DAY 16 & 17: Southeast Asia: Wonders of Cambodia, Vietnam & the Mekong
We slept in today and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, Chris set his sights on exploring Ho Chi Minh City’s first subway line (Line 1). Line 1 is still quite new, having been completed in December 2024. Multiple additional lines are planned for future years. We entered at the Opera Station and rode the line all the way to the end of its initial leg, a journey of about 45 minutes.
The ride offered a fascinating cross-section of the city. We passed massive apartment complexes, industrial zones, universities and even pagodas tucked improbably between modern buildings. One stop near a university revealed a surprisingly fun-looking theme park, another reminder of how layered and unexpected this city can be. The line ends near an industrial area, so we waited for the next train and rode it back toward the city center, exiting at the final stop one station past the Opera House and close to a shopping area.
From there, we walked easily back to the hotel, popping into a few shops along the way. The afternoon was spent at the pool, even under an overcast sky. Later, when we returned to our room, the maid was still cleaning, so we ducked into the Circle K across the street and grabbed a few snacks before heading back upstairs.
We’d noticed several restaurants across the street — Turkish, Indian and Italian — and settled on Italian for dinner. It turned out to be a tiny bistro and an absolute gem. I ordered chicken penne in a pink vodka sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and sparkling wine, while Chris chose spaghetti and meatballs. The restaurant was open to the street, and a gentle breeze drifted through just as the skies opened up.
The rain came down hard, a full-on deluge, but life didn’t slow. Motorbikes zipped past, riders wrapped head to toe in plastic ponchos and raincoats. By the time we finished dinner, the rain had eased, and we made it back to the hotel without getting too wet.
We ended the evening at the hotel bar, where Chris enjoyed a whiskey sour while we listened to piano music. The musician was incredibly talented, playing a mix of melodies including a few Christmas tunes that gave the night a cozy, almost nostalgic feel.
DAY 17: Today began simply, with breakfast at the hotel and a decision to head out on foot along the lakefront. It was simmering hot again, but thankfully there was a light breeze that made the walk manageable. We ended up walking five to six miles, enjoying the views and the rhythm of the city at a slower pace.
Along the way, we ducked into a large indoor mall, six stories high and filled with a mix of American, international and local brands. We didn’t buy anything, but it was fun to wander, especially through a Disney-like store that felt delightfully out of place. Mostly, though, the mall served as a perfect escape from the heat, giving us a cool break for about an hour.
Back at the hotel, we headed up to the pool and spent some quiet time there swimming a bit, reading and even completing a crossword puzzle with only one word looked up, which felt like a small victory. The rest of the afternoon was spent packing and getting organized, knowing that the next few days will be spent a few hours away preparing for Nhi and Duc’s wedding!
Tonight, we’ll ride to Nhi’s hometown of Can Tho (105 miles southwest of Ho Chi Minh City) after picking up her friend Hanna from the airport. Thankfully, Nhi’s company driver Vinh will be the one driving!
Hanna is a bridesmaid and is one of Nhi’s roommates and friends from Illinois State and she lives in Indonesia. The drive took about three and a half hours and started out very busy and urban with lots of motorbikes, construction and dense neighborhoods and gradually gave way to scenic glimpses of the Mekong Delta and included rice paddies, canals and waterways. As we got closer to Can Tho, the city reappeared but in a smaller more relaxed way than Ho Chi Minh City.
We’re so excited to see where Nhi grew up and to finally meet her parents and family. Everything is starting to shift toward the heart of why we came, and it feels both joyful and deeply special.