The Anticipation Level for this outing was kinda flatlined because we had done similar events twice before. Once up in Hanoi with the Twenty-Somethings and then this past week in Nha Trang with the MatureMen, both of them conducted within the plethoraizing countless swarms of ubiquitous Motorbikes. (Hopefully that paints a picture that might come close to the actual number of motorbikes😊!) But…. it included dinner…. and being in this crazy traffic with these little zipsters is always a hoot, so…. why not?
Oh boy were we ever incorrect and surprised!
This Post is all photos, so look/read on and hopefully I’ve captured our ‘Rapture of the Night’ sufficiently enough to give you a taste (remember dinner was included!) of what we experienced! Now go and put your helmets on, grab your favorite Twenty-Something (again!) and let’s go!
Our first stop was an underground bunker constructed/ dug out for the 1968 raid during the TET Offensive on the Presidential Palace. It is in an itty-bitty, first-floor museum on a tiny alley not far from the Palace. It was used to stage explosives and ammo.
Minh, our Fearless Leader of the Pack (and my Twenty-Something) demonstrates how to enter the bunker. He was quite proud that all of his Seventy+ Somethings made it down inside!
Paula below!
We would park our motorbikes in locations that could fit all nine at once and then make our way through the crowds to whatever destination was next.
One trail led us to what is locally known a Food Street. This alley has vendors lining both side of the little path and of course, motorbikes snaking their way through too!
Some motorbikes had Special Passengers
At our second stop for the evening (our first one for snacks) we had Avocado Ice Cream which had some coconut and other tasty additions which made them not resemble Avocados at all and ended up being delicious!
Plus, we had some Vietnamese Pizza made with rice flour
Dancin’ in the Street
It is rather amazing to see the variety of vendors and their menus. At first glance some look rather unappetizing to a Westerner, but eventually you get sucked into the Vortex and all is fine!
Snails anyone?
Yes, those are rubber chickens hanging there. Hopefully they have a nice sauce that accompanies them!
Now we’re talkin!
Hey! where’d these come from? The next street over is the 24-hour Flower Market and sometimes there’s some spillage over into the Food Street area.
Back to food….. quail eggs!
Flowers
“My dog is looking for a job……”
Refrigeration seems to be somewhat of a luxury. No worries! It all gets killed when it gets roasted!
Sandals and Flowers
All of these flowers down here in the City came from De Lat, the last place we were with all the green houses.
Turn the corner and get a rare respite!
Lotus buds
Peeled and folded, it helps them stay nicer, longer
The two on the left were our “Tail-End Charlie’s”. I did not get their names, but their mission was to keep us Oldsters herded along as Minh led us through the crowds. They were also two of our ‘Riders’ They were as nice and sweet to us as they could possibly be.
I don’t know how this one works but these are lottery tickets (?) and they seem to be only sold on the street by folks like this.
Just call 1-800-FuneralFlowers24HousADayforFastandEasyService (they have long phone numbers over here!
A small, local example of what we would see at the end of our ride.
The entrance/exit of Food Street
People live off even smaller alleyways along Food Street, so they need to be able to get back and forth, hence the existence of motorbikes in somewhat crazy circumstances.
Portable Stoves abound
Here’s hoping (?) that he sells all of his funeral arrangements
Motorbike repair shop, yes, it is almost 8:00 pm
On the run to food!
Paula and Thiep, but he went by “Michael”!
Fried tofu with some cheesy stuff. Yes, I did eat it. Yes, it was good. Yes, I had seconds!
Susan serving some very tasty goose breast.
Remember the snails back on Food Street?
Well, here they are along with some flounder
That still had his head and eyes intact!
Party Street. Think Pole Dancers in a Vegas-like atmosphere with thousands of gawkers in the streets being ‘guided’ by security-like bouncers trying to keep them from standing in front of the ‘show’ too long without paying to come inside. Add in motorbikes, stir, and the result is pandamoneous.!!!
Coming to an end…. we went under the Saigon River to the other side where there is huge, modern, ultra-expensive condo development and a ton of public park space along the river. The view of downtown Saigon rivals that of Dubai, but much more vibrant as you will see. It was mesmerizing to the Nth Degree and the perfect way to finish the night!
All of the buildings have LED lights that progress and change colors, emit messages and logos, and just generally entertain. Those lines that you see are part of a new bridge. You will soon be on it!
I rest my case.
Just check out the few remaining photos which need no description! Except the two directly below, note the buildings to the left of the suspension tower in each photo!
Bridge ahead!
The End! Thanks for sharing this night with us!
8 replies on “Oh, What A Night!”
You ate tofu???
You’d be surprised how this yucky stuff changes when it’s fried and accompanied with a nice garlic sauce!
Love Love Love seeing your blog on this trip – amazing.
Being as how our generation lived through the trials and tribulations of the Vietnam War era – and there were many reactions – on both sides – it is nice to see how the country has fared.
Thank you so much for sharing
Claire, that is a subject that is quite evident over here even now. I’m debating on trying to put something together to address it, but it would be far from my normal scope on this forum. We shall see…..
Love the colorful city lights!
Carol…. they were beyond trying to describe with words and small photos don’t even come close! But I’m glad you liked them!
I do like the good escargot, the tofu on the other hand is questionable. I’m sure it can be good if prepared with LOTS of flavor.
Get a load of the escargot pic in the next Post Brian!
Late February back in ’26 
8 replies on “Oh, What A Night!”
You ate tofu???
You’d be surprised how this yucky stuff changes when it’s fried and accompanied with a nice garlic sauce!
Love Love Love seeing your blog on this trip – amazing.
Being as how our generation lived through the trials and tribulations of the Vietnam War era – and there were many reactions – on both sides – it is nice to see how the country has fared.
Thank you so much for sharing
Claire, that is a subject that is quite evident over here even now. I’m debating on trying to put something together to address it, but it would be far from my normal scope on this forum. We shall see…..
Love the colorful city lights!
Carol…. they were beyond trying to describe with words and small photos don’t even come close! But I’m glad you liked them!
I do like the good escargot, the tofu on the other hand is questionable. I’m sure it can be good if prepared with LOTS of flavor.
Get a load of the escargot pic in the next Post Brian!