Visit to the opthalmologist

We were up bright and early today to visit Dr. Pham, Lucas's opthalmologist. Maiya and Grandma stayed at the hotel and did crafts and Loan met us and went with us to the appointment. Dr. Pham has a new office in an area of HMC that is just being developed. It feels a bit surreal since the whole area is filling up with huge, shiny (and expensive!) stores and buildings but it is very quiet because there are relatively few people around - a big difference from the hectic pace of District 1 and the downtown core. Also a big contrast from the shipyards and area we passed through on the way there - crowded, dirty, run-down.

The office was very modern and it was nice to meet Dr. Pham. We are going to have her email a summary report to us with all the information from his vision history. She answered some of our questions too, but really we will need a specialist back home asap for more details on next steps.

Stopped for a coffee at a beautiful new mall near the office before heading home - another expensive set of stores and no customers! Baffled by how these places keep going - all high end stores like Gucci.

Mom and Brett went to the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum (referred to as War Ruminants by Brett 5 years ago - still no cows there!). Mom found the museum very difficult - the photos of the horrors of war are very graphic, and it is even more difficult I think knowing that many children are still born today suffering from deformities due to the lingering affects of Agent Orange in the ecosystem.

I stayed at the hotel with the kids and then we met up at the Vincom Centre where there is a ton of restaurants. We had some Fanny ice cream for dessert then back to the hotel to pack. Checking out and storing most of our luggage tomorrow and spending until Friday in Vung Tau. Will be visiting Maiya's orphanage in the afternoon so a big day for her.

Posting some pics of the appointment and the area around the office.