Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Our coach from Phnom Penh took us to the Cambodian/Vietnamese border for some lunch in a strange barbed wire compound, then through the Vietnamese side and into Ho Chi Minh City. Although we quickly learned that many of the locals call it Saigon still. We went straight to our hotel to drop our bags at a gorgeous boutique homestay (£20 per night), and the owner, Hannah, kindly gave us a very detailed walking route on where we could change some money, see the surround area and get some 'real' local food - as well as some tips on how not to get food poisoning. At one point, we didn't think we would be able to fit it all in as Hannah was very talkative!

Our hotel was in a alley off Vietnam's most mental bar street, Bui Vien. As it was still the afternoon, it was quite tame - in the evening the touts are pretty unbearable but it makes for excellent people watching!

After a few hundred metres, it was obvious how different Vietnam was going to be and the scooters were absolutely mental - we were the odd ones out for walking.

As instructed we crossed a canal from District 1 into District 4 to a less touristy area and found the very popular restaurant to try some com tam (broken rice). You pick what grilled meat you would like, and it comes with the rice and a fried egg - it was very delicious.

After dinner we strolled home, trying to work out how you're meant to cross the road here...

The following morning, Hannah made us a beautiful breakfast of omelette, pancake and fruit which set us up well for our walking route to see the main sights of Ho Chi Minh City.

You could definitely tell the French influence on the city with how the streets were laid out, the city hall, opera house, and post office! We spent a bit of time browsing the book street, where Lauryn bought a 'very' one-of-a-kind embroidered picture. We also had to have an iced tea to prevent overheating.

In the afternoon we stopped by the Reunification Palace and then the War Remnants museum. There was a lot about the atrocities of the American/Vietnam War, and a few American vehicles. It was presented quite differently to how it might be in the West but interesting to understand how our museums in the UK may also be biased in displaying information.

You always deserve some food after a museum so we went to a recommended place to have our first Pho in Vietnam! We also had a beef stew (banh mi bo kho) which was amazing with a Vietnamese baguette.

That evening we went back down the 'walking street' to see what all the fuss was about. This had the atmosphere that we thought Khao San road would be like... completely bonkers!

We found some 'bun cha' which is a very popular northern Vietnamese dish, and then played some cards at a bar with a very good selection of beer!

The next day in Ho Chi Minh we wanted to visit its Chinatown, which is big. We started off with a popular dim sum restaurant for a second breakfast - purely for educational reasons (first breakfast from the hotel also pictured).

We then walked through some busy streets of Chinatown, although it was busy with locals doing business rather than any tourists!

We arrived at the Binh Tay market, which turned out to be mostly wholesale, selling spices by the kilo and lots of things we had no idea what they were.

We got a Grab back to District 1 and for some lunch went back to a place we had also eaten at on the first afternoon - bun thit nuong is a local favourite and we really loved it. A sweet and sour fish sauce is in buckets on the table to add to your noodles and salad.

It was about time for some more pampering so Lauryn got a pedicure at the poshest salon she will probably every step foot in. They had a printed drinks menu and an overwhelming amount of colours to choose from - a worthwhile treat for £14!

In the evening we visited a road that is pedestrianised at the weekend with different events. There was a film festival with all the Vietnamese A-listers (no idea who they were) and free samples of beer and cider so we kindly accepted a few. Some of the buildings in that area of HCMC are awesome.

We needed some dinner but weren't starving so we though we would get a banh mi, its only a sandwich right? Possibly the most expensive banh mi in Ho Chi Minh but also the most filled and neither of us could finish it. Still only £2. The bartender at the bar we ate them at also told us they were massively overhyped but we were rather impressed!

We also managed to make it back to the hotel room to watch the Grand National stream! Neither of us won.

We were leaving Ho Chi Minh City at 6am the next morning with our first leg on the 'Reunification Express' which stretches all the way up Vietnam to Hanoi. A 6 hour journey to Nha Trang! We booked 2nd class seats as the journey wasn't overnight so felt we had the true 'Vietnamese experience' with all the locals!