Saigon, I’m still only in Saigon

[lmcq11]

A few more pics of My Son, crater and destroyed temple by the US.

[Xiaoshan_Sailor]

Should have just flown down to Phu Quoc & hung out on the beach. That part of our holiday was the best hence why we're headed back later this year after once the rainy season ends.

Frankly, I found Saigon to be a breath of fresh air after living here this long & reminded me a lot of what China used to be 20 years ago. Air wasn't bad even I was in the same areas of District 1 as your photos are taken. Perhaps by saying "a breath of fresh air" its due to the lack of a heavy security presence & only seeing a few cameras on the street compared to the bazillion or so we encounter every day going about our business.

[lmcq11]

Vietnam is a bit too far from North America for a beach vacation but it makes a lot of sense for people living in Asia to come here for that.


This post is for the ride between Da Nang and Hue.

I fly between most Vietnamese cities but this is an exception. The first true scenic ride I have done in Vietnam so far. The road is still averaging only 35km/h but at least this one was interesting and the sights are beautiful.


Da Nang Bay.

This is Red beach where the US Marines landed in 1965 to protect the airbase, marking the first deployment of US combat troops in Vietnam.

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The location marker for the above picture, I think I got it right, just above the air base.

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The beach is nice but the beach front is not yet developed.

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Da Nang bay

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Coastal sights

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[lmcq11]

Arriving at the Hue Citadel and forbidden city, I found myself unable to develop any interest in restored Chinese looking temples so I decided to focus my visit on the ruins of walls and gates instead, where a lot of the 1968 Tet offensive fighting occurred between the Viet Cong and the US Marines.

Looking at the thickness of walls everywhere, it’s no wonder the Viet Cong used the place as a fighting location.


The rebuilt Dong Ba tower

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The Meridian gate

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[lmcq11]

Some more

[lmcq11]

A few more

[lmcq11]

Final ones

[lmcq11]

Other Hue city highlights.

Many Vietnamese go to historical locations for photoshoots dressed in elegant traditional costumes, which greatly enhance the experience for the travellers.

The Dong Ba market, the largest I have seen.

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The Thien Mu Pagoda, with view over the Perfume river

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The Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc

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[lmcq11]

A stroll through Hanoi old town

[lmcq11]

It’s all in the small details