SE Asia - Saigon, Vietnam - 1

Vietnam, Day 1, January 24, 2014

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Saigon)

This morning we didn't have to have our bags out until 8:45. Then we headed for the Vientiane, Laos airport for our flights to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. We had a short stop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and then another short flight. Unfortunately, I still had trouble getting my ears to clear during and after flights.

Vit, our OAT guide, is with us all the way, and at the HCM City airport we were met by the local guide, Harry. Vit calls him Mr. Communist, all in good jest. The pace of life in Saigon (easier to type) was much faster than the beginning of our trip. We learned very quickly that this city of 10 million people has 5.7 million "Hondas."  Since Honda was the first make to be imported, they call all motorbikes Hondas. It was like our use of the word Kleenex for all brands of tissue or Xerox for all copy machines. These motorbikes were used for three main purposes; family transportation (they were not supposed to carry more than three people, but they do), they were used in place of a pick up truck for transport and delivery of all kinds of things, and they were used as taxis to take people around. Helmets were required for adults but not for little kids!!  

Traffic was so slow getting into town that Harry gave up on our visit to the History Museum. Instead we stopped by the Notre Dame Cathedral and the big central Post Office. We then walked to the Opera House, which was next to the Hotel Continental Saigon. It was the location of the film "The Quiet American." The film depicted life in Vietnam in the 1950s, based on the writings of the journalist named Reed. The 2000 version of the film has some high-powered actors in it, I'm told.

They were getting ready for the Tet Celebration, or Lunar New Year. It started Jan. 31 this year and lasted 10 days. The large parks in the city were all being decorated with flowers and banners, etc. Too bad we left before it starts, but it was great to see the colorful decorations.

Eventually we got to our hotel, the Asia Ruby 3 Hotel. As most small hotels it has a short footprint along the street. There are nine floors, plus a mezzanine where we have meals. There were six small rooms per floor. The rooms were lightly furnished but clean. We were able to adjust the temperature by turning off or up the air conditioner. Dinner was at the hotel.  After dinner some went over to the rooftop bar at the Rex Hotel. This was where the journalists hung out and got their briefings during the "American War," as they refer to the Vietnam War. Paul and I headed to bed, and understood we missed a good time.

Tomorrow is a visit to the Viet Cong Tunnels and other places.

That's it for now. Grace and Paul