Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Vicinity
The trip began by landing in Ho Chi Minh City. The traffic was horrendous - motorbikes moving like swarms of locusts and every traffic law every written ignored routinely.
After viewing the selected photograph, please use the "back" button on your browser to return to this page.
You can always spot the tourists in Ho Chi Minh City....
The former Presidential Palace (the offices and residences of the former President and Vice President of South Vietnam) is still being maintained as a tourist attraction. This location is supposed to show the splendor and waste exhibited by the former South Vietnamese government.
1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
For former members of the U.S. Army Security Agency (a.k.a. "Radio Research") who went to Vietnam, in-and-out processing (and for some, duty station) occurred at Davis Station, located next to Tan Son Nhut Airport. Davis Station is no more, replaced by rundown housing and mom-and-pop small businesses. The last two photos here are of what used to be the Grand Hotel, Cholon. This Hotel also served as an ASA/RR transient billet.
1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Within HCMC is a Catholic Cathedral. Built on the lines of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris, this cathedral is still in operation.
1
- 2
- 3
- 4
On 16 November 2001 the tour group enjoyed a "floating dinner" along the Saigon River. A guest that evening was a former North Vietnam Army colonel. Dinner conversations were frank, cordial and friendly.
1*
* photo courtesy of MilSpec Travel, Inc. (www.gomilspec.com)
