Saigon 24-25 February
Saigon is the final destination of the tour, and is a
beautiful city which shows no outward signs of the war in the 1970s. It has
wide boulevards, lots of gardens, 9 million people, about 5-6 million bikes and
other vehicles, and a number of luxury stores. Our guide Ut lives in Saigon and
has a passion for the city.
On our arrival we had a short tour of the centre of the
city, which is known officially as Ho Chi Minh City, but equally frequently as
Saigon. The names seem quite interchangeable. The next morning we had a more
extensive tour visiting the Re-unification Palace, or Independence Palace,
which is usually now used only for ceremonial purposes. It has louvred windows
which create very cooling breezeways. It’s furnishings are elegant with Asian
and French influences. It also has immaculate gardens.
Beautiful Singapore orchids in the foyer of our hotel |
The Reunification Palace |
Floral decorations for Tet (new year) |
Elegant French inspired reception room with large lacquered wall collage |
Garden in the President's private quarters |
In the palace was an exhibit from the Vietnam War showing the last stages of the US rapid withdrawal from Saigon. The 2 images below show phots of the withdrawal and the building as it appears today.
This elderly man is 80 years old and for many years he has come to the Post Office each day to write letters for people and translate documents. I think he's almost part of the furniture. |
In the afternoon we travelled about an hour north-west of
Saigon to the Cu Chi tunnels, an extensive tunnel complex used by the Viet Cong
during the war. The tunnels covered an area of about 200 sq. kilometres, ans some extended under a major US Base.The complex was comprehensive, containing areas for cooking,
tool making and a variety of other occupations. The complexity of the tunnels
showed great ingenuity on their part, and it’s no wonder that the US troops
found it impossible to defeat the locals on their home ground. It has become
apparent that most people supported the Viet Cong, except for the South
Vietnamese puppet government. The defeat was inevitable.
Tony barely fitted into the tunnel entrance disguised under leaf litter |
Nasty booby trap |
There were comprehensive cooking facilities. Rice paper making demonstration shown here. |
We ended the tour with a farewell dinner which was held on a
dragon boat touring the Saigon River for about 2 hours. It was an excellent
venue with an excellent buffet followed by traditional and modern singing and
dancing. One interesting performance used a traditional bamboo percussion
instrument called a trung which makes a wonderful sound. David started up the
move towards everyone dancing – having his usual fun time. A magician also performed
a few tricks at our table. He was very good and none of has any idea how he
performed tricks with metal rings. All round it was an excellent way to end the
trip.
We had an excellent guide for the Vietnam sector of the trip. Ut has excellent English and a real passion for his country. Our group made up a song and preformed it for him on the final night. In return he sang us a traditional lullaby as well as “I will always love you” from The Bodyguard, which proved he has a fantastic voice.
We had an excellent guide for the Vietnam sector of the trip. Ut has excellent English and a real passion for his country. Our group made up a song and preformed it for him on the final night. In return he sang us a traditional lullaby as well as “I will always love you” from The Bodyguard, which proved he has a fantastic voice.
Our song lyrics were not nearly so polished, but I’ve
included them anyway – sung to the tune “When the saints come marching in”
ChorusTour leader Ut, you are a beaut
Tour leader Ut, you are so cute
We looooved doing this tour, Ut is a cool dude.
Verse 1
We saw Hanoi and did tai chi
We saw Hanoi and Halong Bay
We could have staaayed there longer,
With kayaks we loved to play
ChorusWe saw Hanoi and did tai chi
We saw Hanoi and Halong Bay
We could have staaayed there longer,
With kayaks we loved to play
Verse 2
We came to Hue, and Ut would say
Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah
We go up the stairs this way
To watch the monks all chant and pray
Chorus
Verse 3
Now from Saigon, we’ll say so long,
And across the sea we’ll fly
When you visit Australia
Be sure to say g’day
ChorusNow from Saigon, we’ll say so long,
And across the sea we’ll fly
When you visit Australia
Be sure to say g’day
FinaleAussie Aussie Aussie , Oi Joy Oy
Oy Joy Oy translates roughly in Vietmanese to “oh my goodness”
and was a phrase we all mastered well.
Now we’re all home, having seen many beautiful places and some
not so beautiful, experienced a high level of hospitality and welcome
everywhere we went, and learned a lot about life in Indo China in all its
variety. We are a lot wiser about many things and more aware than ever of how
lucky we are to live in Australia.
No, this is not the City to Surf Saigon style. It's just a few bikes having a law abiding moment at a red traffic light. |
Probably one of the enduring memories will be of motorbikes
everywhere, and the realisation that there is very little of importance that
cannot be carried on one. Another will certainly be the sight of young Hmong
children in Laos carrying several 2 litre containers on their backs from the
village tank to their homes further uphill.