Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City a.k.a. Saigon

As the days drew closer to the expiration of our Cambodian visa, I had a mix of emotions. Primarily, I was thrilled at the prospect of going to Vietnam, adding another country to the list and experiencing a new culture. After that, I realized that I was sad to leave Cambodia. Spending one month there, with the latter portion in smaller towns making more meaningful connections with the people I met, I had become very comfortable in this country that was one month ago completely foreign to me. I was nervous about starting all over again in a new country - not to mention enduring another border crossing.

Suddenly, our bus was on a boat - like this.

Vendor on the ferry - selling shrimp.

Luckily for me, getting into Cambodia via the Aranyaprathet, Thailand/Poipet border was far more traumatizing than the Bavet, Cambodia/Moc Bai, Vietnam border proved to be. The only real moments of unease came when we had to hand over our passports upon boarding the bus (everyone did) and when we actually arrived at the border, not knowing exactly where our passports were and standing in a large huddle around the one man stamping away, giving priority to the passports that were set down with money fanning out. Eventually, our passports were handed back and we found ourselves in Vietnam. I was so excited to be in this new country with another month of possibility ahead of us: new food to try, new sights to see, new words to learn in another language (xin chao = hello!). 

Buzz in Saigon.

Quoc Tu Pagoda.

Notre Dame Cathedral.

We arrived in Ho Chi Minh and asked to be taken to the main tourist area - District 1 (I'm told there are 20 in total). Not long after setting foot on Pham Ngu Lao Street, we were met with a lively woman who really wanted us to stay at her hotel. After hearing her pitch and engaging in some friendly conversation, we decided to give her place a look. We followed this woman and her mother, presumably, through the alleys just off the main road and she led us to her home, which happened to have a few extra bedrooms stacked one on top of the other in the building that she rented out. This seemed to be the case with all guesthouses in the area and it had a little charm to it, so we decided to stay.

A peek down the alley.

After getting settled in our room, we went out to explore the area taking special note of which alleyway was ours as they all looked the same - to me, at least. Of course, exploring includes the very important element of getting to know the local cuisine: pho bo (noodle soup with beef), banh mi (baguette sandwich) and goi cuon (fresh spring rolls). 

Fresh spring rolls.

Banh mi stand - single egg skillet!

Soup stop.

Over the course of a couple days, we took in the sights of the big city with motos whizzing by and an attitude of "every man for himself" in crossing the street. We went to the Reunification Palace to see what history was presented there about the "War of American Aggression" as it is known here. We also visited the War Remnants Museum which housed many American aircrafts and war paraphernalia in addition to some very graphic exhibits showing images from the time period. This museum is commonly known to foreigners as a propaganda museum of the government and makes for a very interesting experience, especially as an American viewer.

Reunification Palace.

In front of the War Remnants Museum.

Aside from the typical tourist activities in HCMC, we had the opportunity to meet with a friend of Sam's who was born and raised in the city. Sam stayed with Phong as a couchsurfer a couple years ago and he invited us to his parents' house for lunch while we were in town. It was fun to get out of the touristy and expat areas and into a more local part of town where people were genuinely surprised to see us, and even more so to greet a friend and go into his house. Phong's mom didn't sit with us (he said she didn't want to because she doesn't speak English), but she made a delicious lunch of beef stew and a meatloaf-like dish accompanied with a baguette, beer and banana ginger candy from the Mekong Delta for dessert.

Beef stew and Vietnamese meatloaf.

Banana ginger candy.