Ho Chi Minh City - the complete guide to planning your trip 2020

Ho Chi Minh City - the complete guide to planning your trip 2020

Ho Chi Minh City (named Saigon until 1975) is the largest city and the economic heart of Vietnam. It is a very young and very dynamic city. Most expatriates choose to settle there rather than in Hanoi because the climate is more favorable and the job offers are more numerous. Tân Sơn Nhất in Ho Chi Minh City is the largest airport in Vietnam which receives more than half of the passengers from all Vietnamese airports and more than 60% of international passenger traffic from Vietnam. In order to get from the airport to downtown center, you can use SASCO Travel airport taxi transfer as well as buy 4G SIM card online to connect to the internet while staying in HCMC.

HCMC is also the gateway to the Mekong Delta and beautiful islands such as Phu Quoc and Con Dao in southern Vietnam.

A few lines on the history of HCMC

• Before the 17th century, HCMC was originally a Khmer fishing village called "Prey Nokor" (the city of the forest). It became a Vietnamese settlement town under the leadership of the Nguyen imperial court in Hue.
• During French colonization, it was the capital of Cochinchina and then that of French Indochina.
• At the end of the Indochina War, Saigon became the capital of the Republic of Vietnam.
• After the liberation of Saigon by the communists in 1975, the city was officially named Ho Chi Minh city. Nonetheless, many Vietnamese continue to call him "Saigon».

When to visit?

Generally, one can visit South Vietnam and HCMC in particular all year round. The climate is more favorable there than in the North.

The rainy season begins in May and ends at the beginning of October. It rains almost every day but there are short showers happening late in the afternoon. The landscapes of the Mekong Delta are magnificent during this season.

• It is warmest in April, the temperature can reach 36 degrees.

Content

• What to see and do in and around HCMC?
• 1. Walk in the street Đồng Kh ruei and its surroundings
• 2. Attend the AO show
• 3. Nguyen Hue pedestrian street
• 4. The Reunification Palace
• 5. Visit the Vietnam War Remnants Museum
• 6. China Town and Temple of the Heavenly Lady
• 7. Visit the museum of medicinal plants Fito
• 8. Walk to Ben Thanh market
• 9. Visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda
• 10. Taste typical HCMC dishes
• Bánh xèo, Vietnamese pancake
• Phở, beef soup
• Bánh mì, Vietnamese sandwich
• Hủ tiếu, Saigonese soup
• Bún thịt nướng
• 11. Shopping at HCMC
• 12. Discovery of the Củ Chi tunnels
• 13. The seat of the Caodai religion in Tay Ninh
• 14. Visit the Mekong Delta
• 15. Relax on Con Dao Island, Phu Quoc Island, Nha Trang and Mui Ne
• 16 Découverte du parc national Nam Cat Tien
• Some travel tips at HCMC

What to see and do in and around HCMC?

1. Walk in the street Đồng Kh ruei and its surroundings

Dong Khoi Street and its surroundings

Dong Khoi Street (formerly Catinat) is the heart of the French Quarter at HCMC. It is also the most prestigious and expensive street where 5-star hotels and luxury boutiques can be found. The cost of one square meter of land on this street can reach 8,000 usd.

Saigon Times Square, the third tallest skyscraper in HCMC, is located on this street. It is home to the 6-star The Reverie Saigon , one of the best hotels in the world, and the boutiques of Gucci, Dolce & amp; Gabbana, Bottega Veneta etc.

A walk in the street in the shade of the big trees is very pleasant.

If you like to walk, it is easy to visit the main attractions of the city on foot, from Đồng Khởi Street.

Walking tour of HCMC attractions

• The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Saïgon : built in the 19th century on the model of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral but of smaller dimensions.

Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Saïgon

• Saigon Central Post Office: is right next to the cathedral. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel in the 19th century before becoming the pride of the city.

La poste centrale de Saïgon

• Saigon Opera House : is also a building inspired by French architecture, from the Paris Opera Garnier. It was designed in 1900 by architect Félix Olivier.
• The Reunification Palace, the War Museum, the Ben Thanh Market, the Museum of Fine Arts etc

2. Attend the AO show

Spectacle AO Saïgon

It is an interesting night activity, much appreciated by travelers.

It's a acrobatic and musical performance in a splendid setting. Acrobatics, dances and music are used to tell about everyday Vietnamese life . Tickets cost from 20 to 46 €. The shows take place in the Saigon Opera House.

3. Nguyen Hue pedestrian street

Nguyen Hue pedestrian street before Têt festival 2017

This is a pedestrian street very well known to HCMC . The street is particularly beautiful one week before the Têt festival when it is decorated with thousands of colorful flowers coming from the Mekong Delta.

In the afternoon, there are often small shows organized by young Saigonnais. A stroll in the street is therefore relatively pleasant. Besides, young people prefer to admire the city from above, in one of the nice cafes in building number 42 on the street, called the paradise of cafes.

Le paradis des cafés et thés au 42 rue Nguyen Hue

Nguyen Hue Street runs parallel to Dong Khoi Street. It starts at the town hall and goes up to the Saigon river.

4. The Reunification Palace

The Reunification Palace

It is an essential site, to better understand the history of HCMC and the reunification of Vietnam.

We will see the tools used in the daily life of the President of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War .

• Admission fees : 40.000 VND
• Business hours : de 07.30 à 11.00 et de 13.00 à 16.00 tous les jours
• Address : 135 rue Nam Ky Khoi Nghia

5. Visit the Vietnam War Remnants Museum

Vietnam War Remnants Museum

700m from the Reunification Palace is the Vietnam War Remnants Museum. It’s a place to remember, to remember the atrocious and horrible consequences of the war.

The museum is made up of two parts: one outside where one can see American planes, tanks, cannons, helicopters which were recovered from the battlefields; the other inside, which features numerous photos of war atrocities and abuses committed by the US military.

The photos are tough for young children. Parents can leave them in a playroom during their visit.

• Entrance fees: 15,000 VND
• Opening hours: 07.30 to 06.00pm every day
• Address: 28 Vo Van Tan street, district 3

6. China Town and Temple of the Heavenly Lady

China Town of HCMC

China Town is one of my favorite places at HCMC, where the commercial activities are very lively, the colorful streets, the temples and pagodas are numerous and the food is good . China Town, or Cholon is a district of the Vietnamese community of Chinese origin.

Cholon was once a city separate from Saigon. The two cities were merged on April 27, 1931 under the name Saïgon-Cholon. This name was reduced to Saigon in 1956.

Once in Cholon, you can't miss the visit to the Temple of the Heavenly Lady , which plays an important role in the cultural and religious life of the Hoa (Vietnamese of Chinese origin). It is one of the oldest temples in HCMC. It is dedicated to Thien Hau, protector of sailors . Incense hanging in the temple gives us a mystical feeling.

Temple of the Heavenly Lady in China Town

• Address: 710 Nguyen Trai, District 5, Ho Chi Minh Previously, travelers could visit the wholesale market of Binh Tay , in the heart of Cholon. But this 88-year-old market is currently closed for restoration. You can walk down Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street to observe lively commercial activities, taste a good Chinese dish or visit a town hall. colorful.

7. Visit the museum of medicinal plants Fito

5km from Dong Khoi Street is the Fito Museum. It includes a ground floor and 5 floors whose decor is mainly composed of wood in the pure Vietnamese style .

Through the establishment's 3,000 objects of collection, visitors can imagine the methods of examining patients, diagnosing, establishing prescriptions, composing a remedy, etc. carried out by doctors from the time </ strong>.

The museum is the work of the director of the Fito Pharmaceutical Company, Lê Khac Tâm. He has spent billions of dong and over ten years researching objects and documents relating to traditional medicine.

The visit to this museum is relatively interesting.

• Entrance fees: 120,000 vnd / adult; 60.000vnd / less than 1.2m

Fito Museum of Medicinal Plants

8. Walk to Ben Thanh market

Ben Thanh is the well-known tourist market. It has existed for over 100 years and is an architectural symbol of the megalopolis of the south.

You can find everything there: souvenirs, clothes, shoes, food etc. It’s also a good place to practice the art of negotiation.

The prices are higher than in the other places because it is a market intended only for the tourists, the locals hardly ever go there.

Ben Thanh market

9. Visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda

It is a hundred-year-old pagoda at HCMC, which hosted US President Barack Obama in 2016.

The pagoda is not large but its decorations are magnificent with wooden statues.

The Jade Emperor and the most imposing statue in the pagoda. Besides, the latter also worships the Goddess Kim Hoa Thanh Mau, the Goddess of childbirth, 12 midwives and nurses. For this, the pagoda attracts many infertile couples or pregnant women who come to pray for their future children .

10. Taste typical dishes from HCMC

You can't miss good food during your trip to HCMC. You will soon discover that almost all dishes are sweet. Here are some dishes with addresses to test:

Bánh xèo, Vietnamese pancake

Bánh xèo is the yellow Vietnamese pancake filled with minced pork or shrimp, onions and soybean sprouts.

• at 46a Đinh Công Tráng street, district 1

Bánh xèo - typical dish of HCMC

Phở, soupe au boeuf

• Phở Phượng, at 25 rue Hoàng Sa, district 1 It is open from 6am to 9pm every day. Soup costs 40,000VND

Phượng beef soup at 25 rue Hoàng Sa, dist. 1

Bánh mì, vietnamese sandwich

• Bánh mì Huỳnh Hoa at 26 rue Lê Thị Riêng, District 1 It is open from 2.30pm to 11.00pm daily. A sandwich costs 35,000VND.

Hủ tiếu, Saigonese soup

• au 381 Vo Van Tan Street, Ward 5, District 3 This is another soup with broth made from pork bones, much lighter in taste than pho. This soup is served with minced pork, pork liver, shrimp.

Saigonese soup

Bún thịt nướng

• Ms. Tuyen, au 195 rue Cô Giang, District 1
• «Bun thit nuong » :
• rice vermicelli topped with grilled pork shoulder pieces , sliced ​​salad leaves and cucumber, bean sprouts, basil, white radish and pickled carrots, peanuts and mint leaves.
• You can also add chả giò (egg rolls) or nem nuong (grilled minced pork balls). The nuoc cham sauce is served separately, but according to tradition, it should be poured entirely over the bowl.
• It is open from 07.00 to 20.00. A bowl "bun thit nuong" costs 45,000VND.

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Bun thit nuong

11. Shopping at HCMC

HCMV regorge d’endroits pour aller faire du shopping, des marchés locaux aux centres commerciaux les plus modernes.

Some markets at HCMC for shopping:

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• Bến Thành market: 30 rue Phan Bội Châu, district 1 . It is the place of pilgrimage for tourists in search of traditional souvenirs. Ao dai, jade jewelry, chopsticks and bowls of rice are bargained for in this great French colonial structure. In the evening, the two parallel streets turn into a night market.
• Bà Chiểu market: 40 rue Hồng Bàng, district Bình Thạnh . Located away from the city center, this large market is very popular with locals. You can find everything: fan brooms with multicolored basins, the "food" area with a wide choice of coffee, spices of all kinds, dried shrimp and cuttlefish etc.
• The An Đông market: 34 rue An Dương Vương, district 9, district 5 . The 1st floor of the market is dedicated to textiles, the upper floors offer a selection almost identical to that of Ben Thanh. Prices are more easily negotiable.

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Some shopping malls for shopping at HCMC

• Vincom center : 171 Đồng Khởi street, district 1 and 72 Lê Thánh Tôn street, district 1 . Good location, convenient for tourists. There are a multitude of boutiques selling clothes, bags, luxury shoes and restaurants offering local and international dishes.
• Diamond Plaza : 34 rue Lê Duẩn, district 1 . It’s also a luxury shopping center

Diamond Plaza Saïgon

• Duy Tan – Saïgon Artisan : 76A-76B rue Lê Lợi, district 1 . It is a boutique renowned for its quality, one of the best souvenir shops in the city. It specializes in lacquer, ceramics and porcelain.
• The House of Saigon: 16 rue Thủ Khoa, district 1 . It is a 3-storey store that offers a good number of homemade products: baskets, shoes, jewelry.

12. Découverte des tunnels de Củ Chi

The visit to the Cu Chi tunnels is relatively interesting and requires half a day.

Is it a huge system of underground tunnels first created by the Viet Minh under French Indochina and then developed during the Vietnam War? The network has reached some 250 km in length.

Access to visit tunnels is approximately 40 km from the city center. We often combine the visit to the tunnels with that of the seat of the Cao Dai religion in Tây Ninh.

13. Le siège de la religion Caodai à Tay Ninh

Caodaism is a syncretistic religion founded in 1921 by a Vietnamese official. It brings all the others together: Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity into one universal religion.

The Holy See of Cao Dai is located approximately 100km from HCMC. It is a beautiful complex surrounded by a fence with 12 doors. You can visit this headquarters and the Củ Chi tunnels in one day.

siège Caodai à Tây Ninh

14. Visiter le delta du Mékong

If you have more time at HCMC, you can visit its surroundings, such as the Mekong Delta.

It is an exceptional region where almost all the activities of the inhabitants depend on the river .

Most travelers spend 1, 2, 3 or even 4 days to visit the Mekong Delta.

Suspension bridge at Cantho, in the Mekong Delta

15. Relaxing on Con Dao Island, Phu Quoc Island, Nha Trang and Mui Ne

From HCMC, it is easy to reach a beautiful beach for lazing around.

• Nha Trang is a 1 hour flight from HCMC . Its beaches are on the list of most beautiful beaches in Vietnam according to Lonely Planet. The sand is white, the waters are turquoise and transparent.
• Mũi Né is a 4 hour drive from HCMC. Its beaches are not beautiful like those in Nha Trang but they are long and you can admire the white and red sand dunes.
• Phú Quốc or the Emerald Isle , the largest island in Vietnam with several beautiful beaches, pearl farms and pepper trees. It is a 1 hour flight from HCMC. You can also get there by speed boat from the Mekong Delta.
• Côn Đảo, a beautiful isolated island almost an hour's flight from HCMC, where Angeline Jolie and Brad Pitt spent their holidays. You can also go there by speedboat from Sóc Trăng .

16 Découverte du parc national Nam Cát Tiên

Located a 4 hour drive from HCMC on the road to Dalat, Nam Cát Tiên National Park is a good destination for a getaway of a few days.

You can come across monkeys, wild peacocks, deer, bears ... and other animals in wildlife rehabilitation centers.

Leave a comment if you have any questions.

Some travel tips at HCMC

• Take care of your belongings. Snatching is common in tourist areas.
• Bring water during the visits
• Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat before going out on the streets.
• If you get lost, don't hesitate to ask a local for directions. Most of the locals are nice and friendly.