Monday, July 24, 2006
A Day of Museums
Today was a day of museums. First, I went to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, where one could learn about the economy, geography and of course, revolutionary history of Ho Chi Minh City. For example, did you know that Saigon was the city from which Ho Chi Minh departed in the 1920 for 30 years in exile, where he learned revolutionary techniques? I did, but I bet most of you didn't.
From there, I went to the War Remnants Museum, formerly the U.S War Crime Museum, until it was discovered by the communist party that capitalism was a better economic system and Vietnam needed foreign (ie. U.S) investment, at which time it was necessary to rename the museum. There are some gruesome and depressing exhibits, especially the ones which showed the consequences of the use of Agent Orange. There are people in the U.S who still have some serious crimes to pay for. As far as I am concerned the Vietnam War and the U.S intervention there, was one of the stupidest wars in history. 3 million people died, including 50000 Americans and what has been the consequence? Today, despite the communist victory, Vietnam seems to have as capitalist an economy as China has. The North Vietnamese won the battle for Vietnam, but the communists (all over the world) lost the war.
From there, I went to the National Unification Palace, which formerly was the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace. I think that in the communists warped view of the world, it serves as a propoganda piece. I left wondering why the hell the guide book recommended visiting there. One trapsed around looking at the former office of the President of South Vietnam, and the reception room of the Vice President of South Vietnam, and lets not forget, the gambling room of the executive office. It was boring, and I guess that it is a tourist site because the party is still too self absorbed.
I've changed my plans. Now I am going to just stay in South Vietnam, before flying to Laos. Tomorrow, I am going to visit the Mekong Delta before heading to the highlands to play around of golf, checking out the hill tribes, etc.
From there, I went to the War Remnants Museum, formerly the U.S War Crime Museum, until it was discovered by the communist party that capitalism was a better economic system and Vietnam needed foreign (ie. U.S) investment, at which time it was necessary to rename the museum. There are some gruesome and depressing exhibits, especially the ones which showed the consequences of the use of Agent Orange. There are people in the U.S who still have some serious crimes to pay for. As far as I am concerned the Vietnam War and the U.S intervention there, was one of the stupidest wars in history. 3 million people died, including 50000 Americans and what has been the consequence? Today, despite the communist victory, Vietnam seems to have as capitalist an economy as China has. The North Vietnamese won the battle for Vietnam, but the communists (all over the world) lost the war.
From there, I went to the National Unification Palace, which formerly was the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace. I think that in the communists warped view of the world, it serves as a propoganda piece. I left wondering why the hell the guide book recommended visiting there. One trapsed around looking at the former office of the President of South Vietnam, and the reception room of the Vice President of South Vietnam, and lets not forget, the gambling room of the executive office. It was boring, and I guess that it is a tourist site because the party is still too self absorbed.
I've changed my plans. Now I am going to just stay in South Vietnam, before flying to Laos. Tomorrow, I am going to visit the Mekong Delta before heading to the highlands to play around of golf, checking out the hill tribes, etc.
