Ho Chi Minh – Pearl of the Orient
Sunday, March 11th, 2007Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s biggest city. Another bustling asian metropolis, it’s streets team with activity at all hours; buying, selling, eating, washing, gambling and occassionally sleeping.
Saigon (which it is still affectionately called by its inhabitants)
was once described as the Paris or Pearl of the Orient, reflecting French control of Vietnam after 1858 for almost a century. The influence of France lies heavy over the city, architecturally and culturally at least. Traditional, quaint wooden shophouses jostle for space with historic, crumbling colonial mansions. Narrow alleyways crammed with noodle shops and stalls lead onto wide, elegant boulevards lined with boutiques. Worshippers flock to Chinese inspired pagodas or neo-romanesque cathedrals and catholic churches.
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andrewlegon