Thomas and Andrena, with the end finally in sight, will rise very early for a not-to-be-missed Dalat loop ride on quiet back roads in the shadow of Langbian Mountain, stopping en route to visit a flower farm, and enjoy great views of Dalat. Today, our cyclists will ride as far as time permits towards Saigon. It will be a fast ride – downhill all the way! They will then transfer (approx 5-6hrrs) to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City in the early evening. Like many cities in Vietnam, Saigon did not escape the wrath of war. Since the beginning, Saigon has had quite a traumatic history. There are many citations to the birth of Saigon and the origin of its name. In the 15th century, the area was full of swamps, marshes and thick forests. By the early 17th century, a small township was formed. According to one theory, Saigon or Sai Con has its root in a Khmer word Prei Kor (Kapok Tree Forest). After the fall of South Vietnam to communism in 1975, the city and many of its inhabitants were in a state of chaos and turmoil. In 1976, the new government renamed the city Ho Chi Minh City and shut its door to the rest of the world. Although recognized world wide as Ho Chi Minh City, to the people of Vietnam, the city is still lovingly referred to as Saigon. Dinner in the town & overnight at a hotel on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, sorry Saigon.