Back in Ho Chi Minh

Back in Ho Chi Minh, we had a few days left on our hand before our trip ended and post-holidays blue set in. 

In a moment of irony, we found a cafe called Little Hanoi and ordered iced egg coffee. I think that’s symbolic of which city we enjoyed the most! 

We also visited a rooftop bar and had a few overpriced cocktails (by Vietnam standards) in exchange for a pretty amazing view. 

We made sure to maximise our time here by arriving during the daylight and staying until it got dark. 

Although there was a little downpour (unexpected and for no more than 15 mins), the views of the city were pretty spectacular. 

We had a full day in the city, so a coffee stop was essential. We sat on a balcony and watched the endlessly hectic traffic, whilst enjoying an icy drink. 

We then visited the War Remnants Museum. It’s crazy how, when American withdrew from Vietnam, they just left everything - guns, tanks, planes - everything! 

It was a sobering visit, Vietnam has a really sad history involving lengthy conflict. 

At the start of the exhibit, I found it hard to tell whether the people of Vietnam did or did not want America to become involved. However, by the end of the war, it was obviously not what the people wanted and their presence because destructive. 

The Agent Orange exhibit was particularly horrific - there were a lot of distressing and horrible stories about impacts on the local people. 

The museum provided some context as to how much had been lost during this year and why Vietnam is still a developing country. 

Following a very heavy few hours, we went in search of banh mi. We visited Huynh Hoa. We didn’t know at the time that they serve GIANT banh mi - look at the size of this!

They actually give you gloves so you can stuff it with whatever you want and then eat it without making too much of a mess. 

We did not need dinner after that feast! 

For our last day in Ho Chi Minh (and Vietnam), we booked a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

They are part of a network of much larger tunnels that the Viet Cong soldiers used as hiding spots, as well as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon storage and living quarters. The tunnels also contained ventilation shafts to release smoke from fire, which was nearly undetectable to anyone walking above ground. 

The tunnel systems were important to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American and south Vietnam forces. They also contained various bamboo traps made to injure and potentially kill South Vietnam's ‘Tunnel Rats’ if they breached the tunnels.

Our guide spoke about the Viet Cong (a north Vietnam communist group) as though he really revered them. The USA fought with south Vietnam in the war, so it was very clear that he was not on board with them involvement. 

Michael does not like small spaces, and these were very small. I think he was a little stressed but he made it through them all.

Our guide also showed us how the Viet Cong covered up tunnel entrances so enemy soldiers could not find them. It was pretty ingenious! 

It was an interesting experience, and I’m glad that we got to learn a little more about Vietnam’s history. 

That, sadly, brings our time in Vietnam to a close. We have absolutely loved it here - the food is amazing, the coffee is unbeatable, and the people have been so friendly and kind.

We cannot wait to return! 🇻🇳