Local Interest
Route: District 7: the Crescent, Panorama Park, Nguyen Van Linh Freeway
At the Lotte Mart intersection, the half dozen tower blocks of Sunrise City stand tall in the night sky; illuminated in changing garish colours. These towers herald your arrival into District 7’ s forest of apartment blocks. But before plunging into the‘ woods’, take Nguyen Thi Thap street east of Lotte Mart. This road offers a little bit of‘ old’ District 7: before the luxury condos and‘ Singaporification’ of the area. You’ ll find lots of street buzz here, even at this late hour. Hungry? There’ s always something good to eat on Nguyen Thi Thap Street. Head south on Nguyen Luong Bang, past the international hospitals and luxury car showrooms. Turn right after crossing the Nguyen Van Linh Freeway and head towards the Crescent Mall. A popular place to hang-out, shop and dine during the daytime, it’ s totally deserted at night. If you’ re a little bit sneaky, it’ s possible to ride along the Crescent waterfront promenade, although you may be told( politely) by security guards to leave.
It’ s worth heading back to Nguyen Luong Bang and over the Ca Cam 2 Bridge for a quick ride around some of the new residential areas. These streets are lined with brand new, million dollar homes. It’ s a kind of American Dream compound, where all houses have white picket fences, neat front yards, lawns, expensive cars, and neighbourhood security guards on every corner. Many of the homes are so new they’ re still being‘ unwrapped’, and at least half of them are yet to be occupied. It’ s a surreal sight and one that most travellers wouldn’ t associate with Saigon.
16 The MAG Vung Tau