A whistle-stop tour of Vietnam

May 16, 2017
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My trip to Vietnam was relatively short. Here are some of the highlights:

1 – Risking my life crossing a road

Crossing a busy road in Ho Chi Minh City is thrilling and dangerous. It seems almost impossible, but from watching the locals the strategy appeared to be to raise your arm and slowly cross the road, hoping that scooters will move around you. Stopping midway is likely to land you in hospital. See how I did:

 

2 – Getting my history fix at the War Remnants Museum

This museum houses the Communist Party of Vietnam’s official narrative of the Vietnam War. The history is distorted, but exhibits and war remnants are unique and engaging. Interestingly, it frames the anti-war protests in the US and around the world as global support for the Communist regime.  

Despite the distortions, the museum takes a conciliatory tone rather than advocating for revenge and hatred.

 

 

3 – Strolling around the grounds of the Independence Palace

This Palace is a place where history repeated itself. The original building was bombed by two South Vietnamese pilots who defected mid-flight during an air-raid on the North. Beyond repair, the old palace was demolished the new one was built in the 1960s.

In 1975, another South Vietnamese pilot defected and bombed the new palace, although this time there was minimal damage. The position where the bombs fell on the building are still marked today.

On 30 April 1975, the Vietnam War was ended when Ho Chi Minh City (then called Saigon) was overrun by the communists and a tank bulldozed the main palace gates. That very tank is still on display at the palace.

  

4 – Sending a letter from the Saigon Central Post Office

Built by the French in the 19th Century, the colonial architecture of the post office has made it an icon of the city. While it remains a functioning post office, most of its visitors are tourists admiring its stunning interior.

 

 

5 – Floating along the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is a huge river that runs through South-Western Vietnam. It supports Vietnamese agricultural output and connects cities and villages with boat traffic. I showed off my cultural credentials by taking a traditional boat ride and wearing a traditional (and very touristy) hat.

 

 

 

 

6 – Checking out the floating market of Can Tho

I went on an overnight trip from Ho Chi Minh to Can Tho, which is a large city on the banks of the Mekong Delta. It is a good spot to see the floating markets where locals bring their produce by boat along the river to trade amongst themselves. Although the improving road networks has made these markets less active, they still made for a spectacular sight.

On the way to Can Tho, I crossed the Cao Lãnh Bridge – a 650m recently constructed bridge spanning the Mekong Delta. As the Vietnamese guide enthusiastically told our group, the bridge was funded by the Australian Government and it is the most costly Australian overseas assistance project to date.

 

 

7 – Enjoying a beer with a view

The tallest tower in Vietnam is the Bitexco Financial Tower. It has a bar with a fantastic view right next to the helipad. Although the drinks were Australian prices (ridiculously expensive by Vietnamese standards), it was worth it for the view over Ho Chi Minh City.

 

 

 

8 – Re-living some history at the US embassy

The US Embassy in Ho Chi Minh City was the site of an extraordinary event in history. As communist forces surrounded the City in 1975, Embassy staff destroyed sensitive documents and a mass evacuation of staff and US citizens was conducted by helicopter airlifts from the embassy. 

The embassy was surrounded by desperate Vietnamese trying to flee. Pictures of the scenes around the embassy are iconic.

Vietnam