Allright, I give myself 2 out of 10 on the backpacker scale, living at a hotel in the VIP-room must be considered a backpacker failure.

WOW, we have been in HCMC for over a month now! As soon as we arrived here we decided to apply for a visa that would let us stay another month, in addition to the 15 days you "get for free" (oh sorry, not for US citizens). The prospects of staying in a vibrant 7, 2 million city and get to know the people, the city and their culture suddenly seemed so more appealing then lug a heavy uncomfortable backpack from place to place. 

It does however takes some time to do the research and find the places you prefer. But after a month I feel that I am starting to understand this city (my crossing the street skills are even improving. The trick is to simply say; Allright guys, enough is enough, I am crossing this street! And then, as you slowly let go of the safe sidewalk and put your feets on that street, it is important to show them that YOU ARE NOT AFRAID, and then, simply put up your hand as a stop sign, and walk, be confident, believe in yourself. Most often you will never have a free passage, rather you have to take em on one by one, and remember, when you half way, they will immediately start coming from your other side, full speed, so quick, look the other direction, and then, raise your hand - the stop signal - I AM CROSSING THIS STREET! and then, take em on one more time, and the hopefully you are on the other side).

So, if you want to now what is going on in Ho Chi Minh City, visit anyarena.com. There you can find (some) Street Style, and Photos at the handsome, happy clubbing people. as well as an Eventcalender. Me, myself don't do any clubbing, so I can not recommend any clubs. 

HCMC street style from anyarena.com

We have though seen some live music shows, at Vasco's and at YOKO. I didn't really understand Vasco's, but YOKO was allright, it was the kind of place that have Jimi-posters on the walls and the guitarist makes sure to play you some Jimi-covers too. Both places were pretty fancy though, I can't seem to find no shabby basement venue. Acoustic Bar is another live music venue that we will visit tonight. 

As you start your day drinking your morning coffee, checking your mail and reading the news, I really recommend doing that at one of HCMC many Cafés. Vietnam is one of (if not the), largest coffee exporter, so you can guess the coffee is quite good. It is. It is the best coffee I have ever tried. But drinking it with condensed milk (!) (and ice), as they do here is a dangerous habit and have made me slightly addicted. 

the morning coffee cafe'. with wifi and all.

I could also develop an addiction to PHO' (vietnamese noodle soup). So simple, but really as good as everyone says. You can find Pho' everywhere, at every price range, but I really do recommend the Street Pho'. For a bowl of Street Pho', including little plastic chairs at a little plastic table seating, you pay between 10.000 and 20.000 Vietnamese Dong, which is approximately 0.5-1 USD. 

street pho'.

Now enjoy your day,

Emmy.