Independence Day, Vietnam Week 9

Dear Ethel, Family and friends,

Today is an important day in Vietnam’s history and a Public Holiday celebrating the Independence of Vietnam. Although this day in 1945 celebrates the day that Ho Chi Minh pronounced Independence for Vietnam from outside influences, namely Japan and French Colonialists, however it was a long time until Vietnam was finally able to govern itself. After the defeat of the Japanese in 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Independence, but had to fight the French in the Indochina War from 1946 to 1949. Vietnam was then partitioned into the north and the South. The French eventually withdrew from Vietnam only to be replaced by the Americans. The Vietnam War lasted from 1959 until 1975. The US sent combat troops in 1965.Vietnam has only been Reunified since 1976 after the Defeat of the American and Allied troops. It’s been a long road for the Vietnamese people and they are a strong and proud Country.

Having said that, after doing my research we went to look for of some marching bands, flag waving and some other patriotic stuff. We were disappointed to find out that all that type of activity occurs in the North in Hanoi. In the South they prefer to eat out, visit family or go to the Independence Day Sales! Never seen so many people outside the Co-Op Supermarket before. Well such is life.

Instead, we went on the Saigon River Boat, a Buffet lunch and a cruise along some of the more palatable reaches of the Saigon River. We were having lunch after all. To our surprise, we were the only foreigners on the boat. I was a nicely overcast day with a light Typhonic wind to keep the temperature down. There was plenty of food on the boat, but nobody knew that judging by the food frenzy that occurred when they announced the food was on. Being 6 foot tall in a country where most people are 4 foot tall has its advantages, you can lean over the first 3 rows of people without disturbing anyone, as I had to. The main disadvantage is that their elbows are at the most unfortunate height, well for me anyway. There was Karaoke and live performers to keep us entertained and all the staff were dressed in their finest Commodore’s uniforms. It was a great afternoon and at $10 each, was well worth it. Two adventurous girls sat at our table to practice their English, one was an English teacher who teaches children. They were great company and translated a lot of things for us.

All the best for now, until next time.
Ric & Louise

Saigon Vietnam, Week 8

Dear Ethel, Family and friends,

Last Sunday we attended a Vietnamese wedding, many of you would have received her postcard, but for those that didn’t, I’ll give a quick summery. A Vietnamese wedding lasts for about 2 hours but they seem to pack in a lot in that time. There is a song and dance act, Champagne pouring, Cake cutting and a 5 course lunch. Then suddenly everybody jumps up, and flees like the place is on fire. It's all over. Great Experience.

This week has been busy and the weekend quiet fortunately. Nothing of great note to report. We do have a few motorbike related tales. We were at the Co-Op supermarket yesterday and parked in the Motorbike parking area and left out helmets on the bike as usual. They were nice new ones. We got back to the bike after the rain stopped to find them missing. We mentioned this to a security guard who promptly woke up all the other security guards and they mounted a full search of the premises. They took me into the guards gave me drinks of Iced Tea and all wanted to practice their English and tell me about their cousin who lives in Melbourne. Then the General arrived or it could have been the superintendent of security, It’s hard to tell with all those epaulettes and other shinny gold adornments on their uniforms. His English was very good and he apologised profusely for the laps of security that led to this terrible crime. He went out and returned with two replacement helmets in a slightly used condition. They were very good to us and said we could park in front of the office next time.

Today we encountered another bike related problem, a flat tyre. In my 4 years as a Postman in Australia I never had a flat tyre, I ran out of fuel a few times, but never a flat tyre. Anyway, I had to push the bike all the way across the road to find a tyre repair guy, they are really that hard to find. He used his rustiest scissors to dig the nail out of the tyre and then on closer examination he had to replace the tube. So he sent his mate off for the new tube and he had to take the wheel off. When it came time for the bill, I prepared myself thinking $20, $30 being foreigners. 60,000 VND about $4 and it took about 5 minutes. If you’re looking for pit crew?

All the best for now, until next time.

Ric & Louise