Ho Chi Minh City is the commercial capital of Vietnam. It is named after Ho Chi Minh, the first President of Vietnam who led the Veit Minh war against the French. Earlier known as Saigon, it changed its name from Saigon in 1976 after the war against the Americans got over in 1975.
The place is developed drastically over a short span. Gone are the days of old Saigon, Starbucks, designer wear shops, dominate the place now.
Ho Chi Minh City Hall:
This French colonial style building is not open to public and is the office of City People's Committee.
City Hall by night
Do stop by and notice the snake wine. Throughout Southeast Asia, venomous snakes are steeped in rice wine to make medicinal wines. Other animals used in these wines are scorpions, armadillos, geckos and even turtles. A heavily priced one being a tiger penis wine!
Many countries consider the export and import of this wine illegal.
The place is developed drastically over a short span. Gone are the days of old Saigon, Starbucks, designer wear shops, dominate the place now.
a roadside monastery
This French colonial style building is not open to public and is the office of City People's Committee.
Built in 1908, this building looks beautiful at night.
Ben Thanh market:
A shopper's paradise, Ben Thanh market cannot be missed by the surrounding vibrant activity. Once inside, your eyes gleam with excitement and astonishment at the collection of lacquer wares, Vietnam coffee, fruits, silk, groceries, souvenirs, handicrafts. Even if you do not plan buying anything, just going around the small bylanes is an experience by itself.
looking for a good bargain
There is a small section where you can taste the local cuisine. Also are seen a variety of local fruits and vegetables.
so much stuff !
collection of lacquerware
Another thing I found interesting is a framed picture of insects. Look in the above picture, silk moths, butterflies, centipedes, spiders, beetles.
snake wine
a closer look
Do stop by and notice the snake wine. Throughout Southeast Asia, venomous snakes are steeped in rice wine to make medicinal wines. Other animals used in these wines are scorpions, armadillos, geckos and even turtles. A heavily priced one being a tiger penis wine!
Many countries consider the export and import of this wine illegal.
Saigon central post office:
Adjacent to Notre Dame Cathedral, is the central post office which was built when Vietnam was still a part of French Indochina.
It was designed and constructed by Gustave Eiffel who was the mastermind behind the construction of Eiffel tower and Statue of Liberty.
Lots of shops selling souvenirs crowd the building alley. A huge map can be seen mounted on the wall showing the Saigon region.
Notre Dame Cathedral:
The Cathedral was built by the French colonists after it won Saigon. It was earlier called Saigon church.
Built between 1863 and 1880, it has two bell towers on either side. A statue of Virgin Mary stands in front of the Cathedral.
Opera House:
Dining out:
Most of the people in this region prefer to dine out. By evening, all eating places start getting full. It is mainly a group eating, families or friends together.
We went to such a place and ordered a barbeque plate.
The skewered prawn and octopus is placed over the mesh and you turn them using chopsticks. The whole process is fun and it also gives time to chat in a group. Dunk the cooked food in spicy soy sauce. Fresh leaves go in your soup. What a wholesome dinner!
Most of the people in this region prefer to dine out. By evening, all eating places start getting full. It is mainly a group eating, families or friends together.
A smouldering coal oven with a mesh soon came to the table. Then came a selection of sea food and a bowl of soup. Since, I prefer to be a vegetarian, we ordered a plate of sauteed vegetables as well.
Some more place to visit, I might write about them in my next post.
coffee with coffee jelly wow!
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