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Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City: Young Big City

Published: 5.3.2016
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is often regarded economic heart of Vietnam. It is not as hold as Hanoi (Hà Nội) but still it has some magic.

Once I had found my feet after my arrival I started to enjoy the beauties of Saigon on my own. The first thing was local rain. Every day at more or less same hour it got darker and it seemed the end of the world is nigh. Five minutes later, however, it was done and sun shone once again

Saigon

B borrowed a motor bike fro his auntie. Together we set off to sightseeing. Many sights have survived since the French colonial era. There is the town hall, Notre-Dame cathedral or beautiful  Notre-Dame in Saigon pošty.

Notre-Dame in Saigon was built in the 19th century. The two towers are 58 meters high. Once you take a look at this structure you feel like in Europe. And it really was a part of Europe in Saigon heat. Allegedly, the construction material was imported from France.

There are many museums in Saigon. The Museum of History or the War Crimes Museum which resides in a building that once was a US infocenter. There you can see war photographies, weapons or a guillotine. It was used by French to execute guerilla fighters. However, the exhibition’s main focus are atrocities done during the Vietnam war by Americans and Chinese.

To calm down after this horrid experience one can go to one of many temples or mosques that stand in tree shadows. You can have delicious Vietnamese coffee – the best is with ice and condensed milk.

market market

As me and B are interested in Chinese culture we concluded our day in the Cholon neighborhood (Chợ lớn). Basically it is a Chinatown in Saigon. Many Chinese settled there. Chinese influence and culture are easy to spot here. But the market place is more Vietnamese than Chinese. However, temples and inscriptions make it clear Chinese live here.

Saigon Saigon

Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh city as its correct name is today has many beautiful sights and there are waiting there for you to see them.

GPS: (Notre-Dame cathedral) 10°46'47.5"N 106°41'56.5"E

Text and photos: Hana Bašová



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