Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) Travel Guide

Introduction

It is a city that will appeal to those who are interested in the turbulent times that the city has suffered over the years, with reminders of the Vietnam War and colonial period still evident. First timers to Vietnam will however find it difficult getting used to the noisy streets filled with motorbikes, persistent cyclo riders and street vendors.

The city’s markets rank as some of the best in the country, with everything from silk garments to coffee and war souvenirs on offer. In addition to shopping, the city offers a veritable feast of Vietnamese cuisine, from Chinese-influenced dishes to centuries-old noodle soups and simpler Northern delights. No matter where you are in the city, there will be food around every corner.

Visitor highlights include the city’s thriving markets, the moving War Crimes Museum, the Chu Chi Tunnels and a boat trip on the Mekong Delta, not to mention the colourful cultural events that are on offer year-round.

Most people stay in the Central or Phu Nhuan districts of the city, with the backpacker-budget district, centered around De Tham street, being a top-choice among those on a shoestring.

Ho Chi Minh is easily accessible by air, with arrivals landing at the Tan Son Nhat Airport, just seven kilometres from the centre. Many long-distance travellers will have to take a connecting flight from Bangkok or another Asian air hub, and while there are land routes in from Cambodia and Laos, these can be lengthy, arduous and uncomfortable, making these routes more suited to experienced travellers.

The city, being estranged from the North for twenty years during the North is far more sophisticated and liberal than Hanoi, and is changing rapidly now that Vietnam has opened up its economy. The war memories belong to a much older generation while the young are surprisingly on the ball when it comes to the tourist dollar.