Destinations in the South - Mekong delta

1 - Sai Gon ou Ho Chi Minh - Ville:

Created in the 17^th century, Sai Gon, called Ho Chi Minh in 1976, is the Vietnam’s economy capital.

 

In 1859, the French people were able to occupy Saigon and have constructed many government buildings, churches, post ... Saigon was the Indochina capital: Vietnam, Laos Cambodia and Cochin China capital: The South of Vietnam under French colonial era.

Saigon Notre – Dame Church:

The town hall of Saigon in the French colonial era, the People's Committee at present:

The Sai Gon Post Office with a frame made ​​by Gustave Eiffel who is the architect of Eiffel Tower in Paris:

After the Geneva Accord dated 1954, the United States of America supported the government of the South of Vietnam, called: Vietnam Republic to fight with: Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the North helped by the communist countries: Russia, Block the Eastern Europe...

The temporary border is the 17th parallel, in the Center of Vietnam.

In 1975, after 20 years of the most atrocious war in its history, at 11h 30 am of 30 April 1975, the tank of the North troops broke the presidential palace’ door of South government to end the war by unifying the country:

Binh Tay Market - China tow of the Chinese community – ancient victims of Manchu’s dynasty:

A Chinese temple:

A mass in a Buddhist pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City:

 

 2 - Cai Rang floating market:

At 45 minutes boat ride from the Can tho city - Mekong Delta Capital, the Cai Rang floating market, the biggest in Vietnam, held every day on the Mekong River:

This is the wholesale market: Farmers or traders come there to sell their food products of all kinds: Fruits, vegetables....

                                                                          

While waiting finish selling all, they live on the boat:

   

To show the products for sale on the boat, they suspend'' samples'' on a pole:

 

Small shopkeepers buy their supplies:

It's really animated:

3 - Phu Quoc Island

Located at 50-minutes flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc Island has an area of 600 km2, as a pearl in the middle of the Pacific Ocean:

 

A fishmen village:

A haven for relaxation:

 

4 - Mui Ne Beach

Mui Ne Beach is in the North - East of Ho Chi Minh – city, at 5 h drive.

Always sunny, the beach is an ideal place to spend some seaside days:

The multi color sand dunes change shape with the wind:

 

Mui Ne is the first place of the country to welcome the first sun ray:

A local fishing port:

 

Production of fish sauce: Nuoc Mam:

Situated at 1 hour and half drive from Ho Chi Minh - city, Cu Chi tunnel is a real underground town of 250 km long with three levels deep from the ground: 12 m, 7 m and 5 m.

Many beautiful beaches in the intact charm:

This unique labyrinth dug between 1945 and 1975 by the villagers, is the basis for the local resistance during the two successive wars against French colonialism and the intervention of the U.S. Army.

A system trench linking the various villages for the fighting:

To face to much more equipped armies materially, local population has created a sacred system: EVERYTHING IS UNDERGROUND

Shelter for fighters:

Commander room:

 Surgeon  room:

School:

Kitchen:

Workshop production of weapons:

:
............

Bombs used by U.S Army in Cu Chi:

Way down to the tunnel:

:

The Caodaîsm is a religion founded in 1924 by Mr.Chieu, a Vietnamese working in the French colonial administration.

According to Mr.Chieu, the history of religion has spent three periods:

1 - Time of animism and of polytheism: The people worshiped many genies together and every object, everything: River, tree, mountain ... has its genie.

2 - The era of religions: Chrisitianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Protestantism.... But their disciples often do not understand sometimes teach other. So, there are always the religious wars.

3 - This is the third time when God gather together all beliefs, all theologies, all ideologies, all religions.... to make Caodaism.

So, Caodaism is a religion that is the mixture of all things above. It worships Jesus Christ, Buddha, Confucius ... but also Victo Hugo - symbol of Humanism, Jeanne D'arc - a symbol of justice.

6 - Caodaîsm

Cu Chi is the living witness of the incredible determination of the Vietnamese people for national liberation.

 The mass hour inside: Disciples in traditional costume:

www.ethnic-mekong.com

Caodaism sanctuary in Tay Ninh city: