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| Philippine Airlines Kicks Off First Cebu–Saigon Route with Ribbon-Cutting Event |
It was nearly midnight when Flight PR587 sliced through the clouds, leaving the Queen City of the South behind and chasing the tail end of Friday night into the soft breath of Vietnam's Saturday morning. This wasn't just any flight—it was Philippine Airlines’ inaugural direct route from Cebu to Ho Chi Minh City. A new artery connecting two cultures. And we were on it.
We landed at 12:55 AM, still blinking out sleep and excitement and Ho Chi Minh welcomed us not with fireworks, but with that kind of humid whisper only tropical cities can perfect. Our guide, Justine Huy with the commanding voice of a diplomat, led us straight to Ramana Hotel, where pillows felt like clouds and dreams came fast.
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| PAL and Cebu’s Travel Agencies Toast to the First Direct Flight to Saigon |
The Independence Palace—once the Reunification Palace—stood solid and symbolic, part museum, part time machine. It's a place where peace has a scent: old wood, stone corridors, and quiet.
We peeked at the Saigon Opera House from the outside; our imaginations took care of the velvet and violins.
Of course, we caffeinated. King Koi Coffee was less a stop and more a rite of passage. It’s where stories steep just as richly as the drinks.
Day 3: Market Mayhem & Coffee Magic
Saigon doesn’t wake up—it swirls to life. And Ben Thanh Market is the eye of that morning storm. We came for the fruits, we stayed for the haggling, and left with bags full of fresh fruits, pistachio nuts, , and “Vietnamese coffee, real good price, lady!”
Later that afternoon, a double-decker bus scooped us up and looped us through the city’s pulsing streets. Saigon’s charm unfolded one honk, one motorbike, one French-inspired building at a time.
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| The Cafe Apartment |
We ended up at the legendary The Cafe Apartment —an entire apartment block turned into stacked, caffeinated dreams. We climbed, peeked, ordered, sipped. Each floor held a story. Each cup felt like a secret. It was chaotic, curated, creative—Saigon in a building.
After a day of exploration, we were treated to a memorable dinner cruise, where the sparkling Saigon skyline served as the perfect backdrop to good food and even better company.
Day 4: Saigon to Sweet Home Cebu
At 1:55 AM on May 5, we lifted off again—PR588 tracing our return route like a memory on loop. We were sleep-deprived, full, overwhelmed, and in love with a city that dances to the rhythm of scooters and history.
This wasn’t just a trip. It was a living postcard from PAL to the world: Cebu now has a direct line to Saigon’s soul.
Vietnam, Made More Accessible Than Ever
This entire experience—made possible by PAL’s new direct flight from Cebu—felt like the start of something big. Not just for me, but for every Cebuano who’s been dreaming of traveling to Vietnam without the hassle of layovers or rebooking. Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, a culture lover, or a spontaneous explorer, Ho Chi Minh City offers something magnetic, something unforgettable.
And Philippine Airlines? They’ve made getting there part of the journey. From world-class service to convenient schedules, it’s now easier than ever to turn that travel goal into a reality.
So if you're reading this and still undecided about your next trip, let me say it now: Go to Vietnam. Let PAL take you there. Pack that carry-on, grab your passport, and open your heart to adventure.
From the Queen City of the South to the Pearl of the Far East, a new chapter has begun—and it's only the beginning.
#CebuanaDiariesInVietnam #CebuToSaigon #FlyPAL #VietnamViaCebu #PALFirstFlight
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