After all, we didn't embrace Vietnam too much. But to be fair: we've had bad luck with the weather in Vietnam most of the short time we spent there, so it might deserve another chance under better weather and time conditions.
But nevertheless we weren't too sad to leave Vietnam. Mass tourism has already spoiled most of the hospitality of the locals, prices for transportation are on the rise, and while the Vietnamese kitchen is undoubtedly delicious, so is the Laotian and Cambodian (if not more).
So we just spent one and a half day in Ho Chi Minh City (new name of Saigon) living in a small hotel in the backpacker district - a maze of tiny alleys with cheap guest houses surrounded by an impermeable ring of bars and night clubs. Fortunately we somehow managed to break through this alluring barrier and do the sightseeing-musts of Saigon.
Saigon at rush hour - hats off to Steffi!
This would for example be the Reunification Palace: An Eastern-Bloc style building with congress rooms like we know them from the James Bond movies, and spooky hallways in the cellar connecting former high-security secret service headquarters.
Or an utterly atmospheric Wat, which must have been at least as top secret, as its entrance is hidden between small shops in a bustling outer district of Saigon.
By the way: our "VIP" night bus, going 24 hours from Hoi An to Saigon, bestowed the worst night I had so far upon me. We were squeezed into the bus like sardines, my legs being wrapped around the head of the person in front of me (Maybe her night was even worse than mine). What helped me get through the night without complaining too much: There was actually a couple that had to spend their wedding night next to Stevie...
The last stop to Cambodia at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephan_mittas/sets/72157612450042014/
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