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Published: March 13th 2011
Ho Chi Minh City
Reunification HallArrival in Ho Chi Minh City was late in the afternoon on March 10th. Temperature 35 degrees.
Before checking into the Windsor Hotel in zone 5 (near China Town and very close to zone 1) we had a delicious lunch at the offering sea food with more spice than we have tasted over the past weeks. Canadian geoduck was also on the menu.
Established as a Khmer trading post more than 300 years ago, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is the largest city in Vietnam with a population of nine million people. In the second half of the 19th century control over the city passed to the French. There was a lot of change including the architectural development when Saigon earned the name “Paris of the Orient”. In 1954 the city was proclaimed the capital of South Vietnam. The war between the US and Communist North Vietnam lasted until 1975, when North Vietnam took over Saigon and renamed it Ho Chi Minh City.
Today the city has becoming the hub of manufacturing, entertainment, shopping, upscale restaurants, roadside cafes as well as people of all ages zipping around noisily on motorbikes that almost always cause gridlock on every street
Ho Chi Minh City
Notre Dame Cathedral corner and intersection. Amazingly though there is a designated section for cars, trucks, buses etc. and in the lane to the right is the section for motorbikes. But once you hit an intersection it is survival of the fittest. We’ve been told that there are approximately 2000 vehicle deaths per year in all of Vietnam, not bad considering the traffic.
Our first stop was at the Reunification Hall which was the former Presidential Palace. Unfortunately we only viewed this facility from outside the gates as the President of Paraguay was a more honoured guest than 8 lovely ladies.
Next was the Notre Dame Cathedral. Build by the French and completed in 1880, the cathedral is very nice however does not compare to the original. A statue of the Virgin Mary stands directly in front of the entrance. Made in Rome it was brought to Vietnam in 1959 and named Holy Mary Queen of Peace, in hope that she would bring peace to this war-torn country.
The General Post Office was designed by French architect Gustave Eiffel, it is one of the most attractive buildings in the City. In many ways this building resembles a European railway station
with its vaulted ceiling, wrought iron pillars and beautiful tile work floor. A large picture of Ho Chi Minh hangs high above the far back wall keeping a close eye on the daily activities. Vietnamese stamps are not adhesive therefore glue pots and placed on writing tables at the door.
Our day ended with a stop at the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Lady’s Pagoda dedicated to the Goddess of the Seas and Patroness of Sailors. There are very elaborately carved sculptures and ceramic friezes running along the roof of the Thien Hau Pagoda.
March 11th would be our “War & Peace” Day.
Similar to Beijing it takes at least 2 hours to get any where in Ho Chi Minh City, therefore it seemed like we spent most of our day in the 12 passenger van.
“The American War” (this is what the Vietnamese people call it)
The Cu Chi underground tunnels the network system of more than 200km of tunnels, operated effectively during the war time by the Vietnamese guerrillas. This cobweb of tunnels and trap doors there are accommodation facilities, medical and storage rooms, along with kitchens and meeting rooms, ammunition dump and
Ho Chi Minh City
Cu Chi underground tunnel an underwater entrance.
We saw many types of booby traps and a few of the tiny ladies braved the hot, cramped and narrow passageways. These tunnels were made as tight and constricted as possible so that the larger American soldiers would find it nearly impossible to pass through the tunnels.
“Peace”
And then there was peace in Tay Ninh province where we were witness to the noon ceremony. The Cao Dai Holy Temple is home to the unique Cao Dai sect. This religion is a combination of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity.
The main attraction is the Great Divine Temple, a massive structure with a mi of Asian and European architecture. The temple is decorated with very bright colours and there are carvings of serpents, dragons and a many Divine Eyes gazing from all directions.
The prayer service is attended by hundreds of clergy (men and women, young and old) dressed in very colourful robes and the music and chanting is almost hypnotic.
Back to the city and into the hustle and bustle of the night market in search of Vietnamese Weasel coffee. Well we didn’t get the original as it is pre
Ho Chi Minh City
Mary - Cu Chi tunnel system sold every year and we probably couldn’t afford it any way, so we bought a good knock off. So for those who have the opportunity to sample this wonderful coffee, don’t complain because we are told that it is a great knock off and doesn’t cost 45.00CAD$ a cup.
March 12 and the Mekong Delta. Temperature 35 degrees and hot!
Again about a 2 hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City we had an opportunity to experience a very tiny part of the Mekong Delta. Although not what I expected we took a pea boat through the narrow waterways, learned a bit about the dense vegetation, sampled local fruits, purchased coconut candy and products and even managed to help the economy by once again power shopping.
Our farewell dinner was at the famous Rex Hotel. This hotel played an important part in Ho Chi Min City’s history ever since it construction in the 1950s. Build by the French it was the focus of social and military activities for America soldiers during the Vietnam
War. US military officers gave their daily press briefings from the Rex Hotel. These reports were known as “The Five O’clock
Ho Chi Minh City
Cu Chi Tunnel - Anneli Follies.”
March 13th – our last day in Vietnam
Today is our chance to sleep in and repack. As you can well imagine we have financially contributed to the Cambodian and Vietnamese economy and must ensure that we don’t check in more than 2 bags, not exceeding 50 pounds per bag.
This has been a very interesting and educations journey. Now we have a greater appreciation of what these 2 countries have gone through. If you are planning a trip to this part of the world my recommendation would be that you first do your homework. There is so much to see and do and it is impossible to experience it all. My regret is that we didn’t go to Sapa, however there may always be a next time when visiting Laos.
I sincerely hope that you found our journey interesting and helpful. Thank you for your patience and thank you to the “Women with Wings” for being part of this wonderful journey.
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Jackie Worboys
non-member comment
Thank You
Hi, Barb and the Gang of Eight, Well done, all of you. What an amazing trip you've had. I feel that I've been able to relive my own journey as well as learn more from your detailed account and photos . Thank you, and have a safe journey home.