We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at 6:35 AM, where our driver and guide, Chris, picked us up from the airport. First, we visited a handicrafts exhibition featuring beautiful handmade items created by people with disabilities. They used duck egg shells and sea shells to make the crafts.
Next, we stopped at a rubber plantation, where Chris explained that the plantations are owned by the Army. Workers cut the trees in the morning, allowing the sap to collect in containers. The rubber is exported to Japan and Korea.
We then visited the Cu Chi Tunnels, located about 50 kilometers from the city (a 1.5-hour drive). These hand-carved tunnels were used by Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War. The network includes bunkers, booby traps, bomb shelters, trenches, and air ventilation systems. Soldiers lived, cooked, and worked in these tunnels, which also housed hospital. Despite chemical attacks, the Vietnamese defeated the US after 20 years of war.
The original tunnels have narrow openings, and it was fascinating to crawl inside one. We were served tea and tapioca at a restaurant and saw mannequins depicting daily life in the tunnels. We also watched a lady make rice paper, which was very interesting.
Day 2:
We left our hotel at 6:45 AM and drove for 3 hours to Cai Be. Once there, we boarded a boat for a Mekong River tour. Our guide, Thien, showed us birds like kingfishers, plants like water coconut and water hyacinth, and shrimp nets. We also saw boats carrying recycled items and rice.
At Tan Phong Island, we switched to a smaller rowing boat to explore narrow canals. On the island, we bought souvenirs, including water hyacinth flowers, and a local woman gifted us a handmade bracelet.
Next, we cycled for an hour, passing fruit trees like jackfruit, mango, and durian, as well as locals growing bottle gourd. Along the way, we saw locals cleaning their trees and decorating for the Chinese New Year. After the ride, we enjoyed fresh fruits like mango, jackfruit, and tree apples while watching a traditional music performance.
We visited a workshop where coconut candy is made, saw how coconut is pressed for milk, and tasted samples. They also showed us how rice popcorn is made using hot sand, and we bought some freshly made popcorn.
For lunch, we went to Mr Kiet's house, built in 1838 and surrounded by fruit trees. The chef prepared a special vegetarian meal with lotus soup, Vietnamese crepes, tempura, and fried vegetable noodles. After lunch, we walked back through narrow streets to reach our van. Thien, our guide, was fantastic, and the Mekong Delta experience was truly enjoyable.
Day 3:
We walked from our hotel to Independence Palace and then to Tao Dan Park, where we saw a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Across the park, we saw preparations for the Chinese New Year.
Next, we visited Ben Thanh Market and bought some souvenirs. For lunch, we enjoyed a delicious vegetarian meal at Shamballa restaurant. The place had a lovely atmosphere with beautiful quotes.
After lunch, we returned to our hotel and then left for the airport to catch our flight to Siem Reap.
No comments:
Post a Comment