Day 180 (Wed 3 Jan) - Saigon
Up fairly early to walk around Saigon.
Past the busy markets to the old Hotel dé Ville ( [1], [2] ). Quite hot as we walked around the the faintly Parisian streets.
Had a look at the large and modern looking Notre Dame Cathedral.
Stopped off for a coke at a roadside cafe and planned the next stage of our walk. The museums would all now be closed so decided to walk to the gardens to kill a little time. Unfortunately had to pay to get in and deciding that it wouldn't be worth the entrance fee plodded on.
By now the museums had opened so went to the Reunification Palace and War Museum. The palace is a modern 70's building but steeped in history. The replicas of the tanks that smashed through the gates and the F5E fighter, that was used to bomb the palace, in the grounds bear witness to this.
The palace is still used and as such certain sections within it are roped off. However, you still get a feel to the place especially the basement areas that still have the apparatus used by the South Vietnamese during the war.
As we walked to the War Museum we stopped off, goggle eyed, at some street vendors that were selling really cute puppies. Felt sorry for the poor little mites as they did not seem to be treated with a great deal of affection.
Onto the War Museum that was jam packed with captured American military hardware. Went to an incredible photographic exhibition, based on photos taken by journalists, on the American war that really did give you an idea of how awful it was; from both the American and Vietnamese sides.
A second exhibition focused on the atrocities committed by the US forces during the war. In particular the use of defoliants and a number of massacres. One sided, of course, but disturbing all the same.
A third exhibition displayed exhibits from around the world that called for an end to the American war. Placards and flags from Argentina, messages from Poland, America etc. They even had some letters written from ex servicemen, together with their military medals, asking for forgiveness.
Wandered back through the town to our hotel. Changed and went for dinner at a small cafe, on a backstreet, called Chi's.
Really cosy little place that also served pies! Sarb was happy!
Both had a restless nights sleep as the bed cover is too small for both of us!
Past the busy markets to the old Hotel dé Ville ( [1], [2] ). Quite hot as we walked around the the faintly Parisian streets.
Had a look at the large and modern looking Notre Dame Cathedral.
Stopped off for a coke at a roadside cafe and planned the next stage of our walk. The museums would all now be closed so decided to walk to the gardens to kill a little time. Unfortunately had to pay to get in and deciding that it wouldn't be worth the entrance fee plodded on.
By now the museums had opened so went to the Reunification Palace and War Museum. The palace is a modern 70's building but steeped in history. The replicas of the tanks that smashed through the gates and the F5E fighter, that was used to bomb the palace, in the grounds bear witness to this.
The palace is still used and as such certain sections within it are roped off. However, you still get a feel to the place especially the basement areas that still have the apparatus used by the South Vietnamese during the war.
As we walked to the War Museum we stopped off, goggle eyed, at some street vendors that were selling really cute puppies. Felt sorry for the poor little mites as they did not seem to be treated with a great deal of affection.
Onto the War Museum that was jam packed with captured American military hardware. Went to an incredible photographic exhibition, based on photos taken by journalists, on the American war that really did give you an idea of how awful it was; from both the American and Vietnamese sides.
A second exhibition focused on the atrocities committed by the US forces during the war. In particular the use of defoliants and a number of massacres. One sided, of course, but disturbing all the same.
A third exhibition displayed exhibits from around the world that called for an end to the American war. Placards and flags from Argentina, messages from Poland, America etc. They even had some letters written from ex servicemen, together with their military medals, asking for forgiveness.
Wandered back through the town to our hotel. Changed and went for dinner at a small cafe, on a backstreet, called Chi's.
Really cosy little place that also served pies! Sarb was happy!
Both had a restless nights sleep as the bed cover is too small for both of us!
posted by Jo and Sarb at
1/03/2007 05:08:00 am
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