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Saigon Travel Guide

Travel to Saigon - Heart of the Nation

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Formerly known as Saigon and still called by that by most, Ho Chi Minh City is the beating heart of commercial Vietnam. It’s the nation’s largest city and provides for many their first taste of Vietnam. Mixing old and new it has its fair share of attractions as a wander around Cholon or visit to the moving War Remnants Museum attest, but as with many cities it’s the daily life that appeals. Chaotic it might be, forgettable it isn’t.

Located in the heart of southern Vietnam the Saigon River winds around the city and connects it with the South China Sea. Once praised as the “Pearl of the Orient” Saigon has been an important trade centre for Chinese, Japanese and Western merchants for centuries but it was under the French that it arguably achieved most fame with another nom de plume being the “Paris of Asia” for its wide boulevards lined with the stately trees and magnificent French villas.

Captured by the French in 1859 and then the capital of the Republic of Vietnam until 1975 when it was captured by the North Vietnamese communists the city has been both peaceful and the centre of struggle. Today she mixes modern buildings with French colonial and Chinese temples and is called Ho Chi Minh City. For millions around the world though she’ll always be Saigon.

Attractions in Saigon

Saigon is a rush-hour city that never stops. Cholon is the Chinese quarter located in the southwest of the city and provides a look at an authentic Chinese area with temples, pagodas and markets. In the city proper head to the War Remnants Museum for a sobering look at the war, and the Reunification Palace – one-time Presidential Palace. There are a variety of other museums if you want to know more about the history of the city and country, such as the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City and the History Museum.

How about a visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda, a Chinese temple, Notre Damn Cathedral with its 40m high towers. The Sri Mariamann Hindu Temple and Central Mosque cater to the city’s South Asian residents and ex-pats.

Outside the city are more attractions; the famous Cu Chu Tunnels lie northwest of the city and then there’s Cat Tien National Park where you can explore on foot or bike. Beyond Cu Chi is Tay Ninh where the great Cao Dai Temple can be seen whilst those with more time will head to the Mekong Delta.

Activities in Saigon

Allow 2 days to explore the city before moving on. There are several walking tours one can undertake, or hire a cyclo.

Relaxing

Shopping for clothing, handicrafts or artwork, taking in a few galleries or enjoying a cooling course are all great ways to relax. A sun-downer on the roof of the Rex Hotel is still a favourite.

Getting Around

The city is extensive and you’ll need transport. Join locals by hiring a bike or take a cyclo for short journeys; take organised tours if you are going outside the city.

Saigon Reviews

Saigon: HoChiMinh City Tour

Posted on:: Wednesday, 9th September 2009
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About Ho Chi Minh City
Area: 2,095.2 sq. km
Population: 5,891,100 habitants (2005)
Administrative divisions:

- Districts: District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5, District 6, District 7, District 8, District 9, District 10, District 11, District 12, Tan Binh, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Thu Duc, Go Vap, Binh Tan,Tan Phu.
- Rural districts: Nha Be, Can Gio, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Binh Chanh.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Khmer, Cham...

Geography
In the core of the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is second the most important in Vietnam after Hanoi. It is not only a commercial center but also a scientific, technological, industrial and tourist center. The city is bathed by many rivers, arroyos and canals, the biggest river being the Saigon River. The Port of Saigon, established in 1862, is accessible to ships weighing up to 30,000 tons, a rare advantage for an inland river port.
Climate:The climate is generally hot and humid. There are two distinctive seasons: the rainy season, from May to November, and the dry season, from December to April. The annual average temperature is 27ºC. The hottest month is April and the lowest is December. It is warm all year.

History
Many centuries ago, Saigon was already a busy commercial center. Merchants from China, Japan and many European countries would sail upstream the Saigon River to reach the islet of Pho, a trading center. In the year of 1874, Cho Lon merged with Saigon, forming the largest city in the Indochina. It had been many times celebrated as the Pearl of the Far East. After the reunification of the country, the 6th National Assembly in its meeting of the 2nd of July, 1976, has officially rebaptized Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City. The history of city relates closely with the struggle for the independence and freedom of Vietnam.

Today, Ho Chi Minh City is the big tourism center in Vietnam, attracting a large of visitors to Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City has various attractions as Ho Chi Minh Museum, formerly known as Dragon House Wharf, Cu Chi Tunnels, system of museums, theatres, cultural houses... Recently, many tourist areas are invested such as Thanh Da, Binh Quoi Village, Dam Sen Park, Saigon Water Park, Suoi Tien, Ky Hoa..., which draw numerous tourists.

Despite its quite recent past, Ho Chi Minh City nevertheless possesses various beautiful buildings, displaying a characteristic combination of Vietnamese, Chinese and European cultures. These include Nha Rong (Dragon House Wharf), Quoc To Temple (National Ancestors Temple), Xa Tay (Municipal Office), Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theatre as well as many pagodas and churches (Vinh Nghiem, Giac Vien, Giac Lam, Phung Son pagodas...). After more than 300 years of development, Ho Chi Minh City presents many ancient architectural constructions, famous vestiges and renowned sights. It is remarkable for its harmonious blending of traditional national values with northern and western cultural features.

Transportation

Ho Chi Minh City is the main junction for trains, roads, water, and air transportation systems for domestic trips and for foreign destination.
- Roads: Ho Chi Minh City is 1,730km from Hanoi, 99km from Tay Ninh, 30km from Bien Hoa (Dong Nai), 70km from My Tho, 125km from Vung Tau, 168km from Can Tho, 308km from Dalat, and 375km from Buon Ma Thuot. The City has National Highway 13 which connects Vietnam with the rest of Indochina.
- Train: Thong Nhat express train connects Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, vie many provinces in Vietnam.
- Air: Tan Son Nhat International Airport, 7km from center of city, is the biggest airport with many domestic and international routes. There are flights from Hanoi and Danang to Ho Chi Minh City and between ?the City to many regions as well a lot of countries on over the world.

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Pictures of HCM Sights

HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR (1- DAY ) - Code SM 1
AM: Pick up at your hotel. Transfer to Visit Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office, Fomer US Embassy, City Hall, War Crime Museum, Water Puppet show Afternoon: Giac Lam pagoda, China town, Binh Tay market, Thien Hau temple, Ben Thanh market
Departure :8:00 AM.Finish : 5:00 PM , Transfer by bus

Tour cost includes :Transfer by private car or mini bus, Lunch , Seeing ticket, Tour guide

Tour cost excludes: Drinks, personal expense. Others not mentioned above
Notre-Dame Cathedral. Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamCAO DAI TEMPLE AND CU CHI TUNNELS (01 DAY) - Code SM 02

Pick up at your hotel. Transfer to Visit the Cao Dai temple in Tay Ninh where daily Mass is done by the Caodaism followers at noon. On the way back to Saigon, see the Ben Duoc or Ben Dinh tunnels in Cu Chi province.
Departure : 8:30 AM.Back to Saigon : 7 PM, Transfer by bus

Inclusion : Transfer by private car or mini bus, Lunch , Seeing ticket,Tour guide

Exclusion : Drinks, personal expense.

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