“How gentle is the incense’s essence,
coming from the Temple hall!
How sweet is the color of Rice
floating in the fields…”
Nguyen Dinh Chieu
My trip throught Vietnam ended up in Ho Chi Minh City, the old Saigon. I had only one day to visit the city and I spent the afternoon visiting Cu Chi, the place that more than any other one attests the determination and tenacity of vietnamese people who fought against Americans. Except some military surplus and an old tank, what really impress the visitors is the immense network of connecting underground tunnels where vietcong used to live as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches during the war.
Once in the city centre, I saw the chinese district (sort of Chinatown) where is setted the Thien Hau Temple (built 1825-30), dedicated to the Lady of the sea, both Buddhist and Taoist deity. The rich ceramic dioramas decoration of the exterior expresses theme from chinese legends while inside, the Temple is full of candles and burning incense.
By the night, the big city of Saigon, seems to me like every other modern city with its neon lights and skyscrapers.
Chùa Bà Thiên Hậu (The Pagoda of the Lady Thien Hau)
pic by martina
Cu Chi
Notre Dame Basilica (built 1863 and 1880)
Central Post Office
Cholon Market (pic by martina)
Saigon by night
pic by martina
