It was totally unexpected. I was flabbergasted and humbled at the same time. As my name was called to receive the championship trophy at the hotel café of The Intercontinental in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, I could not believe my ears. I stood up from my chair feeling a bit embarrassed yet proud of my feat. Embarrassed since earning the championship title for the three-days match was totally unanticipated. I felt there were formidable and lower handicapped players with me during the event. Yet proud since I emerged the unlikely winner!
When I learned that my husband and I were going to Vietnam for our annual international golf tournament, I was both excited and anxious. Excited since I was going to play again in foreign soil; yet anxious because I had to contend with 23 other golfers. Not that I have a competitive streak. It was just that I didn’t like embarrassing myself with a poor game. Good thing, my excitement got the better of me.
We left for Vietnam last November 15, 2009 via Philippine Airlines. The golf tour took us to two cities in a span of five days. My husband and I were with ten other Filipino golfers. We made up the Filipino team who yearly competed with our golf counterparts from Hong Kong.
With my husband Caloy. Ready for 3 days of golf in Vietnam
It was an arduous journey. We flew to Dalat for the first leg of the three-days match the day we arrived Ho Chi Minh. Since we had to wait for five hours for the next flight to Dalat, our Filipino group saw it wise to tour the capital.
Going around Ho Chi Minh was a bit of a challenge because of the congested traffic and hundreds of motorcycles angling for space in the crowded and narrow roads. There were people wearing the ubiquitous conical hats Vietnamese are known for. I saw men squatting on the sides of the pavement, exchanging talks with their compatriots. There were vendors peddling their ware on two bamboo baskets balanced on a stick across their shoulders. 
Their commercial buildings were built side by side, cramped together in small spaces, built three or four stories high. There were neither big shopping centers nor impressive corporate headquarters. I was surprised, though, to see a Jollibee store at the center of the city. Many of the structures were old and French inspired. Ho Chi Minh (Saigon as it was formerly known) was after all a French colony before the Vietnam War.
We passed by several tourist spots in the city like the Reunification Palace, the huge Central Post Office, War Remnants Museum, beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral and Binh Tay Market. I found nothing extraordinary about the city. Maybe I needed more days to immerse myself with the country’s culture and society. I vehemently disagree with some political analyst in my country who suggested that Vietnam had outpaced the Philippines economically. As far as I have seen, at least in terms of infrastructure, Vietnam has still a long, long way to go.
The beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral
The famous among tourist: Binh Tay Market
We arrived Dalat the evening of our arrival in Vietnam. We stayed in the French-inspired Sofitel Dalat Palace which was located at the heart of city. It had a breathtaking view of the lake and city. We were awed as we entered its imposing doors. It had a 1920's style and charm to it. I read that Hotel Sofitel Dalat Palace is one of the most beautiful and amongst the few remaining historical hotels in Southeast Asia. It was built in 1922 & restored in 1995, meticulously to its original grandeur. Our room had a princess-inspired bed and a colonial-style bathroom.
Sofitel Dalat Palace Hotel
We played in Dalat Palace Golf Club for 2 days. Dalat is a charming city in the central highlands of Vietnam. It is a breath of fresh air after the mayhem and humidity of Ho Chi Minh City. In fact, Dalat reminds me so much of the Baguio City of my youth. Baguio is the summer capital of the Philippines situated in the Mountain Province. It is known for its crisp, cool air and beautiful mountain surroundings. But personally, I think Dalat is way more beautiful than Baguio is now. It is the favorite vacation spot of native Vietnamese who are looking for rest and recreation in a cool spot. Pine trees abound in its hilly slope and a large lake sits at the center of the city.
First day of golf with Anki of Sweden and Lyn Sembrano in Dalat Palace Golf Club
My flight mates on the 2nd day of the golf tour: John of Sweden, Loida from Hong Kong and Rob Chien;
At the Dalat Palace Golf Club
On the third day, we went back to Ho Chi Minh and played at Long Thanh Golf Club. It was a remarkably beautiful course, with well-manicured greens, rolling fairways, high-lipped bunkers and water hazards. It was of international standards, which really surprised me. Playing there felt like you were in some western country, not Vietnam.
At the Long Thanh Golf Club in Ho Chi Minh;
With Lilian Selenius and Sharon Evans of the Hong Kong Team; and Tami Leung
Too bad we had a short stay in Vietnam. I know there is much to see and do. However, this Vietnam visit of mine will always be among my bucket of pleasant memories. Playing in a foreign land…. marvelous! Winning a 3 days golf tournament, unforgettable!!!!
Receiving my trophy from Nelson Leung. What a way to end a golf tour!!!
