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CAN THO |
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| Sited at the confluence of the Can Tho and Hau Giang rivers, CAN THO
is the delta's biggest city (pop. 310,000), a major trading centre and
transport interchange. However, abundant rice fields are never far away,
and boat trips along the canals and rivers, through memorable floating
markets, are undoubtedly Can Tho's star attraction. Broad Hoa Binh is
the city's backbone, and the site of the new Ho Chi Minh Museum (Tues,
Thurs & Fri 8-11am & 1.30-4.30pm, Sat & Sun 8-11am & 7-9pm), where yet
more photographs and army ordnance are displayed. Can Tho was the last
city to succumb to the North Vietnamese Army, a day after the fall of
Saigon, on May 1, 1975 - the date that has come to represent the
absolute reunification of the country. The city's central market
swallows up the entire central segment of waterfront Hai Ba Trung. North
of the market on Hai Ba Trung, Ong Pagoda is a prosperous place financed
and built late last century by a wealthy Chinese townsman, Huynh An Thai.
Inside, a ruddy-faced Quan Cong presides, flaunting Rio Carnival-style
headgear. On his right is Than Tai, to whom a string of families come on
the first day of every month, asking, not unreasonably, for money and
good fortune. |
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