Hanging in Ho Chi Minh City

After less than a week in Cambodia, it was time to head to Vietnam. We caught a bus in Phnom Penh that took us all the way to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). The border crossing was easier than most and we arrived in HCMC by mid-afternoon. Our hostel was only a few blocks from the bus station, so we were able to get checked in and head out to explore a bit before dark.

The next day was our only full day in HCMC and we decided to make it count. On our way to a couple of museums, we stopped in at the Ben Tanh market, where one could buy everything from leather bags to padlocks to suits made in one day to the dried fruit pictured below. We resisted most purchases, but did buy some dried mangos and kiwi.

After the market, we went to the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City that featured a basic history of the city, including its various names throughout history and the role it played during the various revolutions here in the 20th century.

After a false start at the museum to be described later (closed from noon-1:30 every day), we walked by the Notre Dame Cathedral (also closed for lunch). It's kind of an odd sight in the midst of a city otherwise full of "eastern" architecture, and it basically sits in the middle of a huge roundabout.

Here's the requisite picture of our lunch. We tried out some Vietnamese favorites (at least according to the menu) at a restaurant that works to help folks overcome poverty by giving them job training and opportunities to learn the service industry.

After lunch we went to the War Remnants Museum, which focuses on the Vietnam War from the perspective of the Vietnamese. We both found it to be impactful and a bit overwhelming, especially the displays related the use of Agent Orange and its ongoing effects. One whole section was given to the museum by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and it highlights the work of photojournalists throughout the war.

After the museum, we needed a bit of a rest, so we found a local cafe and then walked to the Botanic Garden which closed earlier than we thought, but looked really nice. At that point night was beginning to fall, and LED lit street decorations in place for the upcoming celebration of Tet were coming to life. We had a nice walk back to the hostel and a relaxing evening.