Those familiar with images of the Presidential Palace gates being crashed by tanks in 1975 may like to take a tour of the, now renamed, Reunification Palace, while other significant monuments include the Notre Dame Cathedral as well as several other prominent religious sites representing various religions, from Confucianism to Hinduism and Islam to Buddhism. More light-hearted attractions include the Saigon Water Park and the City Zoo.

City Zoo: while the zoo can provide an escape from the bustle of the streets for a few hours, some of the less-than-ideal quarters for resident animals may leave a sour taste in some visitors’ mouths.

General Post Office: those with an interest in architecture will not want to miss a trip to the General Post Office, which was designed by world-famous architect Gustav Eiffel, who is most renowned for having designed the Eiffel Tower.

The building, commissioned by the French imperial rulers in the days of colonialism, was intended as a statement of their dominance over French Indo China. Still used as the city’s central post office up to this day, this wonderful building will give you something to write home about.

Reunification Palace: with lasting images of Northern Vietnamese forces crashing the gates of the former Presidential Palace with tanks in 1975, the palace become internationally representative of the end to this bloody war, and has now become a tourist attraction.

Visitors can come to learn more about the former South Vietnamese government’s headquarters. Visitors can tour the building with a guide and see the opulently decorated upper quarters, while below lie a series of tunnels and a war room.

Sri Thendayyutthapani Temple: while the majority of the city’s population are Buddhists, this temple caters to the Hindu minority, which is largely made up of Indians.

On entry to the temple you will be met by shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna, with hundreds of worshippers frequenting the temple to make their devotions each day. The intricate and brightly painted features of the temple include statues of Hindu deities, while the roof gives you a good view of the local area.

More famously, Thich Quang Doc, a monk, protested by self-immolation. Today, the grounds host a Buddhist book publishing centre, where you can purchase religious works.