Vietnam Dec 2023 Day 14

Day 14

23 Dec 2023

Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh 

Train SE7 departed Nha Trang this morning at 1005 for 8 hours journey to Ho Chi Minh. This was my last sector of the train journey, Hanoi to HCM over the last 2 weeks. 

Again this morning, the sunrise was obscured by the low nimbo stratus clouds, otherwise this beach would have been a perfect viewpoint for sunrise. 

This sector was very crowded and many families may be heading to the big city. In the coach where I was seated, it seems like the entire village was on onboard. They older folks talked very loudly across the aisle and the children were crying.

After so many hours of viewing Vietnam through the train window, it is within doubt Vietnam primary industry is agriculture due to the abundance of water and flat fertile land. I saw vegetable plots, dragon fruit orchard, banana farm as well as rubber plantations besides the rice fields.

As the train entered Saigon city, one cannot missed the close proximity of  railway track to the buildings on either sides. The train and the buildings were only separated by low fences. The verandas of some buildings are like train platform at a station. Many of the building roofs are less than a metre from the train.

I arrived at Saigon Railway Station around 8 pm, happy and satisfied that I have completed  this long train journey from Hanoi to Saigon on Vietnam Railway. The total distance covered was 1726km.

Like in all big cities, you get hustled once you stepped out of the arrival gate. Taxi drivers touting for ignorant passengers. I had done my homework and ordered a Grab taxi to my hotel which is located in the city prime shopping area.

The traffic was extremely heavy due to weekend as well as the Christmas festival. Traffic was painfully crawling, totally swarmed and overwhelmed by motorbikes. It seems the entire town is going out to party and celebrate the festive season. 

It's just amazing. You see families of 3 or 4 stacked on one motorbikes. I guess that is their way of life.

Many buildings and hotels are decorated with Christmas lighting. 

There was also a mega music festival with the throngs of young revelers enjoying the dazzling sight and sound.

The side walks were crowded with young patrons sitting on low stools sipping drinks. It's Vietnamese style with French influence. Many groups gathered on canvas wherever there are spaces. The young people are really in celebration mood.

The city is really bursting at the seam. Such vibrancy and energy level of the youth bode well for Vietnam future, to become a potential regional economic power.  

A quick way to see the city HCM is to ride on a "Hop on hop off bus" night tour. I have to wait for more the an hour wait to get onto this bus tour. 

The view from the top of this moving bus was fantastic, to see Saigon busking in the bright city light. The festive mood on the ground adds to the buzz that every city craves. 

Though the one hour tour was short, but the wait was worthwhile.