Advertisement
Published: October 4th 2011
Edit Blog Post
Today I wrapped up my six days in Vietnam. Hardly enough time to scratch the surface of this very interesting country of 86 million. I was just able to see the two major cities: Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon as it is still referred to by locals) and Hanoi, plus a few day trips to the Mekong river delta and to Ha Long bay.
I started in Saigon after a six hour bus ride from Phnom Pehn.The difference between the two cities is striking. Saigon is busier, more developed, cleaner and there are infinitely more motorbikes/scooters. They are known here as "Hondas" whatever brand they are (kinda like how we call tissue paper Kleenex in the US).
Traffic here is quite a sight to behold, motor bikes (carrying whole families, produce, livestock, furniture) buzzing about like a swarm of bees. Plus cars, tour buses, bicycles and cyclos (bikes with a carriage in front).All of these, make crossing the street a travel adventure you'll never forget.The trick is just to go and walk at a steady pace (never stop as this confuses drivers) and hold your breath. Whenever possible cross with a group or a Vietnamese
My guest house is in
the back packer district of Pham Ngu Lao. Lots of restaurant, shops and tour agencies catering to every budget traveler's needs. I spent my fist afternoon walking around the city. The French colonial influence is everywhere. They even have their own Notre Dame cathedral and a street that could pass for a version of the Champs Elysee,Dong Khoi. This street is lined with tall tamarind trees and all the big luxury brands are here LV, Gucci, Valentino, Celine, Burberry, etc. Just like in Paris but the stores are so much bigger here. A sign of the growing wealth in this part of the world.
A very different shopping experience, but where you can also find "LV, Gucci, Burberry even Chanel", is Ben Thanh market. This is the central market where bargains and bargaining rule the day. Kinda like the markets in Cambodia and Thailand but with more aggressive vendors. I didn't really buy anything since I don't want to carry too much for the next 2 weeks. I did enjoy some of the food stalls at the back of the market. Great Pho, sea food and their version of
halo-halo .
The following day I went for a day trip to
the Cu Chi tunnels. About an hour outside of Saigon these network of 70 mile tunnels were used by the Vietnamese guerrillas and proved useful in foiling the Americans. We got the chance to crawl through about 50 meters worth of tunnel. Our guide explained that these parts of the tunnel system were not original as it had to be widened to accommodate western tourists. Aside from that there are exhibits on booby traps (mostly made of bamboo), a video from the 1967 (about how the US bomb and defoliated the area) and most exciting: a shooting range. Tourist are given a menu which list the type of gun and the cost per ten bullets. I tried the AK 47 and got to aim at a paper tiger. I have to admit it was kinda thrilling.
That afternoon, to round out my tour of all things Vietnam war, I went to the War Remnants museum ( formerly known as Museum of American War Crimes) back in Saigon.Outside the museum are tanks and planes, the instruments of the destruction portrayed in the exhibits. Warning this museum is not for the faint of heart or stomach. Most disturbing is a very frank
photo exhibit of the effects of Agent Orange. Children with birth defects, adults with burns and even aborted embryos. There are also pictures of the effect of land mines and unexploded bombs. It's a tragedy that decades after these weapons are still killing or maiming civilians. The most poignant part of the exhibit for me was and exhibit on the photo journalists who died while covering the war. The exhibitions though lacking in nuance left me thinking that while the reasons,necessity and justifications for war are always complex, the horrible effects of it on civilians are not.
A short walk from the museum is the Reunification Palace site of the South Vietnam's final surrender to the northern army.
The following day I joined a day tour to the Mekong River delta. A welcome break from the hustle and bustle of Saigon. This is Vietnam's most productive agricultural area hence the nickname "rice bowl". Having traveled all the way from the Himalayas this is where the Mekong splits into tributaries that empty into the South China sea. A highlight of the trip was paddling along canals through coconut and palm groves. Well actually an old woman paddles the boat freeing
the tourist to take pictures. I wish I had more time to spend in this part of Vietnam but it's time to move further north to Hanoi.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.614s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 16; qc: 81; dbt: 0.0748s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Michelle, Dan, Shane & Maddie
non-member comment
Another amazing blog entry!
I love everything about your writing, but the image of you with an AK 47 is what I will most remember from this post! You are such an adventurous traveler! Love, Love, Love reading your blog! Enjoy the next leg of your trip!