We flew from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)   early on Thurday, June 9.
Saigon feels much more modern, at least in the part we we are staying, 
and there are many people from many countries around - both for business and tourism.  Our afternoon guide (on the boat) said the city has nearly 10 million
  people now.  Compared to Hanoi, there are even more motorbikes, and
relatively more cars.  The motorbikes seems bigger on average.  Here,
pedestrians have to be much more careful - the Hanoi just-step-out-and-walk-at-slow-constant-rate doesn't work.  So far , it's nice but less interesting
to me so far than Hanoi.
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Touring  Saigon by bus.  Note bicyclist at right carrying long unwieldy items.<br><br>
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Statue near old pagoda/temple in Saigon.
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In  temple near pagoda and Buddha statue.
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Another in the  temple. 
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Small items behind candles honor cremated loved ones.
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Former palace of the president of South Vietnam.  
Two tanks (one Russian, one N. Vietnamese) 
famously crashed through the gates in 
Spring 1975, marking the reunification of the country.
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Trees in the way, but this bike was very nicely loaded with baskets.
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We took a short boat tour on Saigon River, in the port
area. Saw lots of large container ships (but didn't take many pictures 
of them!)  
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