Ho Chi Minh City

Apparently, only government officials refer to HCMC by its post American war name. Most still use Saigon. Though, given that Ho Chi Minh is affectionately known as Uncle Ho, I think it could go by yet another name.

On December 1 Anna-Marie is finished with her duties in Phnom Penh and we head out by bus for Uncle Ho City. The boarder crossing is easy; we don't change buses, and though there are formalities we are practically whisked through. It is a long 7 hour ride, but the scenery is new, and across the border we notice immediate differences. First, the road is much better, there are traffic signs, and pedestrians and animals, while not staying off the road, do give way to motorized traffic.

We arrive in HCMC mid-afternoon and immediately find a good hotel. We will only stay one night; tomorrow as 6:00pm we will take the night train to Danong, midway up the country.

Here is my first impression of HCMC.