The city of Ho Chi Minh has endured a dark history, and you feel this as soon as you arrive. But this city represents the best of what is old and new about Vietnam. The buzz of a modern metropolis glares out at you, with bustling noise ringing in your ears. Da Nang City is the same during any rush hour, all sorts of horns honking at you. Those of the HGVs honk the loudest, as if a command: all road users step aside, no question asked.
Ho Chi Minh City is no different and yet there is a distinct difference between the two cities. It feels like HCMC is more cosmopolitan, French colonial affluence prevalent. Continue to read, discover those must-see attractions Ho Chi Minh City has in store for you.
It's our recommendation you visit the tunnels. Underground, once in the tunnels only then you gain an insight into the Vietnamese past. It's a tunnel system the Vietnamese army built for communication purposes. Built after WW2, the tunnels stretch in many directions over great distances. Today, you get a sense of amazement of human achievement, comparable to the moon landing. The tunnels are that profound, you think, when you're guided to the different areas.
Your tour guide takes care of everything for you, from picking you up at your hotel and all transport. The tunnels are a few hours out of the city, which means the tour is an all-day event.
During the US war the tunnels were of such strategic importance. The tunnels stretched to the Cambodia border, yet the Vietnamese extended them further. The tunnels grew to over 250km in length in some places. As we said: comparable to the moon landing for human achievement.
Tempt yourself to go underground and enter. Immediately you gander a feeling of how life could have been like for tens of thousands of people. Still in evidence, are unique architecture and structures:
All extraordinarily built underground and a true example of human endeavor to survive against all odds.
A well-known part of District 1 in the city. Held in high regard by travelling Western backpackers. They flock to Ho Chi Minh City to enjoy the city's streets and alleyways. Each one complemented by restaurants serving Western style dishes. But we preferred to look for restaurants serving local dishes. It's one of the reasons why you travel, isn't it? Local food wins hands down for us. The coffee shops and bars are also great escapes away from the din, hustle and bustle of the city.
What is appealing about the city are the street food vendors. That appeal is also seen in Japan and South Korea, especially. If you've never been to either of those countries, make a mental note to do so. Our favorite dish, Pho (it's a broth like soup) is best eating on the go. Served in a polystyrene pot, hot with a disposable spoon for US$2 you can't say no. Not all Pho is of the same quality though. If there are queues building up at a vendor, the quality can be trusted.
Likewise at many street level restaurants in an Asian city. If the place is busy, it's busy because the food is excellent there.
As the city is a top backpacker destination, expect hostels and guesthouses. But you can also expect quality in the shape of modern hotels, with great facilities. You want cheap, you've got it but you can have luxury too.
Apparently, the world's oldest zoo, opened in 1865 by a French botanist the zoo houses over 500 animal species. The botanical gardens have over 250 plant species and 1,800 tree species with some of them a century old. The gardens are a delight. Even if you are not all that interested in nature you can find a certain amount of peacefulness so do go for a stroll.
There are several lakes full of tropical fish and there's a war memorial too for the soldiers who lost their lives in World War one. A number of family friendly attractions can be found close by we feel you must visit:
The comfort of cafes and restaurants greet you in one of Ho Chi Minh's oldest streets as you observe the French and Vietnamese architecture mingle. During colonial times the street commanded a lot of power but today it's a commercial center attracting tourists in their droves shopping for international branded merchandise.
Often thought of as being a street of luxury and perhaps that is true. It's one of three streets ― Le Loi and Nguyen Hue being the other two ― for being the most expensive in Ho Chi Minh. And the street offers a completely different side to it at night as you walk the length experiencing the shimmering shadows created by the colorful lights.
Spread over three floors, the museum will transform and challenge your perception of Vietnam history:
Sadly, the country has suffered as badly as their neighbors from numerous campaigns of colonization and attacks on their sovereignty. You must visit this museum to understand the struggles of the people and the causes that brought such terrible times.
The museum is within easy walking distance of the Reunification Palace and the colonial Notre Dame Cathedral. If your hotel is in Distract 1, take a taxi ― about US$2 ― to District 3's Vo Van Tan Street. Open to the public in 1975 the museum has gone through many changes but still retaining the original purpose of depicting the real and brutal truth about the Vietnam War.
The attraction of the Mekong is focused on the water and the only mode of transport is by boat. The area is largely agriculture and aquaculture in nature. You can expect to see many local Vietnamese involved with fishing and farming and this strangely enough adds to the experience of being on the delta as you come across:
One preocular sight is seeing homes built up onto the riverbanks. The area is famous for the harvest of fresh produce and because of this you can expect most tours to include a floating market. Cai Rang market is one of the biggest in Vietnam and the best time peruse is in the mornings.
Other attractions you may wish to visit include:
Sam Mountain rising 180m, shadowing the town as it rises out of the rice fields. Although not especially high it does dwarf over the flat landscape as if it were a giant. Climb to the top for the pure pleasure of the panoramic views that can stretch out as far as the Cambodian border.
The barges of old that were used to ferry rice from the delta are now modern-day cruise boats giving tourists a one and two-day pleasure trip into the lives of local Vietnamese living on the delta.
The Tra Su Mangrove Forest is dry almost all year round and appears lifeless, however towards the end of the year ― around about September time when water levels rise there is an explosion of green. Visiting from September until the year's end is the best time to experience the water surrounding this forest scenery. Lastly the floating village of Tan Lap is Dong Thap Muoi's ecotourism hotspot.
Visit from August is the best time to grab the scent of floating lotus ponds. The forest bursts into life around this time with new fauna and flora and the fragrance is incredible. The village is hidden well inside the forest but is easily accessible all year round and worth the patience to go and see for yourself.
Unique in its architecture the temple reflects on the indigenous religion teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism found in Vietnam. The unique architecture is a blend of Neo-Gothic, Baroque and Oriental styles with ornaments of dragon wrapped pillars and seven-headed cobras.
Before you can reach the temple building you must navigate to the courtyard. We recommend you take in the gardens and sightsee the Buddha statues on your way to the temple. If you are interested in visiting, why not also visit the Cu Chi tunnels which are close by. Every reputable tour operator will have both attractions in an itinerary.
There are shopping malls open to you, in Ho Chi Minh of course however none like what you experience in a Vietnamese market. Not only do you find locals buying fresh produce, but you will find vendors selling everything from street food to traditional and Western inspired clothing among many crafts and touristy souvenirs.
In a market the vendors also expect you to barter with them and you should as that's all part of the enjoyment of the market and you feel good afterwards having had a bargain. Another aspect of the market (of any market in southern Asia actually) is the crowds. Be sure to keep a sense of direction with you as you browse.
The largest and most famous of all the markets found across the breadth of Vietnam and you can clearly see why. This market spans four streets:
With so much space the market offers a very diverse range of vendors and a choice of fresh produce and locally made goods. And talking about space if the shopping becomes too much for you, we suggest you head to the center of the market because there is a courtyard where you can enjoy a respite from all the hustle and bustle.
This period of rest would be the perfect time to soak in the architecture by the way. The buildings of the Binh Tay Market follow traditional Chinese architectural styles, because originally it was the Chinese traders who built it. Those are still visible despite being overshadowed by French architecture, later, making this market is one of the more beautiful ones.
It is very fortunate of the unification of Vietnam in the 1970's bringing the south together with the central and north because these people have so much in common. They have endured for so long. Their history says it all.
They flatly refused to be divided and ruled and there is no force however mighty that may be, that would otherwise determine their destiny. At the start of our guide, we mentioned in passing the pride the Vietnamese have of their city. You will carry a deeper sentiment for Vietnam by the time you leave Ho Chi Minh and move onto your next destination.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.