(Vietnam) – We love Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnamese: Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh), commonly known as Saigon (Vietnamese: Sài Gòn) or by the abbreviations HCMC or HCM, is the largest city in Vietnam and the former capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam).

(Vietnam) – Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam was, until 1976, known as Saigon, a name which is still used by many Vietnamese today. The moment you arrive in Vietnam’s largest city you’ll notice the humidity and energy but most of all the entire population of some 6.6 million seem to have taken to the streets on mopeds! HCMC is the former capital of the now non-existent South Vietnam.

(Vietnam) – Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

The city of Ho Chi Minh is bustling with markets, ancient pagodas, modern skyscrapers, café culture and chic restaurants, hotels and bars. The former French colony suffers from lengthy traffic jams and there are more than three million motorbikes but once you’ve explored all the city has to offer there are also tranquil getaways just outside the city.

(Vietnam) – Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Ben Thanh Market:

You can get anything you want at Ben Thanh Market. From freshly ground coffee to weird smelling foods to knock-off watches to t-shirts plastered with Uncle Ho’s face to Vietnamese souvenirs, Ben Thanh has it all. And bargaining is a must. Even if you’re not in the mood for shopping, it’s fun to wander through the narrow alleys (undercover – Ben Thanh is an indoor market) just looking as you’re bombarded with calls of “Pretty lady, where you from?” Do be warned, the shop owners can be quite pushy and will grab your arm and hold on, preventing you from moving off. A polite but firm “no thanks” before moving off will get you out of trouble.

Location: Le Loi Street

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Ben Thanh Market

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Ben Thanh Market

Reunification Palace:

The palace is set in beautiful, large grounds and is a pleasant way to spend an hour or two. It played an important part in the history of Vietnam: on 30 April 1975, communist tanks crashed through the gates, symbolically marking the end of the war.

Location: 133 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street

Opening hours: 7.30-4pm (closed from 11am to 1pm each day)

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Reunification Palace

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Reunification Palace

Eat

Vietnamese food is up there with some of my favourite. A must-eat is pho (pronounced fur), the breakfast staple of Vietnamese people – beef or chicken in a delicious broth with noodles, topped with lime and chillis.

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Food

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Food

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Food

War Remnants Museum

Not for the faint-hearted, the War Remants Museum is quite confronting. There are several displays of weapons and equipment used by the United States, photos of protests around the world, newspaper clippings and, most horrible, photos of the victims of the use of chemicals (such as napalm) and torture. You won’t leave this place with any doubt that war is a horrible, terrible thing. This is a Vietnamese museum, so don’t be offended if you find it one-sided in its views about the war.

Location: Vo Van Tan street

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- War Remnants Museum

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- War Remnants Museum

Rex Hotel

An iconic building, the Rex Hotel is famous for the Five O’Clock Follies, a daily press conference held during the war at the hotel, nicknamed such by journalists cynical about the war spin machine. The hotel has a great rooftop bar which serves a variety of local and Western food and great cocktails. You can get a view of the city here and escape the heat and traffic far below you.

Location: Nguyen Hue Street

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Rex Hotel

Wander, wander, wander and people watch

One of my favourite things to do in cities is to simply wander and watch the locals as they go about their daily routines. In Saigon, you’ll see people cooking in small restaurants on the footpath, sleeping on motorbikes and chasing down tourists to convince them to catch a cyclo (the bicycle-type vehicle you’ll see around, pronounced sick-low).

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Wander in Saigon

Get a new suit

While Hoi An is more famous for its tailors, Ho Chi Minh City offers plenty of competition. Wander around Le Loi or Dong Khoi Streets and you’ll stumble across many talented tailors ready to whip you up a suit or new dress in 24 hours.

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Get a new suit

Visit the Mekong Delta

On a day trip, you can get out of Ho Chi Minh City and head for the bustle of the Mekong, one of Asia’s most important waterways. Here, you can get all Apocalypse Now as you’re rowed down small tributaries, the jungle closing in on each side. Most hostels and tour companies offer a variation of this tour.

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Visit the Mekong Delta

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Visit the Mekong Delta

Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels

As you force yourself to push through the tunnels, your mind will boggle as you consider that thousands of Vietnamese people spent weeks at a time down in these tunnels, mostly in the dark, sharing the narrow walkways with rats and other creepy-crawlies. They used these tunnels to catch US troops unaware, and the tunnels criss-crossed the countryside for hundreds of kilometres. At the end of the tour, you can take your pick of weapon and shoot at targets.

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels

(Vietnam) - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels

Avoid being run over by motorbikes

Ho Chi Minh City is filled with millions of motorbikes and it’ll take a bit of practice and courage to get you to step off that kerb for the first time. Never fear, you will get used to it – just step out, keep eye contact and don’t stop moving. Good luck.

(Vietnam) – Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Where to stay: The Pham Ngu Lao area has heaps of backpacker and budget options – you only need to wander down the street to find a room.

(Vietnam) – Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) - Notre Dame

Getting around: Ho Chi Minh is very easy to navigate, particularly District 1, which is where most tourists spend their time, and where most of the attractions are. Street names are clearly marked and mostly run in a grid-like manner. Cyclos, taxis and motorbikes are all available modes of transport – just negotiate and confirm the rate before you get in.

(Pure Travel & Rebecca And The World)
Phoebettmh Travel