Landmark 81

We have a “breakfast” that looks more like two full lunches 😅: vermicelli noodles, greens, pork, prawns, scallop buns… absolutely delicious 🍜🥬🍤. Then of course, our daily coffee — this time at a matcha place near the river ☕🌿.

Today we’re staying at Vinpearl Landmark 81, on the top floors of the second tallest building in South Asia 🏙️✨. Since we plan to use the pool, our first mission is to go to the mall so I can buy a swimsuit (because I, of course, forgot to pack mine 🙃). I wanted to get one from a Vietnamese brand, but I end up at Decathlon instead.

There’s a karting track 🏎️ on the top floor of the mall, and I very easily convince Lio to go. It’s his first time — he doesn’t even have a driving license — so we’re forced to join the beginners category with reduced speed 😂.
He beats me (because my kart was definitely slower, obviously 🙄), and after the first round we sign up for another — this time in the Intermediate category — and this time I win 😌🏁.

We go home, pack my recently bought bag for the night, dress up in our freshly purchased clothes 🛍️✨, and take a taxi to the hotel. Our room is on the 51st floor, at a corner, giving us the most incredible views 😍. We can see District 1, Thảo Điền, and half the city stretching far beyond.
We take some photos 📸, go for a quick plunge at the pool 🏊‍♂️, and treat ourselves to a clay facial we bought the day before 🧖‍♂️🧖‍♀️.

Lio takes me to Motly, a new restaurant in Thảo Điền. He’s not convinced about the portion sizes, so we head to the canteen next door for congee with anchovies and pickled melon 🍚🐟. With our bellies full, we go to the karaoke bar next door — supposedly for just one quick drink…
We end up having a couple more 🍹😂. Lio delivers a great performance singing with some locals 🎤, and I showcase my amazing inability to hit even a single note on tune 💀🎶.

Back at the hotel, Lio is hungry again (of course), so we order a burger through room service 🍔, and eat it while watching Drag Race on TV 👑📺.Read more