One of the major tourist spots in Southern Vietnam is the Mekong Delta. It's known as the 'rice bowl' of Vietnam. It's very green and lush, with lots of mangrove forests (if you don't know what mangroves are you should look them up- they are like crazy trees you would see in the Snow White cartoon or something!), and tons of rivers interconnecting. 
We took a day tour with probably the cheapest company around. It was great because it was super duper kitschy. In order to get to the river we drove for about an hour, with 15 minutes of it going out of the way so we could visit a 'factory' where they make pear inlaid chotchskys. Supposedly the factory employs handicapped and disabled people, but they must have been hiding them somewhere from us. How they made the items, and the artistry and attention to detail was astounding. However when you walk into a huge showroom with thousands of the same pieces really devalues what has been done. I was tempted to buy something small just to support them, but Scott adamantly refused. 
Next we got to the river and had to watch a very awkward 50 year old woman sing us traditional Vietnamese music. We had to walk through about seven gift shops. Then we watched some women make candy out of coconuts. The candy was so delicious hot and fresh that we actually bought some (and SCOTT was the one that wanted to- shocker!).  
Finally we got on the river. This, of course, was the shortest part of the day tour :). There was one small river where many tour groups bring their guests. We got on tiny boats four at a time, each boat had their own driver. We were lent the iconic bamboo cone hat. By the way, I can't even tell you how many people in Ho Chi Minh City really wear that hat every day! The ladies very skillfully rowed us down the tiny river, maneuvering through lanes of traffic. It was a photographers dream, I wish they hadn't kicked us off so soon! The whole ride was about 7 minutes long. It was a tiny taste of how many people in Southern Vietnam transport themselves and work, and I love seeing how other people live. 
When they ushered us off we were at a restaurant where we ate a traditional Vietnamese lunch, and waited around for about an hour for our bus ride back. 



For some reason the 'show' at lunch involved bringing out a huge snake. I offered to 'try it on', nonchalantly thinking it wasn't really scary.  However as soon as that snake touched my skin THIS happened. If it looks like I was going to cry, it's because I almost did. 
Trying to play it cool. Notice our tour group behind me laughing. 
























Annnd that night we took a red-eye home. Bye Bye for now Vietnam!

While we had fun in Ho Chi Minh City, there are not too many tourist things to do there. So we took one of our days and traveled to Nha Trang. We had heard of Nha Trang because it is the name of our favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Hong Kong. Nha Trang is a beach city further North than HCMC. We took an overnight bus, to arrive by 7 am, we spent the day in Nha Trang, then took the same bus back that night. Oh how much easier traveling is when you don't have kids!

We saw the Po Nagar Cham Towers, which were built before 781, and dedicated to the goddess of the country. The 'towers' were gorgeous, and the view of Nha Trang was unbeatable! 

Nha Trang has a verrry long beach, which is decent. But I think most people come for the party scene. That combined, with the day being a bit overcast, meant that we took a snorkeling trip! We got to drive around in a boat and see the small islands just out from Nha Trang, a panoramic view of the city, and some of the floating fishing villages. We stopped at a few places to snorkel. The fish were not the most amazing I've seen, but we loved the trip! Lots of tourists from around the world to talk to, we got to eat on a floating restaurant, and it was truly gorgeous cruising around! 

Po Nagar Cham Towers



Offering incense to the goddess. 


View of the Towers from the bottom. 
View of the city from the Towers.

 









Snorkeling


One of the smaller islands on our way out to sea. 

On a smaller island just off Nha Trang is Vinpearl, a 200,000 square meter water park. These cable cars bring tourists from Nha Trang to the theme park. 

Nha Trang and the cable cars. 



A fishing boat, with our floating restaurant behind. 
A floating house where fishermen work and live. Many of these are often linked up to make 'floating villages' all over Thailand and Vietnam. 


Many of the smaller islands off Nha Trang take tourists for beach and snorkeling trips. So many tourists they require military assistance apparently!  








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