HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM

World Tour of 2013
With Brigit and Sophia (Sonya) 
Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon), Vietnam, March 31, 2013

Bidding Ha Long Bay goodbye and two days at sea.   The Pacific Princess sets a southerly course, following the East coast of Vietnam toward our next port of call, Phu My (pronounced "Foo Me"), our gateway to Ho Chi Minh City.

Sunrise over Ho Chi Minh City

The largest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh is still often called Saigon, though the name was officaially changed in 1975 at the close of 30 years of warfare when North Vietnam defeated South Vietnam in the war.  

Over three decades have passed since the Vietnam War ended with the fall of Saigon.  Today, the name of this bustling metropolis on the Mekong River is Ho Chi Minh City.   Yet, the essence of the city, a major trading center since the 18th century, remains unchanged.  The air is filled with the cries of street hawkers and honking horns.  Bicycles, motorbikes and automobiles fly down the boulevards at dizzying speeds.  And everywhere, friendly faces and warm greetings meet you.

Our day of adventure in Vietnam takes us to the 
(1) Binh An Village Resort, one of the country's most beautiful seaside resorts for lunch;
(2) To the mystical Lang Ca Ong Whale Temple;
(3) Countryside where we visit a village temple and family-owned market;
(4)  Then onto 2 homes where we are treated to demonstrations of local rice wine;
(5)  and rice paper making;
(6)  farmer's fruit garden - the loveliness of the lush grounds, where we enjoy fresh seasonal fruits in the farmer's fruit garden.   It's a delicious and refreshing way to cap off our day of exploration in Vietnam.

Binh An Village Resort

 

Lang Ca Ong Whale Temple
The Whale Temple erected in honor of whales which, legend has it, protect local fishermen and their ships. In fact, when a whale dies and washes ashore, the locals drag it to the temple. A festival follows, complete with traditional songs and dancing. And the whale bones are buried at the temple for three years, then dug up and put on display.

Outside temple grounds

Temple grounds

 

Inside temple

Inside temple

Whale bones on display

 

 

 Village temple

Temple gateway

Outside village temple

Inside village temple pictures here and below

Family-owned market

 

 

Anybody for a bottle of "snake wine"?

Home visits

There's no better introduction to Vietnamese culture than to be welcomes into a traditonal home, which often houses three generations. 

Home visit - where rice wine is made and a few farm animals are raised.

Dining table and bed for guests

Wine making equiptment

Our tour guide pours rice wine for fellow passengers to taste

84 year old grandmother with one of 14 grandchildren

One of many rice fields

Home visit - where rice paper is made

 

74 year old grandmother makes rice paper

Children enjoying the taste of grandmother's rice paper

We bid goodbye to the family and offer pieces of chocolate to the 
children and soap and shampoo to the women.

Home visit - farmer's fruit garden

Tables are set with fruit and drink for our arrival.

Walking the Gardens

Pineapple

JackFruit

 Exterior and interior of home

  

Bedroom with two wooden beds (no mattresses are used)

Gifting the crystal heart and delighting in her response.  

The gift was given directly to the grandmother.  Notice how young she looks.

Three generations

A few scenes around Ho Chi Minh city on the drive back to our ship.

Massage places are quite common

Skyline on coastal city

Fishing boats

Internet cafe where you can use cell phone while laying in hammock

Copy of Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue

Back at the pier there is time to shop for local Vietnamese handicrafts

Approx one week after we left Ho Chi Mihn we read news of the unveiling of this giant steel dragon
 bridge that literally breathes fire in Vietnam.

Please note. Our internet connection lately has been next to none. Over two weeks, we've tried to write content and post pictures. We are also unable to control layout and photo spacing of blog.  We are doing the best we can.  We may have to wait until our return to complete the last part of trip unless internet improves.

Thank you for sharing this incredible journey with us.

Much love to you and talk to you soon.
Brigit & Sophia