Fish Spa

I often wondered what these things were like, the theory is that they remove the dry skin from your feet. It felt like cats sucking at my feet, that is if cats were able to suck. Not unpleasant after the initial shock wore off. This one used bigger fish than I've seen elsewhere and was in Melaka, Malaysia, they serve cups of tea while you get fished.

Waiting

A building worker takes a break while the wedding workers in the background wait for the guests to arrive.

Hammocks get hung up wherever there are convenient things to tie them to and many people have "bridesmaids" provided by the wedding venue to greet arrivals.

Peripheral traders

Outside Nguyen Kim electrical store, a semi permanent group of hawkers offer all you could possibly want to enhance your electrical shopping experience.

Of course, it's better at night when the giant, pink dancing bunny comes out to play.

Extra long load

One of the longest loads yet, I can't help but think that he's cheating a little with that extra wheel on his motorbike offering additional stability.

New look Fanny

Fanny Ice Cream, the ever popular Saigon photo opportunity has undergone a bit of sprucing up. The ochre and yellow colouring is gone.

Fanny's had the painters in and got a chocolate, strawberry and vanilla makeover.

I was very fond of the old colours but it's still the same old Fanny at heart.

Annam Gourmet

Phu My Hung; variously branded as “The Saigon of the Future”, “Saigapore” and “Little Seoul” is home to many expats and upwardly mobile Vietnamese. It’s very family friendly and clean but lacks in atmosphere. For those reasons I wouldn’t want to live there but crucially my price range would only reach to apartments and I’ve been spoiled by living in a house. I do use Phu My Hung regularly though especially since Co-op Citymart is the best supermarket in town.

And now, identifying Phu My Hung as indeed a place to be Annam Gourmet have moved in with their polished wood, fancy lighting, imported goods and natty sales assistant. Coffee pavilion coming soon.

So overwhelmed was I by the shopping experience that I bought: my second choice of butter, bread I don’t like, jam in a flavour I wouldn’t normally entertain and a bottle of rose wine because it was in a chiller cabinet. I’ll be more selective next time. The wine was nice though.

Vietnamese driving licence

This is what you're expected to do for the Vietnamese motorbike driving tests.

This is what I think you should be expected to do:

Crazy Buffalo

Part of the same empire that owns Allez Booz and Go2 on the same street this monument to boozing up backpackers has recently opened on De Tham, the main thoroughfare in the backpackers area of Saigon.

Of course it lights up at night but I haven't had the pleasure of seeing that yet.

Michael Jackson fever hits Saigon

Always entrepreneurial the artists of the backpackers area have hit on a new product. the painted tshirt. Last month it was Obama, this month, obviously, The King of Pop.

Fulfill your Filling Needs

Non-tedious weight yet solid construction? Check.

Water froof? Check.

Interchargeable lables? Check.

That's the one for me.