Good Morning Vietnam!

Here is possibly one of the last blogs that I will write about our time in Hong Kong as we are only going to be here for another couple of weeks. On the 9th August we made our way to the airport for the last time before heading back to the UK at the start of September.

This time we were heading for Vietnam for 9 days of relaxing on the beach in Mui Ne and a night in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh as it is now) before we flew back to Hong Kong.

The trip got off to a very bad start as D woke up with awful sickness and worse, caused by the malaria tablets that we had had to start taking before we left for Vietnam. The journey to the hotel was long and uncomfortable for D but after the 5 hour taxi transfer to Mui Ne, we finally made it to our hotel room in the dark around 10pm. 

Bed and mosquito net

Our little bungalow for the week

Bungalow Exterior and Beach

The next few days followed a very similar structure for the both of us (D suferfing somewhat more than I was). Eat something plain - feel ill - visit toilet - eat something plain - feel ill - visit toilet.

After four days we finally managed to make the most of our time at Coco Beach Resort in Mui Ne. The hotel proved to be one of the most beautiful that we have ever stayed in and our room in particular was amazing. Our private bungalow was right on the edge of the beach and with its own private balcony/terrace we were able to chose between the beach or the balcony.

Hotel Entrance

The hotel also had its own private beach and beach bar which meant that we were able to stay in and around the hotel during our stay. The standard of the food at the hotel was also brilliant for such a small hotel and we were able to enjoy a number of excellent meals on the evenings when we were able/well enough to venture out of our bungalow.

Beach Restauran where we had breakfast

Beach Bar

The Champa restaurant in particular was particularly good and on a number of nights we were able to enjoy some delicious culinary delights. The duck confit was amazing and followed up with a tasty chocolate fondant and washed down with a VERY strong mojito.

The Champa Restaurant at Coco Beach Resort

On the beach the swell was good enough to let me practice my surfing on a couple of days, but unfortunately all my practice did not seem to make me any better and I was still struggling to stand up after all of my efforts. 

This is about a close as I got to standing up on the board

The view from our balcon!!!!!

Our Robinson Crusoe Bungalow

Mui Ne Beach

After our 8 nights in Mui Ne, we headed back to Siagon on Friday on for one night before we flew back to Hong Kong. Having left Coco Beach early in the morning, we arrived in Siagon with plenty of time to spend the day wandering around the city and visiting a few of the main tourist spots including the old post office and cathedral area.

Our HUGE room in the very aptly named Grand Hotel Saigon

Saigon Cathedral

The biggest impact of the day was definitely caused by our trip to the War Remnants Museum, which to paint a picture for your was previously called 'The House for Displaying War Crimes of American Imperialism and the Puppet Government of South Vietnam'. The exhibits in this museum make those that we have seen in Aushwitz seem understated. The crimes committed by the USA are shoved in your face along with some of the most vivid and disturbing pictures that I have ever seen, including a truly grotesque exhibition on Agent Orange, which was used on a massive scale throughout the Vietnam War. 

Examples of 'American Imperialist Miltary Might'

Use of choice phrases and quotations was prominent

This is probably the least distressing photo in the whole exhibition

There was also a less disturbing collection of US planes and tanks outside the museum which are used to highlight the massive military superiority that the Americans had over the Vietnamese at all stages of the conflict in Vietnam.

Examples of American Jets used during the war

The 'Huey'' Helicopter which became synomonous with the Vietnam War and American Troops

After this we made our way to the Ben Tranh Market which is a covered market in Central Saigon filled with some of the most colourful and lively stalls that I had ever seen. The atmosphere was great and bargaining was the order of the day, so after a lot of haggling we made our way back to the hotel laden down with a few bits and pieces from our trip to the market.

Ben Tranh Market in Saigon

A huge selection of stalls selling a huge variety of stuff

Less a shop, more an overstocked cupboard

Not good for someone who is nearly 6"2'.

We were staying at the Grand Hotel Saigin, which was indeed VERY grand and we were pleased to find out that we we're able to use their courtyard pool for a late night swim before we went to bed. After a hearty breakfast on Saturday morning we made our way to Saigon airport for our flight back to Hong Kong.

I hope that I haven't made you too jealous with the pictures of our hotel in Coco Beach! I may write again, but in case this is the end. Good bye and good luck!

Live long and prosper!

May the force be with you!

Hello to Jason Isaacs and all that!

JR