Southern Vietnam

After Hoi An we moved into the south of Vietnam.  After a couple of days in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), we went further south to the Mekong Delta.  Distinctly untouristy, we stayed in Vinh Long, which became interesting when trying to find a restaurant to eat in…..

We booked a trip around the delta, and had a boat to ourselves as we explored river life in the area.  In the middle of the delta is an island supporting 50,000 people who live along a network of canals, largely growing wonderful fruit.

We then went along the network of tiny canals, being rowed along by an elderly lady with two oars.  But we could really se the local way of life that way.  The floating market is a large wholesale market for fruit and vegetables where people come from all over to buy food to r3esell locally.

We also visited a rice factory.  This place made everything from rice including rice wine, although they did do a nice line in snake wine to with real cobras in it, rice paper for cooking, and rice cakes.  All very interesting and enterprising and everything is used, including=ding the rice husks for fuel.

We then paid a visit to Cat Tien National Park,  Staying in a jungle lodge on our own, sometimes without power, we went ton a trek through the jungle.  After two hours of trekking we arrived at Croc Lake, but despite waiting for an hour, we did not see any of these elusive creatures.  We did see monkeys swinging through the trees and an amazing array of colourful butterflies though.

We were now on our final few days in Vietnam before our visa ran out, so we headed back to explore Saigon properly.