Michi Photostory

Le Meridien Saigon Hotel is located in the heart of the city, it is 8.5km away from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) and 7km away from Saigon Train Station. It is really accessible so commuting won’t be a problem. 


There are so many tourist spots in Ho Chi Minh and most of these famous attractions are near the hotel which is about 10-15 minute walk. You can visit the History Museum, Pagodas, Temples, Saigon Zoo, Botanical Garden, and even shopping malls and markets like Ben Thanh Market and Union Square Shopping Centre. 


My husband stayed at Le Meridien Hotel in Ho Chi Minh last week, 3PM is standard check-in time but he was able to check-in before 11AM without additional charge.

He was upgraded for river view side so he sees Saigon River every day. 



This is the room. When I saw the room, I wanted to join his trip, ang ganda kasi e. It is big enough for one person. 



The room and bathroom are divided by glass walls but don’t worry, there is a curtain for that if you want privacy. 



There is a bathtub. 



The hotel offers a swimming pool, spa, and fitness center but unfortunately, my husband was not able to try these facilities and amenities. He has no free time. 

The room package includes a buffet breakfast at Latest Recipe, it serves regional and international cuisine. Aside from this restaurant, you can also eat at Bamboo Chic, Art Cacao Desserts, Explore Bistro, and Latitude 10. 

Ice cream is also available in their buffet spread.









You can also eat outside, Ran Bien Seafood Restaurant is just a few minutes walk from the hotel. 

Read: Glimpse of Ho Chi Minh Vietnam

Update: January 2020

Hubby went back to Ho Chi Minh again and he stayed at Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers and Le Meridien Saigon. Here are some photos of his stay last month. 

Read: Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers 






Le Meridien Hotel 
3C Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1  
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Phone: (84)(8) 62636688

Ho Chi Minh is the largest city in Vietnam and situated in the southern part of the country. It is formerly known as Saigon. When my husband told me that he will go to Vietnam, part of me wanted to go with his trip because I like his hotel and I also wanted to visit Cu Chi Tunnels and War Remnant's Museum. But it was my son's final exam week so we cannot go with him.


Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have a direct flight to Ho Chi Minh, PAL has only one flight so my husband has no choice but to take the early flight last week. He was in HCMC as early as 10AM and I told him to take advantage of his free time because there are so many tourist spots near his hotel.

He can visit the Fine Arts Museum, Revolutionary Museum, War Remnant’s Museum and Vietnam History Museum. For pagodas and temples, 7-storey Quoc Tu Pagoda, Jade Emperor Pagoda, Mariamman Hindu Temple, and Giac Lam Pagoda is also within the area. If we’re just there, we will visit Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

Book Ho Chi Minh Discovery Tour



But knowing my husband, he chose to stay in his hotel. He stayed in Le Meridien hotel last week. The hotel has a good location and he can see the Saigon River from his room. 

Read: Le Meridien Hotel


Aside from the tourist spots, Vietnam is also popular with its transportation. My husband witnessed the motorbike riders, ang dami talaga nila and maski sa sidewalk, dumadaaan. Most of the people ride motorbike on their way to school, office and even tourists can rent a bike to tour the city. 




He also ate at Ran Bien Seafood Restaurant, it is a popular restaurant in Ho Chi Minh where you can choose live seafood and tell the chef how you want it to be cooked. I remembered our Seri Selara experience in Kota Kinabalu Malaysia when I saw these photos. It is also walking distance from the hotel. 



 

It was his first time eating a black chicken, taste was just okay.


On his way to the airport, he saw the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, a famous church in HCMC which is established by French colonists in 1880.


Update January 2020

Two years ago, my husband did not bother to check the tourist spots in Ho Chi Minh but during his last visit, he stayed at Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers. The hotel location is walking distance to Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Opera House, and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Read: Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers Hotel Review





It was Sunday so my husband explored the nearby local tourist attraction. He even went inside The Notre Dame Cathedral, after a few minutes the Holy Mass started and he couldn’t go out of the church. Hehehe! Sinasara pala nila ang church pag may mass so my husband finished the Holy Mass kahit wala siya maintindihan sa message because of the language.


Lesson learned, if you are a tourist don’t forget to check the schedule of the mass kung ayaw mo malock ng isang oras sa simbahan. The Notre Dame Cathedral is under renovation now so hindi maganda ang picture.

 Aside from Japanese foods, my husband likes Vietnamese foods too and according to him kahit nga street foods, masarap ang food.

I love trying out new recipes that don’t require cooking or baking. Yeah, I am a little bit lazy when it comes to the kitchen, but nevertheless, my two boys love the foods I prepared for them. You will only find me busy in the pantry whenever I am doing no-bake desserts and smoothies. My family loves anything sweet, so I make sure that I excel when it comes to doing so. I love what I have in my kitchen especially my blender. Whenever my kid requests for something refreshing, the blender instantly becomes my life saver. I am also using it for some of my no-bake dessert recipes, and I love how functional my blender is. 


The first time I am looking for a blender, I am full of hesitation. Aside from making smoothies, I don’t know what other things I can do with it since I don’t cook very often. It is perfect only if I am very fond of staying in the kitchen. So, like what I said, I am skeptical about buying one. However, I do my homework and found out that there is the best blender for smoothies and to my surprise, these blenders are perfect even for a non-cook mom like me. 

I am so happy that I made the right decision. Right now if you will take a tour of my kitchen, you will only find appliances that are very functional and suitable for my personality. I came to realized that the blender that I bought is a kitchen must-have for all moms. Yup, you read it right, whether you are fond of cooking or not, a great blender is very useful. 

Oh, it reminded me of my child’s request last weekend. He is asking if he can have a summer party at home. The blender is perfect for the occasion. I will try out some recipes this weekend, and hopefully, my child will like them. I saw that strawberries’ price is dropping this summer so it will be one of the must-try smoothies. Mangoes are also cheap in price this season so that I will be shopping for fruits and hopefully, the recipes turned out well. I am also thinking of using the blender for other things such as making frappes and green smoothies. My husband will surely love to relax with a frappe while watching a romantic movie at night. 

Will you share a smoothie recipe you have already tried? I am so excited to try new things with this blender.

I’m pretty sure that most of you have loyalty cards. Once you become a mom, you tend to collect membership cards or loyalty cards. We have so many cards in our wallet not just to collect but these cards are one way to save some money, how? 

Membership cards offer discounts, perks, and points that we can use to purchase stuff or avail services. Some cards are FREE, you just need to sign-up and they will give you the card. Some cards have a fee, you need to renew it every year or every 3 yrs. 



I’m sharing with you our membership cards and care to share your cards too.

Home 

1. SM Advantage Card or BDO Rewards Card  

I think I was still single when I first applied for the SM Advantage card. SM is everywhere and I always go here to do my grocery, shopping and paying bills so I applied to earn points while shopping.  

When I open a savings account in BDO, after several months they send me BDO Rewards Card so I did not renew my SM Advantage Card. When I applied for BDO Credit Card, they gave me a free SM Advantage Card too. BDO Rewards Card has more advantages because I can earn points while shopping and saving money. One more thing, I do not need to renew my membership. 

Aside from SM department store, ACE Hardware, Watsons, and supermarket, they have so many partner stores where you can also use your card to earn points like Uniqlo, Miniso and Walter Mart. 1 point = P1; I was able to buy stuff using my points like cards, Teflon pan, stainless trash bin, baron antenna, clothes and many more. 

BDO Rewards or SM advantage card is not only for earning points but you can also get freebies and discounts. I got a discount when we stayed at Taal Vista Hotel and when we joined their Trick or Treat event.  

2. Plus Card  

You can use this card in Abenson, Walter Mart, Avant Abenson and Electroworld. 

3. Wilcon Depot Loyalty Card  

This program started last June 2011 The reward points that you accumulate over time can be converted to a peso value that you can redeem for future purchases. I’m not sure if one point = one peso since I did not fill out the form. The card is under my husband’s name, all I know is that the point is valid for two years from your purchase but you can use the card lifetime. You can convert your reward points into peso value for future purchases.  

4. Mandaue Foam Card   

Four years ago, I paid a one-time fee of P500 for the Mandaue Foam Card. I can get 10% discount on regular items. It is a big saving for me, especially when we bought bed and mattress, at a regular price. 

5. S&R Membership Card 

At first, I thought S&R are only for rich people but if you want to save money, visit S&R. They are selling products at a cheaper price. You can also buy imported products that are not available in other supermarkets. They have Membership Sale where you can see Buy One Take One item.

Just go to any S&R branch, fill out the form, submit two ID and pay P700 for the membership fee. The renewal fee is P700 too. 

You can also use the card to save P2 - P3 per liter of gasoline or diesel at UniOil. 

Read: Shopping at S&R 

6. Landers Superstore

Landers Superstore is the same with S&R where you need to apply for a membership card. We took advantage of the 50% off membership fee so my husband only paid PHP400. What I love about Landers is, they have a FREE haircut for the members so it is already a big saving for my husband's monthly trim. They also offer discounted fuel at Caltex and during Super Crazy Sale, they have products at PHP1 only. 

Read: Shopping at Landers Superstore

Pharmacy

1. Mercury Drug Suki Card  

I had my first “Suki Card” when I learned that I have psoriasis. Since this is a lifetime disease, I applied for the Mercury Drug Suki Card. The same with SM advantage and BDO rewards card, 1 point equals to P1. We used our points to buy chips, ice cream cup, or bottled drinks. 

You can use it to avail of discounts like Kidzania Ticket. (wait for promo)

Read: How to Apply for Mercury Drug Suki Card

2. Pfizer Sulit Card  

Last February 2013, we went to the hospital for my son’s check-up. His doctor was not available so sa iba kami nagpacheck. The Pedia gave me Pfizer Sulit Card which I can use to get a discount. I’m not familiar with the card; I just gave it to Mercury Drug staff when I purchased the medicine. I was surprised to see the P182.92 discount on my bill. 

I searched for more information and here’s what I found. 

What you need to know about your Pfizer Sulit Card: 

It is pre-activated and can be used immediately. 
It can be used at any participating drugstores nationwide. 
You can get an instant discount simply by presenting your Pfizer Sulit card when you purchase your Pfizer medication. For Lipitor, the discount is at 50%. 
Purchase and discount are available only upon presentation of doctor’s prescription. 
You can purchase up to a maximum of 32tablets of LIPITOR every single month. The balance of unused tablets is carried over the following month but is automatically replenished every first day of the succeeding month. 
Your Sulit card doesn’t expire provided that the enrollment form is submitted within four months after the initial use. 
Receive your free Health Education Mailers, e-Gazerres and SMS reminders based on your enrolled contact information (address/email/mobile phone). 

Airline 

If you like to travel, it is best to apply for a frequent flyer card of different airlines. The membership is FREE, just visit the airline's website and register. They will send the card to your registered address. You can earn miles by flying with their airlines, staying in their partner hotels, buying stuff from their partner merchants and many more. 

Since this is free, I applied to different airlines but most of the time we only use these two cards.

1. Mabuhay Miles 

This is the frequent flyer card of Philippine Airlines. The only thing I dislike with this airline, they don’t send a physical card so until now, my son is using the card that I have printed. Mag-one year na, nakakapagod magfollow-up. 

Anyway, I was able to redeem FREE flights using our miles. I experienced Business Class flight using our miles. 

Read: Economy Class vs Business Class of Philippine Airlines: Domestic Flight
Economy Class vs Business Class of Philippine Airlines: International Flight

If you reach Elite, Premier Elite and Million Miler level, you can have free airport lounge both domestic and international airports. 

Read: 5 Ways to Get into Airport Lounges

2. Get Go 

This is the membership card of Cebu Pacific Airlines. Earning miles is the same as other airlines but last month I earned points when I answered their survey. 

You can use the card to avail of hotel discounts. 

You can also earn points in Robinson's Supermarket and Robinson's Department Store. 

I was able to save P300 by using Get Go card and Downloading the app of Uniqlo Store. Minimum of P2000 purchase. (Coupon). 

You can also use the card to avail discounts like Kidzania Ticket. (wait for promo)

Restaurant 

1. Happyplus 

I have this card since 2013, I like this card since we always eat or buy in Jolibee, Mang Inasal, Chowking and Red Ribbon. We also earn points because my husband is loyal to Caltex gas stations.

Points = FREE Food

Read: How to Get and Renew Happyplus Card 
Happyplus Points

From time to time, we avail Pizza Hut Card and Shakey's Pizzanatic Supercard.  

Bookstore 

1. Laking National Card 

I’m planning to avail “Laking National Card” because I have a schoolboy pero lagi ko nakakalimutan. Hehehe! Is it worth it ba?

Read: How to Save Money by Using your Credit Card

My husband always stays in Sheraton Towers if he has a business trip in Singapore but last week, he stayed at Oasia Hotel Novena because Sheraton Towers Singapore was fully booked during his trip. Oasia Hotel Novena is near the CBD or Central Business District, shopping belts and Novena MRT Station. 



Read: Sheraton Towers Singapore

He was advised that the hotel offers FREE arrival transfer so my husband wasted two hours in waiting and riding the free airport shuttle. The shuttle is not exclusive to Oasia Hotel Novena guests so the airport shuttle will pick up guests in different terminals of Changi Airport then drop each guest in their respective hotel. Unfortunately, he was the last passenger na hinatid sa hotel. 



Free arrival transfer is good but if you want to save time and effort, just take a taxi because the hotel is just 20km or 20 minutes drive from Changi Airport. 



The room is not that big, he requested for king sized bed but he was given a twin bed room. The following day, they already fixed the bed, pinagdikit na rin nila which is just fine. 





The bathroom has no bathtub. 



The room package includes free breakfast which starts at 6:30AM. 








The hotel offers living room, 20 meters lap pool, jacuzzi and gym. My husband loves to swim so he likes the swimming pool of Oasia. 




Aside from the free airport transfer of this hotel, he was advised that he can reimburse one taxi receipt every day. So it is either one way from the hotel or one way to the hotel, the amount is up to 20SGD. Just surrender the taxi receipt and they will give you cash. I'm not sure if it is just a hotel promo or included in the room package. 

Side story:

When my husband told me that he will go to SG, I asked him to buy the 2x2 kallax shelves that I was not able to buy last January. And because he loves me, he did not bring any checked-in bag, pinagkasya niya lahat sa hand-carry niya yung damit niya for one week. Bawal ang excess baggage e. Hehehe!

He went to IKEA Alexandra to buy my 2x2 kallax shelves. On his way back to his hotel room, one foreigner approached him at the elevator.

Foreigner: Oh, you went shopping. 
Hubby: Yes, this is my key to enter my house. 
Foreigner: (laugh) Whenever I travel, I also have empty bags that I need to fill for my wife and daughter.



I asked my husband to wrap the box para hindi masira, good thing that the hotel has luggage services and luggage storage too. So before check-out, pinawrap niya yung box for 10SGD. On his way to the airport, he went back to the hotel to get his luggage. 

Officemate: Where’s your luggage so I can put it in the trunk?
Hubby: I have one furniture. 
Officemate: Oh, I see, you bought a key to enter your house. 

Waah! Key na ba tawag sa pasalubong. Hehehe! 

Read: Things to do in Singapore

Oasia Hotel Novena 
8 Sinaran Drive Singapore 307470 
info.ohs@fareast.com.sg 
Hotel: +65 6664 0333 
Reservations: +65 6881 8888

If you are a frequent flyer, don’t forget to apply for airline membership card so you can earn points or miles that will allow you to access different airport lounges around the world. For Mabuhay Miles Elite, Premier Elite and Million Miler card holder, check below the list of airport lounges that you can access for FREE. 

Domestic Lounges  
International Lounges



My husband just came back from Singapore and it was his first time to visit SATS Premier Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 1. Upon check-in, he was given an entry card for SATS Gateway. 



So far, SATS Premier Lounge is the biggest lounge that he visited in Asia. According to him, x3 ng size ng Mabuhay Lounge in NAIA 2. Even though the place was packed with people there is still room for everyone. 






The buffet spread is good too. I was also surprised when I saw the photos, ang daming choices. You can compare it to buffet breakfast of other hotels. But unfortunately, he was not able to enjoy the hot meals because he was not hungry so he did not eat. For drinks, aside from coffee and softdrinks, there are beer, wine and other liquor too. 




It is really a pleasure to wait in the airport lounge compared to the boarding gate because you have better seats here, refreshments, reading materials, television, wifi, flight information, massage chair and even shower area. My husband takes advantage of the shower area especially if he will go straight to the airport from work, he will take a shower before flying back to Manila. 


If you don’t have Priority Pass, I think you can also access this lounge but you need to pay, I just have no idea about the fee. 

Opening Hours: 24 hours Daily 

Read: Glimpse of Mabuhay Lounge 
5 Ways to Get into Airport Lounges