Ho Chi Minh highlights attractions & experiences

Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City is the most fascinating place in Vietnam. It is full of energy, busy, and crowded like all the time. Your first visit to Saigon would be interesting place with the introduction that I am going to introduce you eclectically.

Saigon is a place where you could see the perfect mixing between traditional and modern life. The modern buildings stand by colonial buildings, traditional temples. In facts, over 1.000 pagodas, temples have been built for decades. It is valuable cultures, architectures, arts, and 30.000 valuable artifacts, traditional house, souvenir house, traditional room from Vietnam War. Lots of buildings have been built by French that makes a unique style for Saigon. On the contrary, that makes a big difference in architecture around the world. On the streets, juvenile professionals ride motorbikes with different models and sounds; inside the sacred temples, people worship and pray to stay away from bad lucks and evil things, they also pray for their ancestor.
To begin your first tour to Saigon into Vietnam’s history with a tour of Reunification Palace. Vietnamese usually call: Dinh Doc Lap.

The Reunification Palace of South Vietnam

In 60s, this building was suddenly attacked by tanks on April 30, 1975 signified the fall of South Vietnam. And those tanks have been preserved until now, you could see those tanks near the entrance gates of Reunification Palace.
Your next stop would be Emperor Jade pagoda (Vietnamese usually call: “Chua Ngoc Hoang”).
 

The Emperor Jade Pagoda

One of a really nice pagoda to stop by. Besides, your next destination is Nortre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. And, you should pay a rapid visit to Hotel De Ville (City Hall), the Old Opera House with fabulous view from inside and outside, the Bitexco Financial Tower where you could see a helicopter and helicopter park. Finally, you should go straight to Ben Thanh Market to get some bargains, handicrafts, hand-made stuffs, you could also have some foods and beverages there, and find some souvenirs. All the places I have been introduced you above is in district 1.

People live in Saigon is very kind and friendly. Living in the most populated and bustling place in Vietnam but they are jubilant with their smiling face, they are always welcoming, and how nice they treat others, I love the way they gather together. Eventually, they come from everywhere from North to South of Vietnam to live and make a living so that is brand-new.

To keep you up, I am going to show you food stores, places that you need to know when you stay at Saigon. Firstly, when you come to Vietnam you should try their specialty and Vietnamese Coffee is the most delicious coffee in the world, we usually call that is fin coffee, filter coffee. According to my research, I have really nice places for you to enjoy some coffee, we call that Cheo Leo’s coffee at 109/36 Nguyen Thien Thuat street, ward 2, district 3, Ho Chi Minh city or Cafe Vot Hem at 330/2 Phan Dinh Phung street, Phu Nhuan district, Ho Chi Minh city. To your next destination, I would like to show you Vietnamese bread. Vietnamese bread is most rated all around the world and here is the address at 26 Le Thi Rieng, district 1, Ho Chi Minh city for you to look at it. I have a special place where I call Asian Food Town as known as Underground Food Market and here is its address at 4 Pham Ngu Lao street, B area 23/9 Park, district 1, Ho Chi Minh city or Cocochin Foodcourt as known as Saigon House, 77 Nguyen Hue street, Ben Nghe ward, district 1, Ho Chi Minh city, here is two places you could try all kind of foods in Vietnam and another country with different tastes. In the middle of day, Cho Lon market is a local market where you could buy specialties, clothes, things with reasonable price, An Dong market is also a nice place to stop by. By night, Bui Vien street in Ho Chi Minh city is a lovely place for foreigners, tourists to have a drink and enjoy dancing in the night club with affordable price.

Next part of your time live in Saigon. Then, I let you know where you should stay. If you would like to stay at five-star hotel, Grand Saigon Hotel is a perfect place for you to stay. Grand Saigon Hotel is a place that I used to work for so I understand it really well, Grand hotel is not really expensive with good services, you will enjoy your staying here without anxiety. On the other hand, you could choose Homestay that is popular in Vietnam with different prices. It is up to how luxurious they are, come to their prices. Now, I am going to show you some homestay that I researched: Lela Saigon Homestay at room 47, floor 4, 26 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe ward, district 1, Ho Chi Minh city only 350.000 VND; Ms. Yang Homestay at 306/7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, ward 5, district 3, Ho Chi Minh city; Full House Homestay at 174/6 Le Lai, Ben Thanh ward, district 1, Ho Chi Minh city.

With all the information that I showed you above, I hope that helps you less or more when you stay in Saigon. Before I put end to my post I would like to give you a note that you should be careful some pickpockets outside on the street, everywhere you I pass by, you need to keep eyes on your belongings, you should not carry too much things only cash. In the end of my post, I wish you have a good time here in Saigon. If you have any questions, you can contact us at anytime. I would like you to tell me how interesting your trip is and let me know if you explore any different food stores and places. I really am looking forward to hearing from you. Have a great trip. Good luck !

To discover more Ho Chi Minh City and its surroundings, pls check 

=> Excursion from Ho Chi Minh City