First exciting day

So we walked around the city and went into a crowded cafe just opposite the Independence Palace.
As soon as we sat down near the entrance, it was becoming clear that this cafe is, a bit dodgy.
It was a place for many local people just hanging around, to see and be seen. Even few hookers...




Then a fight broke inside the cafe, glass breaking etc...

Not long after that, a gun man came out and was shouting to another man and a mama-san looking women, right next to Matt.

As I was snapping these precious scene, a guy next to me signed 'no-no' to me.

Then there was a gun shoot! right outside the cafe where we sat.















Soon after that, a man who seems like the big boss came with a flashy vespa.

It took the police 20-30min to arrive.

But by then, we have already paid the bill and continued with our beer at another cafe near by. A more civilized Frenchy cafe.
phew....

Walking back to the hotel....

Saigon's Norte Dame









Smelly dried squid stall






Post Office








Inside the post office.

Saigon night

Some snap shots from our night out.




















STREET KID of VIETNAM

Shocking, confusing, sad, ironic.... Many people in Vietnam is sick, crippled, retarded and deformed from the dioxide. Many children were born from parents with the disease. So what's there to live for? Enjoy a stick of cigarette or two?

Food!!!

Went to a local restaurant which was featured in Anthony Bordain's "No Reservation" - The clay pot rice is served by the staff who breaks the clay pot, then they throw the rice to another staff across the room.
Then some fish sauce and sesami seeds is poured on the crispy rice served on the table. It wasn't especially nice.
But the clay pot pork belly in pepper sauce was one of the best dish we had! With 333 Beer.

We had Pho24 - a chain store of Pho noodles for breakfast almost every day, but the last day's breakfast was down right local. We didn't even know how to eat so the lady there showed us how. We ordered grilled pork which is to be wrapped in dry rice paper with some unknown vegetables, dip in a fermented anchovy sauce. It wasn't bad!
After eating we saw how the omlette was being made. It was the wonkiest fry pan I ever saw.




For lunch we sat at an open air BBQ place, ready to order weird food but settled with beef BBQ. Had pumpkin flower (yummy) and lotus (not yummy) stir fry for the first time instead.

Independence Palace

Went to the Independence Palace.
The architecture represents the best of 60s.
Matt on he roof top with the flag.
Not the real tanker the Viets used to overtake ze palace from the French.

Inside Independence Palace

Very 60s, very "Wallpaper", i thought...

Sight seeing