Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 7, 1995

We woke up early for prayer. It was also drizzling. At eight o'clock in the morning, there was a ceremony to sign the agreements with the presence of the two presidents. Mr. Velayati and Sheriff signed on our behalf. We immediately went to the airport. The accompanying minister was changed and this time he was the minister of culture and information. He introduced himself and said that he spent twenty years of his life in guerrilla warfare and is a fellow citizen of the president. Our companion came to Ho Chi Minh City - the former Saigon. On the way, I asked him many questions about cultural and educational issues. We could see the earth from under the clouds, we could see the forest and the river.

At the airport, we were welcomed by [Mr. Chuan Don Chan], the mayor and head of the People's Committee and city managers. On the way to the residence, the mayor gave good explanations about the city. Five million people, with fifty millimeters of rain per day - in the rainy season - and a high population growth and a program to provide housing and help from the south to the north, in many things, including the use of electricity from the north. People still call this place Saigon. Before our arrival, it was raining heavily which stopped as soon as we arrived.

It is a good accommodation. After lunch, prayer and rest, at half past four we went to visit a handicraft center, which is vast and interesting. They said that they have sales of 23 million dollars a year. About twenty thousand people work for them. Most of their materials are wood, vegetable gum and shells. We visited the way of work and exhibitions and then we walked around the streets. It is a busy and advanced city; It is much stronger than Hanoi.

In the evening, we went to the Noor Al-Ayman Shahr Mosque. A group of Muslims were gathered here. They received a warm welcome. They brought children, boys and girls, chanting slogans and throwing flowers. The congregational prayer was led by me. I spoke a few Arabic sentences with the imam of the congregation. He said that there are about 50,000 Muslims in Vietnam, 5,000 of whom live in Ho Chi Minh City. This city has twelve mosques. There was also a Pakistani Shia. He is a rice trader and he also knew Farsi. It was in Qom. He said that three hundred people were supposed to gather but the government prevented them. I spoke a few words to them. Imam of the congregation also welcomed. I gave a good suitable carpet to the mosque.

Then we went to the former presidential palace for dinner. Before dinner, they explained the manner and quality of the capture of Saigon and this palace and that tank that opened the gate. They said that before surrendering, they dropped two bombs on the palace.

Before dinner, [Mr. Chuan Don Chan], the mayor, gave a short speech of welcome, and in response I gave some advice to the Americans that they should learn from this incident that the prisoner

Yesterday, the Shah's regime - myself - is now the guest of the palace of the former president of Saigon - Hampalgi Shah. The variety of their dishes was very interesting; It was mainly prepared from fish and shrimp.

We moved to the residence. It is raining heavily. It is interesting that they constantly have initiatives to deal with the problem of constant rain; For example, they have made suitable plastic covers for bicycles, motorcycles and pedestrians. Here too, the majority of passenger transportation is by bicycle and motorcycle, but they have more cars than in Hanoi. I asked many questions about the fate of the leaders and military and security forces of the former regime. The answers usually indicated their forgiveness, education and repentance, and they said that none of them were imprisoned and that they were not executed, and those who escaped can return, but it is difficult to believe. Mehdi and Fati also went to see the tunnels of the fighters during the war, which is interesting for them.