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| Fly to Ho Chi Minh city with VNA |
Ho Chi Minh Holidays
To
the locals, this is still Saigon. Renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1975
after the fall of Saigon, this is the largest city in Vietnam. The city
centre has wide boulevards and historic Westernised buildings as a
legacy from its French colonialism but the metropolis of today is a
buzzing one (literally, the motorbikes roar in their thousands) with an
unrelenting push towards modernity. There are glass skyscrapers, wartime
tunnels, boutique hotels, ancient pagodas, thriving markets and former
GI hotels all bundled together in this tropical city. Its first
impression may be a mixed one but if you grab a flight to Ho Chi Minh
City and stay a while, it might reveal itself in unexpected ways.
Top Attractions
Of
all the things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the Cu Chi tunnels
is one of the highlights. The history of the tunnels' use by the Viet
Cong during the Vietnam War is explained and experiencing the dark,
cramped conditions first hand brings another perspective to the
conflict. Continuing this theme, Reunification Palace was the former
South Vietnam's presidential palace, and is now a restored 5-floor time
warp with 1960s paraphernalia, virtually untouched since 1975. On
another cultural note, the Fine Arts Museum boasts beautifully-tiled
floors and an insight into an array of contemporary, abstract and
traditional arts. Ho Chi Minh City also gives visitors the chance to
indulge in the cheapest quality hair cut, manicure and pedicure you're
likely to find.
Eat and Drink
Given
this is the business heart of Vietnam and it has a significant
expatriate population, Ho Chi Minh's bars and restaurants cater to a
broad range of local and global tastes. A handful of the city's top
establishments include Blanchy's Tash; Restaurant Bobby Chinn Saigon;
and you can enjoy the high life at Chill Skybar, on the 26th and 27th
floors of the new AB skyscraper. For classic Vietnamese in an old wooden
house in the centre of the city, try Hoi An. If you've a hankering for
Italian, try the very trendy Qucina, then you're already next to the
famous nightspot, Q Bar. Lovers of baked goods will appreciate the
lingering French influence – you'll find really good baguettes at the
bakery. And Vietnam is one of the largest coffee exporters in the world.
Where to Stay
There's
a concentration of Ho Chi Minh City accommodation in District 1.
Generally, high-end hotels are east of here and the more budget-oriented
properties are to the west of District 1. The Dong Khoi area is the
place to go for a selection of the city's top hotels, bars and
restaurants. Formerly a hotel for wartime correspondents, Caravelle
Hotel is now a stylish top-notch establishment. Not far away is the
mid-range Rex Hotel – a slightly kitsch but clean and characterful
property – also known for its rooftop bar. Note many high end hotels
will offer day passes for their pools but if you want to swim with the
locals, there's a French-built pool just behind Reunification Palace on
Thi Minh Khai Street.
Shopping
Take
local currency when shopping in Ho Chi Minh City so you can easily
bargain at the markets. Get set to haggle if you head to the main market
places: Ben Thanh – a tourist hotspot where the vendors will quote
their highest price at the outset; Saigon Square – like Ben Thanh but
air conditioned. You'll get a more authentic feel at the Cho Binh Tay
markets in Chinatown. Overall, there are oodles of Vietnamese souvenirs
sold in the central tourist district but generally the best, and more
expensive, items can be found on Dong Khoi. If shopping for electronics
be very selective as counterfeits abound. If you're seeking fine
textiles, the flagship of the city's silk stores is Khai Silk.
Ho Chi Minh like a Local
Make
like a local and join the traffic mayhem on a scooter tour. Don't
panic, you get to take the back of a vintage Italian Vespa, driven by a
local, if you take up a Vietnam Vespa Adventure. If a motorbike driven
by a female professional guide sounds more appealing, check out XO
Tours. Whether you're on a scooter or not, don't assume traffic will
stop when you're crossing the road – watch when locals cross and take
their lead. Don't be too rushed, whatever you're up to, this is a city
that takes some getting used to but your patience will be rewarded.
Knowledge is power. Now, you're ready to pack you stuffs, fly to Ho Chi Minh City & enjoy the city ASAP!
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