I went to Ho Chi Minh City alone. No fixed itinerary. No pressure to check off every landmark. Just a few places I wanted to see, and a phone in my pocket that I planned to use for everything. The HONOR X9d 5G was my main device for that stretch of the trip. I knew it had a reputation for being durable, but what I ended up appreciating more were its cameras and battery.
Most of the time, I was not taking photos of myself. I was documenting the surroundings. Corners. Textures. Light hitting old buildings. Souvenirs I found interesting but did not necessarily buy.
Saigon Central Post Office
The Saigon Central Post Office was my first long stop.
It sits right in District 1, in a very walkable part of the city. You can feel how central it is. Motorbikes pass by constantly. Tourists gather outside for photos. But once you step inside, the noise fades a bit.
The yellow facade outside looks clean and almost cheerful under the sun. I stepped back a few times just to frame it properly. The HONOR X9d 5G handled the bright daylight without blowing out the details. The lines of the building are symmetrical, so I played around with positioning until everything felt balanced in the frame.
Inside, it feels different. The ceiling arches stretch high above you. The tiled floors form repeating patterns. Large maps hang on the walls. I found myself looking up more than usual, trying to capture the curve of the ceiling and the way light filtered through the windows.
What really caught my attention, though, were the souvenir stalls lining the sides of the hall.
There were postcards with vintage-style prints, small handcrafts, lacquer items, magnets, and other keepsakes. Some of the postcards looked like they were pulled from another era. Instead of rushing through, I leaned in and started taking close shots. The colors of the prints, the texture of the paper, the way stacks of postcards overlapped each other.
The camera was quick to open, which helped. In places like that, people move around constantly. You only get a clean shot for a second before someone steps into frame. I did not have to fight with the interface. I just tapped and shot.
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street
Later that afternoon, I walked to Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, often called Book Alley.
The shift in atmosphere was obvious. The post office felt formal and structured. Book Alley felt relaxed. Narrower. Shaded by trees. Quieter.
There were bookstores lined up along the pedestrian path, each with shelves spilling into the walkway. Cafés sat in between them. People were browsing, reading, and talking softly.
I was not there to pose or create content. I just wanted to observe. So I photographed book covers, wooden shelves, signage, and the way sunlight filtered through the leaves above. Some areas were bright. Others were shaded. The HONOR X9d 5G adjusted well enough that I did not need to keep changing settings.
Traveling alone makes you notice smaller things. The worn edges of a book spine. The way café chairs are arranged. The contrast between concrete pavement and colorful covers. Those are the kinds of details I ended up capturing.
Battery that lasts two days, or more
By the time evening came, I had taken dozens of photos, used maps multiple times, checked messages, and uploaded a few quick updates. The battery still had plenty left, so I took photos around the city.
That became one of the highlights of using the HONOR X9d 5G on this trip. On moderate use, it lasted close to two days before I needed to charge it. For travel, that makes a big difference.
When you are alone in a foreign city, your phone is everything. It is your navigation tool. Your translator. Your ride-hailing app. Your camera. Your backup for tickets and bookings. Not worrying about battery percentage changes the experience. I did not carry a power bank that day. I did not limit my screen time. I used the phone naturally, and it kept up.
Durability is important, especially in busy cities where bumps and accidental drops can happen. But what I remember more from my Vietnam trip is how the phone fit into the day without demanding attention.
It captured the bright yellow facade of the post office. It documented the interesting souvenirs I lingered over. It handled shaded book stalls in the afternoon. It lasted long enough that I did not have to think about charging.
Looking back at the gallery now, I can clearly see the contrast between the two stops. The post office feels open and historic. Book Alley feels intimate and creative. Both are part of the same city. Both are now stored in my phone as quiet reminders of a day spent walking alone and paying attention.
If you want a closer look at the HONOR X9d 5G, we published our full review while we’re in Ho Chi Minh. You can check that here.
Sometimes, the best trips are the ones where nothing dramatic happens. You just walk, look around, and let the city unfold. It helps when your phone simply works and lasts long enough for you to enjoy it thoroughly.
