Shanghai Times

Yesterday, we arrived in Vietnam by bus at around 3pm. We took a taxi to the Old Quarter, where we found a hotel. The architecture and layout of the streets resembles France, with narrow streets and narrow buildings. The first night we explored the city and got accustomed to the City.

Today, we woke up bright and early. First, we headed to Ho Chi Minh's Presidential Palace. The area around the palace is made up of bright yellow buildings, all of which have the Vietnamese flag flying in front of them. Around the palace was a huge garden. After the palace, we went to a famous pagoda on a lake in which a number of American B-52's crashed after being shot down. The highlight of the day was visiting the prison museum. The prison has a lot of history - originally opened by the French to house Vietamese rebels, then used by the Japanese to house Vietnamese rebels, then used by the Vietnamese to house Americans. One of the Americans was John McCain, whose flight outfit that he was captured in is on display.

We also saw a presentation of Vietnam's infamous "water puppets." They are marrionettes that (seem to be) controlled under the water. It was incredible.

We also did some shopping. I can't believe how cheap everything is here!!!!!! And we're coming from China!

Tomorrow we will visit the Military history museum, Ho Chi Minh's Masouleum, and more.

Sue, the hotel we are staying at is called "Camella Hotel"
The number is (84.4) 926 0119

On the small pictures below, you can click on them and read the descriptions of what they are.