Day Two - 22/11/25

Scooters, Street Food & A Different Side of Saigon

After a solid night’s sleep, we eased into Day 2 with breakfast on the rooftop, fresh pastries, fruit and a sweeping view over Ho Chi Minh City slowly coming to life below us. We took the morning slow, catching up on a few practical things like getting our phones sorted, juggling some banking, and letting the kids unwind with their tablets while we planned the afternoon.

The highlight of the day was our scooter tour. Four scooters, four local drivers, and four very excited Aussies holding on for dear life. They took us through some of the busiest districts, starting near the centre of District 1 where the International Martial Arts Festival and a film festival were underway. The kids scored a turn on VR goggles and we all tried a fun 360° camera setup.

We visited the historic central post office and wandered down Book Street, one of our favourite stops so far. The old trees stretch right over the footpath and even grow through some of the bookstores, giving the whole lane this cosy, creative feel.

From there, our guides took us to the memorial for the monk who famously self-immolated in the 1960s. Standing at the actual intersection where it happened was strangely moving. We also learned the difference between a pagoda and a temple, wandered through a Chinese temple, and explored a local housing area in District 3 where everyday life carries on in tightly knit little communities.

Our last stop was the vibrant flower markets before heading back to the hotel for a quick drop-off. Dinner was on a buzzing street packed with food stalls, pork noodles, steamed buns, and ice cream for dessert on the walk home.

We were all in bed early again, still adjusting to the change in daylight hours and pace of the city, but feeling grateful for another full, colourful day in Vietnam.