Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) - Islam and Guaranteed Halal Food

Mosques and Mushollas in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) where we solat and places where we had our 'guaranteed' halal food for lunch and dinner

Con Phung (Phoenix) Island - Fruits, Honey Bees & "Rokkodaaie" Belts

Con Phung Island is also known as the Island of the Coconut Monk named after a monk, Ong Dao Dua, who meditated on the island for three years during which he ate nothing but coconuts. An activesupporter of the reunification of Vietnam, he strongly believed that reunification could be achieved by peaceful means. In the early 1960s he founded a community in support of this ideal, and as a result was imprisoned by President Diem on a number occasions. At his time, the island became a sanctuary for thosewho were attempting to escape the ravages of war. You can reach Con Phung island by boat from Mytho which takes about half an hour.

We had good fresh fruits, drink tea with honey and bought our 'rokkodaaie' belts.

Con Phung (Phoenix) Island - Coconut Candies & Pony Rides

The Con Phung Island (Phoenix Island) is part of Ben Tre Province and is across the Mekong River from My Tho. This island used to be a commune for the "Coconut Monk" (Ong Dao Dua). It is an island with lots of natural canals, Vietnamese cottage industries, snake farm, coconuts and water palms. In this island you may be able to go and peek inside the Vietnamese homes, tasted coconut candies and drink tea made from honey bees.

Here we ate and bought delicious coconut candies

Thoi Son (Unicorn) Island - Boating

Thoi Son Island, accessible by a 45-minute boat ride on the Mekong River from My Tho City, is located in Chau Thanh District, Tien Giang Province. The path through the island is bordered with fruit trees bearing plums, mangoes, and longans. Since 1990, Thoi Son has become a tourist resort welcoming hundreds of visitors. The tiled-roof houses surrounded by many generations of fruit-bearing trees, the cozy little restaurants in bonsai tree gardens make of Thoi Son Island the ideal location for a short rest. The path through the island is bordered with fruit trees bearing plums, mangoes, and longans. Visitors will also enjoy Con Phung Island, and coconut sweets and jams.

Mighty Mekong River @ Mỹ Tho

Mỹ Tho is the capital city and municipality of Tiền Giang Province, located in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. It has a population of approximately 160,000. Miss World 2010 will be held in this city on November 2010. As the regional capital My Tho is the main market dealing in all the produce from the region as well as fish and seafood from My Tho's large ocean going fishing fleet. The very large and exuburant market is one of South Vietnam's biggest sources for dried fish and other dried seafood products such as Kho Muc (dried squid). At night the market is dedicated to the dealing and sorting of Mekong River fish, particularly catfish for Ho Chi Minh City's wholesale markets. Produce, especially fruit and vegetables, is delivered by boat directly to the market. It is a popular starting point for tourists to take a boat trip on the Mekong River.

Củ Chi Tunnels, Củ Chi, Vietnam

The Củ Chi Tunnels are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in the Củ Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country. The Củ Chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War, and were the Viet Cong's base of operations for the Tết Offensive in 1968. The tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters. The role of the tunnel systems should not be underestimated in its importance to the Viet Cong in resisting American operations and protracting the war, eventually culminating in an American withdrawal.

Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) By Day

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) (Vietnamese: Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh pronunciation is the largest city in Vietnam. It was once known as Prey Nokor, an important Khmer seaport prior to annexation by the Vietnamese in the 17th century. Under the name Saigon (Vietnamese: Sài Gòn; pronunciation), it was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina and later of the independent state of South Vietnam from 1954 to 1975. In 1976, Saigon merged with the surrounding province of Gia Định and was officially renamed Hồ Chí Minh City (although the name Sài Gòn—formally known as District 1—is still commonly used.) The city center is situated on the banks of the Saigon River, 60 kilometers (37 mi) from the South China Sea and 1,760 kilometers (1,094 mi) south of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The metropolitan area, which consists of the Hồ Chí Minh City metropolitan area, Thủ Dầu Một, Dĩ An, Biên Hòa and surrounding towns, is populated by more than 9 million people, making it the most populous metropolitan area in Vietnam and the countries of the former French Indochina.

According to our 'tourist guide', Ho Chi Minh have a population of approximately 14 million and also have approximately 6 million motorcycles on the road !!!

Cho Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Cho Ben Thanh Market is one of the most interesting places in Ho Chi Minh City, Shopping is good, bargain, bargian is a must, but one of the major interesting thing is "Go for real Vietnamese food". Inside the market food section, there are many vendors and food stalls. Most of them are freshly made to order. In the evening, you must visit Cho Ben Thanh for dinner. Sidewalk restaurants serve real Vietnamese food with white table cloths, the foods are good value and delicious. You can order all kind of original vietnamese food here, deep fried whole fish is one of the best selections in their menul Make sure that you do not sit too deep in to the tent, try to sit outside, it will be cooler and will make your meal more enjoyable.
When you are in Ho Chi Minh City, try to stay near by Cho Ben Thanh, this is a central tourist attractions, walk to the presidentail palace, cathedral, etc. Visit Cho Ben Thanh for dinner at least one time to gain the memorable experience.

Reunification Palace, Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

The Reunification Palace befittingly takes its name from the reunion of the Northern and Southern fractions of the country after a hard fought war that ravaged not only Vietnam but also neighboring Laos. The Americans didn’t fare so well either. With regard to the war, the Northern Communists eventually won out and the Palace, once the symbol of the South Vietnamese government, now does much the same for the conquerors. It also remains one of Ho Chi Minh’s most interesting sights. For starters, you cannot help but notice the famed Communist tank that was shown in the media around the world crashing through the fence that some would say symbolized the free world.

Saigon Square, Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Saigon Square is located near Le Duan Boulevard; near Dai Lo Hai Ba Trung Street; near Han Thuyen Street; near Le Duan Boulevard; near Ly Von Huu Street; Saigon Square is geographically located at latitude (10.7816 degrees) 10° 46' 53" North of the Equator and longitude (106.7004 degrees) 106° 42' 1" East of the Prime Meridian on the Map of Ho Chi Minh City.

Angel-In-Us Coffee, Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Angel-In-Us Coffee, Ho Chi Minh - Good hot coffee - cappucino and latte, tasty pastries, clean airconditioned premises, comfortable seating and lovely smiling staff. This is another of the great little coffee shops clustered around the central area of the city. The coffee and pastries are really good and there is a downstairs and upstairs section. 2 computers are available for patrons to use. The prices are very reasonable.

Located in Ho Chi Minh @ 131 Nguyen Hue Street

Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) By Night

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) (Vietnamese: Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh pronunciation is the largest city in Vietnam. It was once known as Prey Nokor, an important Khmer seaport prior to annexation by the Vietnamese in the 17th century. Under the name Saigon (Vietnamese: Sài Gòn; pronunciation), it was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina and later of the independent state of South Vietnam from 1954 to 1975. In 1976, Saigon merged with the surrounding province of Gia Định and was officially renamed Hồ Chí Minh City (although the name Sài Gòn—formally known as District 1—is still commonly used.) The city center is situated on the banks of the Saigon River, 60 kilometers (37 mi) from the South China Sea and 1,760 kilometers (1,094 mi) south of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The metropolitan area, which consists of the Hồ Chí Minh City metropolitan area, Thủ Dầu Một, Dĩ An, Biên Hòa and surrounding towns, is populated by more than 9 million people, making it the most populous metropolitan area in Vietnam and the countries of the former French Indochina.

According to our 'tourist guide', Ho Chi Minh have a population of approximately 14 million and also have approximately 6 million motorcycles on the road !!!

When we were there - It was New Year's Eve 2010 !!!

Notre-Dame Basilica, Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica is a cathedral is Vietnam. It is located in the south of the country in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City . Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880. It is dominated by two towers reaching the height of 58m. Originally there had been a small wooden church in the place of today´s cathedral. All the original building material for the cathedral was imported from France. In 1895 two bell towers, reaching the height of 57.6 m and 6 bronze bells were built. The tiles in Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica are carved with the words Guichard Carvin Marseille St André, France, where they are believed to have been produced. Some tiles are carved with the words "Wang Tai-Saigon". These were probably used to replace tiles damaged at war.

Buu Dien, Ho Chi Minh

Saigon Central Post Office is also known as the Buu Dien Thanh. It is a postal building in the centre of the city Ho Chi Minh City , which is more known as Saigon, in the southern part of Vietnam. Saigon Central Post Office lies close to poblíž baziliky Notre-Dame Saigon . Saigon Central Post Office was built during the French occupation at the beginning of the 20th century. This is a monumental Gothic style building. It is interesting that its architect was Gustave Eiffel. A large portrait of Ho Chi Minh city is placed in the interior of the building. Internal decoration is opulent in the French style. Today the Saigon Central Post Office building is frequently visited and popular tourist attraction.

Tat Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Vietnamese: Sân bay Quốc tế Tân Sơn Nhất), is Vietnam's largest international airport in terms of area (800 ha/1,977 acres compared with 650 ha/1,606 acres of Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport and Danang's Da Nang International Airport). It has a handling capacity of 15-17 million passengers per year, compared with the capacity of Hanoi - Noi Bai airport of 8 million passengers and Da Nang's 2 million passengers). It is also the largest airport of Vietnam in terms of passengers handled (with an estimated number of over 11 million passengers per year in 2007, more than a half of that of Vietnam's all airports), serves Ho Chi Minh City as well as Dong Nam Bo in southern Vietnam. Its IATA code SGN was derived from the city's former name of Saigon.

Haadyai, Thailand

Hat Yai, Thailand (Thai : หาดใหญ่) is a city in southern Thailand near the boundary to Malaysia. With a population of 157,359 (2008) in the core city and about 800,000 in the Greater Hat Yai. Hat Yai is the biggest city of Songkhla Province and the largest metropolitan area in Southern Thailand, and is thus often mistaken as being the capital of the province. However Songkhla is the capital and the center of administration and culture while Hat Yai is the business center. The two cities are considered as twin cities due to the close connection, accordingly, Hat Yai and Songkhla form the Greater Hatyai-Songkhla Metropolitan Area. The name "Hat Yai" is a short version of "Ma Hat Yai", meaning big Ma Hat (Thai: มะหาด) tree, a relative of jackfruits in genus Artocarpus. Originally named Khok Sa-Met Choon, Hat Yai was a small village until the southern railway was built there. The junction which connected the town of Songkhla with the main route was originally located in the Utapao area, but was moved to Khok Su-Met Choon in 1922 when the Utapao area turned out to be flood prone.

Leicester Square, London (2009)

Leicester Square is a pedestrianised square in the West End of London, England. The Square lies within an area bound by Lisle Street, to the north; Charing Cross Road, to the east; Orange Street, to the south; and Whitcomb Street, to the west. The park at the centre of the Square is bound by Cranbourn Street, to the north; Leicester Street, to the east; Irving Street, to the south; and a section of road designated simply as Leicester Square, to the west. It is within the City of Westminster, and about equal distances north of Trafalgar Square, east of Piccadilly Circus, west of Covent Garden, and south of Cambridge Circus.

Science Muzeum, London (2009)

The Science Museum was founded in 1857 with objects shown at the Great Exhibition held in the Crystal Palace. Today the Museum is world renowned for its historic collections, awe-inspiring galleries and inspirational exhibitions. Bringing science to life, and life to science ... welcome to the Science Museum

Natural History Muzeum, London (2009)

Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road, LondonSW7

Bayswater, London (2009)

Bayswater is an area of west London in the City of Westminster. Bayswater is one of London's most cosmopolitan areas, with the significant diversity of the local population added to by having one of London's highest concentration of hotels. Notably, there is a significant Arab population towards Edgware Road, a large number of Americans, a substantial Greek community attracted by London's Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the area is also a centre of London's Brazilian community and a substantial local population. There are also purpose built apartment blocks dating from the inter-war period as well as more recent developments, and a large Council Estate, the 650 flat Hallfield Estate. There are some garden squares in the area. Queensway and Westbourne Grove are busy High Streets, with a very large number of ethnic restaurants. It has a population density of 17,500 people per square kilometre.

We used to live here; on Wesbourne Grove Terrace; from 1988 to 1992