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| Notre Dame Catherdral is in bad shape in Vietnam |
During the Vietnam War - our country did not make a big deal out of the fact that South Vietnam was a Catholic country. The USA wanted to make the issue Democracy versus Communism. Many of the important places in the city are around the French Quarter. For roughly 100 years from 1850 on - Vietnam was a colony of France called French Indo-China. So much of the culture is French architecture - French food - and the Catholic religion.
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon is in need of much repair. They do use the grounds for ceremonies on special occasions. We notice Christmas decorations and shopping directl across the street from the cathedral.
When the French decided to leave - President John Kennedy and the USA filled the vacuum. When Kennedy died - President Lyndon Johnson escalated the war. Usually the conservative party gets you involved wars - not this time.
Vietnam is a country of 95 million people. It has been a communist country since 1975. The economy is booming. The resulting industry and transportation have heavily polluted the air. Its tropical climate gave us weather of 90 degrees and 90% humility. We did not have a chance to get out of the city to see the real country side.
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