As promised a mega Ho Chi Minh City post!

The only trouble is, I was having so much fun I didn't take enough photos! but here goes.

This city is pure energy. It is Vietnam at its best, but as we've seen, a very stark difference in Souther and Northern Vietnam. To dig into this, one only has to look at the history. The Northerners are more conservative, keep to themselves, keep their culture close and although very welcoming, you certainly feel like you're in THIER city. In the south its all things GO. Western/ American influence everywhere, and deeply ingrained. These guys have had Americans in there city for 50 years, it's part of them now, and much to our delight- can make a mean hamburger. (don't get all judgy, we have been in Asia for 2 months, you can only eat so much Pho.

GI bars, and serious party vibes follows you throughout the city. We sat on the street (still in tiny chairs) watching the street life in the main backpacker area. From portable karaoke shows, to working girls at massage parlors, to movable feasts of corn, squid, buns, and little ladies selling everything -from weed to sunglasses. The city has it all.

The cuisine here has its own flare as well. It being further south, there are more fresh herbs, more fruit, and the coffee is even sweeter. It hit me here, that I will eventually have to leave Vietnam one day, and will some how have to go back to GASP regular coffee? never. We have already hatched plans for Vietnamese coffee making at home, and have some ideas of recreating. I even think we should open a coffee cart, and sell it the way they do here with little plastic hangers to go... but for now -

Banh Mi with 9 kinds of pork (you don't think about this you just eat it and sigh with delight)