Spent the morning transiting up the Saigon River and then waiting to disembark. Then spent the afternoon and evening with a colleague who had never been to Saigon. Our first stop was to go to a tailor he had heard about to get measured for our custom-made suits. We then walked and shopped and ate (I introduced him to rambutans and mangosteens) are way through central Saigon.
I enjoyed two informative hours in the museum.
Stone reminders of the long presence of Hinduism in Vietnam.
Recovered goods from shipwrecks around Vietnam.
Fresh orange juice, no ice.
Had Bahn Mi for lunch. One of the global studies lectures prior to arriving focused on how this food is an excellent representation of the historic fusion (including the French baguette) of food thanks to trade and colonialism.
US consulate rebuilt on the site where the evacuated US Embassy was located when Saigon fell.
Perimeter wall had photos of US presidents visiting Vietnam illustrating an amazing change in relations since the war.
In both my political geography class and my intro to geography class I covered quite a bit about Vietnam, including the role of Ho Chi Minh (center of billboard) as a nationalist leader who was fighting for independence, not to spread communism throughout Southeast Asia (as I grew up learning).
Streets are more ordered and pedestrian crossings are safer now than during my two previous visits to this amazing city.
Delicious hot pot.
Dioramas and maps illustrated the comings and goings of the Chinese Empire.
Recovered goods from shipwrecks around Vietnam.
Advertisement for a water puppet play focused on the disputed Paracel and Spratley Islands.
Had Bahn Mi for lunch. One of the global studies lectures prior to arriving focused on how this food is an excellent representation of the historic fusion (including the French baguette) of food thanks to trade and colonialism.
US consulate rebuilt on the site where the evacuated US Embassy was located when Saigon fell.
Perimeter wall had photos of US presidents visiting Vietnam illustrating an amazing change in relations since the war.
In both my political geography class and my intro to geography class I covered quite a bit about Vietnam, including the role of Ho Chi Minh (center of billboard) as a nationalist leader who was fighting for independence, not to spread communism throughout Southeast Asia (as I grew up learning).
Streets are more ordered and pedestrian crossings are safer now than during my two previous visits to this amazing city.
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