Strawberry margaritas in Saigon

Danang International airport is brand spanking new and very clean. I had a hangover (as predicted) so had something suitably greasy to help before flying to hot, frantic Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) where the scooters were menacing, theft is extraordinary and I finally got the Pho I'd been hanging out for.

After lunch, we jumped straight into cyclos and had a whizzing, whirling cycle through the crazy Saigon traffic.

Photo: Saigon traffic from a cyclo

First stop was the harrowing War Remnants Museum dedicated to displaying in horrific photographic detail the war crimes of the US during the Vietnam War. The museum is what it is. The atrocities speak for themselves. There is, however, a tone of propaganda about the displays. I mean, it was originally known as "The House for Displaying War Crimes of American Imperialism and the Puppet Government."

No mention is ever made of the atrocities of Ho Chi Minh's regime and while Diem has the monstrous reputation he deserves no acknowledgement is made of the fact that many in the south supported him and the US (at least at first) and that thousands fled the approaching communist army - many overseas.

The highlight of the museum (if that's the right word) was the Requiem Exhibition compiled by war photographer Tim Page. An excellent series of photographs from both sides of the conflict. There is also a hugly-disturbing model of the tiger cages used to house Viet Cong. Don't go if you're squeamish.


After that hour of fun, we rejoined our cyclo drivers who pedalled us down to Notre Dame. No, really. It's a replica of Notre Dame called Notre Dame built, of course, by the French in the late 19th century.

Photo: Notre Dame... Saigon

Driving along again, we stopped by the Reunification Palace where the south, led by Diem's successor General Minh, handed power to the North on 30 April 1973.

Photo: Reunification Palace

The palace wasn't open to visitors so we just kind of looked at it from outside.

Then we motored past the gorgeous colonial opera house, the impressive City Hall and the famous Rex Hotel and then back home to quickly shower and change before a drink at the Rex's rooftop bar.

Dinner was a lovely seletion of local food at the Vietnamese kitchen and then we waved goodbye to Alex. Unfortunately, Alex has had to go home for personal reasons so this was her last night. To fare her well, we went to an Australian sports bar and drank strawberry margaritas while Aussie soaps played on the TV and we listened to ABBA.

A very authentic evening!