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Sophie’s Vietnamese sojourn
On her recent visit to Vietnam, Sophie Choudry explored a little more of Vietnam. “The city is truly magical and this time was extra special because I visited the city during my birthday. There are so many lovely things to see. I was staying at a heritage property right in the centre of Ho Chi Minh, also known as Saigon,” says Sophie.
Sophie first visited the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh and says, “It was heartbreaking to go through the museum, that falls under the department of culture, sports and tourism in the city. The museum showcases thematic collection, storage, preservation and display of the materiala, photographs and artifacts on the evidence of the crime and consequences of the war that the invasion force had caused to Vietnam. You can sense the tragic history of this country and yet see the humility and kindness of the people. It is heartwarming to see how they have not become bitter because of the past.”
She adds that the nightlife in the city is splendid with an array of restaurants and live music places to visit. “One of the nicest things about Saigon is that you can walk around and experience the amazing blend of Vietnamese culture and French architecture. It has the lovely cafe culture, like that of Europe and the highlight is their cold coffee, they have one of the best strong cold coffees made of condensed milk and ice.” Sophie also enjoyed the local cuisine and picks Pho as her favourite dish.
“This soupy broth has a nice mix of rice noodles, herbs, veggies and chicken. One can also try the spring rolls which come in two options, crunchy and rice paper.” She also recommends visiting the rooftop bar at The Caravelle Hotel. “It’s supposed to be historic, where the Americans would go if they had a night off during the war. All the news reporters would meet here to exchange information on the war and transmit those messages.”