Saigon Stories: A City That Refuses to Pause
Scooters, Scars and Strong Coffee Left: Town hall building Right:Ho Chi Minh statue The heat and humidity came as a shock as we stepped out of the air-conditioned hotel on our first morning in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. About 10 minutes of walking, and we realized hot and humid April-end was not the right time to visit the country. You may point out that April to September is not the right season for a vacation anywhere in the sub-tropical and tropical regions. But we were there and had to make the best of the weather. Ho Chi Minh City or HCMC, as it is generally called, and was earlier known by the name Saigon, offers an interesting contrast of old French style buildings and modern Western-style skyscrapers, fancy restaurants and roadside food carts and vendors, chaotic traffic but clean roads. Hibiscus, ixora, bougainvillea, rubber plants, palm, plumeria, amaltaas shrubs and trees spread their scent and add colour to the roads and alleys. The traffic reminded me of Lucknow ro...