J+L in Transit

Around Town in Hồ Chí Minh City

We stayed in the Backpacker District of Hồ Chí Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. The city has a lot of traffic, but the flow seemed to be more organized than in Hà Nội. At least drivers follow the direction of one-way streets and sometimes there are traffic police on hand to help pedestrians cross the road. Like Hà Nội, there is a visible French-colonial influence in the architecture. The art culture seems to be thriving. Lots of shops were selling stylized movie posters, paintings, and custom-designed souvenirs with quality better than those we saw elsewhere. It was difficult to choose restaurants with just so many good options available. One favorite restaurant we discovered was Monsoon Bar & Grill, which serves Burmese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Cambodian dishes in a fine-dining atmosphere — all for only about $5 per entree.

Linley Backpacking in the Backpacker District

Sozo Cafe, a Charitable Business and Favorite Spot in the Backpacker District

Coffee and Snacks from Sozo

James Drinking Coffee at Sozo

Vegetable Fried Noodles

Beef Fried Noodles

J+L in Saigon

City Hall

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral

Opera House

Hotel Near the Opera House

Fancy Coffee Shop

Inside the Fancy Coffee Shop

Now This Is a Vietnamese Coffee

City Park

Parents Waiting to Pick Up Their Kids from School, All on Motorbikes

Streets of HCMC with the Bitexco Financial Tower Visible in the Background

Lots of Traffic in HCMC

Towers of Rice from Monsoon Bar & Restaurant

Slow Cooked Beef with Caramel Marinated Eggs

Lin in the Backpacker District

Beef Wraps

Reunification Palace

The Reunification Palace was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the war. On April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell, North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the front gate of the palace. The building now serves as a museum and continues to host official government functions.

Exterior of the Reunification Palace

We Were Hoping Barack Obama Would Step Out When This USA Limo-Car Stopped Outside the Palace, Sadly No

Radio Equipment in the Reunification Palace

Battle Map Preserved in the Reunification Palace

Courtyard of the Reunification Palace, Tanks Drove Through This Gate in the Fall of Saigon

The Tank That Drove Though the Gate

Markers on the Roof Where Bombs Fell During the Fall of Saigon

War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum showcases a variety of captured or abandoned American military hardware in the front courtyard. Inside are heartbreaking exhibits of the effects of Agent Orange and the carnage of the Vietnam War.

Bell UH-1 "Huey" Helicopter at the War Remnants Museum

They're Serious About Not Climbing on Stuff

One of Several American Planes Parked Outside the Museum

Street Beer

On the streets of the Backpacker District, several establishments are set up selling beer to customers right on the sidewalk. They bring out more plastic chairs as more customers arrive, slowly spilling out into the street. Inevitably, the police drive by and force everyone to get up and cram back onto the sidewalk. Street vendors constantly pass by selling snacks, pirated DVDs, and cigarettes. There were also street performers. We saw one kid blowing fireballs, and another put a snake up his nose and out his mouth.

Beer on the Sidewalk

Move the Chairs, Here Come the Cops!

Bia Saigon, Good Deal for 50 Cents

Crowded Sidewalks

Kid Breathes Fire in Front of the Street Beer Crowd

Another Kid Puts a Snake Up His Nose (and Out His Mouth)