"Chúc Mừng Năm Mới" (Happy New Year) Ho Chi Minh Style

Ho Chi Minh City greets us with the hot humidity that only a Southeast Asian city of 7 million can. Mopeds snake through the streets as we make our way to the local cafe for another glorious glass of cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with condensed milk). The sweetness of this ice cold thick concoction lingers as the refreshing icy-ness of the drink unleashes the caffeine. My heart rate throttles up like a two cycle moped engine. Ready to hit the streets again.

Last night after a delicious dinner, my friend Jeremy and I stumbled upon Saigon's New Year's party preparations which were in full swing. A huge street stage that stretched on for half a block was surrounded by locals on their mopeds flocking to catch a glimpse of a performer spinning a huge metal cube in the air-- obviously a dress rehearsal for Monday night's New Year's street party. With the sound system fully tested and cube juggler rehearsal complete I think the applause rising from the throng of mopeds signaled that the party can begin!

"Chúc Mừng Năm Mới" (Happy New Year) Ho Chi Minh City!

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2p2TUsvFDk