Rex Hotel and Reunification Palace

Ho Chi Minh and a Young Girl Statue - His image is everywhere in the city of Ho Chi Minh

During my recent trip to Ho Chi Minh city, we had some time to visit the Central District 3 where the Notre Dame de Basillica (same design as the one in Paris) was located. Just 5 minutes away is the Reunification Palace of North and South Vietnam which represents the unifying of the country by the signing of the Reunification Treaty. In front of the Palace is the statue of Ho Chi Minh with a young girl with what looks like a giant key. The key to the future perhaps ??


View of Reunification Palace from 5th Floor of Rex Hotel

At night, the best spot to photograph the Palace is at the Rex Hotel, once made famous as it was used by the American GIs for their Rest and Recreation (R & R).
It is quite a statement that the Communist country which kicked out the American imperialist power is now free from alot of the vice which is so prevalent in many South East Asian countries namely Thailand, which used its 'freedom' to develop such an unsavoury industry.


Reunification Palace - between the victorious North and American backed South

This Palace will rival many grand buildings in the region and how the country will progress in the years to come is anyone's guess. I think that Vietnam has indeed a very bright future . American companies are coming in by the back door, that is through their subsidiary companies based in offshore countries in Asia. Intel and many Japanese companies like Fujitsu,Toshiba are already in Vietnam making use of its hardworking and still cheap labour force.


Strawberry Pork Ribs, Brocolli with Mushrooms and Sauteed Prawn - A veritable feast for both the eyes and the stomach

To feast on excellent food at a 5 star hotel at reasonable prices, that is what we lucky Singaporeans are able to do, as our country is one of the strongest in economic terms for the last 25 years. This spread cost the 2 of us only S$ 60 dollars, but in real terms for a Vietamese, it represents about 25% of his monthly salary !



Standing on the 5th Floor Verandah of the Rex Hotel overlooking Ho Chi Minh.

One of life's simple pleasures is to enjoy an ice cold beer and have a lovely meal at one of the country's top hotels, the Rex Hotel.


The Rex Hotel resplendent in all its lighted glory.