There was no better way to say goodbye to Vietnam than on my last night having a few drinks in the backpacking area of Saigon with my Australian friends Mat and Mark and some others who were in the bar. This was the 5th time we had met up during our journeys, and none of them were organised, our paths just crossed along the way, first in the waiting area at Hanoi train station going to Sapa, then at the market square in Sapa, breakfast in Hoi An, dinner and drinks in Dalat and then a goodbye drink of Saigon beer in Saigon! They have a real sense of adventure, climbing the biggest mountains they can see and trekking for as far as they can go, it was great to share some time with them, they are home now and I hope we can meet up when I get to Australia. I have spoken to many people whilst on the journey and they all have the feeling that there is not enough time to do all the things they want to do, I actually feel that whilst I know there is loads more I could have done in Vietnam that I have had a good crack and that to max my visa time allowed in one visit has given me an insight into the country that has been a mix of mainstream and off track tourism. The journey has not always even easy, emotionally or physically and I now realise that this is what is at the essence of traveling to different countries and cultures, to be touched and affected by the moments you experience - The wonders of iconic places like Haylong Bay and Hoi An, the emotional journey of Sapa, the sickness in Hanoi and the lack of comfort on the back of a motorbike seeing authentic, local, non contrived Vietnam, the food, the war locations across the country and the most compelling of all the stories and engagement of the people - so many stories they tell that convey the history of the country and the horror of the war, the personality of the country and the hopes and aspirations for the future, their frustrations at progress into the 21st century and their desire for an independent peaceful future. Yep, I liked Vietnam! The last few days in Saigon have been spent with a visit to the Mekong Delta, having some drinks and food with a couple of expats, Nick and Matt, who had been introduced to me by a work friend, I really appreciated their generosity with their time, a very good couple of evenings in good company and finally strolling around the city visiting the local sights. Being the heart and soul of the old South Vietnam there is a different feel here to Hanoi, whilst I appreciated both cities I found Saigon to be more engaging, a great way to say goodbye to Vietnam. Goodbye Vietnam.