#152: The Mekong Delta (Page 511; 2nd Ed pg 639)

The Mekong River originates in the Tibetan Plateau, journeys through China, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia and then flows through Vietnam, splitting into many waterways that form the Mekong River delta.  It is one of the most fertile areas in southern Asia, supplying the country with most of its rice, fruit and seafood.  And, upon our arrival, some of that delicious fruit was awaiting us!

Many of these riverside villages are accessible only by boat.

A bike ride through "town" was a highlight!

Our guide on our small sampan.

on the back of our sampan.

We were able to see how many things are processed in this area, including coconuts.

It's amazing, the amount of manual labor involved in shelling, peeling and preparing these coconuts!

I will never take coconut for granted again!

We were able to visit a rice paper factory and see rice noodles being made.

I had to have a taste!

We started our Mekong Delta adventure in Ben Tre, famous in Vietnam for its coconut candy.  Everything we saw and did was beautiful, fascinating, cultural, new, adventurous.  I loved it!

Verdict:  Yes!  This is a MUST DO!!  Would love to go back and spend more time!

#151: The Rex Bar and the Ben Thanh Market (Page 510; Listed as "Saigon's Bustling Markets" AND also as "Heritage Hotels in Saigon" in 2nd Ed, pg 635, 636)

The Rex Hotel served as a popular base for several journalists during the Vietnam War.

It is located in the center of the city and was constructed in the 1950's.  It was originally built by French colonial developers and became a focus of the social and military activities of American soldiers during the Vietnam War.  It was from here that US military officers gave the daily press briefings that became known as "The Five O'Clock Follies."  

The rooftop bar is very popular due to the history of the building and the fabulous views! (But bring your wallet - a small non-alcoholic, mediocre-tasting drink was $10! - in a country where you can get a full body hour long massage for the same price!)

I am not sure why 1000 Places put these two things in the same entry, but alas, they did.  The Ben Thanh Market is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city.  It was built in 1914 by the French.  This market is home to hundreds of shopkeepers and offers an extensive and varied selection of merchandise.  

Verdict:  If you're interested in Vietnam War history, then the Rex Hotel is a must.  But otherwise both of these things are a "fun to do thing while in HCMC/Saigon" not a must do before you die!

#150: Pho Hoa (Page 509)

March 25, 2014

We were only in Ho Chi Minh City for 3 days and our self-imposed itinerary was jam-packed, so I knew we had just one chance to get to Pho Hoa.  We found the right street, so we figured it would be a short walk to find it.  But, it was a LONG street, so a good 30 minutes after we started walking.....

We found it!

The Menu

Each table is laid out with this food awaiting your pho

Its here!

Yum!

Time to dig in!

Pho (pronounced fu with a "short u") is a simple, rice noodle soup that is Vietnamese through and through, eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner alike.  1000 Places states "If you've only sampled it elsewhere, prepare yourself: The pho you have here will be like nothing you've tasted before."  It goes on to say the Pho Hoa is "perhaps the best known of the country's thousands of noodle restaurants."  

Verdict:  I tried pho many times during my time in Vietnam, and this was definitely one of the best!  But, regardless, I don't think this particular place is a "must do" before you die.... maybe because I don't think eating pho from any place is a "must do."  However, if you find yourself in HCMC/Saigon and have a taste for pho..... it's worth checking out!

149: Hoi An (Page 511; 2nd Ed pg 637)

Welcome to Hoi An!

Hoi An is located on the north bank of the Thu Bon River.  It is a historic town that served an an important trading port from the 16th to the 18th century.  It is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site (in 1999).  I loved the bold colors, the smells, the vibrancy of it all.

Lunch time!

Japanese Covered Bridge

Dinner at Brothers Cafe

We looked at all the lanterns throughout the day and anxiously awaited the night time views that awaited us.  We weren't disappointed!

We rented a boat so we could see the view from the water.  A good decision!

Good night, Hoi An.

Verdict:  Yes, Absolutely.  We LOVED it!!

#148: Halong Bay (Page 507; 2nd Ed pg 632)

March 22-23, 2014

Halong Bay!  I knew we would be spending two days on a "junk", so I had low expectations for our accommodations.  But we were pleasantly surprised to board our junk and be led to this beautiful room.

And eat in this beautiful Dining Room.

Unfortunately, it was a cold, drizzly, overcast couple of days.  But we made the most of it!

If it looked this beautiful in the fog, you can imagine what it would look like on a gorgeous, sunny day!

A floating villiage

We had a tender attached to our junk which we took out to see several sites.  Our first outing was to Hang Sung Sot, or "Surprise Cave."

The view from Surprise Cave

Inside the cave

Next stop:  Dau Ti Top, where you could climb ~500 steps in order to get rewarded with spectacular views!

Like this

And this

And this.

These pictures (our photography in addition to the weather) don't do it justice.  But, trust me.... it was spectacular!  And we all decided that the mist and fog added a certain mystic beauty.

Verdict:  Yes!  LOVED it!  If I ever go again, I will cross my fingers for better weather and stay longer.