We left Bangkok for Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and were really surprised by how developed it is. We really liked it here, we had some really good food and there is so much to see and do.

It has been around 33 degrees most days with humidity levels of 97% so walking around all day has been exhausting. We had one massive storm and we saw a few motorbike accidents from the torrential rain. It doesn't seem to stop the Vietnamese piling 5 people onto a bike though! Our road was completely flooded at one point and we had to wade our way back to the hotel... Never seen anything like it!

Our second evening was Halloween and at breakfast we were persuaded by a man dressed as a witch to attend the hotel's 2 hour Halloween party that evening. We found the cheapest costumes possible (see photos) and went up to the roof, where we were greeted by about 10 people (including the staff) and listened to awful euro pop whilst eating stale spring rolls! Then they made us stand in a circle and all shout together on the count of three "Happy Halloween 2012". We left 20 minutes later.

We spent the next day visiting the reunification palace and war remnants museum. Most of the palace has been left exactly as it was when the North smashed through the gates in the 70's. The museum was filled with horrific aftermath photos of the war and was somewhat of an eye opener.

We also did a day trip out to the Cu Chi tunnels where the Viet Cong hid out and fought during the war. We were allowed to go into the tunnels, which have been widened for fat tourists (the tunnels were originally 80cm x 80cm) and go 10 metres deep into the ground. We both nearly made it to the end, then panicked and escaped through an emergency exit (made for tourists). Paul got further and was crawling on his hands and knees before escaping. I would recommend it for the experience, but I would never do it again!

The next day we did a 2 day trip down to the Mekong Delta, which was really good apart from being shoved into a massive group of tourists and being herded around. We visited lots of interesting places, such as the rice factory, which had a power cut and a group of Vietnamese "singers" performing if 'you're happy and you know it, clap your hands'!! We also got to visit a sweet factory- which made Paul's day!

The highlight of the trip was going to the floating market where there are hundreds of boats all moored up in the river buying and selling fruit, vegetables, coffee etc. We were really enjoying it and bought fruit from the different sellers, until our guide told us that the only reason the floating market is still operational is because the government wants it there to bring in tourism. Great.

Back in Saigon, we spent our last day in cooking school, with a trip to the food market first. This was fascinating- the Vietnamese will eat anything! We saw EVERY part of a pig laid out, snakes, skinned frogs that were still alive etc. Luckily our menu didn't consist of any of this and we managed to make some pretty amazing meals. Whilst in the market we purchased some weasel coffee - coffee beans which have gone through the weasel's digestive system... Putting it politely. It's supposed to be the best coffee in Vietnam, which should be incredible given how amazing the bog standard coffee bean that hasn't been pooed out is!! Those of you we'll see at Christmas may be lucky enough to sample some weasel coffee!

Whilst in Saigon, we also took the opportunity to visit one of their cinemas, to see Bond!

We are in Mui Ne now, about four hours up the coast from Saigon. I say four hours, but it actually took nearer six as the bus broke down twice, conveniently next to a roadside bar both times....

This place is nice, but overrun with Russians. Enough said. We are visiting the sand dunes tomorrow before heading further north again to Hoi An!