Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and informally referred to as Saigon. It is remarkable for the harmonious blending of traditional values with northern and western cultural features. Skyscrapers dot the city and everywhere are the signs of growing status cars, mobile phones, upscale cafes, fine dining and trendy nightlife. And yet the city still retains a uniquely Vietnamese feel with the hustle and bustle of the local markets, incessant horns and local vendors on every street corner.

Today, Saigon is the big tourism center as well as the commerce and financial hub, attracting a large number of business and leisure travel to Vietnam.

Formally established by the French colonial powers, Ben Thanh Market nowadays is a big marketplace in the downtown area of Ho Chi Minh City, in District 1. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and today is considered one of symbols of Ho Chi Minh City, popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, textiles, Ao Dai dress, and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine.

The main business section of the city is Dong Khoi quarter in District 1. Here you can find the best hotels from classic ones such as Rex, Continental to the most luxurious like Sheraton, Caravelle...In the past few years many new hotels have been built, providing a large accommodation supply, particularly the top class. The most recommended hotels are scattered in District 1, where the best restaurants, shops, supermarkets, theatres are located.

There are a lot of places in Sai Gon worth a visit including Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum of Principal Opera House. Other attractions are also worth a day drive.

Shopping lovers can find hand-made souvenirs or clothes from cheap to expensive. Although Sai Gon is usually a base to start or finish your trip, it's worth a cyclo trip down to China Town in District 5 or along Sai Gon river.

Motorbikes are the main means of transport on the streets. Young and modern girls are offen seen on scooters, wearing sunglasses with western styled fashions. Schoolgirls go on bicycle wearing white Ao Dai (traditional long dress). Junctions are controlled by coloured lights, just to slow down the flow of traffic, it looks chaotic and dangerous, but in fact it's not.

Most state offices, restaurants and shops open from 8.00 until 16.30, with 1 hour close for lunch break. Some restaurants, bars and clubs open overnight.

There are only 2 seasons in Sai Gon, dry and rainy seasons. Rainy season starts from May to November, however it's hot throughout the year. If you are in this city in the rainy season, don't for get a raincoat when you go out.