2011, DEC 11: VIETNAM, HO CHI MINH CITY-B

The Reunification Palace was our next stop. It was built in 1966, as the residence of the President of South Vietnam.

The North Vietnamese forces crashed its gates in 1975, and took it over. It was then renamed the Reunification Palace.

Besides others, it has a banquet room, and a reception room.

One wall in the private presidentail suite displays gifts presented by people. The gifts include heads and tails of animals, as symbol of the whole animals.

The basement has the war command room, telex room, and secret escape passages.

We went through the heart of the city stopping for pictures at the French colonial heritage such as Notre Dame Cathedral,...

...Saigon Opera House,...

...Post Office, and...

...City Hall, as well as...

...as well as other landmarks.

Next we made a brief stop at the popular Ben Thanh Market.