Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is the commercial dynamo driving Vietnam into the 21st century, a vibrant city bringing together Asia’s past, present and future all in one. Despite the rapid development of the last decade, there are still many charming remnants from the French period here and the shady, tree-lined boulevards of District 1 make exploring on foot a pleasant option. Some of the finest buildings include the restored Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the elegant Hotel de Ville or City Hall. Also worth a visit for fans of Graham Greene’s The Quiet American are the grand old hotels such as the Continental and the Majestic, located on Dong Khoi St, then known as Rue Catinat. There are several popular sites to visit with a direct link to the American War in Vietnam and most popular of all is probably the War Remnants Museum, a chilling reminder of the damage war can reap on a country. Reunification Hall, the former South Vietnamese Presidential Palace, has been left exactly as it looked when the first North Vietnamese tank burst through the gates on the morning of the 30th April 1975.
As well as sightseeing in Saigon, there are plenty of other activities to keep the visitor on their toes in this city, including quality shopping, classic dining, and happening nightlife. City landmark Ben Thanh Market has anything and everything for sale, while the many shops in District 1 sell a range of inexpensive souvenirs. Further afield in Cholon or Chinatown is a more traditional and hectic shopping experience in the massive commercial markets. When it comes to wining and dining, the city has an unbeatable range of Vietnamese and international cuisine, all at very affordable prices, and for those that like a long night there are some lively clubs and bars in the centre. Saigon is also a great place for exploring some wonderful places nearby, including the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Cao Dai Temple at Tay Ninh and the Mekong Delta.
Cu Chi Tunnels
This massive underground tunnel network allowed the Vietnamese communists to continue their operations, even as the Americans set up bases just above. An incredible feat of engineering and endurance, there were more than 200km of tunnels in Cu Chi district and individuals lived underground for months at a time, with hospitals, schools and homes all established in the tunnels.
Cao Dai Temple
The Cao Dai religion is a unique fusion of the world’s leading faiths that is popular in Vietnam and the huge temple at Tay Ninh is an incredible sight, a fantasy church straight out of a fairytale. Vietnam is known the world over for its tropical beaches and the best of these are in Southern Vietnam. Nha Trang is the principal beach town of the South, while up and coming Mui Ne is gaining popularity thanks to its proximity to Saigon. Further south still, off the coast of Ha Tien is the island of Phu Quoc, ringed with silicon sand and tropical palms. There are many other popular beaches in this area of the country, including the tranquil Dai Linh beach to the north of Nha Trang, the curious rock formations at Ca Na beach near Phan Rang and the bustling beach town of Vung Tao.
Cao Dai Temple
The Cao Dai religion is a unique fusion of the world’s leading faiths that is popular in Vietnam and the huge temple at Tay Ninh is an incredible sight, a fantasy church straight out of a fairytale. Vietnam is known the world over for its tropical beaches and the best of these are in Southern Vietnam. Nha Trang is the principal beach town of the South, while up and coming Mui Ne is gaining popularity thanks to its proximity to Saigon. Further south still, off the coast of Ha Tien is the island of Phu Quoc, ringed with silicon sand and tropical palms. There are many other popular beaches in this area of the country, including the tranquil Dai Linh beach to the north of Nha Trang, the curious rock formations at Ca Na beach near Phan Rang and the bustling beach town of Vung Tao.
Source: vietsights
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