Ho Chi Min City

We just got back from a trip.  We had to fly through Ho Chi Minh City on our way to a birding trip in Cambodia, so we stayed a couple of nights.  We had been to Vietnam back in 2000.  The city this year was much more vibrant, more cars and motorbikes.  Even before the traffic was confusing now it seemed an accident was about to happen every few minutes.  The 2^nd night there we took a motorbike tour of the city.  The bikes created a great breeze.  The city is lit with colorful lights from all the small businesses.  Since I have not had much experience on motorbikes I found just allowing my eyes to see all the lights and movement as blurs was very relaxing.  Otherwise I was too aware of how close another bike, car or bus was to my exposed legs.  We were told the first rule of traffic is:  do not hit anything.  Other than that anything goes.  They have some traffic lights now which we were told prevents traffic jams.  They also made it easier to cross the street.  The trick before (and still is for most streets) just to start walking at a steady slow pace allowing the cars and motorbikes to avoid you.  Those of you from Charleston, WV would feel at home when you see the Diamond Department store. I did not see a Stone and Thomas.  The next day we left for Cambodia.