A traveller's reflection: Vietnam 2002: Ho Chi Minh - The heart and soul of Vietnam…

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Thursday, 31 October 2002

Vietnam 2002: Ho Chi Minh - The heart and soul of Vietnam…

"It's never too late to start over, never too late to be happy..." - Jane Fonda

Sara and I joined the Puspanita trip to Ho Chi Minh City. We visited many interesting places including the Presidential palace, war museum, Cu Chi tunnel, Notre Dame Churth, Opera House and a day cruise the Mekong River and enjoying local fruits on one of the island.

(Sara and the Vietcongs)

'Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling, dynamic and industrious centre, the economic capital and the cultural trendsetter. The streets, where much of the city's life takes place, are a myriad of shops, stalls, stands-on-wheels and vendors selling wares from blankets on sidewalks. The traffic roars and fumes but within are the timeless traditions and beauty of an ancient culture.

(Mekong River cruise)

Central Ho Chi Minh City is the place to be on Sundays and holiday nights. The streets are jam-packed with young locals cruising the town on bicycles and motorbikes. The Municipal Theatre area is the hub for young hipsters. Entertainment ranges from disco and karaoke in the larger hotels, loud Western music in bars such as the Hard Rock Cafe, dancing at the Rex Hotel or experiencing traditional Vietnamese music at the Conservatory of Music. Most forms of entertainment can be found in downtown Ho Chi Minh City along Mac Thi Buoi Street.But there is a down-side to every city, and Ho Chi Minh's streets are filled to bursting with poverty and sadness…