H C M C - day 1 and 2

Tuesday 30 May

Arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Monday 29th May. A vast contrast to Cambodia. A very cosmopolitan and colourful place. Also very large. Sprawling.










Have had differing answers when I've asked different people the population. Its somewhere between 6 and 12 million. One guy told me 10million legal citizens, and 2 million illegal. Many of the people who sided with the South Vietnamese (and Americans) during what they call the "American War" are regarded illegal - have no citizenship. These guys often become Cyclo and Moto drivers.

On Tuesday we were pedalled around town by two Cyclos. These are like rykshaw's - A cycle with a seat attached to the front. Highlights of our tour on Tuesday were the Jade Pagoda, and a visit to the War Remnants museum.












The Jade Pagoda is a Chinese Buddhist temple. Within the temple are all sorts of strange effigies of various buddhist divinities. The spaces within have a very unearthly atmosphere, and shafts of light shine through holes in the roof. Very interesting.

The "War Remnants Museum" is a popular tourist attraction which used to be called the "American and Chinese War Crimes Museum". Vietnam is obviously on better terms with the USA these days hence the name change. However, much of the contents of museum are still dedicated to showing much of the negative effects of America's part in that particular war, starting from their support of the French Indochina Wars, through the "American War", to the pullout of the American army, and the ongoing effects of Agent Orange, Land mines and so on.

There are exhibits outlining several massacres (e.g. My Lai (My Son)) carried out by American troops, and some very eye opening statistics. Needless to say, many disturbing photos - many of which I have not seen before.

Having been presented mainly one perspective of this part of history most of ourlives, I found the Vietnamese Communist version quite interesting. There is alot of pride in their victory, but also a very realistic view of the negatives of war.

Outside the museum we met a man who had lost both arms, one leg, and one eye to a landmine when he was ten years old. A very real example of the ongoing effects of their own history. We saw many disabled victims of landmines in Cambodia, who had little choice but to beg for food and money, due to no government support . This man was selling books. He needed an upgrade to his prosthetic leg which he was raising money for.

We are really loving Ho Chi Minh City.