After we had finished with the foodie tour we were bussed back to the hotel for a quick shower and change before checking out. On the way back to Da Nang we stopped at Marble Mountain and hiked up to the top and into the various caves.



















One of these was used by the VC as a field hospital unbeknownst to the American troops who were perched on top of the mountain that overlooked the US base and China beach.























After we clambered our way down the hill and back on the bus all hot and sweaty. Our local guide went down the street and bought us some sugar cane juice made by crushing the sugar cane by passing it through rollers and flavoured with Kumquat.

We then drove another 30 minutes to Da Nang airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh city. The airport is only 1 year old and was very open and airy like most modern airports. Check in was quick and painless and security a breeze although this time I was required to remove my laptop from my bag. Once inside we had a one and half hour wait until our flight boarded. Priority Pass are lacking at Vietnamese airports with the only one in the country being in Ho Chi Minh.

At the appointed boarding time there was no plane at the gate and they announced a 15 minute delay to the flight. Not long after this the plane arrived and pulled up to the gate.

At around 17:50 boarding commenced with those with small children and extra time passengers being asked to board first. There was a dedicated lane for Skyteam priority card holders.

Flight VN1319 DAD-SGN Seat 28A
Aircraft: A321
Departure time: 17:55

Once on board I was pleased to see we had been given seats at the exit row, that is until I realised there was no window. One would think that if you ask for a window seat at check-in that they would warn you if they gave you a seat without a window.

As with the earlier flight we were given a moist towel before push back. The captain announced a flight time of 1 hour and a temperature in Saigon of 28 which was a good 10 degrees cooler that in had been for most of the trip so far.

We pushed back at 18:24 and started our take off run at 18:30. It was a replica of our HAN-DAD flight with the only service being a bottle of water being handed out by the crew. I must say I found it quite disconcerting sitting in a seat with no outside view, especially for take-off and landing.

We landed at 19:30 and pulled up at a bus gate. They offloaded us from both the front and back doors and the bus ride was short and dropped you right at the baggage carousel area. A couple of minutes after we got to our carousel it started to move and the priority bags started to appear first. Our bags were not long behind and we headed off outside. A word of warning for those taking internal flights in Vietnam there are people stationed at the exits that take your luggage tag from you as you exit so make sure you keep it handy.

We were all assembled and ready to go by 20:00 and we were driven to our downtown hotel in Saigon. Our guide decided to take us for some grub at some local street eats which were OK but probably the poorest example of this type of food we had in Vietnam.

Firsts for today:

First time in Saigon

First time eating a myriad of things too numerous to mention whilst on the street tour


More Day 9 Photos here