Our first port day was in **Vietnam** outside of Ho Chi Minh city. ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 1_web.jpeg]] As we rode a coach from the port toward Ho Chi Minh local scenes passed us by. ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 2_web.jpeg]] We stopped at a rest area since the drive was so long. Our excursion was to explore the **Mekong River Delta** but it was a multi-hour drive each way to get to it. ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 3_web.jpeg]] Some chaotic public utilities. I'm just seeing it now but is that a shirtless guy's back inside one of the storefronts? Where do you get one of those spy movie "Enhance, enhance, enhance" systems? ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 4_web.jpeg]] We're finally on our boat! ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 5_web.jpeg]] ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 6_web.jpeg]] ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 7_web.jpeg]] ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 8_web.jpeg]] We disembark on a touristy attraction island with a few bus and boatloads of other people. We're starting to rethink our decision to do ship excursions at this point given the long bus ride and how crowded the location is -- I'm still having a good time though. ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 9_web.jpeg]] Lori is invited to have a photo with this workin' cutie. ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 10_web.jpeg]] Last chance for a snack before we get onto the small boats to go up the canal. ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 11_web.jpeg]] Lots of traffic on the waterways, and low water levels mean its a tight fit sometimes. ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 12_web.jpeg]] A cool experience - just a ton of people. ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 13_web.jpeg]] But look at how happy we are! ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 14_web.jpeg]] Even Doug! ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 15_web.jpeg]] Some new friends took our photo from above too and we managed to meet up later on the ship to swap photos as we took one for them. ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 16_web.jpeg]] A serenade while sipping fresh coconuts. ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 17_web.jpeg]] A few busloads of people stop again at a huge restaurant - hope the food is good! ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 18_web.jpeg]] Mekong Tram Stop ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 19_web.jpeg]] Along the roadways you can spot family crypts in the fields. ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 20_web.jpeg]] Passing through Ho Chi Minh city on our long drive back to the port. ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 21_web.jpeg]] Nearing sunset - and we departed pretty darn early in the morning! ![[2025-03-Vietnam - 22_web.jpeg]] I would love to give Vietnam another shot, just not involving such a long drive. Another area such as closer to Ho Chi Minh city may have been a better plan, letting us explore for more than a brief period with a long drive on either side.