Emerging HO-CHI-MINH-CITY (SAIGON)

We really like Vietnam. The traffic is similar to the previous countries, but we notice differences. For example, they are much bolder in crossing the road here compared to Cambodia. There, people looked out for each other. Here, it's a bit more criminal. But if you don't take a step towards the street, you'll never make it across. However, they stop much less here and the strongest (car) has clear priority. Honking is also common, here it means "Get out of the way, I'm coming". In Cambodia, it was definitely friendlier.

Our room here is great, on a side street with a balcony on the 4th floor and a view of the rooftops.

On the first evening, we enjoy the view from a rooftop bar with a beer. We simply love being up high.

On the second day, we take a journey into the past and visit the Vietnam War Museum. It seems like Vietnam has been at war for most of the past centuries. First, they were besieged by France for over a century. When that ended, there was conflict between North and South Vietnam. Then America got involved and supported the South while also fighting against the North. In the end, the North won. Today, North and South Vietnam are no longer divided.

Just like everywhere else, we also come across many street markets here. But this time, we find the sellers quite annoying. We quickly leave. We've seen enough of these street markets.

On the way to the Notre Dame of Vietnam, we pass by a great side street. It's filled with bookstores. They are beautifully integrated into the surroundings. The trees protrude through the walls and the street is only for pedestrians, making it very pleasant and peaceful.

The Notre Dame is currently under renovation and not open to visitors. We find this a bit disappointing, but it doesn't impress us much from the outside, so we take a few photos and continue on. Right next to it, we discover an old building which houses a post office and has beautiful decorations.

In the evening, we walk again to a car-free zone next to the City Hall. There, we come across many tourists and wonder what is being offered at the food stalls. We observe a few tourists lining up for a kind of wrap in rice paper. A Australian guy promptly approaches us and tells us that we should definitely try it. He even pays for one for us, so we enjoy a so-called Vietnamese pizza. It's filled with cheese, spices, sausage, and a mayonnaise-like sauce. Of course, it's also spicy. We really find it delicious and are grateful for the recommendation.

Shortly after, Justin has another funny encounter. Unbeknownst to us, we walk along the sidewalk. Suddenly, a little Asian tourist (about 3 years old) runs towards us, grabs Justin's leg, and doesn't let go. At first, we think that as soon as he sees that Justin is not his father, he will let go. But no, that's not the case. The parents are clearly embarrassed, Kimena thinks it's funny, and Justin doesn't really know what to do. He can't shake him off. The parents then take him away from Justin and apologize many times. It was funny.

On the following day, in the afternoon, we go to the Skydeck. Thanks to the tip from our hotelier, we know that we can go up there without paying an entry fee. After some back and forth, we find the elevator to the bar. There, we enjoy a beer with a sunset view. It's a bit more expensive, of course, but still cheaper than the entrance fee.

For the rest of our journey in Vietnam, we buy a cheap bus ticket with stops in each city we want to visit. Very convenient.

During our stay in Ho Chi Minh City, we take a day tour to the Mekong Delta. You'll find a separate entry about it.

Afterwards, we continue our journey to the seaside town of Mui Ne.