Pretty good bus journey from Phnom Penh took us to the border at Bavet on the Cambodian side.   The nearer the border we got the more prosperous Cambodia appeared to be - probably because of the many casinos (loads more being built) for the Vietnamese to come over the border to gamble and spend their money.

HCMC (which the locals still call Saigon) was our first taste of a really big city since China and is significantly more westernised (but in a far eastern sort of way) and developing than anywhere in Laos or Cambodia.  It has a real buzz about it and we found ourselves in the main backpacker area of Phan Ngu Lao.  Although we booked our bus and hotel independently whilst in Cambodia, it was a sheer stroke of luck that bus stopped at it's tour office 100 yards from our hotel.

We had originally wanted to spend some time in the Mekong Delta but our travel arrangements and time meant we we couldn't manage more than a day trip.  Even though it was quite interesting, it was clearly the easiest and cheapest way to do it, but it was a bit too organised and touristy for our taste (especially since we'd had lots of similar experiences and already seen life on the Mekong).  Interestingly other travellers also seemed to take the same view - many of them cut short longer organised trips.   

In Vietnam it seems to be the thing to go on organised trips. Our one other trip outside the city was to the Viet Cong tunnels at Cu Chi.  We had a good guide on this one and this made it a more interesting and informative experience.  It was amazing to see how the Viet Cong lived and fought so close to their enemy. 

HCMC has some good sites of interest which we visited -

War Museum - had some interesting photos by war photographers, many of whom lost their lives in the conflict.  It was particularly poignant to see the very last photos they took, often within minutes of their deaths on the battlegrounds. A lot of it was devoted to propaganda, which we didn't was really necessary because it's accepted that the invading forces had treated Vietnam and the people very badly. But the series of photographs of frightened, injured and dead civilians certainly had the desired impact.

Notre Dame Cathedral - despite being aware of the French influence, we were still surprised at the signficant RC population in Vietnam.

The Post Office - a very, very grand building in the classical style and, it seems, an efficient service (we bought a series of Vietnamese stamps for Pam's collection - we'll see how efficient the post is when we hear they've arrived!).

Reunification Palace - a modern building which we first thought was just an office.  However the tour was interesting and gave us an insight into Saigon and South Vietnam's position within Vietnam's recent history overall (more on King Bai Dao later). 

On our last day, rushing to the Reunification Palace before it closed, we heard shouts from across the street and turned round to see - would you believe it - Jeff and Bev from the Trans Siberian!!  You'll remember that we also bumped in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) and again in Lijiang (China).  It was great them again and exchange some news and as we were agreeing to meet later for a drink, who should by but Richard and Becky - also from the Trans Sib!!!  They thought we, Jeff and Bev had met up and been travelling togther, but all six of us were amazed at the complete coincidence of meeting up in that particular street, in that particular town, on that particular day and at at that particular time - 'Of all the gin joints ...........'.  We had a few beers and a meal with them that evening.  The next point where our and Jeff & Bev's paths will cross will be Sydney in early January.  Will we meet up?  Watch this space.