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In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Hotel Majestic

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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During the Viet Nam war, simple noodle shops frequented by military officers were run by communist commanders. Waiters reported overheard conversations to their bosses and this intelligence would be given to guerrilla leaders who adjusted plans accordingly.

Secret agents would slink in by side doors to then-decrepit hotels and meet their handlers to deliver or receive information. In these hotels, pillow talk was a very powerful weapon for gathering data and bar girls were among the recruits passing information to Viet Cong spymasters.

Ho Chi Minh City - formerly known as Saigon, a name that is still commonly used today - was abuzz with spies. Rumors about the identities of spies were common topics of conversation.

The war culminated in a communist victory in 1975.

Hotel Majestic - the only colonial era hotel with river views

Hotel Majestic - the only colonial era hotel with river views

Opened in 1925, the Majestic was the city's finest hotel. But it has gone through several reincarnations over the years. Viet Nam has had a tumultuous history, and during WWII, the Japanese Imperial Army used this structure as a military barracks.

After the reunification of Vietnam in 1975, the name of the hotel changed to Mekong Hotel and became a government guest house. Recently, this building was renamed again to the original Majestic and this 6 story building is now a 5 star hotel.

 

 

 

 

Filled with restaurants and shops

Filled with restaurants and shops

Boasting of both French Colonial and classical French Riviera styles of architecture, The Majestic faces the Saigon River where you can watch the dinner river cruises that go up and down the river.

Hotel Majestic Saigon is undoubtedly one of Ho Chi Minh City's famous landmarks.

 Expansive lobby

Expansive lobby

 In 2011, Saigon Tourist announced plans to build an almost 2 trillion dong expansion. Much of its 90 year old facade has been retained, as can be seen from the sweeping arches of the lobby and the private balconies of each room, allowing guests to take in the busy street life of the city below.

A bar we visited 10 years ago!

A bar we visited 10 years ago!

As far as location goes, the world famous Ben Thanh Market is within walking distance and the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedra, the Union Square shopping center and Reunification Palace are all nearby.

We were here in The Majestic 10 years ago and posed in front of this very bar. When we were here before, the inside of The Majestic did not have all the stores and restaurants it has today.

 

 

 

 

Here we are 10 years ago!

Here we are 10 years ago!

Same bar, same people, all 10 years ago.

The Hotel Majestic has been in the hands of the city government for most of its post 1975 life and some say it still carries a bit of that government feel. The Majestic's Cyclo Cafe remains one of Saigon's most fashionable dining spots where you can enjoy both Western and Vietnamese fare in a hotel that is steeped in history.

Billy with a cyclo driver 10 years ago

Billy with a cyclo driver 10 years ago

It seems that Saigon is even busier than it was 10 years ago, but if you want to go into a Colonial time-warp, The Majestic is just the place.

For more information and to find out current room rates, contact:

The Majestic, 1 Dong Kho Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Tele: 84-8 3829. 5517

Email: majestic@majesticsaigon.com.vn

www.majesticsaigon.com.vn

 

Hotels and Travel Information

For more stories and photos of Vietnam, click here

About the Authors

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

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