Blogs from Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast, Vietnam, Asia - page 238

The walking tour of saigon began with ........ read more

Just a quick blog to say thank you for all the messages wishing us a happy anniversary and also a big thankyou for all the wedding presents recieved last year that have help make our 1st year married unforgetable. Thank You!... read more

Arriving back in Vietnam was sort of like coming home again. It is familiar, we know our way around the area, and I know the language. Crossing the border my Vietnamese ability came into some good use as we were steered around the “special fee” that others were paying to get their “health forms” issued. In reality, it was just a small amount of money milked from the non-Vietnamese at the border, but a bribe is a bribe and if you make a bit noise about they will let it slide. Ho Chi Minh City is a very bustling place with lots of things going on. We decided to continue with the cheap accommodation and stay in the backpacker’s area of Pham Ngu Lau in district 1. I looked at a couple of rooms at a ... read more

What a cruisy road through to HCM - I guess its all relative. Green rice paddys, motor scooters and the water table - either near it or in it - maybe a hydrogeo's perspective? I've barely seen a hill since Bangkok (not that there are any there either). Houses on built up areas creating a mote beside them or on stilts are pretty common. The first impression of HCM city is big, spread out and circulated by scooters - like ants in a hyperactive nest - I love the way they just avoid each other and when u walk slowly the stream magically goes round u as u cross the road. First impression is very friendly - can't possibly get to know this place in the little time unfortunately......lets c what happens ... Checked out CuChi ... read more

After spending less than 48 hours in both Boston and Chicago, I was off again. This time I headed the opposite direction to Saigon, Vietnam via Tokyo. Because of the 12 time difference and 24 hours of travel time, July 18 was spent almost entirely on airplanes. I flew Japan Airlines for the first time and was delighted to find on-demand movies on the 6 hour flight over to Saigon from Tokyo. This is in contrast to American, which had 10 channels to choose from only you had to watch according to schedule, which doesn't work particularly well for someone who's known to nap on flights. My first 24 hours in Saigon included a series or rookie traveler mistakes, or really just knuckleheaded-ness. When I exited the customs area and stepped out into Saigon, I saw ... read more