Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Wow...! What a crazy crazy place. That’s the first thing that hits you when you arrive here. That and the fact that they drive on the right hand side of the road. The airport is right in the city so a short drive and we were at our guest house. We are so glad we had arranged to be picked up from the airport as neither of us think we would have found it. It is down a long narrow alley - the kind that look as if you really shouldn’t go down them! Well we did, obviously, and what a little haven away from all the madness outside. The family were so welcoming and friendly and the place was spotlessly clean. But no time to stay and enjoy it - we had to meet Karen (Bryan’s friend from skiing last year) and her husband, Richard, and their daughter Julia who is also travelling and we met up with her in Kuala Lumpur a few months earlier. Julia was also in Vietnam so her parents flew here for a holiday and to spend some time with her. It was great to see Karen and Richard, they were all staying 5* hotel just down the road from us and we had a fabulous meal with them. This really smart restaurant catered for all 5 of us, including drinks and the bill was about £20. How good is that? and thank you again Richard x :-) x Next day we just took to wandering the city. Everywhere you look there is something crazy happening. Mopeds, street sellers, children playing with lizards, tourists, all adds to the madness and everywhere mopeds, mopeds, mopeds! We both decided we needed a bit of pampering, so we took up the offer of a massage, Jody opted for a foot massage and Bryan went for the full works, and the full works he got, she climbed all over his back using her knees to dig in deep. But he loved it. The shops here are just crammed full of stuff to buy and all so cheap it is very tempting to spend a bit. The family at our guesthouse booked a trip to the Mekong Delta for us. Which you can read about on the next page. We got back from there on Saturday 30th April which is Vietnam’s Labour Day, 36 years of independence so there were fireworks and bands happening everywhere. We were exhausted from our trip so didn’t see much of it but we could certainly hear it! Monday 2nd May is our last day here. We spent the day finding last minute things we needed/wanted and sending parcels back home. Bryan went off to have a four handed massage, came back all relaxed and a big smile. Then off to a local vegetarian restaurant where as always the setting left a lot to be desired but the food did not. The food was delicious. Including beers - £3. We could live here!! Our hosts gave us a farewell drink then helped us find a taxi to the train station. Our train left at 11.00pm - we had thought big this time and booked a sleeper carriage but oh my gosh... how dirty is this train? Roll on our next destination - Hoi An. Ngoc Thao Guest House Room rating: 8/10 - quiet, comfy, HOT water AIR CON & a flushing loo! Location: 10/10 - perfect for the city Staff: 10/10 - warm, friendly and helpful Value for Money: 10/10 - £8 including breakfast Other comments: this guesthouse felt more like a home-stay Stay again? definitely even if I won millions on the lottery and could afford 10* Overall experience: 10/10 Loved it. Ho Chi Minh City is a crazy place and full of wonderful, interesting people