Our first few days in Vietnam have been phenomenal and we have all quickly fallen in love with this country. I’m sure that having just stepped out of the perfect storm in Manila is a contributing factor in that. Regardless, it feels like Vietnam is nourishing both our bodies and our minds. We’re all sleeping great, exercising, eating amazing food, and enjoying our break from school. We recently visited Landmark 81(Vietnam’s tallest building), strolled along the Saigon River, and have been devouring a variety of amazing food!
Falling in Love With Vietnamese Cuisine
We have already tried numerous restaurants in the local area and everyone is loving the food here! It’s delicious, satiating and fresh. So far, it is the best food we’ve had all year. We’ve had some funny mishaps at a couple restaurants, one where we all accidentally ordered the kid portion of Pho. The server spoke no English and the menu was only in Vietnamese. When I ordered four of the same dish he gave me a funny look and pointed at Braxton. I didn’t understand what he was trying to say, and just held up four fingers again and smiled. After thinking about it, and observing what other guests got we figured it out. The kid portion was still a generous amount. I’m sure that guy was laughing at us all night.
In addition to delicious food from restaurants, we’ve also had great food from the various convenience stores and amazing fruits and veggies from local street vendors.
Landmark 81 – Vietnam’s Tallest Building
We can see Vietnam’s tallest building outside Braxton’s bedroom window. The building is called Landmark 81 and we went to get an up close look yesterday afternoon. Landmark 81 is 1,513 ft tall and 81 stories. It is the tallest building in Vietnam and the seventeenth tallest building in the world.
The bottom three floors are a shopping mall which we walked around and explored a bit. We spent the rest of our time there walking around outside. There was a beautiful and expansive park that separated the buildings from the Saigon River. Along the river was a very manicured walkway that we enjoyed. It reminded us of the Sumida River in Tokyo. We walked for a long time and also enjoyed just watching all the different boats go by.
We ate dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant in the area, and then walked around again taking in all the lights and nighttime vibes.
As we walked around we chatted some about what life might feel like when we are back in Colorado. Vietnam is really winning us over. Alexis loves this place so much that she is already planning her life in Vietnam post graduation. Our girl who wasn’t a big fan of travel six months ago has realized there’s a whole world out there – and she wants to see it!
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What a strange world we live in. If I hadn’t failed my physical for the army you might be visiting my grave in Vietnam. Of course you wouldn’t have known me because I never would have met Donna. Ho Chi Minh was the leader of North Vietnam and the enemy of the US. Now you are in the city named after him.
You might want to visit the wall in DC someday which has the names of 40,000 Americans who died in Vietnam. Different generation for sure. You grandpas were veterans of WW II and we are allies of Japan and Germany now.
Just a reflection of our time on this crazy world . I am really enjoying your travels and blogs and glad you get to experience so much . Wish all of you a Happy New Year and a safe and exciting 2026
Hi Jim – Happy New Year! Yeah it’s strange to think about the war, what everyone on both sides went through, and how much can change over the course of decades. We’ve been learning more about the war and it’s almost hard to believe positive relationships could follow given the millions of lives that were impacted through death, injury or disease. Not to mention the ongoing impacts like agent orange contamination. We seem to be received well here as Americans, although we have already fielded a gripe about the tariffs. Jill has seen the wall in DC and said it was really moving how it is organized.
That’s so neat that Alexis is enjoying it so much!! I’m reading a book that sets place in Vietnam so this was perfectly timed to read that you guys are there!
I love that you have uncovered your love of adventure and desire for more of it! And Alexis’ desire to see more as well! Girl after my ow heart!