Vietnam – Day 10 – Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

Vietnam – Day 10 – Ho Chi Minh City

Published by

Shelby Nook

on

November 18, 2023

Today was a good one!

Started off slow with a matcha (of course😝), a chocolate croissant and some reading!

Then off to the War Remnants Museum. This museum is all about the Vietnam – American War. It was very very interesting to hear the other side of the story, compared to what you’re taught in history class. I also hadn’t learned that a lot of American citizens opposed the war, when the politicians were all for it.

I have also noticed a small amount of people in Vietnam with birth defects. I didn’t give it too much thought at the time. But after the museum, it seems majority of these birth defects are results of the Agent Orange gas that was sprayed from planes on the ground. Birth defects have passed on through generations since the war.

I read everything. I really wanted to take my time to understand and learn. I didn’t take photos in the museum because there were a lot of disturbing photos, so I wanted to be respectful.

Very interesting they have US planes, helicopters, tanks, on display rather than Vietnamese.

After spending a couple hours at the museum, I went for a stroll on my way to see the post office. Stumbled upon this book street, super cute.

Post Office

I’m honestly not sure if there’s history behind this. I just know it’s on the list of things to see. It was just filled with tourist shops inside, nothing crazy.

I walked around a bit looking for some lunch. I actually ended up going back to the street food market I ate at yesterday because I was craving some rice rolls!

Char Siu (Cantonese BBQ Pork) Rice Flour Rolls

Then onto Independence Palace. This was the presidents office and home for the South for about 8 years during the war. This was the Saigon Republic/ State of Vietnam (non-communist) side of the country. Ultimately, the side that lost the war, which the US supported.

This was originally the site for the French in the 1800s and after the Geneva Accords in 1954, the French withdrew from the region. The building was bombed in 1962 so they took it all down and rebuilt to have Vietnamese architecture and influence.

Many important political gatherings were held here during the war.

The architecture and design was very cool. Very 1950/60s. I loved it! Lots of pictures coming!

In April 8, 1975, the palace was bombed twice (the red circles show the locations of where they landed) by a Northern Vietnamese fighter. April 30, 1975 the palace was invaded by the North Vietnamese Army, effectively ending the war. (The US had begun withdrawing troops by then.)

A very history filled day! Very interesting stuff. Also very sad.

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I was pooped by then and it was very very hot so I went back to rest up a little bit before I head out on a Saigon Street Food Tour!!!!! 🤩 This tour was also by motorbike! So fun! Video at the end!

I was joined by 3 other solo travelers! They were also super nice. From Germany, Australia, and Washington DC!

Back : Bánh khọt : Vietnamese mini pancake (beef or shrimp with coconut sauce!) (my favorite of the night!) Front : Bánh xèo : Vietnamese pancake (shrimp, beef, squid, bean sprout) ( We made this with different fillings at the cooking class in Da Nang)

Chuối nếp nướng : banana with sticky rice and fried with condensed milk and coconut sauce

Chung cư Nguyễn Thiện Thuật : These are apartments that were originally built for the Americans during the war. Now the government owns them. Typical 5-7 people live in one unit around 40 squared meters. Rent usually costs $500-700 a month when the average income is around $1200 a month. 🤯

Ho Thi Ky flower market : Closed lotus flowers

They just called this one BBQ Beef. It has lemongrass in the middle, which you do not eat, it just adds flavor. And there’s some “beef sauce” on the other side along with pickled morning glory.

Sweet Potato puffs with cheese powder

Bánh tráng nướng : Vietnamese pizza

Hủ tiếu trộn khô : dried mixed noodles (I really enjoyed these noodles, they are chewier than the pho noodles I’ve been having. Second favorite dish!)

Flan cake with condensed milk and coffee and ice!

All so so so good! I’m so glad a did a good tour here, in addition to the one in Hanoi. I was verse surprised that the foods didn’t over lap, it was all different! I also really enjoyed the tour guides and the other travelers! They were all so kind and it was great learning about everyone’s backgrounds.