Ho Chi Minh: Fine Art, a Shooting Range and War Meusums.

My arrival to Ho Chi Minh was pretty smooth, a 5 hour bus followed by a very quick taxi. Checking into hostel No.1 (had to book 2 because the first was full for my early check in lol). Straight into my bed, unfortunately not straight to sleep with one guy snoring so loud and me subsequently shouting at him once it got to 3am and I’d had enough… Soon sleep was had and luckily I woke up without feeling tired.

With a total of 37 hours in the city, it’s go go go. First stop, the War Remnants Museum, which was honestly a heart wrenching thing to see and read. The absolute horrors that have taken place in this country are unspeakable, and it’s scary to think little has been done in the form of accountability. Although it felt strange to take photos of such atrocities it felt incredibly important to highlight specific things.

My breakfast cafe of choice was a small little joint down an alleyway, which on arrival I was greeted by books and pictures and a truly incredible breaky! Very pleased with my choice.

The second activity of the day was visiting the Cu chi Tunnels, built during the war, originally to hide documents, and then to live in when the land was attacked with chemical warfare. It’s interesting to learn how this system was built and the tactics in place to protect those underground. However, it’s quite shocking that people were forced to live in these conditions less than 100 years ago…

Dinner included a visit to one of Anthony Bourdain’s favourite restaurants. I’d never heard of this man, however 2 boys in my hostel were doing a food tour of his rated places. The restaurant itself was a very nice place, and included something called a rice clay pot, where they smash the pot and throw the rice across the room and someone else catches it. It’s mainly for show. The food was nice, and was paid for, as I was the guest. So winner winner.

My final morning was spent back at the little breakfast cafe, ordering the same order. Potentially is my favourite little cafe I’ve found on my trip so far. And then a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Museum of Fine Art. It’s genuinely one of my favourite galleries I’ve visited so far, with some pictures truly taking my breath away.

Then, it was time to get the bus to Cambodia!