Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Wiki

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Travel to Ho Chi Minh City

Travel and vacation in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Here you can find information about travel and holiday trips to Vietnam. You will find travel deals as well as general travel information, guides, “good to know” and facts about Vietnam. We try to find the best travel video about the city and its surroundings and we write about the best sights, shopping and things to do. You will also find updated current weather and forecasts. The current exchange rates are also updated many times a day.

Best of Ho Chi Minh City

What to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City ?

There are various famous places and wonderful spots around the world. Many people love to explore and travel to different places to learn different cultures and traditions, witness amazing celebrations and special events, and have a unique experience. And one of the most promising places is the Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City was previously called as Saigon. And when it comes to famous spots, there is no doubt that it keeps on attracting many tourists from various parts of the world. It seemed like the city invites them to watch it glamour through the presence of specific wonderful spots located in this place. People who wish to explore Ho Chi Minh City are always welcome. They will be given a wide array of options to choose from. The following best places situated in the city that are worth the visit:

War Remnants Museum

This museum is previously called as Exhibition House of American War Crimes. War Remnants Museum is recently housed in 8 themed room series in various buildings. It is the stark reminder about the cruelty that had happened during American phase of Vietnam War. This museum serves as the propaganda for the Communist regime of Vietnam since all the exhibits have been extremely critical of South Vietnamese and American efforts. The museum exposition is exhibited in several buildings and in the open. Here you can see military equipment: a helicopter, a plane, a fighter, a tank and ammunition. Archives are displayed together with shocking photos, particularly schoking photos showing the effects of the use of chemical weapons: “orange”, napalm and phosphorus, instruments of torture and executions and evidence of cruelty of soldiers.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the city’s most famous places. It is the French-built Catholic cathedral situated in the center of this city (Dong Khoi, District 1) near to the Post Office. Notre Dame is been officially called as the Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception. It has been constructed between the year of 1863 and 1880 with unique materials that are imported directly imported from France. It features 2 bell towers and reaches 190-feet in height.

Saigon Square

Saigon Square is highly famous among hip and young people. This is the best place where they search for the cheapest DVDs, jeans, slippers, shorts, T-shirts, DVDs and more. In the middle of this Square, people will find a great super market where they can choose any items they like.

Bitexko tower

The tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City is Bitexko Tower. 68 floors, and 262 meters high is this impressive building. The architect was inspired by the national lotus flower. There is an obervation platform located on the 49th floor. On the 50th floor there is a cafe where you can have lunch while enjoying the wonderful view.

Reunification Palace

The reunification (or the Palace of Independence), which the French built in 1868. Initially it was the palace of the governor-general of Indochina. When the French left Vietnam, South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem settled here. Palace of Independence received a new name in 1975 when the regime was defeated and a socialist government came to power. Today the palace is one of the main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City.

Cao Dai Temple

Cao Dai is the newest religion in Vietnam in the year 1920s. It has been the synthesis of Eastern and Western religions. Islam, Hinduist, Taoist, Geniist, Christian, Confucianist and Buddhist ideas have been combined to fulfill a desire of achieving spiritual growth. This temple was built between 1933 and 1955.

Water Puppet Theater

Vietnamese puppet theater is unique spectacle that has hardly changed through the times. Each performance takes place on water and the actors are hidden behind the mats. They move the wooden figures on sticks. Even without understanding a word from the play (the actors speak only Vietnamese) tourists are impressed. Each doll is a piece of art and the theatrecrew constantly sew new costumes for the dolls and they come up with new tricks for them. In some shows they even launch real fireworks from under the water. The theater orchestra is also impressive playing the national instruments: flutes, drums and bells, In some performances even opera singers are involved. Usually the plays represent stories from myths, legends, historical events and the daily life of the Vietnamese.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh is considered as the largest Vietnam market. Inside it is the well organized isles network that offers a wide range of selection of cosmetics, diapers, T-shirts, pickled plum including live ducks. Tourists have been very attracted into it making it a chief landmark of the city.

Cu Chi tunnels

Another eerie sight is the Cu Chi partisan tunnels. It is said that these underground labyrinths, stretching to the borders with Cambodia, played a decisive role in the victory of the Vietnamese. The Vietnamese dug life-saving tunnels for 15 years almost under the nose of the American unsuspecting army. Today, some tunnels are specially extended, so that western tourists can fit in there. A museum complex is constructed here, and in the shooting range you can even shoot some real weapons. These unique tunnels gives you the opportunity to experience the hard life of the partisans.

Vinh-Nghem Pagoda

Be sure to visit the popular Vinh-Nghem pagoda. It was built near the end of the 20th century in Japanese style. The building is considered a magnificent example of modern Asian architecture. All buildings are in a large area fenced by a wall. The chapel is a 40 metres high tower for urns with ashes. In the shrines there is regularly services and ceremonies you can observe. Do not forget about the dress code: knees and shoulders should be covered for both women and men. In addition, women should have their heads covered.

The Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta is one of Vietnams natural wonders. The river means life for millions of people and is a very powerful tourist magnet. This is one of the greatest attractions of Ho Chi Minh City and an excursion are almost a requirement for every tourist. A tour normally begins with a walk along the shore where you can see the homes of local residentsand the famous floating markets and “street” food restaurants. The program depends on the duration of the excursions and may include: a visit to a coconut candy factory, a walk in a natural park with exotic plantations or maybe a visit to a fruit factory.

Canzo Mangroves

Canzo mangrove forests are protected by UNESCO nature reserve, they are located 40 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City. The reserve is a natural attraction of Ho Chi Minh City. Canzo forests are divided into two zones. In the first zone you will immediately be met bu monkeys, freshwater crocodiles, beavers and boas. In the second zone a can climb a tower above the mangrove crowns and see the huge number of birds living here: storks, marabou, cormorans and herons.

Explore the city

Take the city head on by diving into the action. Travel by motorbike taxi to the War Remnants Museum and learn the history of the Vietnam War. Go on a day trip to see famous temples and the Cu Chi tunnels that are located outside the city. Eat like the locals in the many delectable street food stalls.

Visit the Cu Chi tunnels, the vast system of tunnels that the Vietcong used against the Americans in the Vietnam War. See with your own eyes the terrifying traps used to prevent intruders and even climb into the tight tunnels yourself – provided you can fit! The guides here will show you the way these soldiers used to live and the clever ways they prevented the discovery of the tunnel system.

The backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao is great for casual drinking and you can enjoy a beer on the plastic tables and chairs that somehow appear on streets across the city for next to nothing. There are also plenty of classy cocktail bars and Irish pubs to indulge in a pint or two across the city – with nightclubs for the party animals to dance till the early morning.

Saigon is a place ruled by motorbikes. The streets are flooded with the vehicles and are used not just for going from A to B but for delivering goods, animals and even families. For the adventurous and brave you can join in with the mayhem by renting a bike or getting one of motorbike taxis that are available across the city.

The War Remnants Museum is a dedicated exhibit that encompasses all aspects of the Vietnam War, including some exhibits that may make you want to look away. The photographs on display are unflinching and at times horrifying, but at the same time educate every visitor about the gruesome nature of war. This is a must-see exhibit in Vietnam that really tells the history of the people during this time.

A trip to the Saigon Skydeck is well worth your time. An express elevator takes you to the 49th floor of this behemoth building, allowing you unparalleled views from a 360 degree observation deck. You can then enter the bar on the 54th floor for the daily happy hour from 5pm-8pm for drinks and music with a view of the entire city.

There is a huge variety of cuisine on offer, so you are very spoilt by choice. From fancy All-American diners to authentic Pho restaurant serving steaming Vietnamese soup, and more on street corners. Delve in the local street food that ranges from fresh baguettes to the Banh Mi Thit, pork sandwiches. Don’t forget to taste the premium food offerings, which can be similarly mind-blowing. Dine in elegant restaurants with views of the city and get a taste for fine Vietnamese and International cuisine.

The architecture of Saigon points back to the colonialist influence of the French and has left some delightful places to visit. One such, is the Saigon Central Post Office which was designed by famous architect Gustave Eiffel. A favourite building for many locals and tourists alike is the neoclassical architecture and well worth a visit.