Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Today we were up at 6.30am for an early breakfast then a quick taxi to Nha Trang Train Station to catch the 7.40am train to Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon as it is better known to the locals).This was our first day time train trip and though we were a bit tired from the early start the seats were pretty comfortable and the journey quite bearable, and we had the added bonus of enjoying the scenery through the window along the way for the whole trip - unlike the overnight sleepers.Lunch on the train was pretty awful but that's the way it goes sometimes. We had a bit of a delay about 30kms out from Saigon, but otherwise a smooth trip and we arrived in Saigon about 4pm. The taxi from the train station to our hotel was also very straightforward, apparently they are much more trustworthy here than in Hanoi (or so I have read).Our accommodation is really quite nice here (though still budget) and it is always a relief when you book over the internet for a few days and pay in advance! We were both tired and hungry so apart from a quick stroll around the block we quickly found a place for some vietname noodle soup and a few Saigon Draughts and then headed back for a much needed shower and an early night. Looking forward to 2 full days in Saigon before we head to Siem Reap in Cambodia.

Our main plan today was to visit the War Remnants Museum. On the way we briefly stopped by a Hindu temple which was ok but slightly soured by some guy trying to extort cash from us for incence sticks. Anyway before long we made it the the museum. We started off looking at the planes, tanks and artillery on display outside before heading inside. It was pretty full on in there with so many graphic photographs and descriptions of what went down during the Vietnam War ("the American War"). Particularly disturbing were the photographs of people suffering from birth defects related to Agent Orange exposure and other chemicals defoliants used extensively by the US to destroy the jungle in an attempt to fight off the guerilla tactics employed by the Vietcon.

In the evening we stopped by local favourite Nam Son Beef Steak for a great little meal of steak, egg and chips amongst the locals for ian ncredibly cheap price.

More sightseeing today. Our walk took us down along the Saigon River, past the Opera House and to down town Ho Chi Minh City. Along the way we stoppped off for a break at a cafe and past a few markets before finally heading back to our guesthouse.

In the evening we headed around the corner to a cool little bar (Eden) which had some live music playing and enjoyed a few drinks for our final night in Saigon.