Day 40 - Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City

Our day started with a drive to the airport for our flight to HCM City. Everything went smoothly and we were greeted by our next guide Ly ("pronounced Lee, like Bruce Lee" he says).

We were a little early for our hotel check in, so Ly found us his favorite spot for Pho (pronounced fuh) in a highly authentic spot that was filled with locals and was located down yet another dodgy looking alley. Not sure what happened to the "dial back the adventurous eating" idea? Also, this was chicken pho rather than the more typical beef or pork belly and it was actually very yummy - though it did make us think of chicken noodle soup! Note the convenient scooter parking INSIDE the restaurant (photo #1) and the whole chickens bubbling in the large tub of broth (photo#2). Then us enjoying the scrumptious soup (photo #3)!

After a little down time (including a rare work out), it was time to get ready for our evening activity which was a guided city tour - ON SCOOTERS!! This required a pre-game glass of wine (for Lauren) to calm the nerves. We'd already witnessed the chaotic driving and heavy traffic across Vietnam so this could be an experience! Ly showed up with a colleague (we were riding on the back thankfully) and off we went. For Steve this was a huge highlight to see the city from a different viewpoint but also to witness the absolute madness of the self-regulated traffic control that somehow magically works here.

It was also terrific to see the city at night. It is an electric place at night and our drivers "scooted" us around the most vibrant parts of the city including their version of Times Square and the nightclub strip which was illuminated with colorful lights and was VERY loud! Sorry we did not have a chance to take photos (we were holding on too tight)!

 You simply cannot imagine the chaos of the driving here, even the videos don't do it justice. The most dramatic moments are when traffic flows cross each other. And yet it seems to work - don't ask us how! Lauren was VERY happy to survive the evening. Phew!

We had a couple of stops for more Street food (fingers crossed on that) including some delicious Bot Chien (rice flour cakes with egg - a bit like tater tots) and then a meet up with our nephew Bert (who's been living here for the past twelve years). Seeing Bert in Saigon was surreal and it was great to share an authentic meal with him. More with Bert on Thursday.

Our evening buffet, Bot Chein, Goi Bo and Escargot (yup those are sea snails - a little rubbery to be honest but the sauce was delicious.

We finished up the evening on the roof top bar of our hotel with a drink. There was a wonderful breeze and a great view of Saigon!

Vietnamese Not so Fun Facts;

• Even though this is a communist country families have to pay for education. Many families are too poor or struggle to afford to send their children to school

• Many jobs (especially government jobs) require you to pay the hiring company in order to get the job. It's kind of like a bribe. A typical payment could be $10,000-$15,000 USD - which is A LOT!

• It is acceptable to refer to the city as Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City