Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Twenty-first century Ho Chi Minh is a dynamic and confident metropolis. Former capital of the Republic of South Vietnam, it remains the country’s largest urban centre, its skyline dominated by high-rise buildings that tower above French colonial villas, ramshackle residential streets and exquisite temples that recall the city’s past.

Affectionately referred to as 'Saigon', Ho Chi Minh City is a frantic place, crammed with motorbikes and vehicles all hustling for space in the hectic streets. Daily life in Saigon is conducted on the roadside, the tropical climate perfect for outdoor living. Everybody seems to be trying to make money, with the city still, in spite of its post-1975 rebranding, the economic heart of the country—a thriving, capitalist centre that is more akin to Hong Kong or Bangkok than neighbouring Phnom Penh.

In and around Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tours of Ho Chi Minh City typically begin with the Reunification Palace, which will be instantly familiar from the famous news footage of North Vietnamese tanks crashing through the gates in April 1975. Inside the Palace you can explore meeting rooms, the president’s private rooms and the underground communications centre.

The city’s French quarter, though mostly given over to shopping malls and hotels, is a pleasure to explore on foot, stopping to take in its most iconic buildings, including the 19th-century Notre Dame Cathedral, a replica of the Paris original, and the old post office, decorated inside with a huge, Orwellian portrait of Ho Chi Minh looking down on the activities below. In the evening, enjoy a stroll along the waterfront by the Saigon River and souvenir shopping in Ben Thanh market.

Bustling Cholon, the city's Chinatown, is home to Binh Tay market, where just about anything can be bought. Nearby is the incense-filled Thien Hau Pagoda, which daily receives a constant flow of people making offerings. With many museums to be visited, the one most visitors head to is the War Remnants Museum, which contains moving exhibits on various 20th century conflicts, and not just the Vietnam War.

Eating out in Saigon is always an experience! Fine restaurants abound in the city centre, particularly in and around the French quarter, while Pham Ngu Lao Street is the place to head to if you want to sample local street food.

Few people spend time in Ho Chi Minh City without exploring the Cu Chi tunnels. Situated outside the city centre, the tunnels are a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the Viet Cong. Exploring the tunnels, which have been widened for visitors, you'll gain a better understanding of the conditions in which the war was fought, as you discover the underground kitchens, hospitals and meeting rooms used by the Viet Cong forces.