When our trip concluded, we were asked what part of our trip topped our list. Unequivocally, I stated the Vespa tour. Before I begin sharing our adventure, you must know our visit to Vietnam coincided with the rainy season. One beauty of our trip, however, had been the absense of rain. I even mentioned how grateful I have been, as every trip I’ve taken has provided amazing experiences coupled with delightful weather. My group hated that I mentioned it because they were certain I would bring on the downpour.
The first night in Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City) placed us all on Vespas with the first potential for rain. Undeterred, we still decided to go for it. After all, our tour package included the adventure. I had purchased disposable ponchos before I left for the trip, and I happily provided the ill-equipped travelers with the ponchos. However, Urban Venture Tours also provided raingear, and theirs were more hardy.
Hoang Lee, our Vietnam guide, met us in the lobby of the hotel, and he introduced us to our tour company. He rode with us but turned over the guiding to their company’s capable guide. Her job was to take us through the city to try a variety of foods. She had a team of drivers, and I can definitively say mine was the best! (I had his name down then, but since I have been on a writing hiatus I forget it now.) We met when he chose me to put on a poncho. Afterward, he told me he would be driving me for the evening. His smiling personality was infectious, and he made me feel quite comfortable. He had only been working for the company for two years, but I just loved the joy he put into the job. Mostly, I saw his back…but he still made it fun.
To get on the Vespa, I had to first sit in his seat. Then I would scoot back to my seat. My driver would check to see that I was okay then he would take off. I had to lift myself over the grab bar that fell between our seats to sit on my seat. As an easily bruised red head, the inside of my legs had bruises everywhere from hitting that grab bar time and again. Of course, I didn’t realize it until after a 90 minute full body massage a few days later. I’m sure the massage therapist wondered what had happened to me! Yikes.
Moving on…another bike was the lead, so we followed behind. At the beginning of our ride, the rain sprinkled lightly. I believe the rain made the evening even more magical. The streets were washed of their daily dirt, and things sparkled. For the most part, our bikes operated to the right of the cars. I’m not sure there was a specific lane for Vespas, but the hundreds of riders stayed in the same pack. I loved being with the hometown folks.
Our tour took us to different restaurants and food carts where we would try the food. We had traditional Vietnam Barbecue, and we tried other food items as well. Sometimes the distance from one food area to the next took just a few minutes. Other times we had the experience of locals…longer trips through both busy streets, highways, and back alleys. I didn’t know how many stops we would make, so I struggled to pace myself when eating.
Many of you already know I have an unfriendly relationship with new foods. This trip was no different. I know I seemed picky to some, but I also recognized that unfamiliar foods often cause an unhappy digestive system. Sadly, I’m not the best food critic in the world…unless you like dry, lightly seasoned food. I tried to play it safe because that is what my body tells me to eat. However, I don’t often listen until it’s too late.
When our adventure began, we experienced light rain that eased up once we started. The trip took us all over, and we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the night. Eventually we made it to the final restaurant. At that point the skies opened up and poured buckets and buckets of water throughout town. I think the plan had been for us to eat outside, but instead we made our way up several flights of stairs to a hot but dry eating area. We were served food in courses and tried many local favorites. We all had a great time reflecting on our wonderful night through Ho Chi Minh. By the time we had finished, the skies closed up again, and we found our way back to the hotel. What a day it had been!
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