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After finished exploring the Independence palace, we found the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon officially known as the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception.

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See The Notre Dame Cathedral

It was built by the french between 1863 and 1880. The statue outside the Cathedral was reported to have shed tears in October 2005 which attracted thousands of people but the Catholic Church in Vietnam couldn’t confirm if this happened.

Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon

Visiting The War Remnants Museum

After the Notre Dame Cathedral, we found the War Remnants Museum. It is a little heavy on propaganda but some really interesting exhibits.

Some of the weapons used during the Vietnam war

The museum comprises a series of themed rooms in several buildings, graphic photography, the use of napalm and phosphorus bombs, covering effects of chemical sprays and war atrocities.

Tank used in the Vietnam war

With military equipment such as a UH-1 “Huey” helicopter, an F-5A fighter, a BLU-82 “Daisy Cutter” bomb, an M48 Patton tank, an A-1 Skyraider attack bomber, and an A-37 Dragonfly attack bomber placed outside.

Fighter used in the Vietnam war

The museum also had another building showing tiger cages. The Tiger Cages, five feet by nine feet cages so a prisoner could not even stand up in them.

Many Vietnamese were tortured directly by Americans before being turned over to the Saigon authorities.

Guillotine used in the Tiger Cages

The torture at the Tiger Cages was carried out by Saigon police and military, with the U.S. complicity.

Prisoner in a Tiger Cage cell

On our way home we found a night market called Bến Thành Market. It was a maze of stall after stalls that were selling stuff like t-shirts, knock-off leather goods, spices, dried fruits, alcohol, kids’ clothes, and food market stalls.

Tiger cage in Saigon

The prices seemed inflated, especially for foreigners who couldn’t bargain for a better price.

Wrapping Up

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on visiting Saigon in Vietnam has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there are any more places to visit in Vietnam.

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