Ho Chi Minh City Part 2/2

HCMC Bus Routes

To understand a little more about the history of Vietnam, i dedicated a day to visit some of the historical landmark in the city. Many options available, i decided to showcase just 2 of the more significant ones.
Vietnam Reunification Palace(Independence palace as some calls it)

As you walk between the iron wrought gates in view of the majestic building, one can hardly imagine that 34 years ago on 30 April 1975, the first north vietnam communist tanks crashed through the very same gate and planted a Viet Cong Flag at the very top, thus changing history of the separated vietnam.

At the basement of the palace is a whole network of tunnels, telecommunications and war rooms used during the vietnam war.Somebody important probably sat here and said "Slaughter the Viet Congs!!"Antique phones

The top floors are still used to receive foreign delegations and may be closed during such official receptions. Otherwise you can see the beautiful decorations of the various rooms. Lavish furniture

Just outside is the showcase of the 2 tanks that crashed into this palace on the day that vietnam became one Tank number 843
and 390! Time for you back in singapore to buy TOTO

War is bad, this is a very straightforward fact and everybody knows it. However there is no other museum that truly puts this idea across in a very concentrated manner with the aid of many stories and disturbing picture. The War Remnants Museum located on 28 Vo Van Tan is definitely worth a look. Damm the US army!
Astonishing facts about World war, korean war and vietnam war
Pictures from war journalist who risked their life during the war
One of the many war machines replica displayed outside
Guns
the damage of war
Agent orange used by the americans
Caused many deformities to children
and ruined the lives of these innocent people
At the end, there is a section of posters and drawings supporting the anti war campaign

Once again, if you head to Ho Chi Minh City, instead of just spend your time scowling the rows of stalls in Ben thanh Market why not head to the above mentioned 2 places and see how this land you are standing on came to reality.
Hectic streets. It is actually easier to cross the streets with eyes closed
Ben Thanh Market. The place for all your usual touristy gifts
I decided to cut myself a little slack and went shopping. A mini speaker, a card reader to replace my damaged one and a broad shorts for my torn one.

Be careful though when shopping in Ben Thanh market, thousands of tourist walk the same alley every single day and the demand for tourist dollar is very high. Do not believe the various signs placed around stating "Fixed Price" or "No bargain".

Eg.1 Card reader
I looked around the electronics market looking for a card reader and most shops sell the exact same one. I went shop by shop hunting and figured the selling price would be at 80,000VND(~$7.20), however at one of the shop the guy actually dare to quote me 250,000VND! More than 3 times than the rest! I firmly scolded him and left the shop, rendering him speechless behind me. I never buy from anybody who tries to rip people off, even if they end up with the lowest price. I understand that everybody wants to maximize their profits and healthy inflation of 10-30% is ok. However 300% isnt.

A good tip for shopping in vietnam, the moment they bring out a calculator and ask you "So how much you pay?", this is a very good sign that they are selling you 2-3times the selling price. Walk away and go to the next shop.

Eg.2 Broad shorts
As Ben Thanh market closes for the day, the night market on the same street starts to light up. I went to search for a broad shorts to replace mine which is torn. At the very first shop, there is this middle age lady who is VERY desperate at selling me stuff. Shorts, pants, T shirts, polo Ts were stuffed into my arms. She kept insisting that if i buy more she will discount for me and refused to tell me the price when i asked, merely wanting me to pick out clothes that i like. I asked for the broad shorts and she said 150,000vnd($13.50 for a fake billabong mind you) Since i just started looking, i did not want to buy it yet however she did not want to let me go. I had to pacify her and said 100,000vnd hoping she would find the price too low and let me go. She further insist that she is selling very cheap and lower it to 130,000vnd saying that is the cheapest she will go. Great! a chance to escape but she held onto my arm and said I am the first at her shop(bullshit again) and if i buy she will be lucky. Still i inch my way slowly and she said ok 100,000vnd. I turned away and started to walk.
80,000VND!!!
70,000VND!!!
OK 50,000VND!! She shouted angrily. By then i had merge into the crowd.
Another typical case of ripping foreigners off. After a few more shops who used the same technique with me, i finally discover one who quoted me straight 50,000. Guess who i buy it from?