Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City

Trip Start Jan 06, 2008
1
47
125
Trip End Dec 20, 2008


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of Vietnam  , Ho Chi Minh City,
Thursday, May 22, 2008

Firstly, the majority of people say Saigon and not Ho Chi Minh City, it sounds better and there's a powerful feel about it - that's what I think anyway - .

Like the rest of Vietnam, I'm a fan of Saigon. It is a huge city, busy, crowded and with a traffic exactly like they say: you have hundreds of motorbikes passing in front of you every second. I don't want to sound too cocky but I'm now used to it, it all about anticipation and giving the right signals when walking.

After 6 weeks of traveling with various people since Chiang Mai, I'm back alone and will probably need few days to adapt. I started to walk around this morning to visit the 2 or 3 main sights but it takes a lot of stops in AC shops to help cool down because the heat at 10 am is already a problem with 30 degrees and 75% humidity. Right now (13:25), it is probably the most powerful rain I've seen since Vientiane 3 weeks ago. People usually do not look for shelter and just put their raincoat, continuing their business.

I also plan to spend a day in the Mekong delta tomorrow before going to Phnom Penh the day after and then Angkor and maybe take a boat to Battambang before going back to Bangkok.

Today the 22nd, I woke up after another very short night due to a cold being more and more annoying. So annoying that I felt too weak to go to the Mekong Delta. I suppose that is the price to pay for going out like I did the past weeks. My Visa expiring the 25th, I still can go to see the Delta tomorrow but I fee4l that Cambodia is now calling me.

To make it upfor a wasted day out, I am spending my time sorting my memory card, cut hair + beard, probably get a massage... nothing too tiring. The only thing bothering me is that my plan is to be in Siem Reap in 3 days so I take a lot of stuff to fight the soar throat, the river I got in my nose and the weak muscles. Visiting Angkor requires 100% energy and I don't want to miss that.

Vietnam was so different from Laos but pure quality too. Let see what Cambodia has to offer.
Slideshow Print this entry Ho Chi Minh City hotels

Comments

khurn_noy
khurn_noy on May 21, 2008 at 10:12AM

Photos Please
take some pictures of phnom penh please.

bernadtom
bernadtom on May 22, 2008 at 08:20AM

Re: Photos Please
Hi,

I've sorted my memory card now so hopefully it should be ok. Nevertheless, and as you can see on my previous photos, the pictures can be very dark during the rainy season.
I'll do what I can. Anything in particular and can I ask you why Phnom Penh?

Add Comment