Christmas in Saigon

It is the favourite month of the year for me. No matter in which part of the world, you can feel the festive atmosphere. Everywhere, everything is suddenly so beautiful and happy. In Saigon, the streets are all lighted up and Nguyen Hue has been transformed into a wonderland like Orchard Road in Singapore. Anyway, picture speaks a thousand words, so just look at some of the night scene in Saigon.

Beautiful snowman at Citibank HQ

Big Season Greetings that's 10 stories high

Magnificent light display at Saigon Plaza

An upmarket bar, simply magical with the snow flakes around

Window display at Steiff in Saigon

Nguyen Hue, simply beautiful with the lights overhead

Ho Chih Minh City Hall, doesn't it looks like Disney castle from this angle?

Can't wait for another 3 months for Christmas!

Location : Ho Chih Minh, Vietnam

Date of travel : Dec 2009

Puppets in the water

I've gotten the impression from Amazing Race that the water puppet show is something that is unique to Vietnam. Actually I stumble upon the information on this puppet show by chance at the Central Post Office. Yes, there is a ticketing booth at the Central Post Office of which I think was pretty smart because every tourist will definitely make a 'pit-stop' here.

When we found out that the ticket is a mere USD6 per pax and my son who is under 5 is going in for free, we just took the chance to watch this show.

Located at the Labour Cultural Palace, the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre is surprisingly well designed.

Although tickets are flat rate of USD6 regardless where you sit in the theatre, you can see the 'stage' or rather pool from every angle in the theatre.

There are 5 musicians sitting on both side of the stage and they play the instrument and sings and make sound effect 'live'.

There are 6 people working behind the stage controlling the puppet all the while soaking in the water (not a dream job for sure). Anyway I took some 15secs video of the show to give an idea what it is all about.

Two dragon puppets

Three dragon boats

Three puppets trying to catch a dragon. Notice the puppet is actually beating the drum, so cute.

The entire show is about 50 mins long but I don't feel it is that long. It is very alive, very cute, even my 4 year old son likes it. So far I would rate it as the best cultural show I've seen in this region. I mean how often do you see puppet dancing in the water? Definitely worth the time to experience it.

This is the finale, 8 puppets dancing simultaneously.

Location : Ho Chih Minh, Vietnam
Next, Christmas in Saigon

The Cu Chi Tunnel

Vietnam War is probably one of the most 'talked-about' war in the world. This is one battle that the United States has lost. Yes, the big giant has lost to the little midgets crawling underground. This is what Cu Chi (pronounce Coo-Chi) tunnel is all about.

I have been to the communist's underground tunnel in Hat Yai and at first I thought it should be the same old thing. Little did I know that Cu Chi tunnel is in a totally different league altogether. In fact it should be in the 'wonders of the world' league because it spans 200 kilometres (yes, 200 KM) of tunnels undergrounds spiralling like cobwebs under the land of Cu Chi in Saigon.

The collapse ground shows the tunnel underneath it

It apparently has 3 levels underground that could accomodates whatever they needed to do underground - meeting rooms, medical rooms, kitchens etc. The 'architecture' of the Cu Chi tunnel is so good that although the enemy has been pumping water or gas into the tunnel, no harm done.

I downloaded this diagram from a website to show how complicated the tunnel system is

So, how much effort was involved in digging the tunnel? Apparently 3 people work on a spot for a day will complete about 1 cubic metre of earth. 1 guy gotta dig, 1 guy bring it up to the ground and another guy gotta somehow transport the earth secretly somewhere where the enemy couldn't detect. That's painstakingly slow right?

So, how come the enemy is having a hard time finding the entrance to the tunnel? Let's check it out.

See the small opening slightly bigger than the size of an A4 paper? Yes, this is the secret entrance to the tunnel. We've been asked to look for the entrance just within the area and we couldn't find it.

In the whole group of 14 of us, apparently I'm the only one that could try to go into the tunnel. So I thought I'll be sporting and demostrate it.

I have to lift up my hand in order to fully go inside the opening. Seriously, this is like really small. How big were the Vietcong soldiers anyway?

Another collapse part revealing the tunnel underground

On top of having a hard time tracing the Vietcong, the US soldiers should also beware of the traps everywhere in the jungle / battle ground. Look at the killer trap ... nasty.

Of course the US also has its fair share of destruction done here. Where we are standing is actually a bomb crater drop on the land of Cu Chi.

There is a part of the tunnel that now allows visitors to crawl through to experience the life inside the tunnel. I didn't managed to take any photo inside because it was damn dark and small. Apparently that part of the tunnel has been expanded to accomodate big fat tourist like my (cough) hubby (cough).

Going inside the tunnel. Little boy like my son finds it fun because it is easy for him to crawl thru.

Another reason why the poor Vietcong stand a chance to fight with US is because while they found the bomb that used to belongs to the enemy, they modified them into land mines to attack the enemy in return. Smart!

Bombs belonging to the US army

Modified into land mines and planted around the Cu Chi battle ground

Finally to so-called get in the mood of this historic battle ground, there is a shooting range for visitors to try their hand in every possible weapon you can think of - the AK47, the M16, etc.

Here I am, trying my hand on M-16 ... awesome

In summary, if you are a fan of war movies (like my hubby) or even if you are not (like me), try not to miss this place. This place marks the history of Vietnam, the sheer courage, determination, sacrifices and the victory of Vietcongs in protecting their rights, their people and their country. People Of Cu Chi, I salute you!

Location : Ho Chih Minh, Vietnam
Next, Puppets in the water

Not so beautiful sights and sounds of Saigon

Since I have shown the beautiful sights of Saigon, this blog is now dedicated to the not so beautiful sights and sounds of Saigon.

1. Ben Thanh Market

I know this is actually a pretty much noted 'tourist spot' in every guide book and that is exactly the problem. Firstly, as a so-called bazaar market in South East Asia, it has failed miserably in terms of pricing. I asked for the price of a little t-shirt for my 4 year old son and the price they quoted right away is 120,000 dong. That is like USD6!!! I don't even know how to bargain because even if I decided to cut 50% off, it is still USD3. Anyway that is what I pay for (which I later found was sold at exactly the same price at the airport!!!)

Just when I thought that the environment in Chatuchak Market in Bangkok is bad, this place is even worst. Although I was there at close to 6pm, the environment inside is stuffy, hot and very uncomfortable. My son keeps throwing tantrum he wanted to leave. To top it of, a sales girl at one of the stall suddenly just grab my son and started to walk very quickly and when both me and my hubby was yelling at her, she gave a pretense that she thinks my son is cute and just wanna play with him. WTFFFFF! How can she do that?

So we decided to leave the market and scout for things to eat. My gosh, the roundabout in front of Ben Thanh is the scariest roundabout I've ever seen. I will describe the traffic situation later but while I was trying very hard to cross the road, suddenly a little girl hold my hand. Just when I thought she was so kind to try and help a tourist to cross the road, she starts asking for money. When I told her no, she kept holding my hand and pestering me, basically harassment is the word. After we have cross the road, she continue to stand less than 3 feet away from me.

The same thing happened the next day. Not that I liked Ben Thanh Market so much I came back for it the next day but the nearest shuttle stop from the place we went earlier was at Ben Thanh. This time another kid, a boy, started asking for money while I was trying to cross the road and while I ignore him, he continue to harass me until we cross to the other side of the road. Suddenly I felt a jerk at the back and I realised the boy is trying to grab my wallet from my back pocket. Get real boy! My alert level rise up to 110% the moment he started crossing the road with me. I started to yell at him and tell him to stop it or I'll call the police. For the next 4 days I was in Saigon, I felt very unsafe. To be fair, this only happens in Ben Thanh and not anywhere else. Maybe they are all out to get the tourist there *sigh*.

2. Traffic in Saigon

OK, everyone who has been to Saigon will tell you the same thing. The traffic in Saigon is the craziest in the world. First, they have 4 million bikes in one city. 4 MILLIONS ... if you don't get how much bikes there is, look at the picture below.

This is just a random picture I took from my hotel room.

See the 2 only miserable cars there amongst the hundreds of bikes? Only in Saigon.

On top of the scary throngs of bikes, they come from all directions. By all directions, I meant north, south, east, west, north-east, north-west, south-east or south-west ... in short you can never apply the rule "look left and look right'. Then, there is very little traffic lights in Saigon and I know why. Because irregardless of whether the light is red or green, the bikers do not bother at all. They just go riding on.

And then there is also the fact that if the street is one-way, the bikers decided to go up on the pedestrian side walk and go the other way ... amazing isn't it? So you will find all the beautiful pedestrian brick-ways all broken and if you're wearing high heels like me, you will constantly find yourself stuck in the cracks on the bricks on top of having bikes zooming past you!

Look at this brave biker trying to go the other way round

So how do the bikers survived in this traffic system? They just horn. Day and night, all you hear in Saigon is horns, horns and more horns. So after spending a few days there, we figured that they horn to tell the other bikers or pedestrians that they are not giving way and you should give way. Otherwise, they are very skillful bikers, they can go twisting and turning in the least possible space you can imagine.

So how do we cross the street? A friend asked me when I came back whether I try the method of closing my eyes and just cross. OK, this is not funny because I just might as well do. OK, what I did was say a prayer [Dear God, please let me cross the road safely] and then step my feet to the road and just cross. When a bike comes too close to me, I just stop for a second to let it pass and then just continue crossing. And then miraculously, I am on the other side of the road.

Only happens in Saigon, Bike-Jam

3. As you walk around the city, admiring the Parisian feel of the place, you will also come across the ugly electric cable all around.

Yeah, I know this picture is cliche but when you're there standing right underneath it, you will think to yourself ... yeah, I'm in a third world country.



Location : Ho Chih Minh, Vietnam
Next, The Cu Chi Tunnel

Beautiful sights in Saigon

I just visited a city of 8 millions population and during peak time 10 millions. Popularly known as Saigon, it has since changed its name to Ho Chih Minh City. Before my trip, I asked my friends what are the things to see here and most of them told me nil, nada, boring. Personally I find it OK though, as I normally like to just stroll around the city, sits at cafe at side street and see the city moves. Anyhow, these are few of the beautiful sights that I managed to capture in District 1.

1. Ho Chi Minh City Hall or Hôtel de Ville de Saigon was built in 1902.

The structure resembles French colonial style marking its history of being a French colony.

Right in front of the City Hall is the monument of Ho Chih Minh which is the first prime minister of Vietnam (I think)

A beautiful pocket park fronting the City Hall

2. The Saigon Opera House
Built in 1901, it is shaped to look like Opera Garnier in Paris. I supposed the French wanted to have a little Paris in Saigon, to remind them of their home.


3. Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
This is one landmark you have to come. Although you probably find hundreds of the same in France or Rome but there is only one in Saigon.

Built in 1863, this is obviously another French influence architecture

Actually this cathedral is normally not open for public and most of the visitor only get to look at the outside structure. But I happened to be there when there was a wedding ceremony, so .... what else, I crashed the party to catch a glimpse of the interior.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the hall, grand!

Notre-Dame is famous for its stained glass and so, here are the 4 pieces at the back of the cathedral.

The birth of Jesus (MERRY CHRISTMAS indeed)

Jesus and his disciples (I thinkk)

This statue of Virgin Mary located right in front of Notre-Dame is the infamous statue that was rumoured to have shed tears in 2005. It has caused quite a commotion where everyone comes here to ... you know. Apparently it is not true.

Here is my best artistic shot of the statue in all its glory

4. Saigon Central Post Office

How often do you come across guide books and tourist spot in any country asking you to visit their post office? So, this gotta be one of the most famous post office in the world right? I mean even in Amazing Race (I'm a HUGE fan), the racers are asked to come here.

Well actually it is of course another French marking in Saigon and was here since 20th century.

OK, this is a pretty cool post office, yes?

5. Hotel Continental Saigon

There is no story. I just simply like the facade. You know, just to complete the Parisian feel of this place.


6. Diamond Plaza, Saigon

This department store is just simply beautiful

7. Spring Roll


Trust me, the spring rolls in Saigon is not only a beautiful sight, its the best spring roll that I have ever had [FULL STOP].




Location : Ho Chih Minh City, Vietnam
Next, Not so beautiful sights and sounds of Saigon