Its true, what they say about crossing the street in Vietnam…DON’T STOP!!

We had heard that driving would be even crazier here, and Ho Chi Minh City was not a disappointment.  From the moment we hopped off the plane & into the taxi, we were in awe by how many motorbikes (mixed in with a few cars) could fit on a two lane road.  We had never seen anything like it.  During the 20 minute cab ride to our hostel we took mental notes as we watched locals effortlessly cross the death trap of a street.  As we were gearing up the confidence to eventually walk the plank, our cab driver arrived at our hostel and parked on the OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET!  This was it.  The only way to get to that XL twin bed was to cross this insanely busy street.  It was time to sink or swim.  Austin & I looked at each other, counted to 3, and went for it!  I’m pretty sure the word (or sound) “AHHHHHHHHH” was coming out of my mouth the entire time we scampered across the street.  I tried to keep my eyes on the prize but thats nearly impossible when your peripheral vision spots motorbikes & cars driving straight towards you!  But some how they magically just zip right around you…and you’re still alive.  Its an adrenaline rush really.  After successfully crossing the street we celebrated our defeat while a couple of local men laughed like hyenas…it didn’t matter, I still felt like a total bad ass.

Ho Chi Minh (also known as Saigon) is a busy city known for its pivotal role in the Vietnam War.  The streets are chaotic, people are every where and there’s intense smells coming from all directions!!!  The energy reminded me of New York City and the humidity was fierce between all those buildings. Poor Austin couldn’t walk outside but 5 minutes before he looked like he had run a marathon!

Instead of participating in tourist excursions we did what we do best and explored the city by foot. We stumbled upon the Ben Thanh Market where I was able to get my daily fix of Rambutans. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves eating our way through the streets of Ho Chi Minh.  One of the more interesting dishes we tried is called “xoi ngot” which is a sweet Vietnamese dish made with glutinous rice & various ingredients. The one pictured below had sugar, shredded coconut and sweet coconut cream. SOOO good!

Towards the end of our 3 day stay in Ho Chi Minh we decide it was time to visit the small corner restaurant we had had our eye on.  It was close to our hostel & always busy (especially with locals).  We knew it had to be good.  This was the moment we had been waiting for since we stepped foot in Vietnam…PHO!!  Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, and meat (most commonly chicken or beef)  The broth for beef pho (our favorite) is typically made by simmering beef bones, steak, onions, ginger and various spices.  Popular garnishes for the soup consists of bean sprouts, lime, mint, basil and chili peppers. Apparently between Saigon & Hanoi the styles of pho differ by noodle width, sweetness of broth, and choice of herbs.

My love for Pho started at a young age when my grandma & mom would take me to eat it every Sunday. They lived in Thailand for a few years when my mom was a little girl & both fell in LOVE with the tasty noodle soup. Before I left they told me that once I tried the real stuff my life would be forever changed and no bowl of pho would ever compare.  Well, they were right.  That piping hot bowl of heaven was every thing & much more than I expected it to be.  Austin says he had an “a-ha” moment that night… in that moment while eating his bowl of authentic Vietnamese Pho, on a busy street corner in Ho Chi Minh City, it hit him…this is why we are doing this crazy adventure, for moments like these. Words from a true foodie!

More to come on our journey through Vietnam (and all the tasty food!)

xo Brittany