Da Lat & Ho Chi Minh City pt.2

Hey!

I’m writing this from Tokyo, but before arriving in Japan, I had a few final days in Vietnam :) 

Da Lat

I took a night bus from Hoi An to Da Lat and luckily was able to check in early, which gave me a few more hours of sleep. The day was pretty low-key - I mostly just rested and took it slow.

The one place I did check out was the Crazy House, a bizarre and creative building designed by architect Dang Viet Nga. It’s a maze of twisting staircases, narrow walkways, and themed rooms. Definitely one of the most unique buildings I’ve seen.

In the evening, I joined a family dinner at the guesthouse - simple, local food and a nice way to end the day.

I only had one night in Da Lat, which felt too short. It seems like there’s a lot more to see and do there, but this time it was more of a quick stop to break up the travel.

Ho Chi Minh City

The next day, I caught a day bus to Ho Chi Minh City. It was a long trip, but a good chance to just chill, watch Netflix, and read.

I arrived in the evening, stayed at a homestay, and got a full night’s sleep - which was very needed.

The following morning, I went to the War Remnants Museum. It focuses largely on the civilian experience and includes powerful photojournalism, preserved military equipment, and detailed exhibits on war crimes and the use of chemical agents like Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

One of the most striking parts of the museum is the 'Requiem' exhibit - a collection of photographs taken by both international and Vietnamese war photographers, many of whom were killed during the conflict. Outside, there’s a display of U.S. tanks, helicopters, and a reproduction of a prison used during the war, complete with models of the conditions and torture methods used.

It was a good way to get a different perspective on the war than you might get elsewhere.

Before heading to the airport, I had one final bowl of pho then caught my overnight flight to Tokyo!