Saigon Walkabout

Took the hotel shuttle bus into downtown HCM City (Saigon) and spent most of the day just walking about and taking it in. Great city, on its way to becoming truly international.

Spent a few minutes inside a major indoor market, with narrow aisles and lots of clothes, trinkets and food. Bargaining tip (from the amateur that I am) ... ask the price, frown slightly, look at the goods again, and then thank them and walk away. They will inevitably track you down and give you a more realistic starting point for discussion. Offer them 1/2 that price, and then haggle. They will watch your eyes carefully to gauge your interest. Agree on the price (which of course if far more than a professional haggler would ever pay). Watch the seller groan with the pain of selling your item at such a low price (which is at least 50% higher than the actual market value).

After a trip to Kim Travel to pay for our Mekong Delta tour, and a brief lunch at Thai Eden Bar (with a chat with Fay, a great-grandmother from New Zealand), walked back through the indoor market passed large bowls of dried saffron colored shrimp and platters of raw fish and sweetmeats (umm!) -- remember it's 90 degrees and 90% humidity in the shade!

Spent some time at the Reunification Palace (formerly the Presidential Palace). The offical guide of the Reunification Palace is surprisingly gentle with President Thieu and the South Vietnames government. Some propoganda, especially when we start in the reception hall in front of a bust of Uncle Ho Chi Minh. But pretty much showed the old Presidential Palace as it was just before the Fall of Saigon. Pointed out the tanks that tore down the front gate (or at least tanks that LOOKED like the ones that did!). Also the South Vietname plane that bombed the palace (with a pilot who switched sides?). The basement was kept exactly as it was, with communications radio and map rooms -- and President Thieu's old 1960's era white Mercedes!

Then took the hotel's shuttle boat back up the Saigon River to our hotel (15 minutes away). Tomorrow we take a day trip to My Tho in the Mekong Delta. More to follow!