Vietnam

Unless you are a teenager, it isn't possible to visit Vietnam and not carry a shadow of the 70s war, and the history before it. But, surprisingly, the country itself seems to have shed that history. It is not gone completely, of course. It remains - in the names of streets and parks, and in some government managed enclaves like the War Remnants Museum. And if you talk long enough to the people, you will find that most have had relatives who were in the war and were scarred by it. But, on the surface, this communist country is a thriving example of what communism was not about. Many of the big capitalist names are represented in Saigon - in hotels, boutiques and food chains. Some of the malls rival any from the West. Even the name Saigon is making a comeback, as opposed to the official Ho Chi Minh City. It is rapidly turning into one of many Asian centers, like Bangkok, that are boldly experimenting with a life style that is uniquely their own.
Sunrise over the Saigon River, seen from a hotel in District 1.	Saigon's City Hall, situated at the end of a wide avenue.	The Saigon Opera House.
Another view of the Opera House.	Ben Thanh Market, a market frequented by tourists in District 1.	A couple having pictures taken outside Notre Dame Cathedral.
Notre Dame Cathedral, also in District 1. It is only open during the mornings.	Saigon has several parks, and some really old trees line a few of the streets. This is a row of trees in September 23 Park.	The ceiling of the Post Office building, with Ho Chi Minh in the background.
The Central Post Office, located next to Notre Dame. It offers all services, including telephone calls and souvenirs.	A shrine at the center of the Binh Tay Market in Cholon, Saigon's Chinatown, which is in District 5.	A visitor pets a dog at the Binh Tay Market.
Christmas brings out the festive spirit - this is a scene outside one of the stores.	Outside the War Remnants Museum.	Preserved fetus - killed by Agent Orange used by U.S. forces.
The guillotine was introduced by the French a hundred years ago. It was last used in 1960.