Saigon aka Ho Chi Ming City (HCMC)

I arrived at the economic engine of Vietnam late Saturday night, but the streets are still alive with people, not like most other Vietnam cities.

Day 1, I visited the American War (as Vietnam call it) museum, yes there are propagada to be seen, but it still shows the the ugly truth of the war itself, innocent people get killed by both side and the legacy of the war still exist today. Afterward I went check out the Catholic church, the biggest in Vietnam and got something to eat. But when I saw the menu from a cafe, I was shocked, the price here are 2-3 times more expensive than anyway I have been in Vietnam! So I just get a pineapple juice to quinch my thirst and look for food some where cheaper.

Anyway I did find a decent, busy, and relative cheap place to eat and they put me with another person at the same table, just like HK. The guy spoke some English and help me picked out the dishes. Appearantly tipping is more common here in Saigon, but I decided not tip :) Anyway he was kind enough to give me a moto ride to Chinatown market, it was on his way home. One of only two good and kind Vietnamese people I met.

I went to market in searchng of the elusive cheap quick dry performance sports wear, where in the US would cost $15-40 a piece. After shopping around, the best I can do is about $4.5-5. More expensive than I thought ($3).
I got myself 3 and Lynn 1 since I am not sure about her size. I just look at the sales clerk and tell her the relative size to her.

Next I hopped on another moto bike (for 10,000 dongs) and headed to the Reunification palace (formally South Vietnam's Presidential palace), where one of the famous footage from last days of South Vietnam, with Viet Cong's tanks crashing through the gates. Joined a guided tour with more propaganda of course, and I was wondering do they truely believe what they are saying? Probably.

Day 2, I signed up for a trip to the Cu Chi tunnels and Cao Dai temple. The tunnels are used by Vietcon to hide from the American and attack and set up booby traps. They use what they able to find and make and terrorize the mind of American soldiers. The Cao Dai religion is unique to Vietnam and is a fusion of various religion and believes, Budda, Jesus, Confusicious, Tao, just name a few. Kind of interesting to see.