Final Night in Ho Chi Minh City

I took a cab this morning to the Ho Chi Minh Museum in hopes to learn more about the deified nationalist (and founding member of the French communist party) who fought for Vietnamese independence but, unfortunately, I learned it was closed today (doh), so I settled for walking around the building and appreciated the lovely landscaping, children's art in homage of Ho Chi Minh, and other Ho Chi Minh memoribilia.

For instance, the Peugot "presented to President Ho Chi Minh by the Vietnamese resident 'Novelgeland' (French Colony) in 1964."


Or children's art made in homage to Ho Chi Minh.


The huge lotus flower sculpture and pond that greets you at the entrance, lotus flower being Vietnam's national flower.


A memorial statue to Nguyen Tat Tranh, which was the name given later to HCM, meaning "he who will succeed."


A dragon sculpture with mosaic tiles covering much of its body, although the extra hands/claws are goofy and slightly menacing at the same time.


Then I hoofed it to the Dong Khoi area, not really knowing where I was heading yet exactly and stumbled down a street with a small outdoor market, which felt a little off the tourist grid as I didn't see any fanny packs or folks also wearing white running shoes (a telltale tourist sign). A few images from the market below.

A fruit vendor--look at all those bulbous green pomelos, red spiky rambutans, and purple mangosteens!


A meat vendor slicing.


Seafood vendors waiting for their next patron.


An interesting mix of architectural styles.


By then I'd sweated enough, so I went to X Cafe, which specialized in "premium New Zealand ice cream," and tried scoops of green tea and passion fruit ice cream. So tasty (although BiRite Creamery in San Francisco is still my all-time favorite, next to Bombay Creamery and Mitchell's in the Mission).



I strolled over to a nearby street to find Vietnamese Quilts (now apparently called Mekong Quilts), which "supports community development programs in remote villages in Cambodia and in Vietnam....to generate employment for women. One hundred per cent of profits from its quilt shops are returned to the villages. Mekong-Quilts focus is to provide rewarding employment, increase family incomes and improve conditions for children in these remote communities. Over 500 microcredits have been given and 200 scholarships." The quilts--as well as other handmade products, such as placemats, wallets, meditation cushions, etc.--were all superb creations.


I passed by the historic Hotel Majestic (one of the oldest hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, built in 1925) and couldn't resist taking photos of its French colonial-style lobby with elegant stained-glass.




Much to my detriment (only half kidding), I also discovered Lotus, another store that sells reprints of propaganda posters, as well as originals. There went at least an hour of my time as I looked at every single poster.


Vietnam is also famous for its textiles, especially for silk. You can see fabric stores all over the place offering hundreds of different fabrics and patterns. Often you can also have tailored clothing made within a day or two.



The Opera House, like the Ho Chi Minh Museum, was also closed but the building was quite grand. I'd love to come back to Vietnam and see a performance here.


To get a break from the sun and heat, I ventured over to Highland Coffee--supposedly the Vietnamese version of Starbucks--to taste test their iced coffee.


Later while walking down Le Thi Rieng to find a good dinner spot, I postponed the search and instead stepped inside some hair salon and asked for a haircut (which cost about $5, probably a dollar two above the average apparently). Well, this is where the whole "you get what you pay for" saying comes into play. Mullet with a smidge of bowl cut is what I got...ah well.


After futilely searching for a particular restaurant and getting lost, I decided to return to Huong Lai restaurant for another plate of their Bo xao bong thien ly (sauteed beef with thien ly flowers), along with fresh spring rolls and lotus tea. The food was even better the second time. Definitely one of my favorite places in Ho Chi Minh City--delicious meals, great atmosphere and decor, really kind staff, and altruistic mission (to help disadvantaged youth). The server also wrote down where I could find the pretty blue ceramic teapots and cups they use to serve their tea.


Other images taken around the city today:

Remember these?



A buka (coconut) vendor.


A group of folks (coworkers?) taking a midday nap.


A string of birdcages complete with layered songs by the inhabitants.