Day Two (Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City)

After a horrendous first day we were both glad to wake up somewhere that wasn’t China. Our hotel had allowed us to stay in the expensive room (we had booked a cheaper room for the first night and then the expensive one for Christmas Eve to Boxing Day) so we didn’t have to worry about changing rooms. We instead had a sleep in until 10 and then went exploring.

Our hotel balcony

Our own private jacuzzi

The first thing we noticed about walking around Vietnam is that there are very few cars (too expensive). Everyone instead has a motorbike or a scooter. No one appears to have taken a test, and they don’t understand that red means that you should stop and not drive into oncoming traffic, but who am I to judge?!?! This did make crossing the road quite hazardous. We in fact had to ask another western guy how we were supposed to cross the road, as the traffic never stops. The trick is (and it does work) is to walk slowly out into the flowing traffic. You can show no fear as people beep at you instead you just keep going and watch as bikes veer out of your path. I actually felt safer crossing the road here than I do in England or Japan. Andy on the other hand felt terror as he watched me step into a busy road (he thinks I can’t cross a normal road).

Show no fear and your okay

Easy!!

Next stop was the market and Andy had fun bartering with the ladies in the market. He managed to get us a fake North Face backpack for 20 dollars. The bag is actually good quality and although we weren’t really wanting a fake anything, everything, even if it is good quality, has to have a label sewn into it.

Me and our new bag

We met a cute old man selling postcards in the market. His line was “want to buy some postcards?” when you said no he replied “why not?” and smiled at you to reveal no teeth. It almost made you want to buy his postcards.

After trailing round shopping we decided to go for lunch. This was to set the president for the rest of the holiday. Now the food was just local food, served in a shop doorway and the taste was okay. What set the president was the cost! It cost just 1 pound for us both to eat and for the rest of the holiday I grumbled if any meal cost over that! Andy really wanted to strangle me sometimes because if a meal cost 2 pounds I would say it was too expensive. He also wanted to strangle me because the water next to the tourist bars cost 6,000VND but next to our hotel it was only 5,000VND. He didn’t understand why I was so concerned about 2 pence, but I just kept thinking I don’t want to pay more than I have to!!

Hungry?

Andy's knees came up to his ears as we sat at baby sized tables and stools.

Later on our first day we went for a massage at the blind institute. After our first day we decided we deserved it and at the cost of 2.50 for an hour how can you really refuse?!?! Andy left feeling very relaxed with his ego also massaged. His masseuse (male) told him he was very strong which I guess is some kind of compliment from a blind man!

The Christmas lights were really good.

Andy worried I might get squished under a motorbike!

Before we went to bed we decided to book some trips to keep us occupied for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We booked a trip to a temple and the Cu Chi tunnels for Christmas Eve and a tour around the city for Christmas Day. We also booked our 6:30am coach to Cambodia for Boxing Day.