Cholon (China Town), 9/8

Monday, September 8, we spent the afternoon touring in Cholon (Chinatown) with Viet. Prior to 1975, Cholon and Saigon were separate cities. After reunification, they were combined into what is now called Ho Chi Minh City.

On the way to meet the students I took some pictures of the intersections they have to cross on the way to language classes each morning. And that isn't even rush hour. The picture at the left is a local street at 5:00.

The fourth picture is rush hour traffic from the bus on the way back from Cholon at 4:30.

Our first stop in Cholon was the Chinese Temple of the Sea Goddess. This is a local shrine that is not actually a church, but somewhere that people come to pray and light incense for good luck. To the left is the altar, and below Viet explains more about the incense (seen at the top of the picture). People attach a note to the incense coil that gives their wish. Some of the larger coils burn for 30 days.

You see the strangest loads on small vehicles here. These three examples are all three-wheeled motor bikes, but I"ll have pictures to show you later of outrageous loads on regular motorbikes.

These were taken while we walked from the temple to the street that sells herbal medicines. Below, Viet explains about traditional medicines, and the other picture shows a little of what is available. Don't ask me what any of this is!

A short bus ride took us to the Binh Tay market, which is very similar to the market in downtown Saigon, except that it is in China Town.

Some of the isles are so narrow you can hardly walk through them. You can find almost anything you need, but unless you need something it is a bit overwhelming.

Our last stop in Cholon was the Catholic church where President Diem worshiped. Diem was basically chosen to be President by the U.S, because he was so staunchly anti-Communist. Unfortunately he was also anti most any other religion, including the Buddhist majority. His repression of the Buddhists led to demonstrations and self-immolation by several monks.

During the coup in 1963, Diem and his brother escaped from the Presidential Palace, and sought refuge in the church. They were sitting in the first pew inside the door. A call was made to the American Ambassador seeking asylum. Arrangements were made, but when the armored personnel carrier came to pick them up, they were put in the back and assassinated. The powers that be tried to claim it was a suicide, but it was obvious it wasn't No one has admitted who ordered the hit, but it was a well known fact that the U.S. felt Diem could not continue as President.

Here is a good parting shot for this segment. A random trash can in a park. The Vietnamese really do have a sense of humor!