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Published: December 30th 2009
Discounting Saigon Style
This really is cutting out the middleman. Sony Bravias sold straight from the container.Saigon is more prosperous than Hanoi. There are more tourists and nicer buildings (the Americans devastated Hanoi). We went to the shocking war museums showing the lasting devastation done by Agent Orange and such like and to recover we again walked the whole city centre.
A half day trip took us to the Cu Chi tunnels where the Vietnamese tunnelled a total of 250 kilometres. At the beginning is a short 10 meters stretch of zigzag tunnel, with a surface entrance of 30cms by 20cms and no light. Our tour guide asked our group would anyone volunteer to enter the tunnel and go along. Three volunteered - yes - don’t ask, he did. “It was incredible as it was 80cms round and totally black. The zigzags made you lose any idea of where you were and all you could do was to feel in front of you to find the way and hope there were no dead ends. I kept banging my head on the side, but I finally heard the guide shouting if I was alright and then ‘I saw the light’. It was a relief to get out; how people spent many weeks without coming to the surface,
The unimpressive Reunification Palace
Inside was just as the President had left it in 1975. Just looked like an office from 40 years ago. I could never imagine”.
We do not think people knew what to do on Christmas Eve, as they do not really have a history of Christmas. Lots of kids and some adults were dressed up as Father Christmas. The park in the centre was the place to be and for the first time we saw many police, although they were there mainly to control the traffic (scooters). What the Vietnamese do well when they celebrate is ride their scooters round and round the block. We have never seen so many scooters. All roads and even the pavements were full.
Our last day was spent shopping and the market can be a problem. “Madame, Sir what do you want?” “Scarves”. “I have scarves, look look! Come into my stall”. I have T-shirt for you sir. Many colours, your size sir”. “You do not have any scarves do you?”. “Yes, plenty shirts fit you, many colours”. “But, you do not have any scarves do you?” “No”. Then this lovely smile comes out like the Vietnamese do so well, and you cannot be angry.
Last day, and us big travellers go down for breakfast where we find 4 men in their
The Tank that ended the Vietnamese War
This tank broke through the gates of the President's palace thereby causing the surrender. 50’s and an attractive mother with her 12 year old son. “Where are you going?” we ask the 4 men. “Angkor Wat” one replies. “Oh we are going there; which way are you going?” (meaning obviously, bus or, for real travellers like us, by boat. “On us bikes” replies a Burnley accent (Padiham actually). 60 miles each day for 4 weeks for charity. Best turn our attentions to mother and son. “Where are you from?” “Bahamas. We have been doing voluntary work in India and then with some of the hill tribes in Thailand”. “Have you been to Hanoi?” Terry asked proudly. “Yes for two weeks but next we are going to Yemen then Aden, Jordan, Syria and Turkey. We are travelling for 1 year.
Show offs! Who asked them? So off we go up the Mekong by boat.
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chris&Derek
non-member comment
Saigon at Christmas
Sounds like you had a brilliant Christmas. As you know, we had a white one (well our here muggy and sandy coloured! Its raining today so I think you are in the best place. Where to next? Do have a great New Year. Looking forward to next report. Wish we were there, we love markets. Love Chris xx xx