Ho Chi Minh City
Trip Start
Aug 15, 2006
1
20
95
Trip End
Aug 13, 2007
Where I stayed
Saigon, Vietnam
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
When we land in Saigon it is lashing rain but 30 degrees and in the middle of rush hour. Our first impressions are it reminds us of Thailand. The traffic is mental on the way from the airport, the amount of motorbikes is unreal. The rule is meant to be small yields to big but not here whoever gets there first is in. Bikes are driving into oncoming trucks, buses and cars and vice versa. Its nuts!!
We visited the War Remnants Museum the next day which was an eye-opener. I guess we had alot to learn about the Vietnam war. We also visited the Imperial Palace and Ben Thanh market.
The next day we went to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Got an insight into the determination of the Vietcong army. Their ingenuity in using the little amount of resources they had was impressive. Our guide was very proud of their achievements as his father fought in the war. We also got to fire an M16 assault rifle. I was terrified of it. Paul loved it and would have spent all day and all our budget firing the thing. We went into a tunnel that was about 120cm high and 90 wide - there were other tunnels smaller but westerners cannot fit in them!!!
We also visited a Caodai Temple in Tay Ninh. This religion worships all Gods - talk about hedging your bets. They wear different colours representing each religion. The temple is decorated in beautiful colours and contains statues of each God. We got to stay for a ceremony which was very nice even though couldn't understand a bit of the Vietnamese chanting.
Spent another day at a water park having some fun on the slides and in their wave pool.
Now we are off to the beach for a well earned rest.
