S...S...Saigon. Saigon!

Day 65: Ho Chi Minh City (VN). Back in 1985, as an undergraduate at Manchester Polytechnic, I was a bit of an arrogant little herbert. Committed to pretty much every environmental and left wing issue of the day – you name it I had the badge stuck to my rainbow braces – Ban the Bomb, Save the Whale, Free Mandela, I even had one for the Tufty Club! And so when Paul Hardcastle released his anti-war song, '19', it was right up my street. Thinking back though, as I listened to the jukebox in the student union bar 24 years ago, I never dreamt that I would one day visit the city encapsulated in the lyrics of that number one hit.

And in those 24 years, things have changed here beyond recognition. For a start, the city is now called Ho Chi Minh (although in reality everyone, with the exception of government officials, still refer to the place as Saigon!). It has an electric, near palpable energy - Vietnam's largest metropolis and undisputed capital of commerce.

Arriving here in the blistering heat (35C and 60% humidity), the first thing we noticed (apart from the heat!) was the incredible amount of traffic - eclipsing even Hanoi! In addition to the usual cars, buses and trucks, in excess of three million motorcycles fly around these streets. Trying to cross one junction, Karen and I counted over 300 bikes, 20 abreast, waiting to give it full throttle as the lights changed to green. Scary stuff!

Trying as best we could to shelter from the blast furnace that was Saigon in the springtime we had a relaxing day successfully mixing cultural activities (Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral & War Remnants Museum) with not so cultural activities (Beef-Burgers, Onion Rings & Peanut Butter Smoothies!)

As the sun set behind the tall skyscrapers of the financial district the advent of night did nothing to alleviate the scorching temperatures. Already hot and sweaty we dined on Pho – Vietnam's favourite street food consisting of hot chicken and noodle soup with added chillies and spices. Steaming!