With flights originally booked to Ho Chi Minh City and three weeks later out of Hanoi, what we planned in between was up to us! We’d wanted to go to Cambodia for a few days, however the land border with Thailand was closed. This meant another three flights. So we shelved that idea and planned all three weeks in Vietnam. When researching trains we found it often involved long overnight journeys and sharing a four berth cabin. We took the easy way out and booked internal flights. The cost was negligible and provided a quick way of getting up the country.
Ho Chi Minh
Only and hour and a half flight from Bangkok, we were soon in the city. We hadn’t pre-booked anything but we had a plan. The War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. We hoped that it wasn’t going to be like India with constant hassle! After arriving we soon realised we had more chance of being run over by a moped than being scammed/hassled. The traffic was off the scale of chaos, we had never seen as many mopeds. Crossing the road, was everyman for themselves. First day we went to the museum and surprised with the entrance fee, it was incredibly cheap. It was a blistering hot day and M was feeling jaded, so sat in the shade whilst G did the loop of the museum. Next up was the city highlights featuring French Colonial architecture, the Notre Dame basilica – shrouded in scaffolding, Opera House, Post Office and the Ben Thanh market. Stacked from floor to ceiling of everything you needed (or didn’t) and home to “Genuine Fakes”
Mekong Delta
An early start for the drive to join the boat. First up was a honey farm, G held a tray of bee’s for a photo, the bee keeper kept a very close eye on him was giving him the evils and had told the guide to tell him, not to drop it! We had a cup of honey tea and fresh fruit, then the opportunity to buy honey products. Got in to a sampan boat for the ride through the mangroves, it was a great experience and enjoyed the peace and quiet for a short while. Before we’d reached the landing stage the lady paddling us, had reached out for her “Tip Hat” At this stop we had another cup of tea and fruit whilst being entertained by locals performing folk music. Interesting, although they didn’t appear to be interested until the “Tip Box” was placed on the table. A short tuk tuk ride to the coconut candy factory and a demonstration of how the candy is made, with an opportunity to buy some of the sweets. Surprisingly no hard sell here. G did try the snake wine, without any prior research he downed it. Fortunately he is still here to tell the tale. A short boat ride to a restaurant for lunch! A delicious fish feast – a no go area for M. The local fish from the Mekong is an elephant ear fish, which was cooked and sat on the table for us. M had a very light lunch, a bowl of rice. Perfectly fine if you like fish. Then it was back to the boat to take us back to the mainland. One final stop at Vinh Trang Temple and Pagoda before setting off back on the two hour journey to Ho Chi Minh.
Cu Chi Tunnels
G went on his own! Due to the timings and travel distance, he went via speedboat. That said it was still a seven hour trip. After arriving at the site, there is a visitor centre with information, propaganda films and man traps to set the scene. So much to see and the guide was really informative. During the tour, you have the option to go in to the tunnels with a guide leading you. The tunnels are dark and claustrophobic and up to twelve meters deep. To ensure tourist don’t get “wedged” in them, they have been enlarged by 30 percent so that Westerners are able to experience them. It’s still tight though and you aren’t able to stand. You do have the opportunity to try one of the existing “real sized” hidden openings, with hands in the air as you can’t get in otherwise. After lunch he had the opportunity to visit a firing range to fire some of the weapons from the time. Headed back by speedboat to the city. M had a peaceful afternoon by the pool. In the evening we headed up to the Saigon Skydeck to see the city lit up, had a delicious Indian (a change from Vietnamese) walked back through the popular nightlife area “Walking Street” on the way back to the hotel. A great two days in the city and we could have managed another couple. So far Vietnam hasn’t disappointed.
