Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon), Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City is insane. But I love it!! There are people on motorbikes everywhere. Crossing the street is a death trap. You just have to start walking and hope you don't get hit!

The city itself is manageable to walk and sits right on the Saigon River. I went to the Independence Palace where the president received guests and had a battle command center. Now it's mostly ceremonial. I also stopped by the HCMC Museum and saw everything from ancient pottery to currency to the anti-French and anti-American exhibits.




There's also a famous cathedral - Notre Dame Cathedral. I crashed a wedding there! Who gets married on a Wednesday!?!?! Right next to that is the post office, which is HUGE!


I also stopped by the market. It's sort of like Reading Terminal Market, but bigger with more stalls and all sorts of different things for sale - clothing, carvings, bags, knock off watches, food, perfume, etc.


Sitting at a cafe and watching people is fun too. Here they put sweetened condensed milk in their coffee. The traditional food is "pho" (pronounced "fur"). It's a noodle soup dish usually with pork or beef in it. I had that tonight with a coconut drink - all for less than $3!!! And I'm staying at a guesthouse called Luan Vu. I have my own room with TV, air conditioner, en suite and breakfast. All in all, I like this place so far!