21/03/2019 - Ho Chi Minh City / Vietnam

On our way to Ho Chi Minh City, we made a stop at a temple complex. Completely inconspicuous from the street. However, the garden and the buildings were very graceful, beautifully decorated, and very well maintained. We were lucky and also saw a few monks. Some of them were eating and others were singing. This sound mixed with the scent of incense created a very mystic atmosphere.
During the continuation of our journey, small villages and rice fields passed by and we overtook the first mopeds. The few high-rise buildings of Ho Chi Minh City now appeared in front of us. Arrived in the 10 million inhabitants city, we first drank a typical Vietnamese coffee. It tastes particularly good in Vietnam, a bit like chocolate. With sweet condensed milk and ice cubes, it was a delicious and refreshing treat in these hot temperatures. Our first destination was the Bitexco Tower. Thanks to good connections, we even had the unique opportunity to stand on the helicopter landing platform on the 52nd floor. Wow. A windowless and dizzying view of the city that extends beyond the horizon. Another delicious drink and we took a stroll through the streets. Past the former presidential palace, the Notre Dame, and the post office. For lunch, we stopped at the restaurant 'nha hang ngon'. A Vietnamese culinary highlight. A little detour to the crazy and crowded Ben Thanh Market to shop for some souvenirs.
On the way back, we saw water buffalo herds and mopeds loaded with complete cabinets in the rice fields. Exciting country, lovely people.