Tết in Saigon

School is out for Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, so we have 2 weeks off. All ELIC teachers from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, China, and Mongolia are required to travel to Chiang Mai, Thailand for what's called the Annual Thailand Conference (ATC). This is the one time during the year where we all get to meet each other for updates, encouragements, idea exchange, further training on how to become better teachers, paperwork, logistics, shopping for and buying new text books, taking care of health issues, singing, studying, listening, and praying. It's right in the middle of the year, and it's a good opportunity to hear and speak with other native English speakers.
Since we had some extra days, we decided to stop by Saigon for a few days on our way to Chiang Mai. Grace and Caleb have never seen Saigon, so we thought it would also be a good opportunity for them to see it, especially to visit the places where Andy used to grow up. It also happens to be Tết, so Saigon is teaming with people and tourists shopping and buying for the New Year and visiting different Tết exhibitions, fairs, festivals and music performances. People everywhere here are ringing in the Year of the Ox. Here are a few pictures of Tết in SG.

Notre Dame Church

Pho 2000, where Bill Clinton ate and made it famous

Nguyen Hue St Exhibitions

Tao Dan Park Exhibitions

Ben Thanh Market

Tax Plaza

New Year's Eve, all eateries were closed, but the fast food Lotteria place was open