Discovering Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City III – Saigon
Discovering Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City III – Saigon
By Jean Wethmar
We wrap up our visit to Saigon today, we pack our bags, just to recap… our journey started in Ho Chi Minh in the south of Vietnam, and we’ll journey north ending in Hanoi.
Map of Vietnam
Saigon River Interesting Facts:
- Known in Vietnamese as Sông Sài Gòn
- Is a river located in southern Vietnam
- Rises near Phum Daung in southeastern Cambodia
- Flows south and south-southeast for about 140 miles (225 km)
- Empties into the Nha Be River
- Is the main water supply for Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon River in Vietnam
The mighty Saigon River keeps on rolling as it brings the workers to the city in the morning, and takes them home with the ferry in the afternoon.
My preferred air line is Singapore Airlines, but our groups have also travelled with Vietnam Airlines – both very comfortably. Anyway, get to Vietnam soon!
Singapore Airlines is a Preferred Airline for Getting to Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh Interesting Facts:
- Ho Chi Minh City is named after the father of the Nation, Ho Chi Minh
- Some locals still refer to it as ‘Saigon’
- It sprawls over 24 Districts
- Ho Chi Minh lived from 19 May 1890 until 2 September 1969
- Ho Chi Minh was born Nguyễn Sinh Cung and was a Vietnamese Communist revolutionary leader who was prime minister (1945–1955) and president (1945–1969) of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam)
- Ho Chi Minh was a key figure in the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945, as well as the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and the Viet Cong (NLF or VC) during the Vietnam War
Ho Chi Minh
A visit to the War Remnants Museum is eye opening and not for the faint hearted! Military equipment at the War Remnants Museum include:
- UH-1 “Huey” helicopter
- F-5A fighter
- A BLU-82 “Daisy Cutter” bomb
- M48 Patton tank
- A-1 Skyraider attack bomber
- A-37 Dragonfly attack bomber
- A number of pieces of unexploded ordnance stored in the corner of the yard, seemingly with their charges and/or fuses removed
War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Saigon is caught in the hype of a swirl of hip cafes, humble street eats, colonial buildings, gleaming tower blocks, baguettes, silks and ao dais.
Saigon, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City is determined to prove her cosmopolitan future, just mind the roads when you’re crossing. Follow the locals, slowly, and you’ll make it over safely.
Saigon, Vietnam
A visit to the Botanical Gardens and Zoo is also a great way to spend an afternoon. Nice and cool under the shade of the big trees, and always something to photograph.
Ho Chi Minh City Botanical Gardens and Zoo
Talking of models, and brides, and getting married…
Weddings Galore in Ho Chi Minh City
All through Vietnam I witnessed the happy union of the young in love getting married – the young couple visits a fortune teller, monk, and they pick a date that will bring them the most luck – even if it’s the middle of the week. Then they send out the invites, and prepare. Imagine all the weddings happening in Vietnam, with a population of with an estimated 87.8 million inhabitants as of 2011, there are many, many weddings.
Park Hyatt Hotel in Saigon & Opera House
I loved this beautiful Mother and Child stone sculpture in front of the Opera House.
Next time we’re travelling North – first stop Nha Trang.
Read Jean’s previous articles in this series:
Learn More About Jean Wethmar and Cape Lux Travels.
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