Chapter 2.1 - Ho Chi Minh City

11:55 AM

Wake up in my room. Slept well. However, I could only close my eyes around 4:30 AM. Before that, I was still busy processing my experiences from yesterday...

First, shave, then have breakfast and drink coffee. Today, I plan to visit the War Remnants Museum, a colonial-era palace, and the post office.

The heat is oppressive. I take a walk around the block, grab some Banh Mi and a bottle of water. I withdraw some money to pay for my tour tomorrow.

Minh, the owner, gets in touch with me. There was a mistake with the room booking. I had already wondered why my room only cost 7€ per night. However, this price is still from the time of Corona, when you were only allowed to stay in the rooms for a maximum of 3 hours per day. It seems a bit suspicious to me, but when I check Booking.com, I see the price. I tell Minh that I will of course pay the full price in combination with the tour she has booked for me. Total: 1,235 million VND

She apologizes, saying that Phong should have told me directly during check-in. But he is still new to the hostel.

I hang out with the guys in the lobby again. It's too hot to do anything. I wait until 4:30 PM, have my last Banh Mi, and order a Grab Bike. The driver takes me to the War Remnants Museum.

4:40 PM

I have arrived at the museum. I paid just under 2€ for admission and now have until 5:30 PM to see everything.

Unfortunately, I have to disappoint all the curious people at this point. I didn't take any photos of these abominations of the US military. Neither of the torture instruments nor the war crimes, let alone the consequences for the land and people. I only took photos of the machines in the courtyard and the few artistic things that I found worth showing. If you want to see the abominable things, you have to come here yourself...

On three floors and a small reconstructed prison complex, I am overwhelmed by sadness, anger, and pure despair. Once again, I am shocked by what politics and capitalism can do. On both sides...

I walk out of the museum when it closes, feeling a bit dazed.

I reach the palace after a 10-minute walk and admire the building from the outside, through the gate. But I don't find it particularly spectacular, so I don't go inside. I continue walking to the 'Notre Dame' and the post office. Unfortunately, I can only take photos from the outside now. They are closing.

By the way, if you want to cross the massively busy streets here, there are no pedestrian lights. You just walk boldly. Still strange, but you'll be surprised how considerate the traffic participants are. Whether it's the driver of a big Porsche Cayenne or a small Honda moped.

Just go with the flow

6:20 PM

My ordered Grab Bike arrives and takes me back to the hostel. Before going to the lobby, I order rice soup with cabbage salad from the woman at the stall. After the museum, I don't feel like eating meat at all.

To my surprise, the old man is sitting in the lobby again, chatting with the guys when I arrive. I wait for my tray to be brought to me.

This time, the South African guy is also there and he's quite talkative. Nice guy. Just like Alex, who is from Serbia, also teaches, and is really into video games. Before I went to the museum, he told me that he also likes to play Dota 2 and is currently very enthusiastic about the video game 'Scum'...

After finishing my meal, the woman from the stall comes to take the tray back. I go to the cafe again and treat myself to a Sua Da. Now I want to go to the 7 eleven supermarket to get some provisions for tomorrow's trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

By the way, I have reduced my stay in Saigon by one night because I somehow want to leave the city.

On Sunday at 3:00 AM, I will take the night bus to Da Lat. Phong will of course refund me the price for one night.

8:15 PM

I am at the Chicken Spot, just went to 7 eleven, now I'm going back to the hostel to eat. After that, I'll go to my room since I have to leave for the tour at 7:30 AM tomorrow.

9:35 PM

I have arrived in my room. I'm going to take a shower now and lie down. Let's see if I can sleep better tonight. I feel the sun on my skin, I didn't get sunburned, but tomorrow I will definitely apply sunscreen!

The dinner was quite hearty, as I ordered a double portion of chicken. Now I'm full.

This concludes Friday. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Love you guys 🥰