Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City

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Saigon is a city on the move in all respects. The city roads are clogged with a mass of motorbikes and scooters. Crossing the busy roads is challenging to say the least as the bikes and scooters appear from all directions and appear to have no regard for the traffic lights. The city is also on the move economically with new high rise blocks of offices and apartments appearing out of the ground and sitting alongside those already dominating the skyline. It will not be too long before the city rivals the likes of Singapore and Hong Kong with the country's economic growth being one of the largest in the region.

Officially this is a communist country but following recent economic reforms by the government free enterprise is coming to the fore and this is reflected in the country's economic growth. However the past sufferings of this previously war torn country are not to be forgotten. The War Remnants Museum illustrates the atrocities of the Vietnam War including a heartbreaking array of photographs of the victims of the war and the disabling effects on the people of the poisonous gases used by the Americans.

Outside of the city are the Cu Chi Tunnels which the Vietcong and the local inhabitants used as their living accommodation during the war. The tunnel network at one time extended to more than 200km. Parts of the tunnel networks have been reconstructed and I experienced a crawl along one. It made me appreciate the difficult times and dreadful conditions experienced by those who were forced to live underground during the war.

Saigon is city of contrasts and there is plenty to do and see. Hopefully my photographs will give you a visual taste of the rich mix and diversity of this bustling city

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Photos

Smoke of worship at Thien Hau Pagoda
A pagoda dedicated to the Thien Hao the Chinese goddess of the sea

Reunification Palace - corridor of power
Modernistic building completed in 1966 to serve as South Vietnam's Presidential Palace. The communists crashed through the gates on 30 April 1975 and the Vietnam War was over

A trophy of war
An American helicopter captured during the war and now exhibited at the War Remnants Museum

John and Lynne with Vietcom fighters
Models of the fighters at the Cho Chi Tunnels plus John and Lynne

Cho Chi Tunnels
A demonstration showing how to get into one of the entrances

The General Post Office
Built by the French when they ruled the country but now dominated by a large picture of Ho Chi Minh

The Opera House
Also built by the French during their colonial rule

The Chinese Market in Saigon
A fine array of goods for sale

Saigon street scene
Taken outside the noodle soup cafe where Bill Clinton had lunch whilst visiting the city as US President. Pictures of him throughout the cafe

John and Tony
Tony was our guide during our travels round Saigon. A fellow Man Utd supporter!!!

Comments

[Sally]

those tunnels!!!
Hello John and Lynne....have been following your tour with much interest as that part of the world is quite intriguing. My cause for comment....is those tunnels!!! My claustrophobia would not allow me to even try and imagine what life was like during the war. The tunnels are what nightmares are made of. Thnx for the opportunity to share in your travels. x Sally

[tracy and india]

Looks amazing
Wow,how fantastic it all looks, the market looks amazing,looks like you are really enjoying it.The tunnels look very daunting.Are you enjoying the food?All good here,but sadly little gherkin the guineapig died and India is insistent you must be told although we are planning to replace him quite quickly. We are on our weekly trip to the library now,half term starts tomorrow. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip,much love,BIG KISS FROM INDIA XXX