First of all, I love my hotel room and my big bed with 4 pillows. Never under appreciate a hot shower when you don’t have to share, it’s clean and nobody can see you! Breakfast here is wonderful!
On to Saigon! Saigon is now named Ho Chi Minh City and it played a central role in the Vietnam War. It is bustling and has many attractions.
Exploring this region of the world has been educational. I know of historical events, but I didn’t and don’t know the details. Maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention in Mr Yaro’s Social Studies classes in high school. I see some classes at the university in my future. I have always been fascinated with history and I want to know more.
I’ve gained a little more perspective in my thoughts about eating customs. My friend Linda commented on my previous post about people starving and what their options were. I have no concept of actually being hungry or living in a war. I look at the world through my rose coloured glasses from the safety of Canada and a loving, stable family. I got an education, worked hard and raised my own family. I continue to be astounded that the places and events I’m experiencing took place in my lifetime.
I’ve spent a lot of time at the Starbucks on the corner looking at the traffic. Grab is the Asian Uber and sometime you get a scooter. I remain in awe of the women in their skirts and heels that hop on daintily and ride without hanging on.
I’ve found a new drink at Starbucks ~ a mango, pomegranate tea that is very, very good. It just needs some wine added!
War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum contains exhibits relating to the Vietnam War and the first Indochina War involving the French colonialists. The Vietnam War took place between 1955 and 1975.
The museum is laid out well with many themes rooms displaying pictures, stories and artifacts.
This well known picture of “Napalm Girl”, Phan Thị Kim Phúc, shows her at 9 years old running naked after being severely burned on her back by a South Vietnamese napalm attack.
In a picture taken by Eddie Adams, Nguyen Ngoc Loan, the national police chief of South Vietnam, executed a Vietcong fighter, Nguyen Van Lem, in Saigon on Feb. 1, 1968.
There was an interactive display set up where you could search for a specific country and learn about what was going on. A search of Canada displayed protests taking place in Ottawa.
Outside the museum were a number of tanks and planes that were used in the war.
This display showed the different bombs.
The stories were hard to read and atrocities took place on all sides.
I look at the world today and we haven’t learned any lessons from things that I’ve now viewed ~ The Holocaust, The Killing Fields and The Vietnam War. History will not be kind to today’s world.
Reunification Palace
Independence Place / Reunification Palace was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It was the site of the end of the Vietnam War during the Fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975, when a North Vietnamese army tank crashed through its gates.
Although there were tourists and school classes touring the palace, it feels very empty.
Mekong Delta
I booked a tour of the Mekong Delta through my hotel. It was very touristy and was called a “Guided Shopping Trip” by one of the other girls on the tour.
It was nice to see the river and how people lived along the delta. We saw a bee keeping farm, tried honey wine, saw how coconut candy was made and was given the opportunity to try snake wine. I passed.
I wrapped up the day by going for a few beer with one of the girls I met on the tour. We relaxed and tried Bánh mì. It is a typical Vietnamese sandwich consisting of many meats and vegetables from native Vietnamese cuisine such as chả lụa (pork sausage), coriander leaf (cilantro), cucumber, pickled carrots, and pickled daikon combined with condiments from French cuisine such as pâté, along with chili and mayonnaise.
I don’t know if it was because I was full of beer or my thoughts about meat, but I could only eat a few bites of the baguette. It did taste good.
My time here is running out. I have to finish my shopping today and I’m touring the Cu Chi Tunnels tomorrow. Then I’m on my way home to my family and friends ❤️
I had put a reminder on Bryan’s phone to go and turn on my air conditioning at my place. It just dinged. I’ll be home soon!!
Happy Travels
Jackie is “Mom” to one amazing son, an IT professional, and an obsessed traveller. She spends her time reading, golfing at Ladies League, and implementing software projects. Jackie has travelled to 7 continents and 90 countries and is always planning the next destination and adventure!
Glad you are enjoying Ho Chi Minh city – very interesting place. The tunnels were interesting and you cld imagine how the ‘small’ enemy cld scuttle along those tunnels and not be found. There was no way I was going in as I wldn’t get out!!! The Mekong River amazing too – many soldiers lost in that water, not just form their enemies but also crocs and dysentery! Hotel accommodation looks comfy 💤💤
I’m looking forward to seeing the tunnels. It’s fascinating how intricate they were. Hoping to get inside one.