This city is best explored on foot or on bicycles. The sidewalks of this city are the best place to get a feel of the place. From fruits and vegetables to DVDs, almost everything is sold by the vendors here. The city is a dizzying jumble of street markets, shops, pavement cafes, stands-on-wheels and vendors selling wares spread out on sidewalks and you cannot help but be exhilarated by its vibrant atmosphere.
It is best, to time your visit according to the festivals of Ho Chi Minh City. This ordinarily busy city gets a new lease of life during festival season. It colorful festivals are a must watch if you have nose for the exotic. The Tet festival that is held in late January or early February is a fun time to visit.
The City boasts of a huge number of tourist attractions. The War Remnants Museum will give you the perspective of the Vietnamese in the Vietnam War. The photographs of atrocities committed in the war are displayed in this museum. This, though very disturbing is a real eye-opener.
Native handicrafts and clothes of Vietnam make an excellent buy and come in a bargain in the markets here. What makes Ho Chi Minh City memorable though is the warmth and hospitality of its people and its colorful city street life. Do visit!History of Ho Chi Minh City
One of the earliest known records of the area now known as Ho Chi Minh City says that it was a small fishing village called Prey Nokor, inhabited by Khmer people. In the year 1623 Vietnamese refugees fled from the civil war in Vietnam and settled in Prey Nokor (which was a part of Cambodia then) with the permission of the king of Cambodia. Gradually more Vietnamese refugees migrated to this area and this place came to be known as Saigon.
With the colonization of Vietnam by France in 1858 the city officially ceded to the French in 1859.The colonization influence this city heavily, so much so, that it was called “Paris in the Orient”. Many of the old colonial buildings and villas still stand today and hark of those times.
In 1954, Communist Viet Minh defeated the French in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, and the French withdrew from Vietnam. However the Communists were not recognized as the new government. The Emperor Bao D?i became the head of state and set up Saigon as his capital. During this time Saigon and the area of Cholon were combined into one city. Vietnam was partitioned into the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Vietnam. The latter, led by President Ngo Dinh Diem, made Saigon its capital.
When the Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975, the city came under the jurisdiction of the Vietnam People's Army. This event is referred to as the "Liberation of Saigon."
In 1976, unified communist Socialist Republic of Vietnam came into being, the city of Saigon, the province of Gia D?nh and other districts merged to create Ho Chi Minh City to commemorate the late communist leader Ho Chi Minh.
Sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, the industrial hub of Vietnam, has huge resources to draw your attention. This dynamic city being the cultural trendsetter constitutes the core of Vietnam. It is also the biggest city of the nation and considered as the economic capital of the country. The Ho Chi Minh City features French colonial architecture mingled with Chinese influences.
The city was once known as Saigon. Later the government of Ha Noi changed its name to Ho Chi Minh City. However its previous name, Saigon, is still more popular among people of Vietnam. The city with its bustling street markets, cafes, shops, pagodas and museums offers a microcosmic view of the entire nation.
Places to Visit
- The Historical Museum: Located inside the renowned botanical garden of the city, this museum has a rich collection of data and objects belonging to some ancient civilizations in the Mekong Delta namely Oc Eo (Funan). The Botanical garden remains open to the visitors daily. However in order to collect the essential study materials for research work, from the huge library of the museum, researchers need to have special permits from the museum authority. The live puppet show held in the museum complex is a major source enjoyment to the tourists visiting the Historical Museum
- War Museum: The weapons and information on the recent wars of Vietnam are kept in this museum. The museum displays the war crimes, which affected the Vietnamese. The models preserved in the museum can give you an idea of the most dreadful prisons and the most deadly weapons used by foreign forces in Vietnam. It also features a guillotine used during wartime.
- Notre Dame Cathedral: The famous church, which was constructed during 1877 and 1833 by the French, serves as the nation's Catholic center. The history of the church says that the materials used in its construction were imported from France- Notre Dame with Virgin Maria. The Archbishop of the Ho Chi Minh City is posted here. Catholic followers of the city attend the services offered in the morning and in the afternoon. The New Year and Christmas celebrations of the Notre Dame Cathedral draw a huge crowd.
- Giac Lam Pagoda: Erected long back in 1744 with the fund raised by Ly Thuy Long, a native of Minh Huong village, this is the city's oldest Buddhist pagoda. The interior of this famous pagoda is adorned with a rich collection of statues of old Buddha and Arhat. Ancient furnishings and decorations inside this pagoda are enough to charm the visitors.
- Reunification Palace: The once residence of the Governor Generals of Indochina, the Reunification Palace in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, has a spacious complex with 100 rooms and total area exceeding 2,000 square meter. Its finest decorations and the rich collection of contemporary Vietnamese art and craft, make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.
- Thien Hau Temple: According to the Chinese folk, this site is devoted to the Sea goddess bas. Other gods like Money God, Mother Goddess and Mermaid are also worshipped in this ancient Chinese temple. To offer prayer for good health and business you have to buy an incense coil. It is a common belief that offering money to the Money God brings good luck in business.
- China Town - Cho Lon: It is a densely populated town with almost 5 million Chinese. The Chinese, uprooted from the Ming Dynasty, established the China town in the 18th century. Filled with markets, restaurants, pagodas, shops and family factories, it is one of the most crowded places in the Ho Chi Minh City.
As most of the tourist attractions in the city are centrally located the best way to get the essence of this vibrant city is to walk or ride around in a cycle.Alternatively you can opt for the sightseeing tours in Ho Chi Minh City. Different travel agencies offer a variety of tour packages for trips in and around the Ho Chi Minh City. However to avail these short guided tours you have to make reservations in advance.
Ho Chi Minh City Amusement Parks
Ho Chi Minh City Amusement parks have been the latest additions in the city's landscape. These westernized parks stand in sharp contrast with the city's dreadful past. The amusement parks in Saigon offer a wide range of recreational activities and rides to choose from. These parks have been very popular destinations for the locals on weekends and holidays. If you are looking for pure fun with your family members or friends, these amusements parks can be your ideal choice.
The food stalls in the parks provide you with a variety of mouth-watering dishes. You can also avail the guarded lockers within the parks, to keep your belongings without paying any extra charge. Large number of life guards and security personnel are there to ensure safety and security of your family members, especially the kids. So you can just relax and have fun, even if you are carrying your kids with you.
Two amusement parks in Saigon are worth mentioning.
- Saigon Water Park: This western standard park is the first of its kind in Vietnam. This is a water theme park. Its major attractions like "twister" and "raft slide" attract huge crowd and are very popular among teenagers visiting the park. Gentler activities like floating down the "Lazy River" and swimming in the large pool are ideal for those who are not fond of too much excitement. No doubt it is the best place to chill out in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Saigon Wonderland: Located in Saigon South Parkway, this amusement park offers a wide range of exciting rides. The 20-story high "Wonder Wheel" and scream machines like "Loop the Loop" are the major attractions of this park.
So if you are looking for group entertainment even in the midst of the bustling Ho Chi Minh City, the amusement parks can be your best choice.Ho Chi Minh City Festivals & Events
The "Paris of the East", Ho Chi Minh City is the largest metropolis of Vietnam. Home to more than six million people, this bustling city is the most densely populated city of Vietnam. The colorful pagodas, the French colonial architecture, the street vendors who sell everything from DVDs and street food, to the designer boutiques: this city effortlessly wears many faces.
The ideal time to visit this exciting city is during the months of January and February. The weather feels less muggy and the humidity is tolerable and it is also the time for the famous Tet festival! Do book hotels and the rest well in advance though, because it is almost impossible to find accommodation during this time.
The Tet Festival is a major event in Vietnam which is celebrated with a lot of pomp and ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City. Tet falls between 19 January and 20 February and lasts a whole week in the south.
Another even that is a lot of fun too is Buddha's Birthday Festival that is celebrated on the 15th day of the Fourth Lunar month. In Ho Chi Minh City this festival is lavishly celebrated in the Nghia An Hoi Quan Pagoda.
Ho Chi Minh City is a city of festivals and events. If you have a nose for the exotic and have an interest in learning more about the Vietnamese culture then it is a very good idea to time you visits during the festival season.
The other festivals celebrated in this city are:-
- Le Van Duyet Temple Festival,- Nghia An Hoi Pagoda,
- Thien Hau Pagoda Festival,
- Mid-Autumn Festival,
- The Fisherman's Festival,
- Death Anniversary of Tran Hung Dao,
- National Day,
- Wandering Souls Day,
- Ho Chi Minh's Birthday
How to Get in
Ho Chi Minh City, situated in the southern part of Vietnam, is still called Saigon by most of the natives. As the largest city and former capital of Republic of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City can be easily reached from all over the world and through all means of transport.
By air:
Getting to Ho Chi Minh City by air is easy and convenient way as Tan Son Nhat international airport, located 7 km away from the heart of the city is the main gateway for flights arriving from the rest of the world.
By Train:
Though not well developed but getting to Ho Chi Minh City by means of train is another option of traveling to the city. Ho Chi Minh City is well connected with Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, through the rail routes. Duong Sat Vietnam, the Vietnamese railway company, provides train service in the city.
Getting to Ho Chi Minh City by bus is another cheap way but most of the buses usually drop passengers at Pham Ngu Lao. From there you have to take taxi or another transport option for reaching the city.
Hotels in Ho Chi Minh city
