Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon

Today was mainly about transferring from our beach resort to Ho Chi Minh City - formerly known as Saigon.  Actually, it seems a lot of people still call it Saigon.  Since HCMC is quite a mouthful, I can see why.

HCMC is much bigger and more modern than Hanoi.  It is hard to imagine, but the scooter density also seems higher.  We saw several modern buildings - including one with a helipad sticking out of the 50th floor like a balcony.  Our guide showed us where the famous photo was taken when the US evacuated its staff at the end of the Vietnam War. 

We visited the Rex Hotel, which was the hangout place for journalists during the war, and then our group headed out to dinner at a French restaurant on our own.  We enjoyed the light show on the building across from us, which was constantly showing different patterns of light - much like our Bay Bridge light sculpture, except in color.

Donna