Southern Vietnam

The floating markets of the Mekong Delta open before daylight. Boat sits against boat, selling dragon fruit picked the same morning and a pot of noodles already cooked; the bank is still asleep and the river has already had its first argument.

Ho Chi Minh City is the least "old town" place in the country. Motorbike streams, coffee shops and the balconies of French apartment blocks all press into each other. Coming down from the north, you will feel the temperature, the speed of speech and the volume all move up one notch.