Goodbye Saigon

 This morning we are to visit the Presidential palace and the War museum, then lunch and a two hour drive to board the Scenic Spirit.

The presidential palace which was French colonial was destroyed during the war and then rebuilt in a more modern style as the reunification palace. There is a famous photo of Viet Cong tanks crashing through the gates at the fall of Saigon. The tanks are on display in the grounds.Most of the furniture and fittings were saved and the layout retained so we could view the war room, the rooms where dignitaries were welcomed, where the president slept and greeted private visitors etc. It is quite hot and stuffy and the humidity is high. 

We then head on to the war museum where there are three levels, thankfully in air conditioned rooms, which display the history of what they term as the American invasion. It is quite confronting with photos and news stories and examples of weapons. It is told from one side only, very anti American. One floor is devoted to agent orange and the different chemicals used, the ground floor is devoted to the peace movement from around the world seeking to stop the war. The Americans clearly committed war crimes with their use of chemicals, carpet bombing of villages, My Lai massacre etc but the Viet Cong were not entirely free from committing atrocities as well, but nothing like that is included. I guess the Victor can write history as they see fit! After being here and getting exposed to the history and events that took place I am very glad that that I missed out on the conscription ballot. The decisions of governments to perpetrate war always does most damage to the innocent population and the troops who are forced to comply with govt decisions.  Just look at Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia supplied most of the ammunition and weaponry to Vietnam, so this has been going on for a long time. 

We head off for lunch and then a 2 hour ride to the Scenic Spirit.