Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide
Saigon, as the city is still frequently referred to, is Vietnam's largest city with a population in excess of 6 million. It is a fast-paced city full of contrasts as street vendors selling fruit and vegetables can be seen next to glitzy western-style bars and boutiques.
Saigon's history is only 300 years old, less than a third that of the capital Hanoi. In 1859 the city was captured by the French and became the capital of Cochinchina, one of the 3 colonies that comprised the French Protectorate of Vietnam. From 1956 until its dramatic demise in April 1975, Saigon was the capital of the US-backed Republic of Vietnam.
Today Ho Chi Minh City is very much the heart of Vietnamese business and entrepreneurial ism. Incomes here are typically twice that of Hanoi and the city's skyline is rapidly changing, reflecting the sharp influx of foreign trade within the last decade. And yet for all this modernity the city still retains its connections to the past, particularly in Cholon, Saigon's Chinatown where dozens of elegant temples and pagodas can be seen.
Here are some of the city's main attractions:
Reunification Palace
Here on April 30th 1975 the American War officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time, the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.
War Remnants Museum
Formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes, this is a poignant display of the futility of war.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Built between 1877 and 1883 this is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Remarkably every stone used in its creation was shipped from France to Vietnam.
Cholon
Cholon actually means Big Market - a claim that is well justified as Vietnam's largest market, Binh Tay is situated here. Cholon is also home to the city's 400,000 Chinese and boasts many beautiful temples and pagodas. A pleasant way to see Cholon is by hiring a local cyclo for a couple of hours.
Ben Thanh Market
This bustling market is very popular with tourists, primarily due to its central location. It has a wide selection of goods ranging from fake Nike shoes to beautiful silk Ao Dais. Do be careful with your valuables though as pickpockets are known to operate here.
Giac Lam Pagoda
This is Saigon's oldest pagoda dating back to 1744 and one of the finest in Vietnam. Don't miss the amazing Tree of Wandering Souls where people pray for their sick relatives by writing the names of their loved ones on slips of paper and then attaching them to the tree.
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