We finally landed in Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) after enduring four legs of flight.  Everybody flew into San Francisco, and from there, our group split into two separate flights: China Airlines with a layover in Taipei, Taiwan, and Cathay Pacific Airlines with a layover in Hong Kong, China.  The reason we did so was to avoid having my Chinese students applying for a Taiwanese transit visa* on their return flight if they were to opt for China Airlines.  Of course my travel agent chose the flights which would land in SGN within 40 minutes of each other with China Airlines landing before Cathay Pacific.

My flight arrived in Taipei very early in the morning of Monday, and we circled around the airport because Taipei only opened  one runway for operations.  Due to this minor glitch, we were delayed in Taipei and got to Vietnam within 10 minutes of the flight from Hong Kong.  I breathed out a sigh of relief when I saw everyone finished their immigration process without any problems, and that all of our suitcases were waiting for us at baggage claim.

Once we exited the two glass sliding doors separating us from the waiting crowd, the familiar hot and humid air hit us with a vengeance.   In my heart, I know that Vietnam will make it up to us with her friendly citizens and the great eclectic cuisines.  Hello the Land of Hospitality (as Vietnam is known for)!

*Taiwan requires all Chinese citizens with a ticket originating from mainland China to apply for a transit visa even for short layovers.  All of my Chinese students will return to China to visit their families after this trip, so it would be more complicated if we were to book them on China Airlines as China Airlines main hub is in Taipei, Taiwan.