04a Saigon

Vietnam Day 4

Today's Travel:

Bus: 5 kms

Walk: 2 kms

What could be more attractive than a museum with aircraft in it? OK, I guess all may not agree, but I'm the aircraft nut and I'm writing this blog, so you're going to get aircraft!

Today's visit was to the War Remnants Museum. It was initially named the Exhibition House for US and Puppet Crimes when it opened in 1975, then changed to Exhibition House for Crimes of War and Aggression in 1990. It had its final name change in 1995. In the front of the building there are captured aircraft, helicopters, tanks and artillery from the US forces and (I think) the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam - South Vietnam). The markings on some of the aircraft are a bit 'off' and one feels they've been repainted by someone not entirely familiar with US military aviation terminology or markings. However, they all seem to be in reasonable condition.

Cessna A-37 Dragonfly

Things that go BANG

Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter

I suspect this is not the writing it had when it left the factory.

A group of Vietnamese college students in front of a Douglas A-1 Skyraider. They were visiting the museum as part of their history course.

Boeing CH-47 Chinook

Inside the museum were displays on various factors of the 'American' war such as Agent Orange (quite disturbing), the My Lai Massacre, the use of napalm and the treatment of prisoners by the US and South Vietnamese forces. While none of the displays were less than factual, it does prove the point that history is written by the victors and shows the war from their point of view.

This evening's jaunt was a walk to the Bitexco Financial Tower, which when it was opened in 2010, was the tallest building in Vietnam at 262m (860'). To give you an idea of the rapid growth of this city, it now is merely the fourth tallest.

We ascended to the 51st floor (where the helicopter deck is) for an evening drink.

In the distance you can see Vietnam's (current) tallest building, the Vincom Landmark 81 at 461.2 m (1,513 ft)

An early night in preparation for a big day tomorrow down to the Mekong Delta.

Vietnam Day 5

Today's Travel:

Bus: 155 kms

Boat: 2 kms + 4 kms

Map: Today's trip

The first stop was to the Vinh Trang Buddhist Temple near My Tho. It was built in 1850 and has been damaged, renovated and added to a number of times. More Info: Vinh Trang Temple

There were giant Buddhas sitting (left), recumbent and standing (right) as well as countless others inside..

There was also an interesting drawing of human progress.

Where are you in this diagram?

We then boarded a small boat for a journey around some of the islands in the Mekong Delta. These were called (in English) Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix Islands.

My Tho Cruise Terminal on the Mighty Mekong. In the distance is one of the huge bridges over the Mekong.

First stop was an island where they harvest honey from very placid bees. We were invited to stroke them.

Stroke a bee?

They also have other animals you can touch and hold.

Monty and I, posing for the camera

After a stroll across the island, we had a ride back to our boat in a local vessel along one of the canals. Not too stable and not a lot of freeboard, but fun.

Another island, this time making coconut sweets.