Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam

Southern Hospitality

01.11.2007 - 04.11.2007 82 °F
View Asia and Pacific 2007 on cattandmeg's travel map.

We arrived in Saigon after a good nine hours on a bus from Nha Trang... the last three of which were spent driving through an absolute downpour of rain. We were travelling to Saigon as the first, preparatory step in the most important highlight of our trip to Vietnam- volunteer teaching music and dance at a school for blind and deaf in the Mekong River Delta town of Ben Tre, about two hours south of HCMC by ferry and road. We had first come into contact with the foundation assisting the school in their fledgling music program, the Degenhardt Foundation (http://www.degenhardtfoundation.org), when the foundation contacted Megan's orchestra in Washington, D.C., the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic (www.wmpa.us) soliciting instrument donations. Although at the time we had no instruments to donate, we realized that the small town of Ben Tre could very easily be looped into our SE Asia itinerary- and since we both have musical backgrounds, we decided to offer ourselves as instructors, volunteers, or pretty much whatever they needed. The wheels were first set in motion in July of 2007, but we had spent a lot of time corresponding with the program assistant in Saigon, the cheerful and always helpful Hong during our time in Nha Trang by phone. When we told Hong that we would be travelling through Saigon before heading down to the Delta, she insisted that we stay with her cousin, Hoa and her husband, Yoon's family at their lovely home in downtown Saigon, Ward 8. And as is typical on this adventure, once again we found ourselves travelling blindly to a city we had never been to before, in a country where we didn't speak the native tongue, to be welcomed warmly into the home of a family we had never met. Such is life on the trail.

Arrival in Saigon that rainy night was so much more straightforward and pleasant than arrival in Hanoi weeks earlier. We easily flagged down an honest taxi driver, picked up Hong from her office, and together traveled to Hoa's house. There we were greeted by her entire family, dog, and staff. Hoa and Yoon Le have three lovely children, Michael (13), Kevin (10), and Jimmy (5), as well as four helpers (some of whom are also cousins,) who assist with cooking and housekeeping and keep watch over the family compound when everyone is away. Kevin and Michael (as well as their parents), speak excellent English, and we enjoyed listening to them play guitar, playing video games, taking the dog for walks, joking around, and shooting pool together at the local SuperBowl complex. We owe a special thanks to Kevin for letting us borrow his room for the four nights we visited. Thanks, buddy!

From the moment we were welcomed to their home, we were made to feel like family. We were automatically included in all meals, family outings (swimming at the local pool on Friday night, a visit to both Yoon and Hoa's parents' homes (including the most delicious crab feast we have ever had at Yoon's sister's house,) and a special treat- a trip by motorbike to the family "farm house" on the outskirts of Saigon for a huge dinner commemorating the passing of an important family patriarch.) Hong and Hoan (another cousin) also took us out for delicious pho on their motorbikes one afternoon. The entire visit was so special to us, and a really genuine and beautiful introduction to local life in Saigon in a normal Vietnamese family home. We could have never gained such insight into the generosity and friendliness of the Vietnamese people had we not had this incredible experience. We still keep in touch with Kevin and Giang through email, and hope that one day we can return our Vietnamese friends' hospitality in the USA. Here are some pictures:

Catt with Michael Le