We cruised 20 miles up the Saigon River and were off the ship by 7 a.m. The temps were to be in the high 90s so we wanted to get an early start. One of our program guides was ill so I pitched in to help make sure everyone was always accounted for. Aside...sometimes children are easier to manage.

We had a 1-1/2 hour coach ride to Saigon and were delighted to travel on their new freeway part of the way . Autos cost 2-3 times what we pay, and they have to be paid for in cash. So, few cars lots of mopeds and cycles. Not motorcycles as much as scooters. We couldn't beat Lezli's challenge to see more than 5 people and a chicken on one scooter but we did see lots of funny things.

The Reunification Hall, formerly known as the presidential palace was a special visit. This modern building was the target of The Vietnam Kong tanks on April 30, 1975. We toured the bombproof basement where the computers and rotary phones are on display. The war room and other bunker areas that housed the military high command communication center were very claustrophobic.

A helicopter sits on the roof as a reminder of that final evacuation of the building.

The Palace rooms are beautiful and harken back to the days before the war when the president entertained dignitaries. Beautiful furnishings and wall hangings. I missed an exterior shot of the palace as I was rounding up recalcitrant coach passengers. Will try to get one from someone later.

Our trip included a visit to the Old Post Office with its picture of Ho Chi Minh, and the Notre Dame Cathedral.