Today we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon) after an hour plane trip from Hoi An. From Ho Chi Minh airport we took a twenty minute bus trip to the Bong Sen 2 Hotel. We rested for a couple of minutes at the hotel before we began our walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City. A couple of minutes through the tour we stopped to get some traditional Vietnamese soup (Pho) for a very scrumptious lunch. Continuing our tour, we stopped for a while at the beautiful, historic post office. It was built during French colonisation and therefore its features strongly resemble aspects of French architecture. Conveniently the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral (obviously not the original) was just opposite to the Post Office, and even with our brief glimpse of it we could see its marvellous French design. We walked awhile longer before reaching the enlightening War Remnants Museum. With impressive war machines such as jets, helicopters, tanks and artillery out the front, it’s safe to say that everybody was immediately intrigued and interested. We learnt much about the Vietnam War and the horrific events that occurred. We were distressed by the painful horrific imagery but felt that it was also necessary to see. We engaged in learning about the brutality and inhumane warfare that has been overshadowed by larger scale events in the world. One of the most terrible occurrences was the use of Agent Orange, a chemical substance primarily used for deforestation. However it had a huge effect on people, causing widespread harm to over 3 million people, 2 million of them being civilians. It was such a lethal substance, that 85 grams of dioxin (a primary ingredient) could kill over 8 million people. It still effects some people living today, as it causes birth defects in offspring of those exposed to it.
In the evening, some strapping young lads and gorgeous lasses shared a fantastic evening full of delightful, indulgent food. Although the humidity was high and the temperature was scorching, all in all it was a wonderful day arriving in the bustling Ho Chi Minh City.
The Dashing Marko and the Exquisite Aaris