Why U.S. Servicemen in Vietnam Loved Saigon

During the Vietnam War, Saigon more than lived up to its nickname as the 'Paris of the Orient.' It was safe, busy and a favorite hangout spot for servicemen looking for a little R&R.
From the Series: The Lost Tapes: The Tet Offensive bit.ly/2CTCYGg

[@VNExperience]

I love Saigon too. The city has changed but much is still the same. Even after 6 years of living here, I get a rush of excitement every time I take my motorcycle to the streets, feel the wind against my face (a relief on hot days) and experience the history all around.

[@VNExperience]

@the Oracle of Delphi I'm sure, no doubt about that. When did you do your time?

[@-KillaWatt-]

Me love you long time.... That's why soldiers loved Saigon

[@georgehh2574]

_sigh_

[@scheewheed8285]

Whats the name of that meme song again?

[@deziking]

@@scheewheed8285 Dizaster Love me long time.

[@kidpedro8108]

Lmaooo

[@iudexe3103]

me sucky sucky

[@andrewgilmore4040]

great footage of what Saigon looked like back then. Thanks

[@edgarcia4794]

One uncle of mine who was an electrician in the Navy chose poorly and went for R&R in Saigon right when the Tet Offensive started, He got back to his ship okay although the bar/cafe he was at got hit with an early satchel charge less then fifteen minutes after he 'd left. He never went back.

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

In 1970-71, I was 15 and visited Saigon twice. It had so much mystery, excitement and atmosphere. I loved the place. I could go on but that’s for another time and place.

[@donaldsaxton7911]

It was definitely the fact that the girls who frequented the bars only knew limited English. Most only knew "Hello Soldier Boy!! Me Love You Long Time!!". That, and it was one of the few places where a serviceman could get a somewhat fresh beer, either Saigon or San Miguel, although others were available as well. The only place safer was in the Phillipines as long as you put a sock on it.

[@luc4prez]

“I sort of just walked down town and relaxed abit” that man was laying pipe the whole R&R😂😂😂

[@davidchappell4759]

I loved the markets.

[@ReverendV92]

0:27 Chrissakes, wonder if he lost his leg in the fighting thus far, or something less warfare inflicted?

[@willieboy8798]

your saigon and mine were two different times ...

[@1223steffen]

I think this would make a good movie. Most of the film can be about life in the city for the service men and the south Vietnamese. Only near the end show some fighting when tet started up

[@thedoubletake]

Full Metal Jacket

[@quieteron1516]

Good Morning Vietnam is that

[@EinkOLED]

Looks like havana 2018

[@Nikkis_Channel]

Can anyone remember where the Merlin Hotel was located back in the 1960’s in Vietnam

[@cedricliggins7528]

Nike is made in Saigon now at the Ho Chi Minh industrial center

[@amiclic]

j'adore cette ville , on sent encore cette atmosphère spéciale

[@binhnguyen-sq5ft]

Cảm ơn Smithsonian Channel qua Hình Ảnh đã nói lên nỗi lòng của người con dân Nam Kỳ thấp thỏm trước Vận Mệnh của một vùng đất mất dần những giá trị Văn Minh Nhân Văn Cao Đẹp. Cảm ơn những Cô Chú Anh Chị đã thực hiện về quá khứ và cách sống Văn Hóa của người Dân Miền Tây chân chất giọng nói nhẹ nhàng, Chân thật, Hiền hòa, Ngọt ngào như gặp người thân trong Gia Đình, bạn ở xa vô thủ đô Sài Gòn hay về lại Miền Tây nghe tiếng Nam Kỳ là biết tâm hồn đẹp thánh thiện, do tâm sanh thật thà như vậy, đó là niềm mơ ước của nhiều người Việt nói qua giọng nói Sài Gòn hay Nam Kỳ là một sự xã giao Thân Mật và Lể Phép

[@shaider1982]

Pre Tet, right?

[@bltvd]

Wtf was that?

[@hoangquytran]

Tôi là người Việt Nam

[@erwin9065]

Saigon was one of the wealthiest South East Asian country at the time. It’s ruined now.

[@achillesrodriguezxx3958]

Nope your wrong Manila was the wealthiest city in South East Asia during the 60s till the 80s. Go and look up how manila looks in the 60s

[@erwin9065]

@@achillesrodriguezxx3958 i mean it’s up there in the big league, Saigon was developed compare to the rest of the country.

[@achillesrodriguezxx3958]

@@erwin9065 Yes Saigon was rich compared to many other south east asian cities. But your 1st comment mention Saigon was the richest which is an error so I just wanted to point it out

[@1223steffen]

saigon does look pretty.

[@arumforyou]

Girls? Yup, a tough one.

[@JohnAlberts827]

Hey baby, You got girlfriend Vietnam?

[@zhen86]

Like Taiwan, the girls there threw themself to the Americans soldiers and with American “control” the city is bound to be “safe and fun”

[@veramann]

The north Vietnamese killed 1000,000 French soldiers for independence. Then they killed 68,000 American soldiers. It was a good punishment for those who tried to control another country.

[@LongTran-eg5mb]

Roy Long ! But your northerner people died over 1 million to beat Frane and America and also to create a terrrible corrupt communist regime like today , idiot

[@ccie4101]

They didn't kill too many Chinese commies that's why Vietnam is now a vassal state of Red China.

[@zhengyeli2050]

Ha ha,vietcong lost one million men

[@HWDragonborn]

I doubt France lost one million men in Vietnam

[@erwin9065]

Lesser known fact: They also killed 3 million Vietnamese in order to control the country.