Lonely Planet calls Ho Chi Minh City a city "on constant fast-forward with the volume cranked all the way up" and I couldn't agree more. If the the chaotic and crazy traffic of the ever-present and loud zooming motorbikes and taxis doesn't overwhelm you even a little bit than the clusters of people on street corners and sidewalks eating pho (common noodle dish) or drinking bia hoi (fresh beer) might. Crossing the street here was even more terrifying than in China and we usually tried to walk next to or directly behind a local who knew what they were doing. Incredibly, it is true that if you attempt to ignore the busy street and walk slowly and deliberately across, the traffic avoids you and literally parts like the Red Sea (usually). Even with lots of practice in China, crossing crazy streets this way (and it is really the only way) I still find myself starting to sweat a little bit and mumbling prayers. I read that during each year there are over 10,000 deaths due to mopeds and over 20,000 injuries.

Our first day we spent walking around the city and doing some of the more touristy things. We tried pho, which is a very tasty and traditional beef noodle dish, and we went on a cyclo ride that toured some of the major streets in the city. While walking around we saw many Vietnamese people were wearing the large, cone-shaped straw hats because of the heat.


The main activity during the day was visiting the War Remnants Museum which chronicled the events of the Vietnam War (or American War as it was named in Vietnam). It was really strange viewing a museum which portrayed my home country as the enemy. After a couple of hours of graphic pictures and horrific descriptions of Napalm and Agent Orange I was ready to get out of there. Lonely Planet says that it documents "the atrocities of war . . . is heartbreaking . . . and is not for the faint of heart." Yep. I would say that is pretty accurate. Even after spending just two days in southern Vietnam I have learned loads more history than I ever learned in the classroom - and it is the kind of history that sticks with you.


That night it was the eve of the lunar new year or Tet (a very big deal) and coincidentally it was also Valentine's Day. Sean and I celebrated by grabbing a table early on a rooftop bar so we could see the fireworks at midnight. Our first taste of Vietnamese spring rolls with some Saigon beer to wash them down really hit the spot. Cheers to the new year of the tiger!

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