The Five O'Clock Follies

A few words on Saigon...The Caravelle Hotel where all the correspondents hung out writing stories to be sent back to The New York Times, The Guardian, Le Monde etc., The Rex where the Five O'Clock Follies took place, seedy Tu Do street with all the go-go bars and where long term press corps players took up residence, the American consulate and operation Frequent Wind, all of this is long gone. The Rex is now a five star hotel, the rooftop bar at the Caravelle is still there with great views but they have to be taken in sipping $7 small beers (well or lychee mojitos like I did) . Tu Do street is now Don Khoi street and lined with chic boutiques and restaurants. Old colonial buildings are being torn down to give way for modern skyscrapers. Saigon will be like Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong in 10-15 years. I would have loved to see this city in the 60's. Now despite what could be read as cynicism I really really liked Saigon, there is a great sense of history and parts are very beautiful in a very French way. I will go back, the noise pollution is something to get used to though.