Lost in the Mekong Delta

Leaving Saigon at dawn, we found the city still asleep. As we made our way through, the world came alive with women sweeping the streets in traditional Vietnamese hats. Our first stop was in My Tho, a quaint town in the Delta region where the heat was relentless, but the flat terrain made for an enjoyable ride. The patchwork quilt of green fields and golden waterways made for a breathtaking sight, and as we journeyed on, I couldn't help but feel awe-inspired by the beauty of it all.

can't get enough of these Vietnamese sandwiches (banh mi)

love these sugar cane ice crushes

not a big fan coconut water but when its hot these really help 

so that way to Can Tho?

As we departed My Tho for Can Tho, the adventure began to unfold. The roads grew narrower as we wound our way through a maze of rivers, traversing dirt roads, bridges, and ferries. The humid air clung to us, and we took frequent breaks to hydrate ourselves and soak in the sights and sounds of life on the Mekong.

Small towns dotted the landscape, their makeshift homes standing in stark contrast to the towering factories that dominated the outskirts of the Mekong river. We asked locals for directions, hoping to find our way to Can Tho, but often found ourselves led astray by the maze of waterways and dead ends.

Finally, a glimmer of hope appeared on the horizon: the longest cabled bridge in Southeast Asia. As we crossed it, we marveled at the stunning views of the river below and the bustling city that awaited us on the other side.

hot, lost and confused 

Mekong provides transportation and food for the region

happy we found Can Tho just before night fall

Can Tho is a bustling, modern city with plenty to see and do. During our visit, we found the streets filled with friendly locals trying to lure us to their hotels. After exploring our options, we chose to stay just outside the lively waterfront district, but we quickly realized there were plenty of great places to stay in the area. We highly recommend staying near the waterfront, as this is where all the action happens, and you'll find a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and street food vendors to choose from.

saying good by to Vietnam and uncle Ho Chi Minh

Our last stop in Vietnam was Chau Doc, about 30 kms from the boarder of Cambodia. Phnom Penh, here we come. 

Saigon a steaming hot city too bad I was sick would have liked to try more foods

On our last day in Mui Ne, I wasn't feeling well, and unfortunately, my stomach issues persisted throughout our weekend in Ho Chi Minh City. Although we were aware that the city's name had officially changed to Ho Chi Minh City, many of the locals we spoke to, including myself, still referred to it as Saigon.

Despite my discomfort, we were excited to start our second Couchsurfing experience with Hang Dinh. Hang is a remarkable young woman who manages to balance a career as a TV news reporter, freelance travel writing, and her own globetrotting adventures with hosting complete strangers in her downtown flat in the heart of Saigon. Despite working long, hot days, Hang always found the energy to take us out, show us the city's highlights, and share fascinating stories about her life and travels.

We were grateful for Hang's hospitality and her insider perspective on the city. She took us to some of Saigon's best street food stalls and helped us navigate the bustling markets. We also visited historical landmarks like the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Our time with Hang was an unforgettable experience, and we left Saigon feeling grateful for the new friend we had made.

bike parking at our host apartment, can you spot ours?

famous Ben Thanh Market, in the centre of Saigon has everything, but don't forget to bargin

checking out the War Remnants museum 

Just for the photo book, Hang did the driving 

enjoying ice cold Saigon beer, with seafood along the river

were not coffee drinkers, but we loved Vietnam's strong sweet ice coffee

During the scorching afternoons, Ji and I took the opportunity to explore the city on our own and attend to some last-minute repairs on my bike. We noticed that one of the pedals was malfunctioning, but we managed to get both replaced for a mere $6. Saigon has had its share of tumultuous history, as evident at the War Remnants Museum, but we could see that the future looked promising for Ho Chi Minh City. The city boasts of an array of fantastic restaurants, cafes, and shopping options, and we felt secure as we explored its new buildings and bustling streets. However, what stood out most for us was our time with our Couchsurfing host, Hang. We are grateful to Hang for the warm hospitality and the unforgettable experiences she shared with us.

Our next adventure awaits as we gear up to ride through the Mekong Delta en route to Cambodia.