We were off just after the crack of dawn to catch our flight to Ho Chi Min City (AKA Saigon). The trip was uneventful until we landed. What a crush of people all trying to get through customs. We had to have visas for each of the countries we have visited on this tour and we were warned that Vietnam was uniquely specific about having all data consistent and accurate for all visas. One of our tour mates had a glitch that made us anxious about his ability to continue with us, but all was well and we were able to start our exploration of Saigon.

It was a long bus ride to our hotel in the city centre . We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant and experienced delicious spring rolls and Pho.

We checked into the Grand Hotel Saigon, built in the 1930’s with a definite European flavour.

Without much of a break, we went off on a walking tour of Saigon. We noticed the opera house, post office, city hall and other sites before heading to the roof top bar of the Rex Hotel. This was the watering hole for American journalists during the Vietnam war. Correspondents would meet daily for the “5 o’clock follies” when the allies broadcast the news of the day. They were called the follies because the official statements were often too optimistic and didn’t match the reality of the war.

We wandered through the city until we found food (which was delicious) and finally found our way to bed. More exploration of Saigon and area tomorrow.