HO CHI MINH CITY

When I turned 20 I heard "Saigon" for the first time. That was in 1962. In 1967 I walked the streets of Tu Du Street ,Vietnam. I had come of age.

The war was still on and I had a deep sense of what Vietnam meant to its people, our people, and the world. The acculturation of the way it was, and what it was going to be, told me Vietnam would be a very meaningful page in my life. Indochina as it was would be short lived as war means progress.

The collapse of Saigon proved to be the beginning of a New Saigon and soon technologies around the world meant more progress.

In November of 1998 I returned to Saigon for 9 days. My return taught me only part of the New Ho Chi Minh City. More progress was in order. The communist flag told me the war was over and life went on. A new Vietnam revealed itself. Tens of thousands of motor bikes brought about a vibrant youthful culture.

I took five rolls of cameras/films to document my journey. It was the smartest thing I could do. Absolutely everybody obliged in having their pictures taken.. Another secret for the tourist is buying Postal Cards. Saigon thrives as Ho Chi Minh City. The Catholic Basilica, food market places, the hubbub of it all shows s humble population of this war torn country.Log onto HCM City  Wikipedia for idea

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Today ,advancing technologies and SmartPhones welcome people from around the world. Allow yourself time to travel and take it all in. Travel to the resort town of Vung Tau on the coast. I lived in Vung Tau for one year as a soldier. Then, travel onto Australia! 30 days all told makes for a heck of an Extended Far East vacation in Late November. And Cathay Pacific Airlines is the only way to fly. Send me a post card.. Box 7, West Brookfield, MA 01585 USA. Ho Chi Minh City blends the old with the new. , The French with the Vietnamese. My clothes are made in Vietnam!