The former capital of what was South Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City as it is officially known or Saigon as it is still called by many is still a modern city thriving on the fast paced lifestyle so I was delighted to return. Started the day with a city tour including revisiting the Reunification Palace (no guns today!!) and the War Remnants Museum which I chose not to go into again. The horrors of the Vietnam War that are depicted inside are still clearly etched in my mind. Then it was off to the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office to view the French colonial architecture, followed by a visit to Cholon (Chinatown) where we saw the Binh Tay Wholesale Market and Thien Hau Pagoda.

Our hotel is within walking distance to the Ben Thang Market.........needless to say the shopaholic simply had to go and test her haggling skills yet again!!! YEP..still plenty of bargains to be bought although I did miss having my VN travel buddy Kathy with me. Last time we had such an amazing time in this wonderful city but I am sure we are destined to return.

who knows I might even end up living here one day........