Lost in Labyrinths: Ho Chi Minh City and Beyond
Friday, August 11, 2017A Chaotic Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City
After the more peaceful Hanoi, arriving in Ho Chi Minh City is like stepping into a whirlwind. The city buzzes with an energy that hits you the moment you land. My adventure began with a near-miss on a scooter taxi, a reminder that traffic here is a chaotic dance of vehicles, pedestrians, and the occasional brave soul on a bicycle. Miraculously, I made it to my hostel, a charming place whose name escapes me, but let’s call it the Breakfast Club for the sake of the story.
The hostel was a haven of camaraderie. I arrived just in time for a communal dinner, where I was welcomed with open arms, spring rolls, and cold beers. The rooftop bar became my sanctuary, a place where travelers from all corners of the globe gathered to share stories and laughter under the starlit sky. The memories of that place were so fond that I returned years later with Christian and his cousin, reliving the magic all over again.
Exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels
The next morning, after the typical hostel breakfast of white bread and Nutella, I set off early for a half-day trip to the Cu Chi tunnels. These tunnels are a sprawling underground network used during the war to transport supplies and hide from enemy forces. The experience was both fascinating and eerie. Crawling through the narrow tunnels, some so tight you had to lie flat on your belly, was a claustrophobic’s nightmare. The ingenuity of the Viet Cong fighters was evident in the booby traps and hidden entrances that kept the tunnels secure.
The site itself felt a bit like an amusement park, with old tanks, weapons, and even the opportunity to shoot original war-era guns. It was a strange juxtaposition of history and tourism, but it provided employment and income for the locals, which I suppose is a silver lining.
A Culinary Adventure on Two Wheels
That evening, I embarked on a local food tour, organized by a young Vietnamese guide. On the back of his scooter, we zipped through the bustling streets, stopping at various food stalls and eateries. Our first stop was for Vietnamese pizza, a delightful street food that bore little resemblance to its Italian counterpart but was equally delicious. We continued to a barbecue spot, a night market, and even a place where I got to make my own rice paper for spring rolls. The highlight, however, was the durian ice cream puffs, a divisive treat that I found surprisingly enjoyable.
The Mekong Delta: A Tourist Trap Worth Visiting
The following day, I joined a Mekong Delta boat tour, a quintessential tourist activity in southern Vietnam. Despite its predictability, the tour was a delight. We navigated the mangroves in small boats, visited local factories, and even tried our hand at making rice paper again. The tour included a local performance of singing and dancing, and plenty of opportunities to capture the vibrant life along the riverbanks with my camera.
Crossing Borders: From Vietnam to Cambodia
After two whirlwind days in Ho Chi Minh City, I flew to Cambodia to visit the legendary Angkor Wat in Siem Reap.