If There Is One Place You Need To See Before You Die, Let It Be Vietnam.

Vietnam. I could go on and on about the vast variety of things to see in Vietnam. Its stunning physical beauty, the friendly welcoming people or its complex history. Or I could credit Anthony Bourdain’s culinary exploration of the delicious food I discovered as I ate my way across the country not gaining a single pound (take note Italy and France).

Although I do not fashion myself as a travel writer or an expert on anything but shoes I do have observations and experiences that I would love to share with you. I focused this blog on South Vietnam, all within a couple of hours of Saigon, as to write about more would be encyclopedic in length.  So let’s start with the capital city and its name.

Ho Chi Min City or Saigon? It All Depends on Who You Ask

There is an obvious, palpable divide between the north, Hanoi and the south, Ho Chi Min City aka Saigon. After having fallen to the North in 1975 Saigon’s name was involuntarily changed to honor the Prime Minister and the revolutionary leader of the communist party.

It was a bold statement of the North’s success. So if you are in the South, it is with pure pride it is still very much called Saigon, thus that is the name I will use. 

Local rice wine maker from Ben Tre Province, Vietnam

36 Hours In Saigon, The Absolute Must Sees.

Cu Chi Tunnels

Explore the rugged grounds of the infamous and immense 120 mile long tunnels that during the Vietnam War hid the Viet Cong army and their families. You can climb inside the very narrow tunnels (or not) and learn how thousands of people lived, cooked and actually gave birth in these ant-like tunnels. It will put your fear of small spaces to the test.

Mekong River Delta

One of the highlights and not expensive is to hire a guide and driver for the day and experience life on one of the world’s longest rivers. About 2 1/2 hours outside of Saigon in the Ben Tre Province you will really feel like you are deep inside the jungle, that’s because you are.  

With coconut and tropical fruit trees lining the tiny roads you can cycle or take a Tuk Tuk along the rural paths exploring this lush overgrown countryside.

Vietnam. I could go on and on about the vast variety of things to see in Vietnam. Its stunning physical beauty, the friendly welcoming people or its complex history. Or I could credit Anthony Bourdain’s culinary exploration of the delicious food I discovered as I ate my way across the country not gaining a single pound (take note Italy and France).

I sat in the humble home of a North Vietnam war veteran and his wife. As I learned to make rice paper he shared his unbelievable stories through a translator of what it was like to be an artillery soldier fighting the Americans and then the Cambodians. 

North Vietnam veteran in his home in the Ben Tre Province

His face was surprisingly gentle and I marvelled how easliy he smiled having experienced years of unimaginable guerrilla warfare. His monthly wages as a solider were often just a large bag of rice and although surrounded by bloody death when I asked him what scared him most he answered, “malaria”. 

Central Post Office

Based on its French design with its vaulted ceilings and wrought-iron beams the Central Post Office is considered one of Saigon’s most famous and iconic landmarks. If you are very lucky you might see Vietnam’s last living “hand-writer”. At 92 years old he cycles his bike every day into the post office where his job was to write in various languages postcards and letters for those who were illiterate. 

92 year old “hand-writer in Central Post Office, Vietnam

Ben Thanh Market

No trip of mine is ever complete without a visit to the local market. This large market of over 1200 local vendors is located in the centre of Saigon and sells pretty much anything you can think of and…some stuff you would never think of. Prepare to get swarmed, in the nicest of ways and bargain, bargain, bargain. 

War Remnants Museum

This was one of the most powerful museums I had ever been to and honestly, I could only skim the surface as I read and saw graphic images and physical reminders of the war. The display of various tanks that are always referred to as “she” (hmmm??), helicopters and bombs left after the war imprinted an indelible impression that war is hell and must never be repeated. 

The Rex Hotel

For old time sake have a cocktail at sunset on the famous rooftop bar where foreign war correspondents during the Vietnam War would gather nightly for a briefing.

So, if by any chance you make it to that part of the world you now have at least one girl’s perspective of what you absolutely have to see. Oh, and one more thing…white sneakers in the daytime and a good wedge heel at night.

I love you Vietnam. I will return.  Rice Rice Baby