Saigon (more accurately, Sai Gon) was merged with a surrounding province, a few other jurisdictions, and renamed Ho Chi Minh City (actually, Thanh pho Ho Chi Minh) in 1976 after the end of the Vietnam War. The airport, Tan Sun Nhat, remains SGN. The population is nearing 10 million and is expected to reach 20 million in 2020. The city is located 1100 miles south of Hanoi.
Interestingly enough, it is cooler in September than January and February because of monsoon season, but it only rained less than an hour during the daylight hours during my three-day stay. I was adventurous and walked around, making the obligatory t-shirt purchase at Ben Thanh Market—a more organized version of those you see in Bangkok and Seoul). As I’ll be back in a few months with a Tauck group, I did not bother with tours. I spent all of a dollar each for the cab (all the more reason not to walk) and entrance fee to the Saigon Botanical and Zoological Park, which is 132 years old and about ten times bigger than the Honolulu Zoo and Foster Botanical Park combined. Here are a few photos:
There are 78 universities and colleges in the city, with Vietnam National University rated the best. The 10:1 ration is really 4 million motorcycles and half a million cars. Walking can be hazardous to your health. Certainly, you don’t want to jog, for there is the added hazard of air pollution.
The Sheraton is located in the same complex in the middle of town as the Park Hyatt and Caravelle. There is the old (6 years) building and new grand tower. The latter is more expensive, with a fabulous Executive Club (as separate from the other one). Their cocktail hour is from 5-8PM, featuring a full kitchen where they provide an assortment of appetizers, ranging from pasta, to fish dishes, plus the standard buffet of foods…and any drink you want, as often as you want. You really don’t need to pay for dinner here. Breakfast is extraordinary (and also free if you stay in the Grand Tower), with a Pho station to go with a grill that prepares whichever type of meat you choose. There is a juice bar, with several types of melon refreshments prepared at the site, and an interesting range of local fruits.
Internet access in free.
Most remember Vietnam and Saigon from war movies, the most memorable being Full Metal Jacket (directed by Stanley Kubrick), Apocalypse Now (Ford Copolla) and Platoon (Oliver Stone), but there were also Good Morning Vietnam (Robin Williams), Born on the Fourth of July (starring Tom Cruise) and Deer Hunter (Christopher Walken and Robert De Niro.
Finally, while I saw no yellow tree, a few interesting factoids to share at your next cocktail party can be:
- The biggest freshwater fish, a 9 foot catfish (Pangasianodon gigas), weighing in at 646 pounds, was caught in the Mekong River (Thailand). The record catfish verified in the USA was 121 pounds.
- The largest freshwater fish, though, is suspected to be the Chinese Paddlefish (also known as the elephant fish, because of the long snout, in the Yangtze), said to be up to 23 feet and 1000 pounds…except, it might be extinct, for the last caught was in 2003.
- The largest arapaima from the Amazon of any credence, was only 440 pounds. You see versions of this fish in pet stores for your aquarium.
- The largest stingray caught in Cambodia (also the Mekong) was a 13 footer, which was too big to be weighed, but one of 20 feet and 1000 pounds has been mentioned as real, and another of 16 feet and 1320 pounds has been mentioned.
My cab ride to Ton Son Nhat International Airport was harrowing. At 3:45AM, vehicles, at some speed, go right through red lights. Thus, I felt safer sneaking through a red light because the driver was somewhat cautious. A red is taken to be yellow here. However, barreling through a green light was high adventure because who knows what was coming from right or left. On arrival, there was a mob outside the airport, so I though it was closed. I persevered through the crowd and saw the gate open, so I went in. Through the whole process of check-in and immigration, I did not see anyone else going through the process. The airport lounge had a pho bar, so my day began, unlike in Bangkok, four days ago, as it should, with serenity and comfort. The United 747, furthermore, is only 25 yards to my left. Next, Hong Kong.
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