anything during the last 48 hours, it was nice to be in the middle of a travellers enclave, and we feasted on roasted mini-pumpkins stuffed with cheese, nuts and veg, garlic bread and mushroom pasta! Heavenly!! It must be said that all through our travels we’ve come across these traveller “villages”, a little piece of home away from home! And although they may not be the most authentic way of see-ing a place, they sure make things easy, and are a welcome break sometimes!!! Another couple of beers and we were off for a great night’s sleep in a big comfy bed! Vietnam seemed to be looking up!!

After a much needed lie-in we set out mid morning to go and see the Reunification Palace, originally the Independence Palace, which had played a pivotal part in much of Vietnam’s history. It was originally a colonial era palace, and then commandeered as the Presidential Palace in 1954, but then had

to be demolished after being bombed in 1962. It was rebuilt in a more 60’s style, and then became the Reunification Hall when the south fell to the communists in 1975. Most of the building has been left exactly as it was, and it was quite fascinating looking round from grand meeting and reception rooms to all the old radio equipment and maps from the war in the bomb-proof basement. Outside were replicas of the tanks which liberated it, and the plane which bombed it. There was also a really good informative film about the history of Vietnam.

After the palace we headed off to check out Notre Dam Cathedral.(Yes really!) But the rain had started falling so we decided to go and have a brew. We found this French café nearby and were treated to a delicious Vegetarian Mezze for lunch!!!! We were definitely impressed by the food in Ho Chi Minh City for sure!!! You may find that my diaries include