City Guide: Ho Chi Minh City

The largest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh was named after the leader of North Vietnam. The city formerly named Saigon, was also the capital of French Cochinchina. It remained as the capital of South Vietnam until 1975. Today, in the city where there are 24 separate administrative regions, 12 regions are not named but numbered. Although the name Saigon was changed officially, among locals it is used as the name for the central region in the city. There are numerous rivers and canals surrounding the city. The largest one of them is called Saigon as well. The harbour of the city, built in 1862, has been of vital importance to the city since.

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• Tourist Attractions

  Reunification Palace, located on Nghia Street, carries traces of the Vietnam War. Everything remained as it was when North Vietnam took over the South in 1975. It is as if the only thing changed about this five-story building dating back to the 60s was its name, to “Reunification Palace.” The tanks displayed in front of the entrance are there, as though, to commemorate the moment when tanks crashed into the gates, taking over the palace.
  
  War Remnants Museum was opened 5 months after the South Vietnam administration fell. In this museum, located on Van Tan Street, you can see not only the equipment of the Vietnamese army, but also warcrafts taken over from the army of the United States of America. The cruel and ugly face of war is effectively portrayed by photograps, though there are references to the peace that followed, as well.
  
  The administrative building of the city is there for you to see at the end of Nguyen Hue Street. The structure, originally called Hôtel de Ville, serves as the People’s Committee Head Office. The monument, dating back to the French colonial era, is especially glamorous at night, with colors of beige and yellow. The Uncle Ho Monument (a statue of Ho Chi Minh), located right in front of it, is one of the symbols of the city.
  
  Vietnam History Museum, located at the intersection of Le Duan and Nguyen Binh Khiem Streets, is a must-see. The remains from antiquity are most interesting in the museum, among all items displayed.
  
  Ho-Chi-Minh Museum keeps the memory of Vietnam’s founder alive. The life story of Minh, who gave the city its name and is seen as the father of the country, is told in this museum.

• Culture & Entertainment

  In terms of religious structures and one of the 12 mosques located in the city, Central mosque on Dong Du Street can be seen. This mosque was built in 1935 and opened for service for those coming in from India. Today, visitors from Pakistan and Indonesia also worship there. Fridays are when it is most crowded, just like every other mosque.
  
  Notre Dame Cathedral on Han Thuyen Street was built by French Catholics. Thien Hau is a pagoda –a Hindu Buddhist temple- on Nguyen Trai Street. 23rd day of every March, a festival is organized in the temple area. Quan Am and Phung Son Tu are other pagodas to see.
  
  Xin Chao is a legendary performance, which holds a special place in the history and culture of Vietnam. This special show staged by more than 50 people, can be seen in the Pham Ngu Lao region. While dining at restaurants located on Nguyen Van Huong Streets, you should see the Water Puppet Show considered to be the traditional art of Vietnam. On Saturday afternoons, this show is presented as a part of the service in restaurants by the river.
  
  Dam Sen Water Park is among places to go to have a fun time. The water park, which was opened in 1999, is located right at the center of the city.

• Food & Drink

  In terms of local foods, the French influence is significant in addition to the Vietnamese cuisine. From the type of cheese used to the way meat is cooked, this influence can be observed. There are coffee shops and restaurants overflowing into Nghia Street. On Le Quy Don Street, south of the War Remnants Museum, you can get a taste of  the local ice cream. 
  
  Zoo and Botanical Gardens right next to the Vietnam History Museum is a very relaxing area as well as a place to eat for reasonable prices and away from the crowd.

• Shopping

  Stores in Saigon Square, open every day of the week, are suitable for shopping at any time.
  Averi Gallery, on Dong Khoi, is a place where you can purchase authentic Vietnamese products. Especially the second floor is a place to see. Cho Ben Thanh, a very colorful and lively market place, can be another shopping location you may want to stop by. Ben Thanh is located at the southwestern end of Le Lai.
  Huynh Thuc Khang is a place where electronic products are sold. In this marketplace which follows developments in technology closely, it is advisable to  pay extra attention to products, as a protective measure against counterfeits.

Ticket Sales Offices: Ho Chi Minh City

• Ho Chi Minh City: Airport Map Information

  Than Son Nhat Airport

  Address	:	Than Son Nhat International Airport
  Phone	:	+852 2181 8888

• Ho Chi Minh City: Airport Map Information