End of the Mekong cruise first thing this morning. Great to see some of Cambodia and Vietnam  and to explore a little of the countryside and life on and around the Mekong River. Very diverse, such a history, incredibly different lifestyles, wonderfully polite, friendly and welcoming people so keen to welcome and encourage tourists to their countries.

We docked at My Tho and it was a short bus trip – airconditioned, wi-fi, to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon).

Our first stop here was the post office! Designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes the Paris one) it was just like an old style PO in working order with a ceiling reminiscent of Grand Central Station in NY. Kinda neat to see.

Then to Notre Dame Cathedral- nowhere near as grand as the Paris one.

We had a tour of the Reunification Palace or Independence Palace, once the symbol of the South Vietnamese government and now a museum. Bit rusty on our history so time to brush up. Palace significant part of history and also architecturally important. Interesting to see the bunkers and miles of tunnels.

Admired some amazing lacquer work and furniture and watched some clever artisans at Minh Phoung Fine Art and Handicraft.

Ho Chi Minh 1 photos

This afternoon we had a Vietnamese Culinary Course – received a certificate even. Lots of fun and we were very well fed with 5 courses – no need for dinner tonight. It was great to go to the market with one of the culinary centre staff and see what we were going to use.

Culinary course

Slumming it at Park Hyatt, very centrally located. Hot today but much less humidity- yeah!

Author: Gill

Hi. I'm fun-loving, creative, mostly energetic and a mother of 3. My interests are family, culinary pursuits (I own just a few cookbooks...), socialising and entertaining, living and always learning.