I write this post a little sad saying bye to my family as I wait for my flight to Joburg (work thingy). We had an amazing week together and our last Vietnam destination was Ho Chi Minh.

We got here early yesterday morning (like super early) and after dropping our bags, we grabbed a bite to eat with my sisters friends who are locals here. At around noon, we were picked up at our hotel by our guide from Saigon Adventures to be taken to Cu Chi Tunnels for a tour.

Now, Vietnam has been hot - like very hot and as we moved South, it kept getting hotter and hotter. We got to the tunnels after a stop at a laquer painting showroom where they showed us how they train those suffering from the after effects of Agent Orange in doing handicrafts like laquer painting on wood using duck eggshells and mother of pearl. The most beautiful paintings ever that take between 3 weeks to 3 months to complete.

When we got to the tunnels, our tour guide James, walked us through the history of the tunnels and see got to see the guerilla tactics used during the Vietnam war. I had read about the war but it was just so different seeing the tunnels and the tactics used in person - nerve wracking and admirable. The tunnels are estimated to be about 250km - although they may be longer since an accurate map is not available (in case they need to be used in the future).

By the end of the tunnels, we were exhausted (hot hot 🔥) and grateful for iced tamarind drinks that my sisters friends graciously sent with us. They were a life saver. After battling ho chi Minh traffic, we finally made it back to the hotel where we collapsed in a pile after a shower. This was followed by me finally trying a banh mi (so very different than what we get into the US - much smaller, different fillings but still delicious) and my new favorite dish of bo khot!

Day 1 in Ho Chi Minh was a success and we were ready today for day 2. Now see, we are always ready when we wake up in our AC room - all it takes is 10 mins in the sun for us to begin to shrivel. We set out to see our sites of the day beginning with the war remnants museum. Once again, I was shaken by the Vietnam war and the countless senseless lives lost and impacted through multiple generations. I couldn't get myself to take many photos - it was just too much to absorb. After the museum, we checked out the Independence palace before breaking for lunch.

We definitely needed a nap after - the heat exhaustion was getting extreme. So, we did the sane thing, took a break before visiting the Ben Tranh market in the evening. Now, we were told that bargaining was essential and so I tried my hand at it. This is how it went:

Shopkeeper #1: pant costs 250000 vietnamese dongs

Rouella: I'll pay 100000

Shopkeeper #1: No way - 200000

Rouella: 100000 and walks away

Shopkeeper #1: if you still want, I give for 150000 when u come back

Rouella and her parents walk away...

Shopkeeper #2: pant has a price tag that says 150000... Fixed price sign above. Rouella believes it and walks around the corner to shop #3.

Rouella: how much?

Shopkeeper #3: originally 350000, for you - 250000

Rouella laughs: fixed price around the corner is 150000, why would I pay you 250000

Shopkeeper #3: okay - I give you for 150000

Rouella: why wouldn't I just buy the fixed price

Shopkeeper #3: okay - last price 130000

Rouella: 120000

Shopkeeper #3: fine...

I open my bag and see I have only 114000 left. Shopkeeper is willing to take rupees or dollars. I have none to offer. She takes the 114k and gives me the pant 🤣. Bargaining mission success.

After dinner, I bid adieu to my dear family until I see them again soon and am now on my flight layover.

That's a wrap for Vietnam. It's a gorgeous country with lovely people - although you may want to time it better than us to beat the heat.