GOOD EVENING VIETNAM, AND GOODBYE REMOTE YEAR
Does that joke play? I can’t really tell, but oh well. Last weekend I said farewell to Vietnam, SE Asia, and all of RY3 aka Cousteau.
You’re going to get a more reflective post once I’ve had the time to process exactly WTF just happened to me, but for now, let me walk you through the rest of my time in a country I really never imagined I’d return to.
Vietnam is pretty awesome guys, and I absolutely recommend a visit. I saw so much of it my first time around that I didn’t think I’d ever return for round 2. I’m glad I did because I got to see so much more of the country.
For our second to last weekend the whole RY crew took a side trip to Mui Ne — a pretty cool coastal town (that has sand dunes!). It was my first RY planned side trip the whole year (no time like the end to travel with the group). We stayed in a hostel on the beach and fell asleep to the sound of the ocean waves crashing. We partied together and had a bonfire together and enjoyed each other’s company. Some Remotes who’d dropped out of the program were even in Mui Ne at the same time to hang out with the crew before the year was over. They were a part of most of our journey, and I was glad they were there at the end.
The last week of Remote Year also included trivia. My friend Mike Sholars put together 10 categories with 10 questions each about the different places we’d been to that year. Me and my team won, even after Mike threatened to “burn this place to the ground” if I did. Fun fact: the one round our team got a perfect 10/10 on… restaurants in each city. So I guess my recommendations in every farewell post paid off.
Speaking of recommendations, here are some of my top spots for Saigon.
VINTAGE EMPORIUM — cool cafe with delicious breakfast foods
4Ps — Oh my gosh the best Italian food outside of Italy. Hands down. Everyone always says that, this place takes the cake. And the only pizza I’ve ever had to beat it was in Napoli.
PASTEUR STREET BREWING CO — A couple from Colorado opened Saigon’s first craft brewery, which has since caused craft beer to explode on Vietnam’s scene. Their passionfruit wheat ale is delicious as are their garlic knots.
PROPAGANDA — Pretty good Vietnamese food, with a really great atmosphere.
SECRET GARDEN — Delicious Vietnamese food. Wasn’t even mad I got food poisoning.
YOKO CAFE — Awesome place to work with very strong coffee.
LAYLA’S — Cool and relaxed bar. They have a frosé drink, enough said.
QUI — Super fun and bumping club.
PIU PIU — Slightly more ratchet/turnt club.
