Good Morning Vietnam

It’s only been 3 days but I’m already impressed by the people, the food and the way traffic just flows here in Ho Chi Minh City! 

The People’s Palace

Some beef dish…so good!
After 2 flights (16 hours to Taipei, Taiwan then 3 hours to Ho Chi Minh) we arrived to another world. The 11 hour difference was an easier adjustment then I expected but the adrenaline helped us get through the first day. Still can’t believe I’m here!!!

Saigon Special Cheers! We made it!

Walking Street- Those are all restaurants and cafes. 

The airport was easy to navigate and we bought a SIM card with unlimited wifi for $15US to keep us connect with people back home. Asia Tours had our driver ready and he gave us some great tips and ideas on how to spend our afternoon. 

Our hotel was located in District 1, which is the heart of the city and we were able to walk around and see the Saigon Riverfront, local areas of interest and the famous Ben Thanh Market. 

After a delayed flight my cousins Sandra and Carlos arrived from Portugal to be part of this experience with us. We were so lucky to be able to plan this once in a lifetime trip with them…just hope they feel the same way after 3 weeks together ðŸ˜‚!

Taking a ride to the villages of Mekong Delta

Ben Thanh Market

Lunch at the locals Village in Mekong Delta. Tried Elephant Ear Fish!

Our first home cooked meal in Vietnam with our guide Mei. 

Snake Liquor made with Rice 

In two days we’ve managed to travel along the Mekong Delta by boat, experience the floating market, visit small villages to see how coconut candy and rice popcorn is made, realized snake liquor is a real thing, as well as been welcomed by locals to try local fruits and served local cuisine for lunch in a small fishing village. 

Local fruits served by local Vietnamese villagers. 

Me digging into the Elephant Ear Fish while my cousin looks in horror 😉

Just like many big cities Ho Chi Minh has a Chinatown that plays an important role in there community as it is home to the oldest temple and a market which supplies the city with most of its wholesale and retail needs. We’ve also gone to Cu Chi tunnels to see how the Vietnamese lived underground for 20 years. Not just the soldiers. EVERYONE lived in these tunnels. They defeated the US by living in these secret tunnels and catching them off guard. 

Chinatown Market

Rob’s going underground … tunnel style!

Oldest Temple

Walking through the tunnels.. can you believe soldiers and their families lived down here?

Last night we decided to walk around the city as my cousins had missed seeing it due to their flight delay. My poor cousin Sandra was a little traumatized by the traffic and how to cross the street. We just have to start walking as the locals do…by the end of this trip I’m sure she will be able to do it with her eyes closed. We also came across some “spas” last night with some beautiful young ladies who seemed very interested in our husbands. Luckily, they were not interested… why would they be ….they have Sandra and I🤣

This picture doesn’t even begin explain the madness we have witnessed

We are off to our next stop here in Vietnam and are about to board our flight. Let’s see what experiences we are awaiting us next!🇻🇳

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