Over the last two years, we've welcomed visitors over the December holidays and spent Xmas somewhere fun--Koh Samui in year 1 and Sukhothai and Chiang Mai in year 2. This year, Gloria (aka 'Grandma') came to visit. Shortly after her arrival we packed our bags and headed to Vietnam for a 3-stop trip. Our first stop was Saigon, the shortest stop on our trip.
After arriving late the night of the 23rd, we headed straight to our hotel and to bed, with the kids thankfully cooperating. We woke up in the morning and, after our first of a week full of hotel buffet breakfasts, headed to the nearby Ben Thanh Market.
Also taking breaks for Vietnamese iced coffee or fresh coconut juice to recharge on the hot day.
The kids became big fans of the freshly-baked baguettes.
We saw City Hall, the the statue of Uncle Ho out front.
We went to the zoo and French-designed botanical gardens, which included two very frisky tigers that put on quite the show for us.
(a gift from the King of Siam)
We also enjoyed walking the streets and taking in all of the sights, sounds, smells and activity around us.
(our little navigator)
After that, we stopped in at a restaurant with an encyclopedic menu of Vietnamese food for a fabulous dinner and a good precursor the gastronomic delights ahead on the trip.
Even though Vietnam is a majority Buddhist country, Saigon was lit up on Xmas Eve night.
(in the Rex Hotel lobby)
The next morning, we went to the Jade Emperor Pagoda, an 100-year old Chinese temple built by the Cantonese congregation in Saigon.
We were flying out in the early afternoon, so we did a last bit of walking around.
Saw the Opera House.
And Shane made a new friend...
...before falling asleep on the flight up to Hue.
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