Sunday, March 18, 2018, Saigon (Ho Chi Min City), Vietnam (1 OF 2)

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Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City


Today on our second shore excursion day we witnessed Ho Chi Minh City’s rich blend of Vietnamese traditions, Chinese influence, and French colonial architecture.  We joined our guide and drove two hours into the city, abuzz with scooters and bicycles.  
Note the baby on the scooter above between  dad and mom!
Rice fields on our way between our cruise ship and Saigon.


New Buddhist temple under construction.
Water buffalo in the field; better known as "VC bulldozer" 50+ years ago.


Could not get over the family vehicles.
Large apartments (million of dollars each) located on the old Tonsanut US Air Force Base.


We began by stopping at a lacquer workshop (they have Western toilets!).  Here we witnessed skilled artisans at work and browsed their finely crafted wares.  Great place to buy local souvenirs.
The light colored dress ware is crafted using duck egg shells, often smoked to provide different colors.  Some picture scenes use inlaid mother of pearl.  Others only have hand painted scenes.
 


Almost looks like a US preschool.
Old US Embassy where the last helicopter lifted out final US personnel; pictures made headlines every where.
We saw the Reunification Palace, home of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Back to the Reunification (North and South Vietnams beginning in 1975) Palace where today we were provided a detailed tour inside the four floors plus the roof garden.  Very enlightening.  Pictures follow:
All trees in Saigon have been numbered; most of the trees were planted by the French back in the late 1800s.




















This central stairway is no longer used (since 1975) as it was damaged by bombs as the North was attacking the south.
Inlaid wood picture made in smaller panels.
Garden on 2d floor courtyard.
President's bedroom.


First lady's dining room for guests.
President's helicopter, a US Huey.
President's theater.
Game room.
Dance floor on the roof garden area.
Basement protected from bombing attacks.












Palace kitchen.


Back yard.


Front yard/entrance.
 We saw the elegant Central Post Office, a masterwork of Gothic, Renaissance, and French styles.



Opera House.


The remainder of our second shore excursion day will be on the next blog post.

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