Conversation about the Main Gate at AFVN

From: Harry Simons

Dated: November 20, 2015

Subject: Entrance to AFVN Saigon

Hi Jim
Perhaps I misunderstood the conversation about the gates. You’re absolutely correct that the gates are much different than when we served in Saigon the 60’s and 70’s. The pictures I have been sharing about the gates taken in September of 2015 were to be compared to pictures taken by Google Maps a couple of years ago. I thought another group member had questioned if something about the gates had changed since the Google Map photo was taken.
I think the question revolved around the large metal gate being closed and open in different photos taken at different points in time and the railroad type gate being obscured when the large gate was closed. I thought the question was did the large metal gate get removed? My pictures are meant to show that both gates still remain as compared to the Google Maps photo and no changes have occurred.
I’m so sorry if I have caused confusion.

From: Jim White

Dated: November 19, 2015

Subject: Entrance to AFVN Saigon

Harry,
Thanks for the picture of the closed gate. I'll put it somewhere! However, look at picture (approximately) #18 in the slide show on Rick Fredericksen's Photos and Stories. it is a very different gate from existed when AFVN was there. Therefore, I'm not sure what your photo proves.
Jim W

From: Mike McNally

Dated: October 29, 2015

Subject: 9 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Aerial Map and Photo

The attached screenshots are from Google Maps. They may help clarify the location of the HCMC broadcasting complex.

9 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai looking towards 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai

AFVN Group Conversations

Group Conversations
A & B

Group Conversations
H to M

Group Conversations
N to T

Group Conversations
C to G

Group Conversations
U to Z

From: Mike McNally

Dated: October 29, 2015

Subject: Another Perspective on Nguyen Thi Mind Khai Street

I've attached Harry's recent photo of what he called the Left Alley of the broadcasting complex at 9 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. I've also attached a Street View screenshot showing that alley, Hem 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, and the view from there looking towards the gate at 9 NTMK. Finally, I attached a screenshot looking from 9 NTMK back towards the alley entrance at 7 NTMK.

Harry Simon's Left Alley Photo

Mike's Google Views. The view on the right is a bit more wide angle, also a slightly distorted view.

Note the tower in the background. I am sure that this is not the original AFVN tower for two reasons:

(1) It appears to be bigger at the base, and

(2) the original tower was more to the left and almost directly behind the main AFVN building.

From: Mick McNally

Date: October 29, 2015

Subject: Comparison to Harry Simons AFVN Photo

In the AFVN compound photo which Harry Simons posted you can see Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street (former Hong Thap Tu) in the background. I've attached two screenshots from Google Earth Street View looking from the street into the interior of the compound. The Street View apparently dates from March 2014.

Harry's photo and two screenshots from Mike:

From: Mike McNally

Dated: October 29, 2015

Subject: AFVN and THVN Merged to Single Gate

I've attached three more screenshots trying to emphasize the now single gate to the former AFVN and THVN compounds. The old dividing fence line can be seen in the cement, as pointed out in Harry's photo. The merged compound has an address of 9 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, the former Hong Thap Tu Street.

Note: The three attachments were identical to the attachments with the attachments with the first message.

The only difference is that the first one (showing Harry on the right) has been severely cropped. Webmaster

AFVN Home

AFVN Saigon Entrance

(During the Vietnam War and Today)
October & November 2015

Harry Simons pointing out the faint line of where the fence between AFVN and THVN was located.

Below is a slightly closer view.

Harry's finger is a bit off but the cigarette is supposedly on the line.

From: Jim White

Dated: November 20, 2015

Subject: Entrance to AFVN Saigon

Harry,
Confusion? That's all I know! I most likely misunderstood also. Right now it is 0200 the 20th and I couldn't sleep so I got up to work a while. My next project--guess what--to try to sort out the "gate" conversation.
I just put your 4-page brochure/pamphlet on your AFVN tribute under "Related to Vietnam" however it may be another day or two before you see it on the site. I reversed your title and put under the T's because so much seems to be piling up under the A's. Wonder why?
Best....,
Jim W

7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai looking towards 9 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai

From: Harry Simons

Dated: October 30, 2015

Subject: Entrance to AFVN Saigon

I’ve done some searching through my Vietnam trip pictures to try to answer some of the questions of changes to the AFVN/HTV entrance. Several days prior to our being allowed entrance, Mike and I took a cab to HTV and walked around the outside of the compound perimeter. We were stopped from taking pictures from the sidewalk by guards but did not delete any that had already been taken.
I did find one picture showing the steel gate closed. This should be proof that both gates remain in service and provide evidence that the Google pictures are still accurate as compared to my current pictures.
For the record this photo was taken September 17, 2015.