Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is the economic powerhouse of the country – from the manic buzzing of millions of motorbikes to the bright neon lights, Ho Chi Minh is a thriving modern city; yet travellers can still experience the Vietnam of old, down its twisting alleyways and in the demeanour of the locals. The city appears as an interesting hotchpotch of wide tree-lined boulevards, grand looking French colonial architecture, contemporary glass skyscrapers, pastel-coloured low rises and enchanting Chinese heritage buildings.
Divided into 12 districts, you can spend a couple days strolling around the city taking in most of the sights. Wander along the city’s historic Dong Khoi Street home to many of the finest French colonial buildings. During the French occupation, it was centre of glamour and style. Buy local handicrafts, art and souvenirs at the Ben Thanh Market and enjoy some hawker-style Vietnamese cuisine at one of many eating stalls.
Frozen in its 1975 state, explore the iconic Reunification Palace, made famous when a tank belonging to the North Vietnamese Army crashed through its gates in 1975, signalling the end of the Vietnam War. Nearby is the War Remnants Museum with a graphic, at times gruesome display of photos and war memorabilia. At the other end of the scale, there are some lovely pagodas in the city, the most popular of which is the Jade Emperor Pagoda – one of the five most important shrines in the predominantly Buddhist city. Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest Buddhist temple is the Giac Lam Pagoda built in 1744.
Located just 30 kilometres outside of Ho Chi Minh City are the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground passageways originally created in 1948 by the Viet Cong to shelter themselves from French air attacks. Over the following two decades, they turned into a complex, underground city which included living quarters, hospitals and defences. A lot of the original 200 kilometres of tunnel system was destroyed in the 1970s during bombing raids; however sections have been restored and are now available to be viewed and explored by tourists. Varying in size and accessibility, there are some particularly narrow sections that are not for the claustrophobic!
Ho Chi Minh City is also gateway to the fertile Mekong Delta – a lush, watery landscape filled with all the charms that rural Vietnam has to offer. Drift leisurely down the scenic, slow-moving Mekong River on a day cruise. Winding your way through the river’s canals; call in on sleepy little villages, witness local farmers at work, visit colourful floating markets and watch as the fishermen haul in their day’s catch. Take a bike tour through the area, riding past verdant rice paddies and prolific fruit orchards. Meet the locals to learn how they make their living off the land and river or share a meal in a village home.
