I found Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) to be a fascinating city when I first visited in 2014, and really wish I’d had more time there. It was very busy, the traffic was insane and every time we went to cross the road felt like we were tempting fate just a little more. I felt like the people of the city would have really had some stories to tell, if I’d only had the time (and an interpreter) to listen.
(documented) by jess 
I’m so glad to read your blog because it takes away all the apprehensions I have of traveling there 🙂
I’m going there soon! You have any advice? 🙂
Ohh thank you so much, that’s such a beautiful thing for me to read! My best advice for Saigon is to try not to be overwhelmed, and to take it all for what it is. It’s a crazy city, but it’s beautiful if you just see what’s there instead of looking for what you want to see. And smile at everyone – they’ll smile back most of the time 🙂 can’t wait to hear about your trip!
I will surely keep that in mind! 🙂
What are your suggestions when we visit Mekong and Halong bay? Everybody seems to be talking of cruises and organized trips online, but I was wondering if we can just go to the ferry each time and plan our own trips?
We’d have loved to have had the time to explore Ha Long more independently, but my sister and I didn’t have a lot of time, so we went with the tour option. Also, Ha Long Bay is a 3 – 4 hour drive our of Hanoi – there’s no way we’d have been able to navigate that alone!! The tour we did was with Intrepid and it was really fantastic – https://ordinarygirlextraordinarydreamer.com/2014/08/13/ha-long-bay-vietnam/