Huge neon billboards, hundreds and thousands of motorbikes wizzing by, markets galore, street food, handy crafts and art ... this was just on the ride in!!
We found a place in central District 1 - the place for us backpackers - cheap room and nice and clean, even has a T.v!! We explored the city in the evening but returned for bed quite early, we felt like we would need the energy tomorrow and even after a few hours we both feel like we are going to love it here.

Out first full day was spent on a self invented walking tour of the city! History, culture and sore feet aplenty, today had it all, the French influence is visible with all the beautiful buildings which have been so well maintained while the Americans are remembered with propaganda posters from the war -a real mix and as you can imagine not to flattering. A great first day.

We followed this up by visiting the Cu Chi tunnels on a half day trip the following day, a 258km network of underground tunnels at its peak, work began during French occupation and continued during the American war, our guide was a war veteran himself although he fought for the south Vietnamese alongside the Americans, the tunnels were incredible and we got to do an underground stretch, going as deep as 8 metres underground! Very hot and claustrophobic, difficult to imagine people living down here for months at a time. Me and D both fired an AK-47 and hit the target! Only one other member of our group could say that!!

That evening we went out to watch the rugby and have a few drinks! Our combined luck with motorbikes continued as I (ash) was hit by one as we walked along the road - you have to walk along the road here - luckily I saw it soon enough to push D out of the way and jump so the impact just knocked me back a little, only a dead leg to contend with. The funniest thing was the look of disgust the driver gave me before speeding off!!

After numerous drinks last night we had a lie in and then spent the rest of the day chilling in various cafes and bars, we visited the night market where D got her head shaved (local slang for getting ripped off) again, her haggling skills have become almost non existent!! We leave tomorrow for Mui Ne and Saigon has definitely left us wanting more, we both agree we would love to return here in the future if we get chance.