Blogs from District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast, Vietnam, Asia - page 7

Advertisement

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 December 29th 2015

There are some things that I know, or at least think I know. In fact, I’m down right certain of certain historical facts. Except that some of those facts are wrong. OK, they may contain a kernel of truth, but sometimes the whole truth is ever so much more interesting. The war in Vietnam may be one of the most thoroughly documented wars in history. There were pictures in the newspapers and in magazines, and the six o’clock news was full of images. And I remember the stories behind those images, except that some of what I remember isn’t quite true. One of the most iconic images to come out of Vietnam is that of Thích Quảng Đức, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk who set himself on fire to protest the war. Except that is not the ... read more
Burning monk statue
monk  memorial2
monk  memorial3

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 December 26th 2015

I first read The Quiet American by Graham Greene in 1971. The war in Vietnam was raging, and the situations described in the book seemed to be ripped from the headlines. And then I got to the end of the novel and found to my great surprise that Greene had started writing it in 1953. It was published in 1955. Depending on which “official” timeline you follow, US involvement in Vietnam didn’t start until 1961. Or maybe it was 1960, or 1956, take your pick. Ostensibly it’s about the rivalry between a world-weary, rather cynical English journalist and a young, idealistic American who were vying for the affection of a young Vietnamese woman. However, the political situation, and American involvement in it, is very much a part of the story. Graham Greene the novelist bears more ... read more
Hotel Continental today
Hotel Continental today
Givral Cafe

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 December 21st 2015

I like markets. I like interesting supermarkets, but I also like big, wet, smelly markets where you can buy everything from soap to spices to fishes that were flopping around just a minute ago. Ben Thanh Market in Saigon is just such a market. I’ve learned to go to these sorts of markets early in the day. They tend to be a little cooler and a little less crowded then. And, too, many merchants think making a sale early in the day will bring them luck. I had been there earlier in the week and had seen a silk shirt that I wanted. I went there this morning with great resolve; I knew how much I wanted to pay, and I knew the most I was willing to spend. It also helps to have a good ... read more
Ben Thanh clock
plaque
stall ladies

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 December 19th 2015

There is a saying in French “L'histoire est écrite par les vainqueurs , et non par les vaincus,” History is written by the victors and not by the vanquished. The War Remnants Museum I was in high school and college during the height of American involvement in the Vietnam War. It was my classmates, my friends, who were being drafted. I watched the war unfold on the six o’clock news every night. I thought the war was stupid then, and I still think war is stupid today. A visit to the War Remnants Museum in Saigon didn’t change my opinion. Originally called the War Crimes Museum, this place is pretty grim. Detailing the hardships of the Vietnamese people under the Japanese, then the French, and then during the war with the United States, I admit to ... read more
Life cover
Chinook CH-47 Heavy Lift helicopter
medic in Life magazine photo

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 November 26th 2015

The capital of the south! We got a taxi in from the airport (use vinasun as these are the trusted guys) to our hostel in district 1 right in the hub of things :) We could see our street was full of street vendors and cafes so it was all good. The next day we walked to the park and relaxed in the shade, its a city with a billion thins happening at once so calls for some escape! Then visited the war remnants museum. The museum itself was interesting and harrowing at times with some brutal photographs and newspaper clippings. However its as much propaganda as it is history with a very "go communism!" feel to it! The tanks and planes in the courtyard are worth a gawk at as are the replica cells including ... read more
Pizza time
Museum time
Signs of Christmas :)

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 November 9th 2015

Flying Air China, we landed just after midnight on 09 No 15 after 21 hrs in transit Vancouver to Beijing (Peking) Beijing to HCMC (Saigon). In our transfer through Beijing Airport; we found the Beijing International Airport did not turn on the heat until Mid November; considering Beijing just had snow the day before the airport was freezing cold; passengers were huddled together trying to keep warm; and airport staff had on full length wool coats perhaps this is a policy to conserve energy and keep pollution to a minimum ( ...!~?). We were prepared for the Vietnam heat and humidity not Beijing airports freezing temperatures ... we quickly donned all fleece sweaters and vests and light raincoats in an effort to keep warm and kept walking for 4 hrs on our layover. Looking out the ... read more
Siagon Nights from a Sky Bar
Siagon Traffic & Street Vendor
Old Saigon Map

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 October 31st 2015

I was convinced to go to Vietnam on a three week trip including cycling on the Mekong Delta for 5 days and 3 day boat tour in Halobg Bay; with some trepidation. Recently we have been busily squaring away last minute work commitments, and I'v been away winterizing the P&B coach house still under construction last weekend; draining water tanks and turning off the electricity while watching the first snow of the winter season in the Cariboo, on the Fraser Plateau, thinking how on earth am I going to be cycling in 35C humid Vietnam?. I've heard great some accounts of friendly people, great food and scenery. A group of 4 of us have come up with a diverse, not too rushed itinerary; HCMC; MoiNe Beach acclimatization 3 nights, cycling on the Mekong Delta 5days, HCMC, ... read more
Sun and Humidity rising 6 am Saigon River District 1

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 September 30th 2015

29th/30th We landed in Saigon yesterday afternoon after a small flight delay. My three words first impression: friendly 'organised' chaos. Unlike Thailand, 'the land of smiles', here they seem more genuine and people smile at each other, which I didn't realise was missing in Bangkok until now. 'Organised' because there seems to be an unspoken agreement: on roads, motorcycles have priority; on zebra crossings, motorcycles have priority; on the pavement, motorcycles have priority. Chaos speaks for itself. First, we decided to take the bus. After confirming it went to the right road, the driver asked where we were from - and cheekily asked for some English money in exchange for Vietnamese Dong! The bus was a rickety tin can that had definitely seen better days, and very quickly filled with locals making the snail-pace commute into ... read more

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 September 6th 2015

Wow, this city is incredible. So after getting settled in my room I walked around the backpackers district and popped into some of the pub and such. Each of them has a lady out front beckoning you in. It’s no surprise that they see me and all the other expats walking around like living wallets but its not as bad as I expected. One “no” is usually sufficient and they don’t seem to get upset about it. In fact the people I have not had a single negative interaction yet. People here are generous with their smiles, and love seeing them in other people. The streets are dirty and get moreso as the day goes on but each little shop owner seems to take special pride in their little slice of the city. Being fresh off ... read more

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 August 6th 2015

Day 18 - Saigon Zoo and botanical gardens What a lovely, restful nights sleep! Soft bed, fluffy pillows, oh how I take the comforts oft own home for granted. I am reminded how much I love my marshmallow like bed! We both woke up feeling totally refreshed, and ready to start again. We had breakfast in the hotel; it was a refreshing change to not have an omelette, but i did still have an egg! I had it with toast, then croissants with jam, some fresh fruits and a cup of tea. Perfect! Our main task for today is to book the Mekong tour. We have researched before coming, it seemed expensive, but we agree that it is something that we definitely want to do. Last night we found some tour agent places do we are ... read more
image
image
image




Tot: 0.19s; Tpl: 0.007s; cc: 8; qc: 75; dbt: 0.0791s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.2mb