Sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, the industrial hub of Vietnam, has huge resources to draw your attention. This dynamic city being the cultural trendsetter constitutes the core of Vietnam. It is also the biggest city of the nation and considered as the economic capital of the country. The Ho Chi Minh City features French colonial architecture mingled with Chinese influences.

The city was once known as Saigon. Later the government of Ha Noi changed its name to Ho Chi Minh City. However its previous name, Saigon, is still more popular among people of Vietnam. The city with its bustling street markets, cafes, shops, pagodas and museums offers a microcosmic view of the entire nation.

Places to Visit

- The Historical Museum: Located inside the renowned botanical garden of the city, this museum has a rich collection of data and objects belonging to some ancient civilizations in the Mekong Delta namely Oc Eo (Funan). The Botanical garden remains open to the visitors daily. However in order to collect the essential study materials for research work, from the huge library of the museum, researchers need to have special permits from the museum authority. The live puppet show held in the museum complex is a major source enjoyment to the tourists visiting the Historical Museum

- War Museum: The weapons and information on the recent wars of Vietnam are kept in this museum. The museum displays the war crimes, which affected the Vietnamese. The models preserved in the museum can give you an idea of the most dreadful prisons and the most deadly weapons used by foreign forces in Vietnam. It also features a guillotine used during wartime.

- Notre Dame Cathedral: The famous church, which was constructed during 1877 and 1833 by the French, serves as the nation's Catholic center. The history of the church says that the materials used in its construction were imported from France- Notre Dame with Virgin Maria. The Archbishop of the Ho Chi Minh City is posted here. Catholic followers of the city attend the services offered in the morning and in the afternoon. The New Year and Christmas celebrations of the Notre Dame Cathedral draw a huge crowd.

- Giac Lam Pagoda: Erected long back in 1744 with the fund raised by Ly Thuy Long, a native of Minh Huong village, this is the city's oldest Buddhist pagoda. The interior of this famous pagoda is adorned with a rich collection of statues of old Buddha and Arhat. Ancient furnishings and decorations inside this pagoda are enough to charm the visitors.

- Reunification Palace: The once residence of the Governor Generals of Indochina, the Reunification Palace in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, has a spacious complex with 100 rooms and total area exceeding 2,000 square meter. Its finest decorations and the rich collection of contemporary Vietnamese art and craft, make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.

- Thien Hau Temple: According to the Chinese folk, this site is devoted to the Sea goddess bas. Other gods like Money God, Mother Goddess and Mermaid are also worshipped in this ancient Chinese temple. To offer prayer for good health and business you have to buy an incense coil. It is a common belief that offering money to the Money God brings good luck in business.

- China Town - Cho Lon: It is a densely populated town with almost 5 million Chinese. The Chinese, uprooted from the Ming Dynasty, established the China town in the 18th century. Filled with markets, restaurants, pagodas, shops and family factories, it is one of the most crowded places in the Ho Chi Minh City.

As most of the tourist attractions in the city are centrally located the best way to get the essence of this vibrant city is to walk or ride around in a cycle.
Alternatively you can opt for the sightseeing tours in Ho Chi Minh City. Different travel agencies offer a variety of tour packages for trips in and around the Ho Chi Minh City. However to avail these short guided tours you have to make reservations in advance.