MORNING IN HO CHI MIN CITY AND BACK TO SINGAPORE

Our flight back to Singapore didn't leave until later in the afternoon so we had good time to explore more of the city.    

The traffic in Ho Chi Min City has to be seen to be believed.  There are so many scooters on the road and just as many parked wherever the driver can find a space.  Crossing the road is an adventure in itself.  The walker is always in danger as the scooters mount the pavement at will and cut across a corner all the time.

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Scooters everywhere

Modern electricity supply

It is a city of contrasts with modern buildings beside old ones The electrical supply system is unbelievable. Our visit began at Independence Palace or Reunification Palace. it was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It was the site of the end of the Vietnam War during the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates.

Reunification Palace

On 8 April 1975, Nguyen Thanh Trung, a pilot of the Vietnam Air Force and an undetected communist spy, flew an F-5E aircraft from Biên Hòa Air Base to bomb the palace, but caused no significant damage. At 10:45 on 30 April 1975, a tank of the North Vietnamese Army bulldozed through the main gate, ending the Vietnam War. 

The F5E plane

A replica of the tank that ended the Vietnam War 

The palace was a very impressive building and we could roam all over it.  There were many rooms, all beautifully furnished.

The Cabinet Room

The Presidential Office

The Presidential Reception Room

The Throne Room

The Ambassadors Chamber

Vice-President Reception Room

One of the Dining Rooms

Telecommunications Room in the basement

The President's bedroom in  the basement

The President's war room

A UH-1 (Huey) helicopter of the type used by the President

The circle marks the spot that the F5-E plane dropped one of its bombs at the end of the War

The famous photograph of the Americans leaving from the the Palace by helicopter in 1973.  The war continued until 1975

On our way back to the hotel we found another market.
 

Fish

 Meat

Vegetables

Crab

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War

 Back to Singapore on Tigerair 

End of Part 11 of 16

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