Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh City – Tourist Destination
The French left Vietnam a long time ago, but the colonial legacy still lingers in this big and tourist-friendly metropolis. Although renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1975 to honor their cult hero, most Vietnamese – barring some city officials – still prefer the old name.
A fascinating city: A tour through Vietnam’s commercial capital throws up several jumbled images that are both interesting and fascinating.
City of contrasts: Traffic is utterly chaotic and motorbikes rule the busy streets, yet there aren’t many serious accidents. Here you will find narrow alleyways leading to old pagodas; monks wearing saffron robes walking past flashy bars and glitzy showrooms seeking alms. It is quite common here for vendors setting up roadside stalls selling vegetables, snacks and pirated DVDs next to plush boutiques and swanky restaurants. Shanty residential quarters co-exist cheek-by-jowl with modern skyscrapers.
Colonial ambience: Broad boulevards, elegant squares and 19th century colonial buildings and gorgeous cathedrals are reminders of the French rule who fondly called this bustling city “the Pearl of the Far East”.
Exploring the city: Walking is usually the best way to explore a city but Saigon gets pretty hot in mid-day. So either use taxis which are easily available or hire a ”cyclo” which is cheap and great fun. Discover the city’s many pagodas, temples, churches, museums, parks and the enchanting shopping areas.
Must-see historical sites: Magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, sprawling Reunification Palace, huge Central Post Office, and the mid-18th century Giac Lam Temple.
Riverfront: The one walk that you will enjoy is along the riverfront in the morning or evening and watch the activities on the Saigon River.
Shopping: Saigon is a shopper’s paradise. There are many trendy boutiques, jewelry and antique shops along Dong Khoi which used to be known as Rue Catinat during the French regime. Other interesting shopping areas are Hai Ba Trung, Le Thanh Ton andLe Loi.
Accommodation: A wide range of comfortable and affordable hotels and resorts are available in the city. Browse through relevant websites and select one for you.
Eating out: The local cuisine is an excellent variety of hybrid food because of the French influence here for over 100 years. You will greatly relish it – whether you sit down to eat at a roadside stall or a ritzy restaurant.
Night out: Saigon’s nightlife was quite notorious during the Vietnam War but it became briefly subdued soon after the communist take over. The nocturnal scenario has revived again and the city is again flooded with bars and clubs.
