Thich Quang Duc’s Car

Thich Quang Duc’s Car, originally uploaded by andyspex.

The next stop on our tour was to Hue, Vietnam’s old Capital city. We had a motorbike tour of the city and went to a monastery and temple.

In this temple was the car belonging to Thic Quang Duc, now a Bhudddist saint. He was the Buddhist Monk that burnt himself alive in the street in Saigon in protest at the South Vietnam governments persecution of Buddhists.

Malcolm Browne’s famous photograph of this has become world famous and was also used on the cover of the album Rage Against The Machine by Rage Against The Machine.

Hai Van Pass

Hai Van Pass, originally uploaded by andyspex.

Leaving Hoi an on our way to Hue, we took the Hai Van pass, a spectacular coastal road made famous in the UK by the Top Gear Vietnam special.

The road is twisty and almost Alpine in feel, and I would love to go back and drive it. The views would have been spectacular had it not been for the haze.

The top of the pass was a vital defensive point during the war, as the bullet holes in the bunkers will testify.

Japanese Bridge at Night

Japanese Bridge at Night, originally uploaded by andyspex.

From Nha Trang we went to Hoi An, which is a fabulous town. Famous for its tailoring (I had a shirt made in 6 hours) and its Lanterns and lighting at night.

Nha Trang Beach

Nha Trang Beach, originally uploaded by andyspex.

From Saigon and a hectic few days, we headed to Nha Trang by night train and hit the beach for breakfast. I can now add the South China sea to bodies of water that I have swum in.

Pylon Wiring in Saigon. Electricians needed.

Pylon Wiring in Saigon. Electricians needed., originally uploaded by andyspex.

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was the next stop on our tour, and the only place that we didn’t enjoy.  Although we visited some really interesting places, the city its self didn’t really strike me.

We did get a good overview of the Vietnam war (or American war depending on your point of view) by visiting the Chu Chi tunnels and War Remnants museum.

One of the most striking images of the city is the street wiring, which adorns tourist T-shirts.

Chau Doc Floating Houses

Chau Doc Floating Houses, originally uploaded by andyspex.

After crossing the border from Cambodia to Vietnam we drove to Chau Doc, a border town on the Mekong Delta.

We took a boat tour to see some of the floating houses, fish farms and markets in the area.

Apparently, if the houses are built with stilts or on land, they are subject to tax, whereas, floating boat houses aren’t.  From an economic point of view, you can see why so many Vietnamese choose to live on them.  As the area floods so much, they are also spared from the worst of it.

Sihanoukville Sunset

Sihanoukville Sunset, originally uploaded by andyspex.

After the 2 days in Phnom Penh, our tour took us to Sihanoukville and the Beaches for a few days of swimming and relaxation.

The hotel that we were in was right on the beach, and gave us stunning sunsets, also cocktail happy hour (2 for 3 dollars) and great seafood.