I will be the pattern of all patience; I will say nothing.

I’ve put my finger(s) on why I’m enamoured with Ho Chi Minh City. It’s more than the rice rolls, pho and the Park Hyatt Saigon.

It’s like an old dame who’s stuck in time waiting for someone while the world went on and grew up around her here and there.

The buildings and homes are a throwback from a bygone era, and technology is slowly rearing its ugly head here and there. The people on scooters swerve around to try to avoid you, because the traffic doesn’t stop.

The expats can still savour the last remnants of colonial indulgence. While the locals capitalise on the romance of the baguettes for afternoon tea and white linens lifestyle and dream up some really inspiring ventures.

I like the personality of the city.

Of course, the food and the hotel room are dreamy so there’s no complaining there either.

Tons of thanks to our lovely host Hamtoro Nguyen, without whom I won’t be able to ask for another pair of chopsticks for my fresh rice rolls. I guess I’ll have to stop annoying him.