Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) (May 30)

Today, we saw various aspects of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).  We piled onto the bus at 8:00 and our first stop was the Presidential Palace, more commonly known as Independence Palace or Reunification Palace.  It was more modern than the other presidential palaces (built in 1962) which we have seen in the other countries, and there was no gold and glitz in this one.  However, the architectural design by Viet Nam architect Ngo Viet Thu was excellent.  It was only in use from 1965 until 1975.  It is now open for tourists.

It was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War and was also the site of the end of the Vietnam War during the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975 when North Vietnamese Army tanks crashed through its gates.  The tanks are still visible on the grounds.

The place had specially-designed bullet-proof glass in the windows and doors, and the bamboo-design facade on the front, along with slanted bullet-proof windows, made it somewhat impossible inside to shoot with any accuracy.

Also of interest was the degree to which they went to assure the safety of their leaders.  There were multiple bomb-proof bunkers on two levels under the building.  These bunkers included multiple rooms with communication and broadcasting equipment as well as offices, phones, a bedroom for the president, meeting rooms, and secret passageways.

Lots of dragons in the design (supposedly built on the top of a dragon's head), as well as lots of the Vietnamese script character for "longevity and happiness."  I bought a silver handmade pendant with this script character on it for Ella.  The interior was very "presidential" looking, and once upon a time, Nixon was here.

the character in the middle is the one for longevity and happiness 

note the "longevity and happiness" character in the rug.  It's al in the wood design on the chairs.

Note center of rug.  Also note the dragon: remember the palace is built on top of a dragon's head. 

the elephant is awarded longevity and happiness too.

Our guide's "longevity and happiness" pendant, just like the one I bought for Ella.

Our next stop was to see how the "normal" people in Saigon lived.  We went to a housing complex where middle-class (perhaps lower middle class) people lived in a rather large housing compound. We meandered through the long interior narrow courtyards and were fortunate enough to see a photographer taking pictures of a bride and a groom.  Then we were also fortunate to be allowed entry into someone's home.  In this two-floor home of 450 square feet, 26 people from 6 related families lived -- I kid you not.  Four bedrooms, one bathroom, one small kitchen with 6 tiny oil burners, one for each family.  We talked with the patriarch of the family, and he showed us pictures of his parents on the wall (now deceased).  We learned that the 26 people was soon going to be increased to 28 because of a marriage.  Each family cooked separately, although on certain celebrations, everyone would share cooking and eat together.  They would eat together in the "living room" which barely held the 13 of us.  The second floor had 3 of the 4 bedrooms (not sure where the other two families slept), but we didn't go upstairs, nor did we see the bedroom that was in the hallway.  There was some sort of air conditioning for the upstairs.  We all realized how fortunate we are. . . .

the ground-level of the alley where the homes were located

the upper level of homes

wedding pictures in progress

the living room. All 13 of us sat in here and talked with the patriarch.  The room was still decorated because a family member got married a couple of weeks ago.  This is where the family eats when they have family dinners.  Not sure how there is room for 26 (soon to be 28) people.

the kitchen area

6 burners for the 6 families.  Each cooked meals separately unless it was a family dinner.

lots of soot on the walls above the burners 

deceased parents, original owners of house

 

       one toilet.  directly across from the toilet was the shower

our guide asking our questions to the patriarch.  He was very happy to show us his home.

We had lunch, dropped some people off at the market, and headed back to the hotel for some R & R.  We also washed some clothes, cleaned up, and went to the lounge to chat with our fellow Happy Hour attendees.  There is a great group of people on this tour.