hkskyline's 2008 - HO CHI MINH CITY #1 (Colonial Buildings & American Resistance)

hkskyline · #1 Posted: **Mar 17, 2008, 4:13 PM**

My first trip in 2008 was to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Travelling during the holidays is always a pain from Hong Kong since everyone does it and the prices go through the roof. Vietnam is an emerging popular destination for Hong Kongers who have otherwise been to the likes of Thailand, Taiwan, and Shanghai too many times. So lately a lot of us have ventured to Vietnam.

1. Vietnam has a French colonial history, and the architecture still shows today. Here's the Notre Dame Cathedral.

11. Across the street stands another colonial-style building - Central Post Office.

13. The interior seems something from a long lost era though, complete with the portrait of Ho Chi Minh.

16. North of the city is the popular tourist attraction - Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of over 200 km of tunnels which extend up to the Cambodian border. This underground city was used to fight the Americans during the Vietnam War, but was definitely not a luxurious place to live for a couple of years. You pretty much need to crawl your way around the maze of tunnels.

17. This is a trap. Don't step on it.

18. Told you not to step on it. You're now dead. Those long nails are very pointy.

19. How many of you can squeeze into that entrance?

20. Now you don't see me.

21. Life in the jungle isn't always a pleasant experience.

22. Captured ... Americans

24. Air hole disguised by a rock.

25. Ammo for souvenirs, anyone?

More photos in my new Ho Chi Minh City galleries :
http://www.globalphotos.org/hochiminh.htm

staff · #2 Posted: **Mar 17, 2008, 4:52 PM**

Very nice. What are your thoughts on HCMC? How do you compare it to Hanoi (if you've been there as well)?

I consider Hanoi to be more pleasant and cosy, with it's narrow streets in the old French quarter.

I have the exact same pic of my stupid friend doing what your guide is doing.

Overall, I have pretty much the same pics from the Co Chi (?) Tunnels outside HCMC.

MolsonExport · #3 Posted: **Mar 17, 2008, 5:03 PM**

very cool pics.

R@ptor · #4 Posted: **Mar 17, 2008, 5:44 PM**

Great photos!

Quote:

Originally Posted by staff

Very nice. What are your thoughts on HCMC? How do you compare it to Hanoi (if you've been there as well)?

I consider Hanoi to be more pleasant and cosy, with it's narrow streets in the old

I would be curious about that as well, seeing as I'm in the process of planning a 7.5 week Southeast Asia trip from June to August. So far I've planned with 3.5 days in Hanoi and 2.5 days in HCMC...is that enough?

staff · #5 Posted: **Mar 17, 2008, 6:48 PM**

^^
Yeah, that would be enough I'd say. There are however some great day-tours from each of these cities that could warrant a longer stay, as there is much to see within both cities as well.
I spent something like 10 days in Hanoi which was way too much - I ended up sitting on the sidewalks drinking locally brewed beer most of the time instead.

I hope you'll have a great trip. Vietnam is really amazing.

Btw, I think we have a HCMC based forumer here (Jaroslaw) who might be able to answer any questions you might have.

Bergenser · #6 Posted: **Mar 17, 2008, 9:44 PM**

HCMC looks worth a visit. I am glad they have preserved that cathedral.

boden · #7 Posted: **Mar 19, 2008, 11:22 PM**

Never would have put that first building in Viet Nam...learn something every day.

gatt · #8 Posted: **Mar 21, 2008, 11:41 PM**

very interesting!

Rico Rommheim · #9 Posted: **Mar 22, 2008, 12:01 AM**

Wish there were more pics! Very nice! That trap though is just awful. What a way to go.

pablosan · #10 Posted: **Mar 22, 2008, 2:50 AM**

Enjoyed the thread. Thanks.