was slightly bumpy but supposedly it is getting considerably better than it was a few years prior. The border crossing went very smoothly and before we knew it we arrived in town around 7 pm. While we weren't bombarded by drivers quite as heavily as in Phnom Penh there was still a bit of mayhem at the bus station upon our arrival. We managed to get our packs together and split a cab ride with Ashlin and Oshin to the back packer area of Saigon. It was a 10 minute cab ride to the 'backpacker ghetto' so we were all glad we sprung for the cab ride. Of course, the next morning we discovered that the bus station was directly across the street from our hotel so our cab driver had simply driven us around a few different blocks to earn his $5. This would be the 
first of many taxi scams in Vietnam. Our first observation was that Saigon has motos EVERYWHERE. There are a few traffic lights but not many and people zip by in what has to be the greatest show of organized chaos we have ever seen. Crossing the street is another adventure as there aren't proper crosswalks. Instead, you slowly start inching your way into the middle of traffic and hope that they avoid ploughing into you. Locals are really good at it and can cross streets with armfulls of groceries and small children with no problems. For the most part we tried to follow locals across the street but occasionally had to brave the streets on our own. We made it everytime although it was total madness. The first night we arrived, we checked in at a guesthouse and then sat down for some traditional vietnamese cuisine to celebrate our arrival. We booked a guide to take us through the town the next morning and called it an early night.
While neither of us usually opt for the group tours, there was a lot we 
wanted to see in HCMC and decided that the ease of a structured tour was our best way to fit in multiple sights into one day. In the comfort of an air conditioned van we would take in a handful of pagodas around town, the War Remnants Museum, the Royal Palace and the Chinatown Market (Cholon Market). The morning of the tour we first headed to a cafe for some coffee and breakfast. We had been surviving mainly on instant Nescafe for the past few days so we were anxious to get a hold of that famed Vietnamese coffee. It did not disappoint. While VN coffee is even stronger than espresso, it has a slight hint of natural sweetness and by far surpasses anything instant. We knew we were going to be alright.
wanted to see in HCMC and decided that the ease of a structured tour was our best way to fit in multiple sights into one day. In the comfort of an air conditioned van we would take in a handful of pagodas around town, the War Remnants Museum, the Royal Palace and the Chinatown Market (Cholon Market). The morning of the tour we first headed to a cafe for some coffee and breakfast. We had been surviving mainly on instant Nescafe for the past few days so we were anxious to get a hold of that famed Vietnamese coffee. It did not disappoint. While VN coffee is even stronger than espresso, it has a slight hint of natural sweetness and by far surpasses anything instant. We knew we were going to be alright. The first stop on our tour was the War Remnant Museum which documents the American (as they call it here) War. The museum provided an interesting glimpse into the Vietnamese perspective on the war including a 
graphic depiction of the effects of Agent Orange on many Vietnamese people. The museum also provided an interesting exhibit chronicling the lives of the many international journalists chronicling the war. This was one of the first wars to be captured by color film and the museum showed many of the powerful images as well as gave information on the photojournalists who took them. It was impossible to ignore that the museum had an opinion of its own about the war and it was interesting to hear another perspective. The museum also had a large collection of tanks, guns, cannons and other war equipment for visitors to understand literal sizes. This was a fascinating museum and we would have liked to spend more time perusing.
graphic depiction of the effects of Agent Orange on many Vietnamese people. The museum also provided an interesting exhibit chronicling the lives of the many international journalists chronicling the war. This was one of the first wars to be captured by color film and the museum showed many of the powerful images as well as gave information on the photojournalists who took them. It was impossible to ignore that the museum had an opinion of its own about the war and it was interesting to hear another perspective. The museum also had a large collection of tanks, guns, cannons and other war equipment for visitors to understand literal sizes. This was a fascinating museum and we would have liked to spend more time perusing. The next stops on our tour included Notre Dame Cathedral, The French architecture inspired Post Office, an 
herbal medicine doctor, and then various pagodas around town. The pagodas are traditional architecture with significant Chinese influence. Having just spent a lot of time exploring Angkor Wat, however, we weren't overly excited by these but enjoyed learning more about the Buddhist religion. Our group kept moving and eventually arrived in HCMC's Chinatown and to the most massive open air market we've ever seen. The market provides wholesale goods to many of HCMC's store owners. The market is organized by types of goods such as hats, pre-maid clothes, bags, metal items, dried food, fresh food, candies, fabric, shoes, spices and so much more. There are so many sellers for each item that you can stand in the middle of a market section and see only shoes, for example, for as far as you can see in any direction. Simply amazing commerce in action. We didn't end up buying anything but enjoyed soaking it all in.
herbal medicine doctor, and then various pagodas around town. The pagodas are traditional architecture with significant Chinese influence. Having just spent a lot of time exploring Angkor Wat, however, we weren't overly excited by these but enjoyed learning more about the Buddhist religion. Our group kept moving and eventually arrived in HCMC's Chinatown and to the most massive open air market we've ever seen. The market provides wholesale goods to many of HCMC's store owners. The market is organized by types of goods such as hats, pre-maid clothes, bags, metal items, dried food, fresh food, candies, fabric, shoes, spices and so much more. There are so many sellers for each item that you can stand in the middle of a market section and see only shoes, for example, for as far as you can see in any direction. Simply amazing commerce in action. We didn't end up buying anything but enjoyed soaking it all in. The final stop on our tour was at the Reunification Palace which served as Vietnam's Presidential Palace for
South Vietnam. It was towards this building that the first communist tanks in Saigon rushed in 1975 when Saigon surrendered. The building hasn't been changed much since that day and they had two tanks (Chinese and Russian made) on display that were similar to the ones which were aimed at the palace. Again, a very strange museum with a perspective all its own.
South Vietnam. It was towards this building that the first communist tanks in Saigon rushed in 1975 when Saigon surrendered. The building hasn't been changed much since that day and they had two tanks (Chinese and Russian made) on display that were similar to the ones which were aimed at the palace. Again, a very strange museum with a perspective all its own. We returned to our hotel after the tour and were please to take a break in the comfort of our rooms. The hotel conditions had notably increased since Cambodia and we were pleased to have AC, hot water, a toilet that could handle toilet paper, as well as our own fridge and satellite TV. We felt like kings. Later that evening we met up with our friends A&O for dinner and had a great time walking around HCMC.
The next day we booked another tour to see the Cu Chi Tunnels on the 
outskirts of HCMC. This tunnel network became legendary during the '60s for its role in facilitating Viet Cong control of a large rural area outside Saigon. Our tour guide was a man from Saigon who worked with the Americans during the war. Because he assisted the Americans, the government would only allow our guide to hold certain low-level jobs (such as a tour guide). Needless to say, our guide provided a much different image of the Viet Cong (referred to only as the National Liberation Front), the American War, Vietnam since the war, and Vietnam since the US lifted its embargo in 1995 than any museum we visited.
outskirts of HCMC. This tunnel network became legendary during the '60s for its role in facilitating Viet Cong control of a large rural area outside Saigon. Our tour guide was a man from Saigon who worked with the Americans during the war. Because he assisted the Americans, the government would only allow our guide to hold certain low-level jobs (such as a tour guide). Needless to say, our guide provided a much different image of the Viet Cong (referred to only as the National Liberation Front), the American War, Vietnam since the war, and Vietnam since the US lifted its embargo in 1995 than any museum we visited. Once at the Cu Chi Tunnels we watched a bizarre 20 minute video showing the history and lifestyle of VC soldiers. The video portrayed smiling women and men (some barely 15) holding AK47's and exclaiming how
much they love to fight. The video was also set to a lively Leave it to Beaver style soundtrack that really set the tone for the rest of our tour. After the video, we followed our guide through trails showing actual tunnel entrances and re-enactments of life underground. We even had the opportunity to walk through a portion of one of the tunnels. Jaci declined once her chest starting pounding before even entering the tunnel. Matt, however, decided to conquer the pitch black tunnel and managed to crawl through one long section. He came out soaked with sweat and slightly panicked but had a slight understanding of the absurdity of living underground for weeks at a time. There wasn't much more to note about our trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels except that at the end of the tour you are give the opportunity to buy a few rounds to shoot off an AK47 or any other type of arms you might prefer. While we were intrigued, we both decided not to take up the offer. Vietnam seems to have seen enough bullets...
much they love to fight. The video was also set to a lively Leave it to Beaver style soundtrack that really set the tone for the rest of our tour. After the video, we followed our guide through trails showing actual tunnel entrances and re-enactments of life underground. We even had the opportunity to walk through a portion of one of the tunnels. Jaci declined once her chest starting pounding before even entering the tunnel. Matt, however, decided to conquer the pitch black tunnel and managed to crawl through one long section. He came out soaked with sweat and slightly panicked but had a slight understanding of the absurdity of living underground for weeks at a time. There wasn't much more to note about our trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels except that at the end of the tour you are give the opportunity to buy a few rounds to shoot off an AK47 or any other type of arms you might prefer. While we were intrigued, we both decided not to take up the offer. Vietnam seems to have seen enough bullets...After our tour we returned to town and made plans with A&O to meet for drinks. We had all arranged to fly out the next morning to Hoi An in central Vietnam. We found a great bar in central HCMC. Matt and Oisin had fun trying dried squid from a street vendor that evening and Jaci and Aislin enjoyed watching them both throw it back up. We all stayed up far too late but managed to make it up for our cab ride at 5 the next morning. Good thing we can both sleep on the plane...
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2 comments:
Matt's got some solid Pirate facial hair - Shiver Me Timbers!
Great to see an update! Looks like the trip is amazing. :)
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