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Roaming Around Saigon in a day
2008.09.23
My hotel gave me a map of Saigon with all the tourist attractions listed on it. There were too many but as I looked at it, they seem to be walking distance to one another. And the good thing is, I’m right at the heart of Saigon and it’s also the backpacker’s area. So, I went off one foot in front of the other.
First stop was the BEN THANH MARKET. Of course, it’s a shopping market that contains, what else, but imitations of everything---cheap but you don’t haggle that much. Prices are not as exhorbitant as China. I didn’t buy anything in there. I could have bought some but I was worried I can’t fit them all in my already heavy backpack.
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My hotel gave me a map of Saigon with all the tourist attractions listed on it. There were too many but as I looked at it, they seem to be walking distance to one another. And the good thing is, I’m right at the heart of Saigon and it’s also the backpacker’s area. So, I went off one foot in front of the other.
First stop was the BEN THANH MARKET. Of course, it’s a shopping market that contains, what else, but imitations of everything---cheap but you don’t haggle that much. Prices are not as exhorbitant as China. I didn’t buy anything in there. I could have bought some but I was worried I can’t fit them all in my already heavy backpack.
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Walking distance is the PEOPLE COMMITTEE HALL. I guess, the name explains itself. When I went there, there were like around 30 women holding protest banners. It was silent protest, I guess. It was in Vietnamese language so I really didn’t know what was going on. A lot of policemen were around and I was very afraid to take a photo. Two policemen were actually close to me.
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Walking distance is the PEOPLE COMMITTEE HALL. I guess, the name explains itself. When I went there, there were like around 30 women holding protest banners. It was silent protest, I guess. It was in Vietnamese language so I really didn’t know what was going on. A lot of policemen were around and I was very afraid to take a photo. Two policemen were actually close to me.
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And so, here I wore my wig. I set up my camera stand and took this photo for 3 times until I got this shot. When I looked around me both the policemen and the women-protesters looked at me with smile and wonder. Literally, I held their world for a moment!
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And so, here I wore my wig. I set up my camera stand and took this photo for 3 times until I got this shot. When I looked around me both the policemen and the women-protesters looked at me with smile and wonder. Literally, I held their world for a moment!
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Short distance from the people Committee Hall is the REVOLUTIONARY MUSEUM. Though just close by, it took me like 45 minutes to find the entrance. The worst thing about the map is that it doesn’t have directions which street is the entrance. When I finally reached there, I saw a wedding pictorial of a soon to be couple. Yeah, outside and inside the museum! How weird is that. I reckon that both the bride and the groom work there! ï What’s inside? Ah, it’s boring. But outside has displays of three used planes / helicopters used during the Vietnam War.
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Short distance from the people Committee Hall is the REVOLUTIONARY MUSEUM. Though just close by, it took me like 45 minutes to find the entrance. The worst thing about the map is that it doesn’t have directions which street is the entrance. When I finally reached there, I saw a wedding pictorial of a soon to be couple. Yeah, outside and inside the museum! How weird is that. I reckon that both the bride and the groom work there! What’s inside? Ah, it’s boring. But outside has displays of three used planes / helicopters used during the Vietnam War.
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Thirty minutes walk later, I reached the OPERA HOUSE. It was under renovation so I just stayed outside talking to the coconut juice vendors in the park opposite the Opera House. I self-massaged my feet which were already killing me.
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Thirty minutes walk later, I reached the OPERA HOUSE. It was under renovation so I just stayed outside talking to the coconut juice vendors in the park opposite the Opera House. I self-massaged my feet which were already killing me.
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Fifty meters from where I was is the NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL. With it’s imposing and impressive Neo-Romanesque architecture, the cathedral is sight to behold. It was built in 1877-1883.
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Fifty meters from where I was is the NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL. With it’s imposing and impressive Neo-Romanesque architecture, the cathedral is sight to behold. It was built in 1877-1883.
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I continued to The REUNIFICATION PALACE. It was built in 1966 to serve as South Vietnam’s Presidential palace. This is where the communist tank crashed the gate on 30 April 1975, the day Saigon surrendered. There’s nothing fancy about this building. It looks the same as it was before as my Lonely Planet says.
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I continued to The REUNIFICATION PALACE. It was built in 1966 to serve as South Vietnam’s Presidential palace. This is where the communist tank crashed the gate on 30 April 1975, the day Saigon surrendered. There’s nothing fancy about this building. It looks the same as it was before as my Lonely Planet says.
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A bit far from there, I walked to the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM but it was already closed. It’s odd that they close at 11:45-1:30 P.M. This time, my feet were really killing me and I just can’t walk much longer and further. I’ve been walking around since the start of my trip to get to know every city I visited. So, I rested a bit. Then, I hired a motorbike for $2.5 to take me to the 3 more attractions in the city.
We went first to the VIETNAM QUOC TU PAGODA. It’s quiet there and open to public. There aren’t many people and vendors. It’s a place to really kowtow without the disturbance of sightseers. However, the noise from transport in the street, which is nearby, is unforgivable.
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A bit far from there, I walked to the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM but it was already closed. It’s odd that they close at 11:45-1:30 P.M. This time, my feet were really killing me and I just can’t walk much longer and further. I’ve been walking around since the start of my trip to get to know every city I visited. So, I rested a bit. Then, I hired a motorbike for $2.5 to take me to the 3 more attractions in the city.
We went first to the VIETNAM QUOC TU PAGODA. It’s quiet there and open to public. There aren’t many people and vendors. It’s a place to really kowtow without the disturbance of sightseers. However, the noise from transport in the street, which is nearby, is unforgivable.
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Then, to the JADE PAGODA. The temple is dirty. On the corner, there’s a big, old turtle which is so weak and submerged in a yellowish water. They should have cared for that poor animal which is considered sacred in Buddhism.
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Then, to the JADE PAGODA. The temple is dirty. On the corner, there’s a big, old turtle which is so weak and submerged in a yellowish water. They should have cared for that poor animal which is considered sacred in Buddhism.
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From there, we went to the HISTORY MUSEUM. Unfortunately, they close on Mondays. So, the driver dropped me off at a restaurant to savor Vietnamese food. (Food photos will follow later.)
After a sumptuous lunch alone, I walked to the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM.
No offense meant, but when an American visits this Museum, you will be ashamed of what American had done damaged to this country. Everything here is so graphic and detailed that a visitor will stop, read closely the descriptions and look at the haunting photographs with sadness and some with a heavy sigh. If you are cry baby like me, for sure, some tears will form at the corners of your eyes. ï
Here, the Vietnam War is recalled, photographed with clarity that some photos will be with you for a long time. Two Americans, who I knew at the entrance and were beside me all throughout the museum, were very speechless.
At the end of the vivid photographic journey, they looked at me and said, “It’s hard to be American in Vietnam.”
I looked at them and said nothing.
Warning: Some of the photos are not for the faint of heart.
EXHIBIT 1 aptly called as Historical Truths: Causes, Origins and Processes of the Aggressive War. Here you’ll find the arrival of the American GIs who arrived for the War.
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From there, we went to the HISTORY MUSEUM. Unfortunately, they close on Mondays. So, the driver dropped me off at a restaurant to savor Vietnamese food. (Food photos will follow later.)
After a sumptuous lunch alone, I walked to the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM.
No offense meant, but when an American visits this Museum, you will be ashamed of what American had done damaged to this country. Everything here is so graphic and detailed that a visitor will stop, read closely the descriptions and look at the haunting photographs with sadness and some with a heavy sigh. If you are cry baby like me, for sure, some tears will form at the corners of your eyes.
Here, the Vietnam War is recalled, photographed with clarity that some photos will be with you for a long time. Two Americans, who I knew at the entrance and were beside me all throughout the museum, were very speechless.
At the end of the vivid photographic journey, they looked at me and said, “It’s hard to be American in Vietnam.”
I looked at them and said nothing.
Warning: Some of the photos are not for the faint of heart.
EXHIBIT 1 aptly called as Historical Truths: Causes, Origins and Processes of the Aggressive War. Here you’ll find the arrival of the American GIs who arrived for the War.
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EXHIBIT 2 is entitled Requiem. Here is the corner of heartbreaking, vivid black and white images of the War taken by 135 war correspondents (from 11 nationalities) killed during the war.
The photos are those war correspondents who died on duty—to deliver the news.
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EXHIBIT 2 is entitled Requiem. Here is the corner of heartbreaking, vivid black and white images of the War taken by 135 war correspondents (from 11 nationalities) killed during the war.
The photos are those war correspondents who died on duty—to deliver the news.
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The photograph below is a Pulitzer-prize winner in 1965.
A Vietnamese mother crossing the river with her children to flee from the American bombs. Photo taken by Kyoichi Sawada, Qui Nhom, 1965)
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The photograph below is a Pulitzer-prize winner in 1965.
A Vietnamese mother crossing the river with her children to flee from the American bombs. Photo taken by Kyoichi Sawada, Qui Nhom, 1965)
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In 1966, the Japanese reporter Kyoichi Sawada presented his dramatic Pulitzer-prize photo to the women and children in the photo.
Looking at this photo, my heart was heavy. I literally almost cried. It was such a relief that they survived after a year!
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In 1966, the Japanese reporter Kyoichi Sawada presented his dramatic Pulitzer-prize photo to the women and children in the photo.
Looking at this photo, my heart was heavy. I literally almost cried. It was such a relief that they survived after a year!
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Exhibit 3: Vestiges of War Crimes and Aftermaths
This colored photograph has words from the photo-journalist that says: “Most were women and babies. It looked as if they tried to get away.”
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Exhibit 3: Vestiges of War Crimes and Aftermaths
This colored photograph has words from the photo-journalist that says: “Most were women and babies. It looked as if they tried to get away.”
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Description of the photo above. Enlarge for better read.
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Description of the photo above. Enlarge for better read.
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Look at these photo exhibits: Photo #2 from your right is a US soldier from the 25th Infantry Division carrying the body debris of a Liberation Army Combatant’s corpse.
On the upper left is a photo of American GIs in front of a headless corpses.
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Look at these photo exhibits: Photo #2 from your right is a US soldier from the 25th Infantry Division carrying the body debris of a Liberation Army Combatant’s corpse.
On the upper left is a photo of American GIs in front of a headless corpses.
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No need for words. Just look them.
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No need for words. Just look them.
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The BIG photo on your right, is the cover of the book, THE GIRL IN THE PHOTO.
These are the victims of the AGENT ORANGE. I’m not familiar with this but looks like Agent Orange is the use of toxic chemicals, etc… during the War. As you can see, due to the bombings and use of these prohibited chemicals, they all got physical deformities. Some of them are still alive.
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These are the victims of the AGENT ORANGE. I’m not familiar with this but looks like Agent Orange is the use of toxic chemicals, etc… during the War. As you can see, due to the bombings and use of these prohibited chemicals, they all got physical deformities. Some of them are still alive.
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The real weapons on display.
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The real weapons on display.
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MOTHER
Made from bomb fragments by Nguyen Hoang Huy
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MOTHER
Made from bomb fragments by Nguyen Hoang Huy
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Outside the museum are the war weapons used.
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Outside the museum are the war weapons used.
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Comments
Fantastic set from the start to the end, the end set was very moving,all I will say is....war is so sad, and everyone has their own views, I think we were not right and neither were they, everyone will write their own history the way they want to remember it. Its really to bad that we can't all live in Peace!! Maybe someday we can have that !!On a lighter note...........I think you may need more bags for more souviners!!
I totally agree with mystic1. The war was bad for everyone involved. Alain, this is another great set. You have brought us on an amazing tour. Your photos are fantastic. I hope your feet have recovered, you're not home yet! :)
Great set, Alain, though I was jarred by the transition from the beautiful shots of buildings and sky to the sobering material from the museum. Perhaps that was your intent. That photo of the naked girl running is one of the most famous news photos ever in the US. It helped turn public opinion against the war. Vietnam appears to be a beautiful country. I don't see the monolithic Communist architecture present in eastern Europe and North Korea. Anyway, thanks for the great photos and reportage, as always.
