After our great week in Hong Kong our son returned to Perth and we went on to Saigon, known as Ho Chi Min City since 1976. HCMC lies along the Saigon River, north of the Mekong Delta. During French rule, it was a major port city and metropolitan centre, with some imposing public buildings, tree-lined boulevards, a railway system and beautiful villas.
The hotel room number plates with birdcage images, which I loved.
Old Saigon changed enormously under Communist control, with a greater focus on local manufacturing, including exports made from local materials. The city is modern, vibrant and growing, including the construction of an underground train system.
The birdcage theme continued in our room, with these light fittings.
Wandering around the rooftop pool area and saw this new range of New Zealand cocktails, VNC Cocktails, being photographed. Gorgeous and sold in recyclable glass bottles and currently only in NZ, it’s available in four tempting flavours, Seabreeze, Margarita, Sundowner and Mojito. So pretty!
Arrived in Saigon with a head cold. Hotel staff were very kind and sent up ginger tea and honey and directed my husband to the hospital dispensary for cold medication. I added the chocolate biscuits. I think I became immune to colds teaching small children so was unprepared for this but will carry medication on future trips.
Aren’t these hotel flowers lovely? The climate means the parks are lush and green. They feel cool in such a hot, humid environment.
The local trucking company. The most common form of transport is the motorcycle and they are used to move an astonishing amount of stuff, not just boxes, but also entire families, father, mother, child and often a baby in a sling. Never saw in any accidents.
To Ben Thanh Markets, a swarming, enormous undercover area selling food and so many other things including many, many fake designer name bags, watches, wallets, sunglasses, scarves and clothing. Amongst it all, the market also had gorgeous lacquer ware, traditional clothing and fabrics and other local souvenirs. I don’t usually buy things when we are traveling but couldn’t resist this necklace. It got a good workout during the trip and since we have been home. Love it.
The other market we went to was in Chinatown, Cholon, another interesting but equally frenetic part of town. Also visited the Southern Vietnam Womens’ Museum, which focuses on the traditional contribution of women to the village economy, and their war and post-war contributions. Three stories but I didn’t linger. It was very, very hot that day and much worse in the museum with no air conditioning.
Front facade, Opera House.
The Opera House is one of the notable remaining buildings. Others include the Notre Dame Basilica, the Post Office and the Continental Hotel. Now the most impressive buildings in this vibrant city are glass and steel skyscrapers.
HCMC Museum of Fine Arts. Housed in a converted house originally built by a Chinese businessman, it shows both French and Chinese influences. Worth a visit to look at the architectual aspects of the building and to see the Art.
The Museum displays artifacts and artworks, all housed in wonderful rooms, showing the original features of the house.
The lift, a remnant of another time!
Interesting artworks but really enjoyed looking at the old villa, too. Rooms under the Museum and old buildings out the back house several private galleries, featuring the work of local artists. Worth a look.
Lovely old Continental Hotel close to the Opera House.
Notre Dame Basilica. The front facade is covered in scaffolding due to a renovation project.
Jumped on the local river bus and really enjoyed our trip. We got off at the last stop, walked around and then got on again. The fare is very cheap, the ferry is new and clean and it was a great way to see parts of HCMC from another perspective. There’s an interesting contrast between old, traditional river front buildings and the new skyscrapers beyond.
Buildings sites everywhere.
Towards the end of the tree-lined boulevard is one of the underground train stations under construction, marked by a crane, but it’s difficult to see.
The local shop. Next door was the local fruit and vegetable shop, both busy with people stocking up on their way home from work. Like traditional shophouses, the shop owner’s house is behind and above the shopfront.
We really enjoyed Saigon. We’ve visited Hanoi several times but the south feels really different. We found Saigon to be very vibrant and busy, and as usual in Vietnam, we loved the food (we’re going out today for a green papaya salad) and people, and all the usual things we do, looking at buildings, art, having reflexology, chatting to the locals and visiting the markets.
Today is World Sleep Day. Their introduction says, “World Sleep Day is designed to raise awareness of sleep as a human privilege that is often compromised by the habits of modern life.”
We spend one third of our lives trying to sleep, and we all know a good day starts the night before, so I hope you sleep well.
Look for sleep awareness activities on www.worldsleepday.org