We continue with Part 12 of the 16 part series Deja Vu: Vietnam. The series of videos is made using Google Earth to focus in on various parts of Saigon and surrounding areas of Vietnam. Then overlaid with video footage filmed in 2007 with ‘fade backs’ of videos and photos going back to various time points in prior years. Some all the way back to 1882 Saigon.
Now in Part 12 we’ll continue our visit around the central city area of Saigon visiting the other end of Tu Do Street, Saigon Basilica, Post Office, U. S. Embassy, Zoo and Presidential Palace. Then with each of the following parts of the series we’ll be travelling around the central city area of Saigon and Cholon. Then travel to areas outside of Saigon and back to Tan Son Nhut Airport for departure from Vietnam.
Each of us lived in Saigon at different times during the years from the mid-1950’s to 1975. Because of the span of time we lived in Saigon, different parts of the series will mean more to each of us … but, they will all trigger memories and experiences of your time in Saigon.
Enjoy …
A Born To Wander Production
Did you ever visit the Zoo?
I remember a bunch of us would sometimes go there in the afternoons and hang out.
What do you remember about the Zoo?
Do you remember the Post Office and the Pho and food stands in front of it? Did you eat at them? What was your favorite food from them?
Did you ever wonder how many cars smashed into the back or sides of the Basilica? I don’t ever recall seeing such and accident. But, cars, trucks, cyclos and other vehicles always seemed to be speeding around the Basilica … so I’ve always wonder did any of them smash into it …
Did you ever attend Mass at the Basilica? Or, view the inside of it? I never did, but now I wish I had as I’ve been told it is beautiful inside. In fact, I’ve never even seen pictures of the inside of it.
Do you remember the old Palace? Were you there when it was bombed? Which did you like best … the old Palace or the new Palace? Personally, I always thought the old Palace looked like a Palace … the new one just looks like a government building … to me anyway … lol
Interesting the old Palace was originally named after the King of Cambodia, isn’t it? Also, the compound where American Community School was located was named after the King of Cambodia. There is some interesting history about this, which I’ll write about in a future article for the Blog.
How many U. S. Embassy buildings do you remember? During my time in Saigon there were two … the Embassy building that was destroyed after 1975 had not been built while I lived in Saigon, so I never saw it … except in news clips. What do you recall most about the U. S. Embassy from your days in Saigon?
What other memories do you have of Tu Do Street?
As always, you are welcome to leave your comments below.
Bob
If you missed the previous parts of the series, you can view them here:
