the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh for groups. It’s a grill-your-own meat type of place. Pick a few proteins and few veggies. Then everyone grills and shares.
The fun, festive atmosphere make 5ku wildly popular with locals and visitors. And all the grilling meats create fantastic aromas.
Beef, chicken, and pork are available, but our favorites are the variety of snails, seafood, and frogs.
Price: 80,000-150,000VND ($3.5-6.5USD)
27 Lê Thánh Tôn St. P Ben Nghe, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
The Secret Garden
Finding a hidden, back-alley restaurant is an experience every Ho Chi Minh visitor should have. Many of the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh are off the main roads. And the Secret Garden is one of our favorites.
It’s not that difficult to find, but you have to venture down a couple alleys, make a few turns, and climb several flights of stairs to get here.
When you finally arrive, the rooftop garden terrace seems like an oasis of calm in the chaotic city.
The menu is a collection of delicious “home-style” Vietnamese dishes. For detailed directions, check our full review of Secret Garden.
Price: 50,000-80,000VND ($2.25-3.5USD)
158 Pasteur St. P Ben Nghe, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
Propaganda
Propaganda is one of the coolest restaurants in Ho Chi Minh. The art work is beautiful, colorful, and highly symbolic of the new culture of this city.
The murals are the most outstanding features, covering several large walls. The same images decorate the upholstery and other knick knacks. All this art was created by local artists.
The food is what they call “twisted Vietnamese cuisine.” The fare is mostly classic Vietnamese dishes with new looks and new flavors. There’s an a la carte menu, but we prefer the “set lunches” and “discovery menus.”
These are a bit pricey for Ho Chi Minh city, but we found them worth every penny.
Price: 190,000-230,000VND ($8.33-10USD) for set lunches 480,000-550,000VND ($21-24USD) for “discovery menus,” wine included
21 Han Thuyen St. P Ben Nghe, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
Muoi Tieu Chanh
Muoi Tieu Chanh has some of the most delicious crab in the city. It’s the kind of place where you get to pick your own crabs fresh. There are many great seafood places around Ho Chi Minh, but this is one of our favorites.
It’s only visited by locals, and it has a beautiful, wooden interior designed to look like ship. And since few tourists ever visit, the prices are fair for fresh seafood of this caliber.
Price: 100,000-200,000VND ($4.5-9USD)
Chim Cut Chien Bo
Chim Cut Chien Bo is quail fried in butter. We never liked quail before we tried this dish, but now we eat it all the time. It’s crispy and flavorful, without being overly greasy.
Order some gizzards on the side (also fried in butter), and wash it down with some Nuoc Mia (fresh sugarcane juice).
Price: 25,000VND ($1USD)
54 Dong Nai St. P 15, Q 10, Ho Chi Minh
Ut Dieu
Ut Dieu is classy little restaurant set back in an alley. The décor is a lovely mix of classic Vietnamese style and modern influences. The best time to visit is lunch.
They have a big set menu lunch for only a couple bucks. The specific offerings change daily, but we’ve always been happy here.
Price: 49,000VND ($2.25)
44C Bui Thi Xuan St. P Ben Thanh, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
Chi Hoa
Chi Hoa prides itself on serving up dishes that remind you of granny’s cooking – if you had a Vietnamese granny that is.
Dishes range from classic spring rolls to things that you’ve never tried. For the more adventurous eater, we recommend the fermented pork belly with rice.
Price: 30,000-100,000VND ($1.25-4.5USD)
31A Le Thanh Ton St. P Ben Nghe, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
Xoi Ga Number One
Xoi Ga is sticky rice with shredded chicken. Xoi Ga Number one is the best and most convenient place to try this Vietnamese classic. The restaurant is located only a few blocks from Ben Thanh Market, but few tourists ever eat here.
Each serving of “chicken rice” is rather small so you’ll need a couple helpings to fill up. Better yet, sample some other dishes from the large menu too.
Price: 15,000-35,000VND ($0.65-1.5)
21 Nguyen Trung Truc St. P Ben Thanh, Q 1, Ho Chi Minh
Bo Cap Lua
If you really want to push your culinary limits, try Bo Cap Lau. They specialize in creepy cuisine like scorpion, tarantulas, lizards, and worms as big as your thumb.
You can read about our night of adventure eating here. We wouldn’t call this restaurant delicious, but it is extraordinary and makes for lots of fun travel memories.
Price: 50,000-85,000VND ($2.25-3.75USD)
17B 11th St. P 11, Q Go Vap, Ho Chi Minh
Have you tried Vietnamese food yet? Which of the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh interest you most?
The Philippines has become one of the top tropical tourist destinations for good reasons. It is filled with lush scenery, delicious food and very warm and friendly people.
If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines anytime soon, make sure you read our list of the top 5 things to do in the Philippines, so you can get the most out of your trip.
Foodies, adventurers, beach bums, and even historians are sure to have a wonderful time in the Philippines.
Top 5 Things To Do In The Philippines:
1. Go on a Food Trip
When thinking about things to do in the Philippines, one of the first things that pops into our heads is to go on a food trip.
One thing that defines Filipinos is their love for food. There is no shortage of delicious and interesting foods to try when you are in the country.
It doesn’t matter which city you’re in, there are always going to be enough restaurants, carinderias, or kiosks to go on an epic food adventure.
Be prepared to stuff your bellies with everything from hearty meals to ice cold desserts.
A simple way to find the best food hotspots is to follow the crowd. Every Filipino will know at least a couple of good spots in the area.
Let’s take a look at some of the best places to go on a food trip.
Pampanga
People from Pampanga, also called Kapampangan, have a very high regard for food. Their cooking is one of the highest quality cooking in the entire country.
They’re known to be excellent at cooking popular local dishes that include sisig, aligue, tocino, moron and a lot more.
And it isn’t only the local dishes that they’re known to cook well. They also have their own exotic dishes that might seem a bit strange at first, but are just as delicious.
These include adobong kamaru (mole cricket), balo-balo (rice with fermented mudfish), and betute tugak (stuffed frog) to name a few.
Cebu City
The Queen City of the South is home to almost a million people. And if there’s one thing you should know about Cebuanos, it’s that they love to eat.
One of the most well-known food bazaars in Cebu City is called Sugbo Mercado, which is located in the busy business park, IT Park.
Sugbo Mercado has a very wide variety of food to choose from. From heavy meals to popular local desserts such as halo-halo (a cold dessert with mixed beans and fruits).
You cannot leave Cebu without trying the famous Cebu Lechon. Lechon is a roasted pork dish that is never absent in Filipino celebrations. Cebu is known to make the best lechon in the country.
Bacolod
Bacolod is one of the most health-conscious places in the Philippines. Many of the organic farms in the country are located here.
A lot of the restaurants and food carts use ingredients directly from these organic farms. People who are conscious about what goes into their food will really appreciate the farm-to-table practice that is common in the area.
Bacolod is also well-known for their chicken inasal (roasted chicken). Restaurants such as Aida’s, Manokan Country, and Aboy’s Restaurant, serve the best inasal in the city.
Davao
If you have a thing for seafood and fruits, then you’re going to love Davao.
Davao is the largest city in Mindanao and they take pride in their wide variety of exotic fruits and seafood.
The most popular fruit in Davao is the durian. It’s either you love durian or you hate it. There is no in between. Durian has a very peculiar and unique taste that Davaoeños love.
2. Visit the Beaches
One of the reasons people from around the world always come back to the Philippines is because of her long stretches of stunning white sand beaches.
Visiting these breathtaking shores should definitely be on top of your list of things to do in the Philippines.
Take a dip in the warm blue seawater or bask in the sun along the coastline. Beach parties and water games are also some of the common activities that take place in Philippine beaches.
Here’s a list of some of the best beaches around the Philippines.
Boracay
White Beach in Boracay is a gorgeous 2.5 mile shoreline where beach dreams come true. It is the most popular beach in the Philippines, welcoming over 15,000 tourists each day during peak seasons.
White Beach is best known for its fine white sand, turquoise waters, and lush tropical scenery. It is also known for beach parties and water activities such as parasailing, kayaking and paddleboarding.
Palawan
Palawan island has some of the most fascinating beaches in the Philippines. Palawan is relatively more difficult to travel to, but this only adds value to it.
The beaches here are the most unadulterated beaches in the country. You’re not going to find bars and restaurants along these beaches, but you won’t be short on mystery and adventure.
Siargao
If surfing is your thing, you should definitely visit Siargao island. Siargao is recognized as the surfing capital of the Philippines by local and international surfers.
The big waves never go quiet in Siargao, so you can spend an entire day catching them and never get bored.
3. Go Island Hopping
The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands. Not many people will get the opportunity to visit each of those islands, but you can visit quite a few in just one day.
Island hopping has become a popular activity among tourists in the Philippines.
Island hoppers embark on a motorized bamboo boat that can usually carry around 15 people. They can visit anywhere from 3 to over 10 islands in a single day.
On each stop, tourists can go fish watching, purchase food and souvenirs, snap photos, or just take a walk and soak in the beautiful scenery from each island.
Here are a few of the best locations to go island hopping in the Philippines:
Islas de Gigantes, Iloilo
A 5-hour bus ride in the direction northeast of Iloilo City will take you to Islas de Gigantes. Getting to the islands will require that you take this “extra mile”, but you will be rewarded for it when you arrive.
Islas de Gigantes is made up of around 10 islands, forming a small archipelago. The main islands to visit when you go island hopping here are the two largest ones: Gigantest Norte and Gigantes Sur.
If you go on a half-day island hopping adventure, the sites you should make sure to visit are Cubagao Gamay Island, Tangke Saltwater Lagoon, Pawikan Cave, Antonio Beach, and Bantigue Island.
You can visit even more sites if you spend the entire day island hopping. You won’t run out of things to explore at Islas de Gigantes.
Palawan
Palawan has a few good locations to go island hopping. It has some of the most untouched islands as well, so there will be wonder and adventure at every stop.
You can begin island hopping in either Puerto Princesa, Coron, or El Nido. Each location will give you a new set of adventures.
The islands in Palawan have some of the cleanest beaches and the most fascinating sites.
Hundred Islands, Pangasinan
You can take its name literally. Hundred Islands is in fact composed of around 123 islands varying in size.
The place has been declared as a National Park and you won’t get to visit every island. But there are enough islands that you can visit to fill up your itinerary for the day.
The islands have been kept clean and the thriving marine life in the area is something you will be fascinated by.
Cebu
If you prefer to explore local civilizations in the more developed parts of the Philippines, you might want to go island hopping in Cebu.
You will get to talk with the locals and purchase all kinds of food and souvenir items. There are also some really good spots to view marine life.
You can visit islands such as Nalusuan Island, Olango Island, and Pescador Island. If you head further down south, you can also visit Sumilon Island, which is known for its long, white sand bar.
4. Immerse Yourself in the Country’s Rich History
Number 4 on our list of things to do in the Philippines is for our friends with historian hearts.
The Philippines has been through a lot to get to where it is today. It was colonized by the Spanish in the mid 1500’s and later by the Americans before it was given independence.
It has been through wars and battles that has left artifacts and ruins in different parts of the country.
There are hundreds of sites around the Philippines that hold great stories, some dating to times long before the first World War. The historian in you will scream with excitement as you visit these fascinating sites.
Here are a few of the most well-known history sites around the Philippines.
Corregidor Island Ruins
Corregidor island is a small island located roughly 30 miles from Manila. It is a very significant place in the history of the Philippines.
From 1941 to 1942, during World War II, Corregidor was established as the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth Government, became the headquarters of Allied Forces fighting against the Japanese, and witnessed the well-known Battle of Corregidor.
Exploring the ruins at Corregidor might be errie to some, but for others, the experience will be marvelous.
San Agustin Church
Located in the capital of the Philippines is the San Agustin Catholic Church. It is the oldest building in the Philippines built between 1587 and 1606.
The church has been in operation for more than 400 years. It has witnessed world wars and countless local battles but is still standing today.
Visiting the church will leave you awestruck at its intricate design as well as its solid rock structure.
Tourists are allowed to enter the church, but are expected to be on their best behavior. You may take pictures inside the church, but it has to be done quietly and without any flash.
Museo Filipino, Intramuros
If you want to get a good foundation on Philippine history, the best place to visit is Museo Filipino located in Intramuros, Manila.
In just 30 minutes, you can walk through the country’s entire history depicted in manuscripts, images, and artifacts.
Their history tour is well designed and can be a lot of fun.
5. Get to Know the Locals
You will not find this in most lists of things to do in the Philippines, but it is something every tourist should do.
As you might have heard before, Filipinos are some of the friendliest and most hospitable people in the world. That statement is true, and you will experience it yourself the moment you start getting to know the locals.
Your stay in the Philippines will be much more enjoyable and fulfilling if you can make a few good friends along the way.
Keep in mind that not everyone will want to be your friend. You need to also be aware that, like in any place, there are people who take advantage of tourists to get their money.
If you’re good with people, you will easily be able to identify the ones you should stay away from and the ones you can keep as friends.
Final Word
We hope this list of our top 5 things to do in the Philippines has given you a good idea about where to get your Philippine trip started.
Our short list doesn’t give the Philippines any justice, because there is so much more you can do. It doesn’t even cover close to half of the activities and sites to see.
There are countless tourist destinations and attractions around the Philippines waiting to be explored. So booking a ticket to the Philippines for your next vacation trip would be a great idea!
Manila is the busiest and most populated city in the Philippines. If you’ve ever been there before, you know how bad the traffic is and how hot the temperatures get. 5 Things to Do in Manila Philippines at Night
You can imagine how inconvenient and uncomfortable going around the city during the day can be. With the heat, the cars, the crowds, you’re not going to be able to do much without exhausting yourself.
When the sun goes down, however, things are a bit different. Cooler temperatures and less cars on the streets make night activities more pleasant.
You will discover that there are just as many things to do in in this wonderful city at night than there are during the day. So whether you’re avoiding the heat and the traffic, or you only have time to explore the city at night, keep reading to find out our top 5 things to do in Manila Philippines at night.
1. Enjoy a Night of Local Music at an OPM Live Acoustic Gig
Filipino talent and love for music is quite evident even on an international level. Music plays a very important role in the lives of most Filipinos.
You won’t have to look very far to find local talent in the city. You can find acoustic gigs in almost every corner of this festive city. Featuring artists and musicians from popular OPM (Original Pilipino Music) indie bands to college students just starting out.
Rock the night away with local indie music and cocktails at the following acoustic bars and cafes:
Route 196 Bar (located in 19, East Service Road, San Dionisio, Parañaque City, Manila)
9 East Bar and Grill (located in Kilometer 19, East Service Road, San Dionisio, Parañaque City)
saGuijo Café + Bar (located in 7612 Guijo Street, San Antonio, Makati City)
Mow’s Bar (located in Kowloon House Basement, 20 Matalino Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City, Manila)
12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub (located in 5/F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue corner Salamanca Street, Poblacion, Makati City, Manila)
2. Watch Your Favorite Films at the Midnight Cinemas
If watching films at the cinemas is your thing, you’ll be glad to know that there are a few places in Manila where you can enjoy your favorite films even past midnight. 5 Things to Do in Manila Philippines at Night
These midnight cinemas feature international blockbuster films as well as local indie films. You’re sure to find something that you and your friends will enjoy watching.
Some of these midnight cinemas even serve alcoholic beverages that you can take inside the cinema. If this sounds like a something you will enjoy then make sure you visit the following midnight cinemas:
Boozy Cinema Bar (located in Uptown Mall, 36th St, Taguig, Metro Manila)
Cinema ‘76 (located in 160 Luna Mencias, San Juan, 1500 Kalakhang Manila)
Cinema Centenario (located in 95 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Metro Manila)
3. Experience a Wonderful Dinner Cruise in Manila Bay
If you want to experience dining off the shore of the metro and enjoy the captivating view of the city lights, you’re in luck! There are a couple of ships in the Manila Bay that offer romantic dinner cruises.
Whether you’re out on a date with your significant other, or you want to have a quiet dinner by yourself or with a group of friends, you’re sure to enjoy this wonderful dinner cruise experience.
Not only will you get a mesmerizing view and delicious food, these cruise ships even hire acoustic bands to entertain you with romantic tunes while you enjoy your meal. 5 Things to Do in Manila Philippines at Night
Expect to pay around $30 USD (1,500Php) per head for this dinner cruise experience. That rate is inclusive of a dinner buffet and a glass of wine. The cruise usually lasts for about an hour and half.
4. Sing Your Heart Out at Karaoke Bars and Lounges
One pastime that is common to most Filipinos is belting out into a karaoke machine. If you’ve been to a province in the Philippines, you’ll notice that in almost every home, there is a karaoke machine.
In the city, things are a little different because of noise regulations. This doesn’t stop Filipinos from showcasing their talent to their family and friends. That’s why there are dozens of karaoke bars and lounges around Manila.
These bars and lounges have soundproof rooms so you don’t need to worry about going off key and embarrassing yourself to the staff and passersby.
If you want to spend the evening singing your heart out with your friends, make sure to check out these karaoke bars in Manila:
CenterStage Family KTV & Resto Bar (located in 2/F CTTM Square, Timog Avenue corner Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City)
121 Grille and Bar Allegro (located in 2284 Pasong Tamo Extension, 2nd Floor, Allegro Center, Makati City, Manila)
The Music Bar at The Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila (located in 6/F Hyatt Hotel and Casino, 1588 Pedro Gil cor. M.H. Del Pilar, Malate, Manila)
Red Box Karaoke (located in 3/F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati)
Murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Steaks and Oysters (located in 1F14 Bonifacio High Street, Manila)
5. Indulge in a Night of Music and Dancing in the City’s Most Prestigious Nightclubs
If you’re the type who likes to go out partying, you won’t be short on places to visit to dance the night away.
Manila has several prestigious nightclubs that feature the country’s top DJ’s. If you feel like partying all night, you will want to consider the nightclubs below. Make sure to grab some Glow Sticks to spice the night up.
Black Market (located in 2723 Sabio St, Makati, 1233 Metro Manila)
Royal Nightclub (located in 5343 St, General Luna, Makati, 1210 Metro Manila)
Revel at The Palace (located in 11th Avenue Corner 38th St, Uptown Bonifacio Taguig, Metro Manila)
Club ZZYZX (located in 1851 Jorge Bocobo St, Malate, Metro Manila)
House Manila (located in Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City, Manila)
Conclusion
The bustling Metro Manila doesn’t sleep. You can engage in different activities in every corner of the city, even during the wee hours of the night Whatever “nightlife” is to you, we’re sure you can experience it right here in the heart of the Philippines—Manila.
If you’re visiting Manila with your kids, you might be overwhelmed with all the different activities that are available for children. places to take your kids in Manila Philippines
To make things easier for you and to make sure your kids have a wonderful time, we’ve put together a short list of 6 of the best places to take your kids in Manila Philippines.
1. Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park opened in March 2008. It was the most state-of-the-art attraction during that time and is still the largest Oceanarium in the country.
Hosting over 13,000 sea creatures from 277 different species in an oceanarium with 3,000 cubic meters of sea water.
Watch your kids gape in fascination when they enter the underwater tunnels where they will encounter all kinds of sea creatures from huge sharks to tiny seahorses.
You can spend an entire day at the Manila Ocean Park and not run out of fun activities to do with your kids. Here is a list of some of the activities you and your kids are sure to enjoy.
Sharks and Rays Encounter (Schedule: Daily 10:00AM-6:00PM)
Oceanarium (Schedule: Daily 10:00AM-8:00PM on weekdays and 9:00AM-8:00PM on weekends and holidays)
Trails to Antarctica (Schedule: Daily 10:00AM-8:00PM on weekdays and 9:00AM-8:00PM on weekends and holidays)
Fish Spa (Schedule: Daily 10:00AM-7:00PM on weekdays and 9:00AM-7:00PM on weekends and holidays)
2. Dreamplay
If you and your kids are DreamWorks fans, you will absolutely love this place.
Located in The Shops at The Boulevard in City of Dreams Manila, this prestigious playground features your favorite DreamWorks characters from the antisocial Shrek to our beloved Toothless.
Every corner of this playground is filled with interactive children’s activities that are both entertaining and educational.
Parents may enter the playground with their kids, or they can leave them with the very friendly Dreamplay staff. We’re pretty sure kids won’t go looking for their parents anymore when they get started with the fun activities this playground offers.
Here are some of the fun attractions your kids will enjoy at Dreamplay Manila:
Shrek Swamp Ball Pit
How to Fly Your Dragon Slides
Gingy’s Kitchen Cooking Class
Dream Tales Library
Afro Circus
Dream Theatre
Madagascar Plane
3. SM by The Bay
Right outside the well-known SM Mall of Asia, is the SM by The Bay amusement park. This amusement park has all kinds of rides that kids of all ages are sure to enjoy.
One of the highlights here is the MOA Eye. This 180-foot tall Ferris wheel gives you a stunning view of the entire Metro Manila and the Manila Bay. This is definitely one of the things you must try with your kids when you are in the area.
A pro tip is to go on the MOA Eye just before sunset. You will get a phenomenal view of the sunset on the horizon of the bay.
Other rides your kids will love are the barnstormer, bumble bee, grand carousel, bumper cars, and the pirate ship.
Not only will you and your kids get to enjoy the rides, you will also get to try all the delicious food from the food stalls lining the baywalk. You can take a sunset stroll along the sea wall and munch on various finger foods to complete the day’s activities.
SM by the Bay can get quite crowded especially on weekends. If you want to have peace of mind while your kids are running around the amusement park, you should get a GPS tracker so you know exactly where your kids are all the time.
If you want your kids to get a small taste of what working in the real world is like, KidZania Manila is the perfect place to go.
It is a city created for kids with various types of ‘jobs’ in every corner. The realistic workplaces are sponsored by real Philippine companies. Your kids are going to recognize big company names such as Shell, Cebu Pacific Air, and Bank of the Philippine Islands.
Your children will get to ‘work’ as doctors, vets, chefs, firemen, policemen, pilots, and a lot more. Each station is both entertaining and educational for your kids.
In the food departments, your kids will get to learn how to make their favorite food such as ice cream and potato chips.
For the parents, there is a lounge where they can enjoy a cup of coffee and some snacks while they wait for their kids to finish their work shift.
KidZania should definitely be added on your bucket list for your kids. They are sure to have a blast when they visit the place.
5. Ark Avilon
Zoos are always a great place to take your kids. They will get to closely encounter different animals that they usually only see on TV.
If you’re children are fascinated by wild animals, Ark Avilon is the perfect place to take them in Manila.
The entire zoo is as if it were one huge Ark, like Noah’s Ark. That is the concept of Ark Avilon zoo.
The ark is filled with all kinds of animals. From big cats such as lions and tigers, to smaller creatures like meerkats and rabbits. You can spend the entire day going around the zoo meeting all these animals.
Ark Avilon even lets your kids feed some of the animals. They have feeding stations for rabbits, cats, mountain goats and more. This adds an extra bit of fun when you’re at the zoo.
Conclusion
If you happen to find yourself and your kids in Manila Philippines, be sure to visit at least one of the places we’ve mentioned in this article. You are surely going to have a grand time!
If you’ve already checked off everything from our list, don’t worry! There are dozens of other fun activities that can be enjoyed by you and your kids right here in Manila.
GoPro action cameras are one of the most versatile and durable recording devices in the market. They can capture amazing videos and stills of your travel experiences and you don’t need to worry about knocking and scratching them. best gopro accessories for travel
If you own a GoPro that you take with you on vacation, but you feel like you’re not getting the most out of it, it may be time to get yourself some GoPro accessories.
GoPros were built to work with dozens of accessories, which is one of the reasons they became so popular.
GoPro produces its own accessories, but you can also find hundreds of high-quality third-party accessories that will work great for your GoPro.
Let’s take a look at 5 of our favorite GoPro accessories that you should consider buying to step up your travel documentation.
Newer GoPro models have built-in video stabilization that smooths out vibrations and jerkiness when you’re filming on the move.
It does a great job, but nothing beats an actual 3-axis handheld gimbal like the Feiyu Tech G4. With its liquid smooth movement, your footage will almost look like that from a blockbuster film.
It is extremely easy to set up. No wires, no screws, no mess. You simply clamp on your GoPro, switch it on, and you’re ready to go.
The gimbal is designed to be operated with only one hand and has a single button that controls the different modes.
The Feiyu Tech G4 ships with two pairs of rechargeable batteries. One neat feature this gimbal has is that you can charge your GoPro just by connecting a USB cable to the gimbal. That means more power throughout the day and more amazing footage!
Let’s face it, your travel buddy isn’t always going to willingly take pictures and video clips of you during your travels. You might not even have a travel buddy.
This is why extension poles or selfie sticks are important. They allow you to capture solo shots and interesting group videos or stills.
The SANDMARC Pole is our favorite one for a number of reasons. It is built using high-quality waterproof aluminum. So it is sturdy and lightweight.
The rubber grip and wrist strap are nice additions to make it more comfortable to carry around. They are also made from high-quality materials so they won’t wear down very easily.
If you use a remote control for your GoPro, you can attach it on the mount clip on this pole. The mount clip can be removed if you don’t need your remote.
The SANDMARC Pole can extend all the way to 40 inches from 17 inches. This allows you to take extra wide angle shots as well as closer selfie shots.
The mount itself is solidly built so you can be confident that your GoPro won’t fall off. The extension locks are also very durable so you don’t need to worry about breaking any of them.
Tripods are one of the most basic camera accessories. You’re not going to be able to take timelapses, self portraits, and slow shutter images easily using your GoPro without a tripod.
Traveling with a full-size tripod can be a bit of a hassle, that’s why we recommend the JOBY GorillaPod SLR Zoom.
It’s easy to carry around because of its smaller size, but what makes it great is its ability to cling on to almost anything.
Three rubberized wrappable legs allow you to secure your camera on things like trees, rocks, lampposts, signposts, furniture, and almost everything else.
The GorillaPod’s sturdy mount can hold up to 6.6lbs of weight. It also has a built-in leveler to make image composition much quicker for you.
The legs are also comfortable to hold with one hand. This makes it double as an extension pole or selfie stick for your GoPro.
If you like doing hardcore water activities when you travel, we bet you’ve had your heart skip a beat several times as your GoPro almost fell into the water.
Save your poor heart from the stress and save your trusty GoPro from vanishing into the abyss by getting a floaty case.
You simply slip your GoPro into the FLOATEX Floaty Case and you will never have to worry about your GoPro sinking ever again. It also comes with a wrist strap so it becomes virtually impossible to lose your GoPro in deep waters. best gopro accessories for travel
The FLOATEX Floaty Case comes in a bright orange color so you won’t have trouble locating your GoPro even on a cloudy day.
This particular floaty case works with the GoPro Hero 5, Hero 6, and Hero 7. The case can work with most of your other accessories so you can leave it on throughout your entire trip.
It will be such a huge bummer if your GoPro dies on you after you’ve invested all that money on a handful of cool accessories.
Without any power, your GoPro is just a clump of glass and plastic. This is why it’s very important to bring along a couple of spare batteries so you don’t miss that epic wave or the beautiful tropical sunset.
The Artman replacement battery set comes with three 1480mAh replacement batteries and a three channel charger. This means you get three times as much camera runtime.
You can charge the batteries using a power bank or plug it directly into a power outlet. The charger supports micro USB and type-C charging.
With this particular set you also get safety features such as over-charging protection, short-circuit protection, high-temperature protection, and surge protection. It also has a fire-resistant construction to protect you and your device.
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you some ideas on which accessories to get for your GoPro. Remember that these are just our top 5 GoPro accessories, there are still hundreds of other cool and useful accessories out there. best gopro accessories for travel
If you find yourself in the Queen City of the South and you’re looking for tourist spots where you can unwind and enjoy yourself, you’ve come to the right place. cebu tourist spot
Here we’re going to share with you our top 5 best tourist spots in Cebu.
Mactan
If you’re traveling to Cebu via plane, you’re going to land on Mactan island. It is a 25 square mile island that is connected to Cebu City by two large bridges. cebu tourist spot
These resorts have excellent amenities and serve great tasting food. You’ll also get to relax by the beach and get yourself a tan.
If you want to do some exploring, you can take a trip around the island and try the different restaurants. You’re going to find restaurants by the beach that serve delicious seafood dishes.
A popular type of restaurant you’ll find around Mactan is Sutukil. They serve seafood dishes prepared in 3 different ways: sugba (su) or grill, tula (tu) or stew, and kilawin (kil) which means to to “cook” seafood in vinegar.
You can find great Sutukil restaurants near the Mactan Shrine or Lapu-Lapu Monument.cebu tourist spot
You can take a taxi cab to get around the city, but you can also try some of the other local transportation options such as jeepneys, tricycles, and tricycads. These are more available than taxis, so if you’re in a hurry and you’re in for an adventure, then they’re the way to go.
Busay
One of the blessings Cebu city residents enjoy is the fact that it only takes around 30 minutes to get to the beach and 30 minutes to get to the mountains. cebu tourist spot
So if you’re more of a mountain person and you don’t quite fancy beach resorts and seafood restaurants, Busay might be the place for you.
In just around 15 minutes up the mountain you’ll get to the Temple of Leah. It is a fairly new attraction that was built by a local billionaire in honor of his deceased wife, Leah. It is a huge ancient greek style building with a large deck that overlooks the city.
Several more minutes up the mountain will get you to Balay. A well-known local restaurant that serves mouthwatering Filipino delicacies. Enjoy dinner with a view as you watch the glimmering city lights from the balconies of this local restaurant.
If you’re in the mood for French desserts and wine after dinner, walk a few meters to La Vie in the Sky. You can spend the evening there unwinding with your friends or your significant other.
If you’re more into nature than city lights and restaurants, you can go further up the mountain and find many different nature parks. You’ll get to go on trail adventures, ATV offroading, and horseback riding.
MoalBoal
If you’re willing to travel a bit further, you’re going to be rewarded with magnificent white sand beaches and lush scenery in MoalBoal.
To get to MoalBoal you can either rent a car and drive yourself there, rent a van, or take the bus there. There is a bus that leaves for MoalBoal from the city every 30 minutes.
Once you get to MoalBoal you’ll immediately feel that beach vibe. The first thing you’ll want to do is perhaps get yourself a place to stay for at least a night. Two whole days will be enough time for you to explore MoalBoal and enjoy everything about it.
If you’re a beach bum and you just want to bask in the tropical sunshine enjoying an ice cold beer, then you’re definitely going to enjoy yourself at MoalBoal. cebu tourist spot
If you’re up for some adventure, there are plenty of things you can do as well. One of the most popular activities in MoalBoal is island hopping.
You get into a bangka (small motorized wooden boat), and sail around the little islands. You can take a stroll in these small islands or you can simply appreciate it from a distance. The waters near some of these islands have magnificent marine life that you will enjoy watching.
Other activities you can do in MoalBoal are scuba diving, turtle watching, and restaurant hopping.
Oslob
One of the most famous attractions in Cebu is further down south in a small town called Oslob. The waters in Oslob are home to huge whale sharks.
Tourists can get into little boats and sail out into the sea to swim with these magnificent creatures. It is truly a great experience to get to spend some time with the whale sharks.
After swimming with the whale sharks, you can take a ride to a nearby waterfall called Kawasan Falls. You can get a free massage just by sitting under the 130 foot waterfall.
If you’re not into that kind of thing, you can also take a short bangka ride to the sandbar at Sumilon island. It is a long stretch of white sand that only appears at certain times of the day.
You can even enjoy an overnight stay at Bluewater Sumilon. It’s the resort that owns the island.
Bantayan Island
Bantayan Island is located north of Cebu city. It is not as well-known as MoalBoal and Oslob but it has gorgeous stretches of white sand beaches.
If you like peace and quiet, you’re going to love Bantayan Island. Since it is not as well-known and is harder to get to, not a lot of tourists flock there. You’ll have the beach to yourself without any crowd to disturb you.
There are hardly any hotels on the island so if you’re planning to say for the night, you’ll have to rent a nipa hut. Don’t worry, most of the nipa huts are clean and air conditioned. They’re pretty much hotel rooms made from local building materials.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed reading about our top 5 best tourist spots in Cebu. If you’re planning a visit to Cebu anytime in the near future, we hope you consider visiting the places on our list. cebu tourist spot
Imagine planning and saving up for months for an epic getaway in the tropics. Your itinerary for each day is listed down in detail. You have a list for every item and piece of clothing you’re bringing. All your tickets are purchased and organized in a folder. Everything is ready and you’re all set to enjoy your wonderful vacation. travel health insurance
But as soon as you get to the airport, you learn that your flight is cancelled. The airline offers you another flight for the next day, but you hesitate because you’ve already scheduled and paid for a tour package and a night’s stay at an expensive hotel which are nonrefundable. So you decide to take pocket money and purchase another airline ticket for that day.
When you arrive, you’re met with another problem. For some reason your baggage never shows up in the conveyor so you contact the airport staff. After a couple hours of investigation, the airline tells you that your baggage is untraceable and they’re not taking responsibility for it.
To make things even worse, as you’re driving the rental car to your hotel, you get into a small accident. The car has a huge dent which you’re told to pay for and you have a broken wrist and other minor injuries. This forces you to spend your entire vacation in a foreign hospital with your money depleted. travel health insurance
How could you have lessened the damage of this nightmare vacation? Travel insurance.
If you had purchased travel insurance before this trip, all the unexpected expenses from your cancelled flight to your hospital bill would have been covered by the insurance company. It still wouldn’t have ended as the perfect vacation but it would have been a lot easier to bear.
Travel insurance is extremely important if you want to travel with peace of mind. You’re likely not going to spend a penny of it most of the time, but having that peace of mind is well worth the cost of the insurance policy.
2 Types of Travel Health Insurance
There are two basic types of travel insurance. There’s the regular travel insurance and the medical travel insurance.
Regular travel insurance usually covers things such as trip cancellation, flight delays, lost luggage, emergency medical and dental expenses, emergency evacuation depending on your policy. It typically does not cover basic medical needs such as prescriptions and checkups.
Medical travel insurance, on the other hand, covers comprehensive medical and dental expenses. It covers prescriptions, maternity, and day to day medical needs, but does not cover trip issues.
Important Things to Consider When Purchasing Travel Insurance
Purchasing travel insurance is extremely important if you want to protect yourself and your belongings when travelling. In order to ensure that you get the right policy, you should consider the following things.
Policy Duration
There are three subtypes of travel insurance. There is the single-trip travel insurance, which will cover any damages only for one trip. There is the multi-trip insurance, and the long term insurance that’s perfect for avid travellers. travel health insurance
One thing you absolutely need to make sure of, especially if you’re getting a single-trip policy, is that your dates are set right. If you miscalculate by even just a day, and you experience something unfortunate on the day your policy doesn’t cover, your insurance company isn’t going to give you a cent to help with the damages.
Ensure that Your Policy Covers All Your Destinations
Before purchasing a policy, make sure that it is going to cover all the locations you are visiting or stopping over at.
Some insurance companies will not cover damages that occur in certain countries. So be sure to let them know all your destinations and stopovers. You may purchase additional coverage from your insurance company if you want to include destinations not covered in your original policy.
Declare Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you will have to declare them to the insurance company before you travel.
Medical conditions such as asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, anxiety, depression, extreme obesity, and cancer should be declared early. If you fail to declare any pre-existing medical conditions, your policy may become invalid.
Extra Coverage for High-Risk Activities
Most insurance companies will ask you to purchase extra coverage if you are going to engage in risky activities on your trip.
Skydiving, bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, skiing, snowboarding, and other extreme activities are usually not covered on a standard policy. You will need to let your insurance company know about the activities you will engage in and make sure you purchase the additional coverage you’ll need.
Declare Your Valuable Belongings
If you’re going to bring expensive electronics or jewelry on your trip, you will have to declare them when purchasing your policy.
Most insurance companies will not cover expensive items that are damaged or lost if you failed to declare them when you bought the policy.
Most of the time, you will be able to see how much the insurance company is willing to cover for your electronics or jewelry. If you see that it isn’t enough to cover the items you’re bringing, you can either pay for additional coverage or look for another policy that will fit your needs.
Don’t forget to declare your mobile phones as well. Over the past 10 years the amount of claims for lost mobile phones has increased greatly.
Report Any Type of Theft Immediately
If something is stolen from you, you do not want to wait around before you report it. You might not be able to claim for the lost item if you do not have a police report issued within 24 hours of the item being stolen.
This is why it’s extremely important to report theft immediately.
Buy Your Policy Early
It is never a good idea to purchase your policy last minute. Make sure to add it to your long term planning before you take the tip. This is so you will have enough time to make sure everything is covered and that you won’t be lacking money to purchase a good policy.
Conclusion
Travel insurance is something every traveller should invest in. The peace of mind you’ll have when you know you’re insured is well worth the price. It will also save you from going bankrupt on a trip that is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable. travel health insurance
Vice President Mike Pence Calls Chief Justice John Roberts a ‘Disappointment to Conservatives’
Vice President Mike Pence is calling U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts a “disappointment to conservatives” in a TV interview with CBN News airing Thursday.
“We have great respect for the institution of the Supreme Court of the United States, but Chief Justice Roberts has been a disappointment to conservatives,” Pence told CBN’s David Brody, according to the network’s website.
“I think several cases out of the Supreme Court are reminders of just how important this election is for the future of the Supreme Court,” the vice president added.
Roberts was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2005 by former President George W. Bush.
In 2012, Roberts voted to uphold ObamaCare and most recently, he voted to uphold restrictions on church gatherings in Nevada due to coronavirus. In another case, he agreed that abortion clinic doctors in Louisiana should have admitting privileges at local hospitals.
“That’s a very modest restriction on abortion providers,” Pence told Brody. “But a narrow majority in the Supreme Court still said it was unacceptable. I think it’s been a wake-up call for pro-life voters around the country who understand, in a very real sense, the destiny of the Supreme Court is on the ballot in 2020.”
In many cases, Roberts has been the court’s swing vote, according to USA Today. In two major decisions, he voted to extend…
Pastor Tony Evans speaks on the topic of biblical manhood at the Promise Keepers 2020 Men’s Conference. | Facebook/ScreenGrab
Pastor Tony Evans has warned that “far too many men” in today’s culture are “domesticated or neutered” as Satan continues to undermine the biblical definition of manhood.
In a message titled “Created to be Crowned as a Kingdom Husband and Father” delivered at the two-day virtual Promise Keepers 2020 Men’s Conference, Evans, founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, urged Christian men to take ownership of their God-given roles in a culture rapidly descending into “chaos.”
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“We have far too many men who have been domesticated or neutered,” Evans said. “What God is calling you for is to stand up and take ownership. We have a generation of children who do not have leadership … [we have a] generation of young people whose consciences haven’t been fed … and so their conscience doesn’t go off. As a result, they come up with their own conclusion of life and meaning and dignity and…
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