The (almost 24 hour) bus from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) via Na Trang fortunately dropped us within 100 metres of our backpackers shortly after sunset. The city appeared more glitzy than Hanoi, with more high rise buildings and more lavish looking streets, bars and housing.
The weather switched rapidly between swealtering heat and rain, but we enjoyed our time there. The street food was predictably good, especially in the market area and we managed to buy some new rip-off Nike and Adidas shoes nearby.
On our second day we went to the war museum which gave grave accounts of atrocities and contained a complete exhibition on how 'Agent Orange' had destroyed communities (showing photos of resulting disabled children). There were also incredible photos from US journalists who were on the ground during the war.
The Reunification Palace from the end of the Vietnamese War, was an interesting building nearby to nose around, containing underground communications rooms which had remained in tact and furnished with the original furniture, telephones and dated electrical equipment from that date.
On our last evening, we met up with Genna's ex UAS colleagues who are now working in HCMC (Craig, Lorraine & Jewel) for a nice dinner and a few drinks. Was really nice to catch up.
Vietnam had been a breath of fresh air and we only wished we'd had morw time to spend there!!!!