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Ho Chi Minh City
About Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon (Sai Gon) is the largest city in Vietnam and is located near the Mekong River delta, 60 km from the South China Sea. This bustling city on the banks of the Saigon River is the largest metropolitan area in Indochina and the economic capital of the country. Its street life is overwhelming with lively markets, pavement cafes, sidewalk street vendors and shops.
Local highlights
Explore the city
- Visit the Ben Thanh Market-Saigon 's most famous market, located in the center of the city.
- See Diamond Plaza is Saigon 's premier department store with fast food, restaurant and bowling.
- See Cho Lon, Saigon’s bustling China town, going back to the 18th century when the Minh dynasty in China was overthrown. Today more than half a million of Chinese live in Cho Lon. Visit Binh Tay market, see the Soai Kinh Lam material market and father Tam's catholic church.
- Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theatre-built in French architectural style downtown Ho Chi Minh City
- Thong Nhat Conference Hall originally Norodom Palace built in 1868 and a historic, cultural site attracting many visitors
- If you around in late January or early February, the extremely hectic Tet Festival is an experience on its own
Explore its museums and historical sights, such as
- Thien Hau Temple-one of the most ancient Chinese temples, consecrated to the Sea goddess
- Giac Lam Pagoda-one the most ancient pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City, with a huge collection of old Buddha, Arhats's statues and hundred years old decorations
- Ho Chi Minh City Historical Museum with historical exhibits of the Primitive Age, the Rise of the Hung Kings, the Fight for Independence (1st-10th centuries), the Ly Dynasty (11th-13th centuries), theTran Dynasty (13th-14th centuries), the Le Dynasty (15th-18th centuries), the Tay Son Dynasty (18th-19th centuries) and the Nguyen Dynasty (19th-middle of the 20th centuries).
Another part of the museum is dedicated to the Southern Vietnam cultures such as the Oc-Eo culture, the ancient culture of the Mekong Delta, Cham art, the Ben Nghe Saigon art, the Vietnamese ethnic minorities, and ancient pottery of various Asian countries. - War Remnants Museum-with artefacts and pictures about the US army in Vietnam
- Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris Square (1877) dominating the city's sky line with its two 40m-high square towers
Highlights in the vicinity
- Can Gio ecological forest 50 km from Ho Chi Minh City, recognised by UNESCO as a world biosphere reservoir, with over 70,000 ha of trees and plants and coastal mangrove forest
- See the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Take a boat trip on the Mekong Delta
- Vung Tau with great beaches. You can take the boat along the Saigon River
Good to know
- No. of inhabitants: more than 9 Million (metropolitan area)
- Timezone: UTC +7
- Weather: Tropical with temperatures around 30°C. The dry season is from December to April (best time to visit). The other months of the year are wet season with frequent heavy downpours.
Local transport
- Taxis (metered)
- Motor bikes
- Cyclos, or pedicabs, are a cheap and fun way to get around
Inbound transport
- Nearest airport: Tan Son Nhat Vietnam's largest international airport-30 minutes drive to the city center
- Train
- Bus
Travel tips
Scootering
If you want to get anywhere in this city, get a scooter! Ideal in this city of 5 million scooters. If you can't get a rental, consider buying one. For 500 Euro you can buy a new one (Nov 2007). Be sure the buy a rain coat with it, during rainy season you are guaranteed to get a warm shower late in the afternoon.
Posted on 11-11-2007 by Koanatori
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