South to Ho Chi Minh City for the weekend

A very brief, but relaxing, trip down to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, for the weekend. It was very different from Hanoi in many ways – it was surprisingly green, less crowded feeling and far less hot and humid despite being over 1,000 km further South! A post with some great restaurants to come.

We also visited the War Remnants Museum, where there is a lot of dramatic and disturbing photography of the devastating impact of the war on everyone – soldiers, civilians, and the environment. An important place to visit although it can be a rather emotional experience with a lot of emphasis on the impact that Agent Orange (dioxin) has continued to have long after the war finished….

Approaching the Cathedral through the trees

The Notre Dame of Saigon – completed in 1880

Looking down Nguyen Hue towards City Hall

A statue of Uncle Ho

The Opera House and the new wing of the Caravelle Hotel

On Le Loi Street

Stumbling upon the Mariamman Hindu Temple – it doesn’t seem to have changed much since when it was built in the 19th century

Old Hindu Temple + super modern building

Puppies waiting….

Category : Architecture, Buildings, Colonial, Vietnam holidays
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