Glimpse of Saigon

I actually stayed at Ho chi minh, Vietnam for 5 days and 4 nights. Before going, I really don’t have an in-depth knowledge of the place, its people and its culture. All I knew is the dreaded longest war in world history, the American-Vietnam war that lasted for more than 20 years.

Upon arrival, we failed to avail of the hotel-airport transfer; hence we had no choice but to get a cab. As we have reached the hotel, we are asked for additional 100,000 vietnamese dong on top of the price seen in the taxi meter for the airport fee. We later on discovered that we should only pay 10,000 vietnamese dong for the airport fee. Its kinda disappointing that we had to experience this at the start of our vacation. As far as language is concerned, a lot of people doesn’t speak English.

Chi-Chu tunnel experience

 

“You haven’t been to Vietnam if you weren’t able to see the tunnels”

I was told by one of the locals.  So we decided to go. It was about more than 2 hours away from Saigon. I tried not to sleep on the way, but there was nothing to see, so eventually, I fell asleep.

They will let you watch a short documentary film about the Vietnam War against the Americans, which lasted about 20 min.

Vietnamese guerillas made a tunnel as part of their military tactics during the war. For 20 years, the Vietnamese spent their life digging this tunnel  On the lower right is my picture coming out of the tunnel.

without the help of technologies but merely with their hands. Fascinating huh?

A person cannot actually stand inside. What was amazing was the different function rooms found inside the tunnel.  It was a three-story tunnel below the ground. The picture on the left is the main meeting room, used truly by the Vietnamese locals.

 

Being a doctor, I had this admiration as I saw this Surgery Bunker. In this place, where wounded local soldiers were actually sutured and healed. Due to the democracy I am experiencing with my own country, I can hardly imagine the hardships during the Vietnam War.

I always have this fascination about the country’s history and it breaks my heart to see the Vietnamese account of the famous Vietnam War. Which you can see the next chapter of this journey…. seeing the remnants of the well known Vietnam War

War Remnants Museum

 

This is a 4-story building of all the documents, pictures and actual war remnants the government was able to preserve for the sake of their past.

“Nakakadurog ng puso ang mga nakikita ko..”

I actually can’t stand to see everything, those pictures and documents showing children, women and elderly being abused during the war. It really breaks my heart.  The real helicopters and airplanes used by the US Army during the war were preserved and shown before you enter the building. Words are not enough to depict this heart-breaking museum.

 

Food

Vietnamese food is one of the best I tasted around Asia. But of all the restaurants I have seen, I will highly recommend, Café Runam. Good music, very calm environment  , exceptional service and above all delicious food on a reasonable price.