Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City: Phinal Day

Day 11:  Our final day in Saigon.  I've decided that Saigon is easier to write than Ho Chi Minh City.  Nuhan is taking us on a walking tour of the city.  It's 91, but feels like 91.  Actually, we got good weather . The Santa Ana's are blowing.

I woke up thinking about my legacy.  Yep.

They say when you write stuff down it helps with whatever you want to accomplish.  My legacy is free Cookies N Creme for everyone.  But I have to be with you.

First stop was the Vietnamese Post Office.  Laura and Rob are still on the DL.  Bethie hanging in this am to escort Rob for some meds.  Don't panic, everyone is getting better and in good hands.  Fame is feeling better from last night also.  Hope to be back with a full squad by tomorrow night.  

Anyone have to mail something?

We were talking about how the internet has impacted the postcard industry.  When was the last time you mailed a postcard on a trip?  My kids would ask, "Dad, what is a postcard?"  In the post office there is a picture of Ho Chi Minh made out of stamps.

Merkie would Lovey the stamp pic of Ho Chi

Only 2 days until Tet and you can feel the vibes all around the city in anticipation.  People are out early taking pics and displaying art.  These are actually Tet Cards.

How many stamps to mail cards home?

I'm loving people taking all the Phamily Photos.  

The Phackson Phive.  

For Tet, the banks, grocery stores and shops are all closed for 10 days.  Imagine that at home.  It would be Covid all over again.  How many of you loaded up on toilet paper and Reese's Pieces?  Those were my two go too's.  It's crazy how we act when we live in fear.  But 10 days is still a long time.  Not only is it our last day in Vietnam, but everything is also starting to close.  Here is a list of the Top 10 things that tourists purchase while visiting:

No Golden Tanks?

We got the tailored clothes and some very light jewelry.  Wendy and I purchased matching "Good Health" bracelets.  

Fuck.  I hope I didn't just curse us.  Sorry Rob, Laura and Amy. 
Didn't mean to Sophie you.

After the post office we walked by the historic building where the last American's got out of Dodge.  It was pretty cool to see the famous pic that Nuhan showed us and then the same building today.

Next up the outdoor mall of Vietnam.  There are thousands and thousands of people taking pictures

The Photo Bombers

This guy wants to get in every family photo.  

SpiderHam

A woman actually approached Doodles to be in her picture.  It was hilarious.  He thought she wanted her to take a picture of her, but she wanted the picture WITH him.  He's humble.  It's most likely because Doodles has American Hollywood actor looks.

Ah you Harrison Phord or Horge Clooney?

Now this one is the really deal.  None other than Donnah Ho.  Everybody sing.

Tiny bubbles... in the wine...

Time to pray for good health at the Chinese Temple.  Let's get the Mo-Pho's all back on track.  We visited this temple.

Our temple at home is named KI. 
Which language seems easier?

Please enter Mo-Phos

Watch your heads

See dragon. Sea dragon. C dragon. 

Oh great Buddah, please heal those that are not feeling well.

We shall inhale the incense and pray for your comfort and well being.

"Cough.  Cough."

Actually, we did go through a cool prayer ceremony where you write down your prayers, and then light a stick of incense that burns for a week with your prayer.   

A Prayer for all the Mo-Phos good health

Light that shit up and burn baby burn for good health and happiness.  Now, hang that shit up.

Phank You Pham.

We then drove through Chinatown.  This is chinese takout - saigon style

I'll take the beef and broccoli and chicken fried rice to go please

We all stopped for lunch at another Michelin star restaurant.  They pass out Michelin's like lolli - pops here.  Hello Hua Tuc.  Not bad at all.  But nothing special.  Solid chicken dish for sure.

For dinner, it was something special.  It's called Fume.  Japanese fine dining.  

Amy made the reservation, but most of the group ate at the hotel.  It was me, Mark, Doodles and Brad.  But thanks Fame.

Shout out to Mark's barber who made the recommendation.  She is Vietnamese and travels to Vietnam and told Mark that we must go to Fume.  She was right.  I also learned that she takes an hour to cut Mark's hair.  An hour?  His head is shiny?  Tweezer cut?  Well, in any event, that's 59.5 minutes longer than it took Mark to eat dish #4 - the blue fin tuna.

Nice haircut.  Nice Blue Fin.

As I mentioned, I don't love posting pictures of food.  But this is a picture of people taking pictures of food.  Does that count? 

"Say cheese Charcoaled Grilled Chicken Wing Stuffed
with KAKI - Oyster from HIROSHIMA served with truffle mustard"

Meanwhile, back at hotel room service....

Sorry Mo-Phos that we couldn't spend our last meal together in Saigon.  But hope to all be together tomorrow.  But for the Fume Four thanks for an amazing finale to a great city.  We were joined by Chef Shozo Tsuruhara, Jesse the Sommelier, and our lovely server Helsinka.  Happy New Year everyone.  Fume was a 10!

Goodnight. Great Night Saigon.
Goodbye and thank you.

Next stop.  Cambodia.