VIETNAM/CAMBODIA - 2025(14 & 15 May'25)
Wednesday 14 May'26 - Hue/Ho Chi Minh City
The day started with a visit to Emperor’s Minh Mang’s Tomb. It was built in the early 1840’s. His body was bought through the gate and it was then locked for eternity. His body is buried somewhere on the grounds, but the exact location is unknown as the 200 servants that did the carrying, digging etc, were beheaded at the end of the proceedings!
Next stop, the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, the last Emperor. A little less imposing and up 167 stairs so all you get is some distant shots. All in all, he wasn’t a favourite of the people because he was seen as being too close to the French. My knees were screaming for a rest and the one thing I have learnt is that, whilst the Vietnamese are short in statue, the stairs at the various places are higher (and vary from stair to stair) than westerners are used too, so I sat and had an ice-cream (along with a few others) whilst waiting for the others to return…
It was then onto to the Perfume River and a Dragon boat ride up the river to the Lady Pagoda. It was more like a cross between the “slow boat to China” and a floating Myer 😊 . The Pagoda was interesting in that it is an active Buddhist monk facility with over 160 monks in residence within the grounds. One thing that did interest/horrify me was the facts laid out in photos. Talk about being committed to the cause!!!
As it was now lunchtime, our trusty bus driver and guide got us to our next wonderful lunch and, where else would on go in Vietnam for lunch but to an Italian restaurant!!! Like all our other meals, it was Bellissimo…
We then boarded the bus and taken to the airport to catch our flight into Ho Chi Minh City. Upon landing we met our new guide, Mr Bui (pronounced boy), then herded onto the bus and off for dinner before being taken to our hotel. After a very long, hot and humid day (32’ with 87% humidity) and lots of walking, I was thankful to get into the air-conditioned room, have a cool shower, jump into bed and fall asleep.
Thursday 15 May'26 - Ho Chi Minh City
What a beautiful sunrise (#1)… Today was a day of options, in that you could take a tour out to the Cu Chi tunnels which included lunch, but this was a full day. The 2nd option was a short walking tour to the Ben Thanh markets, taking you through the French Quarter of town, passing City Hall, the Reunification Palace, Opera House, Notre Dame, Post Office, Cây Liễu Roundabout and ending at the markets where you can buy just about anything. On arrival, you were on your own. The 3rd option was to make your own arrangements. I chose the 2nd option, after the previous days that were full on, a slow 1hr walk seemed like a good idea and it was most enjoyable. The markets are huge, and I spent about 3 hours just walking around, chatting with the locals and surprisingly, they were all my friend. I must say that far too many Aussies go to HCMC (or Saigon as the locals much prefer to call it) because when they ask you where you are from, the 1st thing they say back to you after the answer, is; “G’day mate!”
After that, a direct 15-minute walk back to the hotel, punctuated by a very expensive lunch of “shaky beef & rice” and 2 Saigon Bitters that cost a massive 409,950 Dong (around $25). Then a dip in the rooftop pool (and a snooze). Tonight was one of the very few, “make your own arrangement” meals so I ate at the bistro in the hotel before an early night and I watched the Women’s State of Origin Game 2 on Kayo through my laptop. Go the Blues!!! A footnote: the group that took Option 1 had a mishap. Our 2nd oldest traveller had a fall at the Cu Chi tunnels and ended up in hospital with a suspected broken hip. Thankfully not a broken hip, but not sure if she will join us tomorrow. Just had a beer with her husband (82yr), who is an absolute character, on his return from the hospital and confirmed I’m here if he needs anything…
