We had a very early wake up call the next morning so we wouldn’t miss our 6am flight to HCMC. They were a bit tired!
We were so anxious about getting to our hotel in time for breakfast (since we were already paying for the night before) as we were all hungry and wanted something easy. I had called the hotel, but they said they wouldn’t hold anything for us. The taxi pulled up with about 4 minutes to spare. I ran in with the girls while Brian handled luggage and payment, I quickly explained to the front desk why were hurrying and we grabbed the elevator to the 10th floor as they were cleaning it all up. There were still a few things out and they were nice enough to put a couple things back out so we could have a small breakfast-we were very thankful!
Afterward breakfast, we completed the check-in process and went to our room. The shower was definitely a highlight!
Then we set off to do some sightseeing. So many scooters! Helmets for sale-definitely a good business!
Walking by the Ben Thanh Market
Yummy dragon fruit and lychees
Mangosteen
We walked over to the Water Puppet Theater in hopes of going to a show since we missed it in Hanoi. It was very expensive here, so we opted to give it a miss.
Reunification Palace
Notre Dame Cathedral-it was beautiful!!
Saigon Central Post Office
The girls were excited to find McDonalds-the first one to open in Vietnam in 2014!
Our next stop was to the War Remnants Museum-containing exhibits relating to the Vietnam War.
International support for Vietnam in its resistance
The photo collection of the War in Vietnam.
"Guys were about to shoot these people" photographer Tom Haeberle remembers. "I yelled, 'Hold it,' and shot my picture. As I walked away, I heard M16s open up. From the corner of my eyes I saw bodies falling, but I didn't turn to look."
On June 8 1972, US troop dropped napalm bombs, destroying houses, farms and civilians. The photo of "Napalm girl" taken by the reporter Huynh Cong Ut received a number of international awards, includng World Press Photo and Pulitzer Prize in 1972. This photo was ranked 41 over 100 most influential photos in the 20th century voted by Columbia University. He presented this photo to War Remnants Museum in 2013.
Various bombs used-After the war, vietnam has 600,000 tons of bombs left behind. During the Vietnam war, 3 million Vietnamese were killed, 2 million were injured and 300,000 were missing
Agent Orange aftermath in the War-Chemical weapons were used to wipe out surrounding natural resources and prevent the forward march of the Liberation Army of South Vietnam. In the 10 years from 1961-1971, toxic rain poured down continuously on Central & South Vietnam, defoliating mountains, plains and crops, destroying clean water resources and upsetting the delicate ecological balance. An estimated 100 million litres of toxic chemicals were sprayed.
Photo taken before and after herbicide spraying
These displays showed some effects of the chemical agents on those exposed and the generations to come. About 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to dioxin during wartime, with more than 3 million suffering from illnesses. Many million more have been indirectly exposed through mother's breastmilk or through the food chain when living around contaminated areas. Dioxin can cause a wide range of illnesses including cancers and other diseases and birth defects. More tragically, these harmful effects can be transmitted to many generations through the damage to DNA molecules and genes by Dioxin once it enters into the cells of the exposed people.
More photo documentaries
1968-Bomb craters from B-52 strikes mark the rice-paddies and orchards
The kids walked through a little, but it was too much for them. They enjoyed some time in the playroom.
Continuing our sightseeing walk
Scooters everywhere-even on the sidewalks!
Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
Trying to sell Brian a hammock…no sale!
Saigon Opera House
Watching a filming crew
Ho Chi Minh Square with a statue of Ho Chi Minh himself in front of the People’s Comittee Building
Back at the hotel to get ready for dinner. The girls watched a couple water puppet theater shows and I think that ticked the box.
Out for noodles at Pho 2000. It was delicious and even Bill Clinton thought so!
View outside
Walking about the Night Market before calling it a night.
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