Saigon (Vietnamese: Sài Gòn)…. excuse me, HO CHI MINH CITY is an interesting metropolis: the most westernized city in Vietnam, as a result of the “conflict” in the ’60s & 70s with heavy US involvement and being the financial center of Vietnam. Evidence of the separation of North and South Vietnam remains in attitude and appearance, including the old South Vietnam flag popping up throughout the city. Many older buildings reflect the French Colonial rule from 1862-1955. Rapid urbanization has placed strains on public infrastructures, creating serious traffic problems, overcrowding, flooding, and threats of sea level rise.
A tourist trek through the city…
“Independence” Palace
In the War Bunker under the palace…
Part of the old telephone system. Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy before cellular!
All US equipment.
Bathroom no- no’s
How do they know it was precisely 9:10 am?
To the victor goes the spoils.
Office door.
Out and about town…
The scaffolding in the background is an old church undergoing restoration.
Post Office: built during French colonial days
Post Office interior
One young person inquired of the other young person, “What are those numbered doors for? They only open to small spaces… some old prison cells? “No,” the other young person replied, “They have old equipment in them; they must have had a purpose, but who knows.”
Big Important Building
Big Important Building but with a statue in the foreground.
Looking the other way
It looks fake, but it is a real flower.
A hand-made Lacquer shop
Examples of their work on the walls
One of our <small> purchases. The picture doesn’t show the iridescent of the silver. The detail is impressive.
Meanwhile, outside, why our rides had a hard time picking us up. This is “light traffic.”
Buddhist Monastery
We were allowed inside.
Place Of Solemn
The Buddhist way of life posted outside. Groups of kids were studying them intently.
The tree Buddha sits under is the Bodhi tree, according to Buddhist tradition, the sacred fig (Ficus religiosa). Here is one.
The largest wholesale market in Saigon
It was a very busy place… and warm with no A/C.
In the courtyard of the market
The creature looks like he is going after the fish.
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