Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City
We bussed it from Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. Our first impression was of motor bikes; they were everywhere! A tour guide told us that they pay as little as US$200 per bike thus every family has at least one. This is not a problem as they will fit the whole family on that bike!


We easily found accommodation in the cheap part of town for $12 a night including a/c, hot water, wi fi and TV, we had the feeling that Vietnam would be good too us! We spent our first few days orientating ourselves and also booked a tour on the Mekong Delta; this proved a wonderful decision. We were a small group: two Japanese, two Belgium and the tour guide. Although the guide provided ample information we had difficulty understanding most of what he said- something that plagued Mal for the rest of the trip!
Mal: “Why can’t they just finish their words and speak slowly? ‘u’ wa’ go to musa’?’ Any idea what they’re saying Stephanie?’’


I spent the rest of our time in Vietnam interpreting!

The day on the Mekong was wonderful; we ate, drank, boated, bicycled, bussed, played with a snake and watched delicious coconut candy being hand made! For $10 this was the bargain of the year!!
We toured all the museums in HCMC, the Vietnam War Museum in particular left a harrowing impression on us. I found it difficult to stem the flow of tears while reading about the horrors and accompanying photographs.
Genocide.
After seeing such tragedy, it’s difficult to comprehend how the Vietnamese keep smiling. Many travellers we encountered found the Vietnamese an unfriendly, rude race, but we met with the complete opposite on our trip.

Mui Ne
Next we bussed it to Mui Ne, Vietnam’s most beautiful beach resort and I don’t write this lightly; crystal blue waters and white sand- stunning. We luckily found a bungalow right next to the beach: $10 including wifi and TV. We relaxed for a few days, the most excitement culminating with a slap on the ass from a jelly fish for me. I’d to lie still for two hours while Mal treated the burning sting with a vinegar mixture- ouch. Happy six month anniversary to us!


While in Mui Ne we toured the neighbourhood comprising a walk along ‘Fairy Stream’ and a trip to a fishing village where we saw ‘rub a dub dub three men in a tub’ or more accurately three men using the traditional circular paddle boats to row to their fishing boats.


The only down side to Mui Ne- aside from my jelly fish slap was the smell along the main road. It’s the fish paste making capital of Vietnam!