… formerly Saigon. Located on the Mekong River delta, Ho Chi Minh City has more than 9 million people in the city and the surrounding area, making it the largest metropolitan area in Vietnam and Indochina.
The day started with a two-hour bus ride from the port into center city, where we stopped at the main central square and the former Town Hall, now the offices of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.
Next was a visit to the City Museum, followed by a tour of the re-named “Reunification Hall” – formerly the Presidential Palace, located in Colonial Saigon. The name “Saigon” is still used to refer to two parts of Ho Chi Minh City – Central Saigon and Colonial Saigon.
The City Zoo and Botanical Gardens, founded by the French in 1864, was an interesting stop with a small selection of wild animals in a typical old-time zoo setting. The grounds also contained a Buddhist temple and stunning topiary.
Saigon has a Notre Dame Cathedral modeled after the one in Paris on a smaller scale. Another interesting side trip was inside the Central Post Office Building with beautiful vaulted ceilings.
Lacquer ware is one of the most important crafts in Vietnam. We visited a lacquer ware shop that specialized in using the old techniques to produce very modern designs. This lacquer ware incorporated mother of pearl, duck egg shells, paint, sand, and other materials to produce a textured picture or pattern on the finished pieces.
Street life in Ho Chi Minh City was bustling and busy, with thousands of motorbikes careening through the streets. Vendors sold a wide variety of food and drinks; the first photo is a stand selling some sort of beverage made by squeezing sugar cane. The photo on the right shows a vendor making orange juice.
Perhaps most amazing were the women with portable kitchens who walked with their equipment on a pole over their shoulders, and then set up a stand on any available corner, being immediately ready for business.
Another unique service in this area was the motorbike rest stops which were everywhere on the highway to and from the port. These private enterprises consisted of a pavilion-like structure sheltering lounge chairs and hammocks; they also sold beverages. Tired motorbike rides could take refuge in the shade, sacked out in a hammock or chair, and have a cold drink.
Ho Chi Minh City was a fascinating place to visit given its deep connection with the United States and its previous French history.
Love the colors in the art works. If I remember right I think George was there for a period of time.
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