Hue was a little warmer so we didn't have to rely on the jackets so much. We decided to opt out of the citadel tour because we did that part last time. Instead we tried bun bo hue noodle soup for lunch with our friend Erin from the US. It was a different flavour than the other soups we've tried and the central/Hue style is very popular.

Once we walked back to the hotel, Erin convinced the hotel staff to let us check in so we had a much needed shower. The hotel was in the same street we'd visited last time in hue where we had the cash dramas. The DMZ is on the corner too.

With a quick walk along the river, we got talking with young family. Their little girl was all dressed up in very fine, formal clothes and the father asked if she could film us interacting. She was taken aback when Steve greeted her with a friendly "xin cheo" (hello in Vietnamese). The little girl asked Steve some questions in English and her dad filmed her.

We opted for a tour on the back of motor bikes and it was fantastic to experience the rural areas from the back streets. Many people living in these little communities have small houses and a short driveway that doubles as a parking space, food prep, laundry and kids play area. Some had enough space for a small car but most had a motorbike. Driving in traffic was certainly an experience but the drivers were excellent and we adapted fairly quickly. Everyone had a ball doing this and it was a lot of fun.

Across from the hotel there were ladies selling rain coats. They obviously were taking any currency they could find because when they found out we were Australian they magically produced bags of $1 & $2 coins and asked it we would change it for them. Currency exchange counters only accept notes so changing coins requires assistance from the tourists. $40 of coins was exchanged for Aussie notes and when the bags kept coming, quickly became $40 and Steve had to call a stop as he was of VND to exchange. One lady tried the old 10k / 100k switcheroo but we knew to watch out for that one. One last was persistent and followed us down the street. Steve promised he would return the next day and exchange the last of it.

We returned to the DMZ bar and joined the crew for a great meal. They place had changed a little bit, the front opened up to be more alfresco and the ceiling signatures/graffiti was gone. There was still one wall left though so that was cool. Cojito's were not on the drinks menu anymore but their happy hour was pretty good. After dinner a few of us kicked on at the market area with drinks on the balcony. We couldn't find them at first but over the din of music and people, we heard "Sue, Steve! Up here!". Maddie, Erin and Ari were yelling out which kicked off a nightly rendition of the "Alan, Alan, Steve, Steve" comedy skit from several years ago. It never gets old.