Saigon Lockdown July 2021

During July 2021, the Covid epidemic broke out violently throughout Saigon and southern Vietnam, so the government ordered a blockade throughout Saigon, especially people were not allowed to go out after 6pm.

© Explore Vietnam by motorbike tours

VIETNAMRIDER®

(since 1999)

THE EXECUTION SITE IN SAIGON

This execution site were established in the years 1965 - 1966 when the situation in South Vietnam was extremely chaotic, there were continuous coups, monks protested, the VC exploded bombs in the middle of Saigon, and crooks took advantage of the difficult situation to speculate, hoard, manipulate the market to get rich... The SVN government at that time had to set up this special military court to try many outstanding cases with severe sentences, not only for terrorists or crooks, but some corrupt government officials also suffered severe punishments as many documents or books of the day recorded. These public executions were aimed at suppressing crime with a deterrent character, but also gained a lot of international notoriety, especially when foreign journalists were sympathetic to the VC and intended to oppose the SVN government - they distorted the truth to exploit propaganda...

The place is now near Ben Thanh Market, HCM City.

© Explore Vietnam by motorbike tours - VIETNAMRIDER® - since 1999

HISTORY OF NGUYEN HUE BOULEVARD - SAIGON

Nguyen Hue Boulevard started with a canal called Kinh Lon, which led water from the Saigon River to Gia Dinh citadel built by Nguyen Anh in 1790. At that time, it was also called Cho Vai canal because there was a canal along the banks. Many overseas Chinese focus on selling cloth.

After the French captured Saigon, in 1861, Admiral Charner issued regulations limiting the city's territory. The Grand Canal was renamed the Charner Canal, with both sides running parallel roads named Rigault de Genouilly and Charner. This photo was taken by photographer Emile Gsell in 1870.

Another photo by Emile Gsell of the 1870s street with the Great Canal and the block on Charner Street. The bridge across the canal connecting the two banks is the guide to Ngo Duc Ke street today.

In the middle of Charner Street is the first market of Saigon, built in 1860. The French call it Charner market, and the people call it Cho Lon or Saigon market.

In 1914, when Ben Thanh market was completed, this market was closed. The location of the old market today is located in the area of Bitexco building, and the State Treasury of Ho Chi Minh City today.

In 1887, the French filled the canal and merged the road on both sides into Charner Avenue. However, Saigon people call Kinh Lap street.

After filling the canal, the French built a system of tramway (steam train) Saigon - Cho Lon - My Tho. On Charner Avenue, the section near the Saigon River, there is a train station.

And the tallest house is the house of Mr. Vuong Thai, a Chinese giant in Saigon at the end of the 19th century. In 1883, the French government bought this house and completed the repair 4 years later. Today this house is still there, is the headquarters of the Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department. Viewed from the walking street, the house is hidden by tall buildings and dense trees.

From the canal to a modern and busy boulevard in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Modern buildings were built by the French on this road. Typical is the Tax Trade Center, built in 1880. The building is the oldest commercial center in Saigon.

At the end of 2016, the Tax mall was demolished to carry out the construction project of a commercial center for office and hotel services.

From the bank of the Saigon River entering, the left side of Charner street has odd numbers, the right side has even numbers. On the left side of the road is a market, so the trade is busy. On the right are mostly French shops and cafes. Kim Do Hotel is now the headquarters of the Société des Garages Charner Company, which has sold and repaired cars since the late 19th century.

Charner Avenue becomes the widest street in Saigon, where major festivals take place, there are many shops and headquarters of companies, hotels... Right at the intersection with d'Ormay street (Mac Thi Buoi) in the east. must be the Grand Hôtel du Coq d'Or. Today it is the Palace Hotel.

Rex Hotel consists of 5 floors built in 1927. Initially, this place was a garage, selling cars. In 1959, the government of the Republic of Vietnam upgraded it to a hotel. After 1975, the hotel was renamed Ben Thanh until 1986 back to the old name as it is today.

At the end of Charner Avenue is Xa Tay Palace, today is the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City built from 1898 to 1909. At the corner of Bonnard (Le Loi) and Charner (Nguyen Hue) avenues is a house named Hotel des Nations, on the right. Figure. In the 40s, the Eden quadrangle was built at the location of this house. By 2012, the project of a commercial center was completed on the basis of the quadrangle.

A famous building on Charner Avenue is the Court of Reconciliation, built in 1870. After the city court was completed in 1887, the Mediation Court was fully functional. The location of the Mediation Court today is a building.

The General Treasury was built in 1920, now is the State Treasury of Ho Chi Minh City.

In 1956, Charner Avenue was renamed Nguyen Hue by the government of the Republic of Vietnam. Since 1960, every spring, Nguyen Hue Boulevard has appeared flower markets from all over to gather at Bach Dang wharf, on the bank and stretching on the boulevard.

In the late 90s, for reasons of order in the city center, Nguyen Hue flower market moved to the park on September 23. In 2004, the flower market returned to the flower street with a new look. In April 2015, Ho Chi Minh City inaugurated the Nguyen Hue walking square with a length of 670 m and a width of 64 m.

© Explore Vietnam by motorbike tours - VIETNAMRIDER® - since 1999

CAMP HOLLOWAY - VIETNAM WAR

On July 5, 1961, the "57 Tactical Transport Squadron" was established by the US Military Advisory Mission in South Vietnam (MACV).

The task of this detachment is to study and practice the method of bringing soldiers to the war zones in the fastest and most unexpected way, making the enemy unable to react, and at the same time attacking targets on the ground and supporting the enemy, support other transport helicopters.  All of the above are called "helicopter transport" tactics.

In 1964, in addition to the UH-1A, the US army added the UH-1B - and then the UH-1D, the exhaust turned up to the sky to avoid the heat-seeking missiles of the VC.  These two types can each carry 12 soldiers or 6 stretchers, and the flight speed also increases to 215km/h. The 7.62mm machine gun was replaced by a 6-barreled minigun that fires 3,000 rounds per minute.

To serve this helicopter tactic, MACV decided to establish a permanent base, called Camp Holloway, located on the outskirts of Pleiku, Central Highlands, Vietnam. 

In just a short time, American forces in Holloway had the 52nd Combat Helicopter Regiment, fully equipped with UH-1A, a battalion of Chinook CH-47 transport helicopters, and three companies of commercial helicopters - 94, 519 and 755, a company of O-1 Bird Dog reconnaissance aircraft and two giant CH-54 Skycrane "flying crane" helicopters. 

With such numbers, Camp Holloway can simultaneously transport 1 battalion, about 400 soldiers, in charge of four highland provinces as Darlak, Pleiku, Kontum and Lam Dong, to places where military activity is suspected of VC.

© Explore Vietnam by motorbike tours - VIETNAMRIDER® - since 1999

9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP

This 9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP to one of the most fascinating places in Vietnam. It boasts of the most majestic and impressive natural landscapes in Southeast Asia, yet so many travelers overlook it. Ha Giang is a fascinating place where apart from an inspiring scenery, you have easy access to the most rural and authentic side Vietnam. Don’t miss it…

Day 1: Hanoi – Nghia Lo

Nghia Lo is good for a night before going off to discover Mu Cang Chai. There are quite a number of ethnic villages that offer homestay service in Nghia Lo, one of them is the Black Thai minority village which is praised for its authenticity of a Thai community. Do homestay at this village, travelers will enjoy the experiences of living, eating, working and living in a cultural space with local people.

Distance: 230km. Normal road. Homestay.

   9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 2: Nghia Lo – Sa Pa

O Quy Ho Pass has long been a legendary destination for travelers, it would make a wonderful stop for your motorbike trip. The pass is hailed as the king of passes in northwest Vietnam, being extreme in both road’s difficulty and natural scenery. The road leading up the pass’s top is winding, supple as the silk. Come when the sun is setting, visitors will be moved by the beautiful landscape just like a watercolor painting before the eyes. 

Literally called “the sky’s horn” - Khau Pha Pass is one of the most beautiful and dangerous passes in north Vietnam, it is more than 30 kilometers long.

Distance: 240km. Normal road. 1000m – 2000m high mountains. Hotel / Homestay.

9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 3: Sapa

Sa Pa is a small hill station town in Northern Vietnam close to the border of China. It’s best known for the terraced rice fields, colorful minority people, trekking, homestay, and Fansipan - the tallest peak in Vietnam and S.E.A. The town is gorgeously picturesque with buildings inspired by French architecture, local tribes selling handmade goods on the streets, and delicious local cuisine.

Trekking. 1000m – 2000m high mountains. Hotel / Homestay.

   9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 4: Sapa – Bac Ha

Bac Ha Market is a chance to get an intimate look at the culture and commerce of Northern Vietnam’s highlands. Visiting is definitely an exciting and interesting experience. The energy and color of the Flower Hmong People give the area a unique vibrancy. The local minority tribes bring their livestock, wares and rice wine to sell every week. Many different ethnic groups such as Flower Hmong, Black Hmong, Black Dao, Tay and Nung minorities gather to buy and sell local products that cannot be found elsewhere.

Distance: 120km. Normal road / off-road. 1000m – 2000m high mountains. Homestay.

   9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 5: Bac Ha – Ha Giang

If you come to Hoang Su Phi during the harvest season, you will have chance to see the golden terraces covered in the white clouds. The terraced fields have long been considered as the artworks of the locals' hard work and no longer just agricultural cultivation. Hoang Su Phi offers breathtaking views of layers and layers of rice fields on mountain after mountain.

The ethnic people, including Hmong, Tay, Nung and Hoa ethnic minorities stay true to their identity and tradition by dressing with their finest costumes to attend the weekly fair market. The event is a chance for local people to purchase their tribal goods, self-grown li, socialize, and eat good foods. It’s a very local, friendly atmosphere and you’ll find yourself enjoying the market in no time.

Distance: 180km. Normal road / off-road. 1000m high mountains. Hotel.

   9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 6: Ha Giang – Dong Van

The Heaven Gate which is on a height of 1500m above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the valley below. It’s such a wonderful experience to take in such scenery during your trip. From the Heaven Gate to look over the Quan Ba Mountains, a lovely sight to behold from the road. The two round-shaped green hills lying side by side on the middle of the rice field will sure will catch your eyes because of its charming appearance.

The Happiness Road (185 km long, made from 1958 - 1965) to Ma Pi Leng - the King of all the passes in Vietnam, has a long and heroic history of itself starting from the days even before its birth.

Many volunteers, workers from several ethnic groups had joined hands to open the toughest mountain road in Vietnam, very first road in Ha Giang. Some of them sacrificed their lives on the span of 7 years of making this road. The name of the road is also the wish for happiness that the local people here sent to the future.

Distance: 150km. Normal road. 1000m – 2000m high mountains. Hotel / Homestay.

   9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 7: Dong Van – Bao Lac

Lung Cu is a great place to take panoramic photos of Dong Van, Ha Giang, especially the winding Happiness Road. The 100-year-old Dong Van Old Quarter is the highest old quarter in Vietnam with the typical Chinese architecture on the dramatic backdrop of sheer mountains and green rice fields. Most of the houses in the Old Quarter are Trinh Tuong Houses, lived in by Hmong, Tay, Kinh, Zao, Hoa ethnic people.

Distance: 100km. Normal road. 1000m – 2000m high mountains. Hotel.

   9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 8: Bao Lac – Ba Be

Ba Be National Park has featured in hundreds of newspapers, magazines, forums and blogs, but nothing can prepare you for experiencing its intoxicating landscapes and clear waters first hand. The lakes have a lot to offer, including waterfalls, rivers, valleys, lakes, and caves all set amidst picturesque landscapes.

It was recently recognized by UNESCO as the third Ramsar site in Vietnam - an important wetland of the world. With further exploration of Ba Be National Park, you will also begin to discover some of the minority villages in the region.

Distance: 160km. Normal road / off-road. 1000m high mountains. Homestay.

   9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 9: Ba Be – Hanoi

One of the best ways to experience the incredible beauty of Ba Be is doing the boat trip, you can explore the rivers, lakes and caves that make up this area of stunning beauty.

Return and finish at Hanoi.

Distance: 250km. Normal road. 500m high mountains.

© Explore Vietnam by motorbike tours - VIETNAMRIDER® - since 1999