We'd finally arrived at our accommodation. By then, I was keen to shake off the unpleasant taste lingering from earlier. I refused to let one mishap spoil Ho Chi Minh City for me (If you haven't read about our difficult beginning, click here). I was set on developing a real affection for Vietnam.
Once we'd settled in, we ventured out to discover the area. Our first destination… Somewhere to eat! I'm particularly fond of Pho, so that's naturally what I recommended for dinner. I certainly wasn't let down. For around $1.25 US, I enjoyed a tasty bowl of Pho, spring rolls, and a Coke.
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| Pho is absolutely delicious! |
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| Quite a remarkable structure! |
Next, we made our way to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office. Whilst the Post Office may seem like a typical establishment, in Vietnam it's akin to Melbourne's Flinders Street Station. It is a stunning heritage building! I can now see why it draws visitors. It's perpetually packed with tourists from around the globe pausing to admire the magnificent architecture whilst sending a letter or postcard to family and friends back home.
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| Visitors from across the globe gathered in large numbers! |
Regrettably, Notre Dame Cathedral remained inaccessible, so we could only glimpse the exterior of the structure. The architectural style closely mirrors that of its French counterpart. It was then I discovered how deeply rooted French culture runs through Vietnam.
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| Striking in its majesty, viewed from afar |
Next, we visited the War Museum. I had no clear expectations, yet I found myself unprepared for the emotional and psychological weight of what lay ahead. The exhibits revealed the grim circumstances in which prisoners of war were detained whilst American forces supported South Vietnamese operations. The compact tiger cages, the oppressive heat within overcrowded chambers, and the sundry methods of torture employed were deeply sobering.
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| Tiger Enclosures |
The museum chronicles how the United States shifted from being Vietnamese allies to engaging in armed conflict. My schooling didn't cover the Vietnam war extensively, though I do recall a striking image of a young child fleeing unclothed through a street following an airstrike on her village. The museum exhibited this photograph alongside numerous accounts of brutal acts perpetrated by American forces against Vietnamese civilians. The displays about Agent Orange and its effects across generations were profoundly affecting. It proved enlightening to examine the conflict through a Vietnamese lens.
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| Explosive debris |
Wanting a bit of a lift, we popped into a charming little patisserie for a well-deserved coffee and cakes. We browsed through several shops and markets throughout the afternoon before finishing the evening at an outstanding rooftop Vietnamese barbecue restaurant.
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| Brilliant! |
Ho Chi Minh City really won me over. The locals proved quite hospitable, a welcome change from our disagreeable taxi driver. What delighted me most was encountering so many Americans travelling in Vietnam. I often bump into Germans and Australians but seldom encounter Americans. Fair dinkum for stepping outside your comfort zone.
Watch this space for our upcoming expedition to the Mekong Delta!
Until we meet again...
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