Entering Vietnam from the southwest required a slow
cruise up the Mekong Delta aboard Seabourn Sojourn
with my husband, Delbert, and 400 other passengers. It
was a compelling introduction to the jewel of Southeast
Asia. The tranquil waters and lush green vegetation of the
delta gave way to skyscrapers and construction cranes.
Communist Vietnam is bustling with capitalism.
Our first stop was Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named
and still informally known as Saigon. Our first challenge
was crossing the street. A sea of motorbikes with no regard
for lanes made the scene chaotic and incessant. It was a full
10 minutes before we ventured off the curb. With more mo-
torbikes—7.43 million—than households, the city struggles
with air pollution and traffic fatalities. The locals recommend-
ed crossing the street at a steady, even pace. If you’re moving
at a predictable rate, the motorcyclists will move around you.
They say eye contact with oncoming bikers doesn’t hurt, either.
No visit to Saigon is complete without a drink at the top of
the Rex Hotel. The building hosted the American military com-
mand’s daily conferences during the Vietnam War, but it was its
rooftop bar that was a favorite hangout for military officials and
correspondents. Although the view is not stunning—just a lot
of buildings—its historical significance made it worth the trip.
With our new friends from the ship, Tim and Hillary Shine
of Boston, we managed to score tickets to Teh Dar, a Cirque
du Soleil-style show with bamboo. However, the real treat was
the venue: the Saigon Opera House. Its elegant white structure
resembles a giant gate, and the interior is adorned with crystal
chandeliers and granite floors. There’s not a bad seat in the house.
Following the show, our walk to dinner took us through alleys
and backstreets lined with exotic massage parlors and salons.
WWW.WVEXECUTIVE.COM
FA L L 2 017
117