Ho Chi Minh City is on the southern tip of Vietnam and it is of the emerging boom cities in South East Asia. It is this country’s largest city and economic engine room. Ho Chi Minh City has entrepreneurial energy and an irrepressible soul that hums both night and day. Despite almost a century of brutal conflict and colonialism, this city is widely known for its warm hospitality. Flowing through this city is a youthful enthusiasm that is just like the stream of cars, motorbikes, and scooters that endlessly flow through its streets.
In Ho Chi Minh City, it feels as though the past is never far away and the future has arrived. Cutting edge skyscrapers line the wide boulevards built during the colonial era while scented temples rub shoulders with rooftop bars. A trip up the Bitexco Financial Tower is a great way to orient yourself. Escape the heat to enjoy 360° views from the Saigon Skydeck.
Over 9 million people call this city home and the streets dynamic energy is part of its charm. Ho Chi Minh City is divided into different numbered districts and District One is where you will find most of the city’s main attractions. The Dong Khoi Street is also known as Rue Catinat. It was the height of sophistication and elegance in the early 20th century. Today, it is still home to some of the most graceful architecture in the city such as the Saigon Central Post Office.
The Saigon Opera House and the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral still echoes with the music of a time gone by. Take a tour of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum which offers an insight into the way the city has evolved over the years. Dong Khoi Street is also at the center of this city’s recent economic boom.
Luxury brands grace the windows of several colonial-era buildings and the glittering shopping centers offer coffee shops and stylish boutiques. Visit the Ben Thanh for a more traditional way to experience Ho Chi Minh City’s local commerce. It is the most central and largest market in the city. You will almost anything here but be ready to bargain.
The buzzing streets of this city are also a great place to immerse yourself in the fragrant and fresh tastes of Vietnamese cuisine. Another great place to find the beat of this city is Cholon. It is one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, although it was once a thriving black market during the conflict. It is known as the American War here, and many come to this city to better understand one of the 20th century most controversial conflicts. The War Remnants Museum attracts over 1 million visitors every year and it is a reminder of the horrors of the war.
Another icon from the dark days is the Reunification Palace. When the Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates, it signaled the end of the first televised war of the world. Visit the telecommunications room and the rooftop where the last evacuations took place.
As the sun goes down, find a seat at one of the famous rooftop bars of this city. It is a great way to soak up the city’s buzz. Ho Chi Minh City is energizing, chaotic, and dynamic.