Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam - the beginning

After a 15-hour journey, we arrived feeling good, well, actually, quite ecstatic - thanks to our second flight being quite empty and both of us having a row of 4 seats to sleep in. The transfer to the hotel by public bus worked perfectly and our first hotel was modern and pretty good for the price.

On the first evening, we followed Sevi's advice and went for a beer. We sat on small plastic stools with a stool that was converted into a table, right in the hustle and bustle of Bui Vien (the "Backpacker Street" and mega party mile). The second row turned out to be the perfect spot to see everything and not be constantly bothered. Fire show, loud disco music from the nearby bars, street food vendors, and scooters... hundreds of scooters maneuvering through the crowds.

The traffic here is crazy!!! In principle, there are all the things you need for organized traffic. There are traffic lights, roundabouts, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, etc., but no one follows anything. Everyone drives whenever and wherever they want. If the road is congested, scooters simply drive on the sidewalk. If you have a red light and want to turn, just honk. If you want to cross a street on foot, just go. No gap will come, you will never have a green light, and it doesn't really matter if you walk on or next to the pedestrian crossing. It is even sometimes okay to ride against the direction of traffic. The most important rule for us: walk attentively and confidently. Not much really happens.