May 2, 2015
So we were chillin' in our room at our guesthouse and I was reading some Facebook posts. I saw one from a group we belong to called Families on the Move. It posed the question about the chances of running into another family in this group at a restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Cool. I responded saying we were here too and next thing you know we were all meeting for dinner down the street.
There was one Canadian family, one from the UK and us. It is always great meeting someone else, not only for the company, but it's nice to spend time with others who get what we are doing. Someone in the group said they knew of an ice-cream shop boasting a monthly special with a buffet or something and today was that day. After dinner we spent a good while looking for said ice cream shop.
This group was not afraid to ask directions, especially after our google map directions were failing us. We asked several people, but Vietnamese people don't really say no or admit they do not know something, so we went on a bit of a wild goose chase. We finally found someone who actually left her group and escorted us to the shop. How nice was that?
Our new Canadian friends had arranged for a walking tour the next morning and invited us along. The Collins Family doesn't do well exploring cities on our own. We would probably get lost, wait too long to eat, become overheated and then turn on each other. This was a welcome change.
We all met in the morning and began our tour at the Independence Palace or the Reunification Palace.
Independence Palace
The Reunification Palace was the home and workplace of the president of South Vietnam during the war. It was where the war ended with the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975 when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through the gates. Northern and Southern Vietnam were then 'reunified.'
Meeting room
I know this is an important piece of artwork or gift, on wood panels I believe, but I can't remember why. Sorry.
helicopter on the roof
radio room
In the bunker where the president would sleep if necessary. A special private staircase comes here from his office.
After touring Independence Palace, we walked toward Notre Dame Church. We got there at 11:02 and we could not enter because they closed at 11:00 during lunch hours. Oh well.
Their Notre Dame Church
Front view
Moving on, we visited the post office and central market. It was hot and the group was hungry and tired. The children did amazingly well together. That was another benefit of touring with other families. The children had a peer group and could entertain each other. They were too distracted to complain.
The post office. Nicer than most.
Mr. Ho Chi Minh prominently positioned in the post office
The street is a good place for wedding pics
One way to sell donuts.
Worth a try.
At the main market. Prices on everything inside are negotiable.
Lots to choose from
We all decided to head back towards our guesthouses and get some lunch together. Liam was stopped again so more people could take his picture.
They want to touch him as well.
A successful tour indeed. We had a lovely, but steamy lunch at a great vegetarian restaurant. We enjoyed our day out with fellow travelers and were happy to have some new friends.