Entrance fee: 8,000 VND
What to do: roam around and observe animals, take pictures, rest under the shades, savor the presence of trees
Nearby places: History Museum, Temple of the Hung Kings
The Hung Kings Temple was erected by the French in 1926 as a memorial to those who fall in defense of France during the First World War (1914-1918). In 1954, the South Vietnam Government reconstituted it as a place to worship the Hung Kings, Confucius, General Tran Hung Dao, and Le Van Duyet. The temple was renamed as Temple of the Hung Kings in 1975.
(Information taken from plaque outside the temple)
The History Museum was established on August 23, 1979. It not only exhibits artifacts reflecting the national history, but also artifacts from other Asian countries including 10th-19th century wares from China, Cambodia, Japan, Thailand, and France. Interesting exhibits include the Xom Cai Mummy, Buddhist statues, stone carvings from Cambodia from the 9th to 13th century, blades from the late 18th century, and Tay So Dynasty coins.
Entrance fee: 15,000 VND, pay extra 32,000 VND to be able to take photos inside
Note: I declined paying extra. Did take down notes, though. :)
The Xom Cai mummy got its name from the place in District 5 of Ho Chih MInh City. It is actually the remains of Mrs. Tran Thi Hieu who died in 1869. According to studies, the body is soaked in red solution. The aristocratic woman was 60 years old, and stood 1.52 meters high.
Seeing the stone carvings taken from Cambodia, one cannot help but wish to see Angkor Wat immediately. The intricately designed carvings are proof of the ancient Cambodians' exceptional skills.
Buddhist-related statues are many. One notices some headless statues in the exhibition hall. Inscribed stelae with carvings narrating consecrations of a holy footprint of the God Vishnu by Prince Gunavarman, drainage works, and donations to the God Siva, can also be viewed.
Another interesting find is the wooden pile unearthed by Louis Malleret in Oc Eo. The wooden pile was part of an ancient architecture that has long ago disappeared and is considered rare.
As I viewed the exhibits, a group of tourists arrived with a French-speaking Vietnamese guide. I took it as an opportunity to practice my French and listened to her. She was then explaining the symbolisms of a statue of Amitabha. The hands represent compassion, the lotus flower purity, the long ears longevity, the head intelligence of the Buddha, which also represents enlightenment.
When the tour guide noticed me along with the group, she jested that I should pay. I said, "Je ne comprends pas" and ran off, much to the delight of the French touring group who laughed at my joke.
Read about my 2013 Ho Chih Minh adventure HERE
What to do: roam around and observe animals, take pictures, rest under the shades, savor the presence of trees
Nearby places: History Museum, Temple of the Hung Kings
The Hung Kings Temple was erected by the French in 1926 as a memorial to those who fall in defense of France during the First World War (1914-1918). In 1954, the South Vietnam Government reconstituted it as a place to worship the Hung Kings, Confucius, General Tran Hung Dao, and Le Van Duyet. The temple was renamed as Temple of the Hung Kings in 1975.
(Information taken from plaque outside the temple)
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| Hung Kings Temple |
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| side view of Hung Kings Temple |
The History Museum was established on August 23, 1979. It not only exhibits artifacts reflecting the national history, but also artifacts from other Asian countries including 10th-19th century wares from China, Cambodia, Japan, Thailand, and France. Interesting exhibits include the Xom Cai Mummy, Buddhist statues, stone carvings from Cambodia from the 9th to 13th century, blades from the late 18th century, and Tay So Dynasty coins.
Entrance fee: 15,000 VND, pay extra 32,000 VND to be able to take photos inside
Note: I declined paying extra. Did take down notes, though. :)
The Xom Cai mummy got its name from the place in District 5 of Ho Chih MInh City. It is actually the remains of Mrs. Tran Thi Hieu who died in 1869. According to studies, the body is soaked in red solution. The aristocratic woman was 60 years old, and stood 1.52 meters high.
Seeing the stone carvings taken from Cambodia, one cannot help but wish to see Angkor Wat immediately. The intricately designed carvings are proof of the ancient Cambodians' exceptional skills.
Buddhist-related statues are many. One notices some headless statues in the exhibition hall. Inscribed stelae with carvings narrating consecrations of a holy footprint of the God Vishnu by Prince Gunavarman, drainage works, and donations to the God Siva, can also be viewed.
Another interesting find is the wooden pile unearthed by Louis Malleret in Oc Eo. The wooden pile was part of an ancient architecture that has long ago disappeared and is considered rare.
 |
| History Museum with giant porcelain jar encased in glass outside |
When the tour guide noticed me along with the group, she jested that I should pay. I said, "Je ne comprends pas" and ran off, much to the delight of the French touring group who laughed at my joke.
As we were nearing the exit, I happened to
find a statue of 關羽 (Kim Loai in Vietnamese) holding the Spring Autumn Annals. 關羽 is sworn
brother to 劉備 in the
Romance of the Three Kingdoms. With his signature long beard and his choice of
weapon, the crescent blade, it is not hard to recognize the Chinese general who
is also worshiped as a deity, according to my father. And the statue could very
well be the proof of this.
Photos taken inside the Zoo and Botanical Gardens:
Read about my 2013 Ho Chih Minh adventure HERE
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