Today I ventured into the backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao for a hair cut, a bite to eat and a bit of hustle and bustle at the markets.

I've added 2 new photo albums - one in colour and another in B&W to help share my adventure.

Pham Ngu Lao is like a city amongst cities; overflowing with bars, restaurants, guest houses, tour offices and... backpackers. You can pick up a comfy bed from as little as 7 bucks. $18 gets you a private room with air conditioning, unlimited wi-fi and breakfast. And there are thousands of rooms to choose from. There is a very relaxed vibe throughout the streets and I wouldn't mind betting that almost anything goes. The place is littered with touts who offer all the usual goodies plus a little bit more.

Nearby are the famous Chợ Bến Thành aka Ben Thanh Markets. This is something like I have never experienced before. The markets are all under cover and the place is packed tighter than a sardine can. The girls operating the stalls are far more in your face than the markets I've visited in Thailand, Bali and Malaysia. And that's just the food stands!

There'd be a million t-shirts, hats and bum-bags on display. There are back packs, sarongs, sunglasses, watches, shoes, thongs, carvings, the list goes on and on. Being the big shopper that I am, I managed to get away with all of my money (and honour) intact. Alicia and Toby could spend a day here and head home happy with their holiday!

I'm headed back to the backpacker district later tonight to meet up with some Irish folk I sat with at lunch. They've been here a couple of days and reckon they're right in the groove of things. I've told them I'm a non-drinker and they say they're up for the challenge.

Not long now and I'm on the road with the treadly. I can't wait.