Welcome to Vietnam!
We started our trip in the southern part of the country in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly: Saigon).
The city is a lot more modern than we expected, maybe 20 years ahead of Cambodia and Laos in development.
Traffic was even worse here - mostly motos crowding the streets. With our previous experience navigating through the traffic in Cambodia, we felt very smug compared to many other helpless tourists stranded on one side of the road waiting for a gap... :)
First order of business: have some real Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) at the local corner stall. Yum!
The People's Assembly with a statue of Ho Chi Minh in front (revolutionary leader and prime minister, commonly also called "Uncle Ho" by the people).
The Reunification Palace (formerly: Independence Palace) was completed in its current form in the 60's and used by South Vietnam's president during that time.
The Vietnam war was ended at this place in 1975 after the North Vietnamese army crashed two tanks through the gates and took over the government.
The president's workplace in the 60's and 70's. A door on the side leads all the way to the bomb shelter in the basement.
Next to groovy 60's-style features in the ballroom, gaming room, and movie theater, the palace also boosted its own helipad. More than one president made his escape this way...
"Modern" communications equipment in the bomb shelter basement.
The president's "war room" in the basement. With old maps showing South Vietnam and North Vietnam with the border at the 17th parallel.
After the Vietnam war and the country's subsequent reunification, the political climate has been decidedly pro-communist. Even today signs are displayed all over the city with political slogans proclaiming the party's ideology.
After a lesson in history and politics it was time for...SHOPPING!!!
Max dared to delve into the local market hall and bargain for a T-shirt.
We were surprised to find out that the vendors will do nearly everything to keep you interested, including NOT letting you just walk off.
See picture: the seller (girl) was holding Max back while trying to renegotiate the price after he was ready to walk away...
...Looks like somebody did get his low-ball price. Max is happy!
Soon it was time to head farther north, to the ancient Imperial City of Hue in the middle of the country.
While the weather wasn't with us that day, we still ventured out to visit the old Citadel.
("Schickes T-shirt!")
Home to the emperor and his family, the grounds are lavishly situated and took over a large part of the city north of the river.
Large parts of the citadel were destroyed during the Vietnam war. Efforts are underway to restore buildings that were partially destroyed, while those that were completely bombed out/burned down just have markers reminding you of their function and size.
One of the easiest ways to see the countryside is by train.
That actually worked to its advantage, as it is now one of Vietnam's biggest tourist attractions - the calm river, quaint houses and untouched temples.
Famous for it's monthly lantern festival, the locals must have caught on to the business opportunity and are now offering lanterns for sale every day of the month.
One of the easiest ways to navigate through the town is by bicycle. Fun but a bit exhausting in the heat...
No, this is not a picture from the Caribbean or something.
Welcome to Hoi An's beach! It's beautiful, and relatively empty. Time to relax...
Back in town we checked out the famous Japanese bridge (named so for the merchants that funded the structure).
One of many temples throughout the city (this one with lots of Chinese influence).
And a touch of celebrity. While walking through the center of town, we came across a film shoot for the national TV station. The beautiful actress at the heart of the story is very famous in Vietnam, but we were not able to remember her name...
Coming up next... Vietnam Part 2, including Hanoi and beautiful Halong Bay!
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