Our first day was a day at sea. (Monday, March 2)  Nothing to report here other than enjoying the ship, meeting people and deciding where to eat next!

Day two on board: Tuesday, March 3) Sailing to Ho Chi Minh City, still mostly called Saigon. We sailed into Song Nga Bay, then through the river system to the city. The views along the river were tropical forests, rice paddies and small fishing boats. As we approached the city center, there were larger ships and views of downtown with lots of tall buildings.      

In the evening, we were taken to a lovely rooftop bar to enjoy traditional Vietnamese dancing and music. The performance was lovely, featuring regional dances with colorful costumes, umbrellas, fans and hats, and interesting classical Vietnamese instruments. Then we moved to the Mandarine restaurant for special Vietnamese cuisine. Really a delish menu of spring rolls, salad, and a beef and vegetable dish creatively served in a bamboo tube. (I did not take any food photos … no idea why!)