I was here for a couple of day so I wonder around Saigon (HCMC) by feet…which wasn’t the best idea as it was so hot. I went to most of the tourist spots like Saigon Square and a few of the markets then I stumble across the Vietnam Open finals which were on, so of course I went and checked it out.
I did a day tour to Tay Ninh and the Cu Chi Tunnels. In Tay Ninh they have the Toa Thang (Divine Temple) which is where the Cao Dai religion was created back in 1926 but this temple wasn’t created until 1955 (shown below). This is quite a new religion which combines elements from many other religions like Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, as well as Geniism. This is an indigenous religion of Vietnam.
The main symbol for this religion is the eye within a triangle (shown below), the so-called third eye or the eye that everything he sees and the triangle is triangle of justice. I just found this place amazing and so interesting all at the same time especially as it’s quite a new religion.
Next stop on my day tour was the Cu Chi Tunnels. These were used in the Vietnam War in 1968 but they where built sometime in the 1940s. Vietnam soldiers used as hiding spots during combat against the americans. They also serve as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches but living quarters for most of the soldiers. You could easily get lost in these tunnels so the soldiers only control certain areas in this area.
I can’t image living in a small places and also they worth tyre sandals called ‘Ho Chi Minh sandals’ by the americans (on the right). During the raining season they would wear it the other way around as it would it would show foot prints too, so amazing.
During my time Saigon I caught with a friend who took me out for dinner to try snails. This was the first time and they were amazing (shown below).
Next stop Can Tho – Floating Markets!
AMaC Ninja