Merry Christmas from Vietnam!

Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family!  It is Christmas Day in Vietnam (1 day earlier than the USA) and we have had the most unbelievable and unique two days ever!  We went on a full day tour yesterday where we visited the Cu Chi tunnels, and the Cao Dai temple.  We had lunch in a local restaurant, visited a factory where they make handicrafts, and got a glimpse into the way people live here.  There are 9 million people in Ho Chi Minh City and there are about 5 million on motorbikes.  Watching the  traffic, driving in it with our driver, and crossing the streets is an unbelievable experience.  We spent Christmas Eve at a fantastic Italian Restaurant and then walked about 5 minutes to the Notre Dame Cathedral.  There were 30 to 40 thousand people gathered on foot and sitting on motorbikes in front of the Cathedral and celebrating Christmas, even though most are not Christian!  The energy in the square was amazing and it is almost hard to describe this experience.  As far as we could see, we were the only Westerners among the thousands of people and we were getting lots of stares and smiles.  We have found the Vietnamese people to be warm, gracious and hospitable.  We are having a quiet Christmas morning and then will start our city tour this afternoon!  I will write in more detail when we return to Singapore and include videos and pictures!  Love to all our friends and family!