TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN HO CHI MINH BIGGEST CITY IN VIETNAM

20-03-2019

TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN HO CHI MINH BIGGEST CITY IN VIETNAM
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.

Ho Chi Minh City (usually shortened to HCMC) was called Saigon in the past, and some people still call it Saigon today. It has become the cosmopolitan commercial and financial hub of Vietnam in recent years and is the most popular tourist destination in the country. HCMC is an eclectic mix of old and new, featuring elegant colonial architecture together with contemporary modern Asian and international structures. Some of the older tree-lined streets are reminiscent of European urban areas, while the steel and glass multi-storey buildings and office blocks present the modern face of the city. The city also boasts many fine restaurants and numerous sidewalk cafes that are popular with both locals and visitors alike.

In addition to the busy modern business and shopping districts, 300 year old HCMC has many historical sites to explore such as Giac Lam Pagoda, which was built in 1744, and Giac Vien Pagoda that was founded two centuries ago. Victorian era Notre Dame Cathedral, the most famous French colonial church in and around Saigon, is located in heart of the city along with many fine examples of architecture from that period. Cholon, or China town, and the famous central Ben Thanh market are also highlights of any visit to the city.
More recent history is evident in the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum, as well as all the modern entertainments one expects to find in most big cities in the world.
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.

What to do?
Saigon has various attractions such as the Opera House, Ben Thanh Market, the Notre Dame cathedral, the Reunification Palace, the China town, Cu Chi Tunnels, museums, theatres and cultural houses, shopping centers, etc... Recently, local tourist areas including Thanh Da, Binh Quoi Village, Dam Sen Park, Saigon Water Park, Suoi Tien, Ky Hoa also draw the interest of visitors. In addition, Saigon is a good starting point for excursions to the Mekong delta or nearby beaches of Phu Quoc, Phan Thiet (Mui Ne), Vung Tau, Long Hai.

When to go?
Generally, the climate in Saigon is hot and humid with an annual average temperature of 27 Degree Celcious. There are two distinctive seasons: the rainy season (May to November) and the dry season (December to April next year). The hottest month is April and coolest is December. It is possible to visit Vietnam and Saigon in winter for the best weather, avoiding the monsoon (May to October). But be prepared for humid conditions throughout the year, especially in the south. The best month is January.

Travel Tips:
Vietnam has its fair share of pickpockets, especially in large cities like Saigon and Hanoi. Thus, always keep an eye on your valuables or better to leave them at hotel before going out. Sometimes while traveling, a desperate beggar or street vendor suddenly grabs your arm, then follow you to ask for money or sell their stuffs. Please do not offer money to them; instead donate to a local charity. For the traffic, when crossing the road, always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly.

THINGS TO DO:
Independance Place:
Independence Palace, also known as Reunification Palace, built on the site of the former Norodom Palace, is a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Cu Chi Tunnels:
The tunnels of Cu Chi are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in the Củ Chi District of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country.

War Remnants Museum:
The War Remnants Museum is a war museum at 28 Vo Van Tan, in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It contains exhibits relating to the Vietnam War and the first Indochina War involving the French colonialists.

Ben Thanh market:
Being a bustling market in the daytime and a social center after sunset, Ben Thanh Market is absolutely a must-see attraction of the most dynamic city of Vietnam.
Believe it or not, even though you have spent years shopping at several malls and commercial centers that shopping has become a boring and ordinary task to you, exploring an Asian market is always an exhilarating experience. Visit Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and you will understand. Being a bustling market in the daytime and a social center after sunset, Ben Thanh Market is absolutely a must-see attraction of the most dynamic city of Vietnam.

Bitexco Financial Tower:
The 68-storey, 262m-high, Carlos Zapata–designed skyscraper dwarfs all around it. It's reportedly shaped like a lotus bulb, but also resembles a CD rack with a tambourine shoved into it. That tambourine is the 48th-floor Saigon Skydeck, with a helipad on its roof. Choose a clear day and aim for sunset – or down a drink in the EON Heli Bar instead.

Giac Lam Pagoda:
Believed to be the oldest temple in HCMC (1744), Giac Lam is a fantastically atmospheric place set in peaceful, gardenlike grounds. The Chinese characters that constitute the temple's name (覚林寺) mean 'Feel the Woods Temple' and the looming Bodhi tree (a native fig tree, sacred to Buddhists) in the front garden was the gift of a Sri Lankan monk in 1953. Prayers are held daily from 4am to 5am, 11am to noon, 4pm to 5pm and 7pm to 9pm.

Vespa Tour:
Saigon used to be the capital of South Vietnam and was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the war. However, locals still know the city as Saigon. The city is no longer an official capital, yet it thrives as the country’s largest city with over 8 million citizens. Saigon is a buzzing hub of culture, cuisine, and business.

Our Saigon tours give you local insight to this bustling city, or you can even escape the city limits into the Mekong Delta on our tours that leave from Saigon daily.
Artinus 3D museum:
Artinus (Art In Us) is a 3D painting art museum which has just been built and put into trial operation in Ho Chi Minh city. This is considered the first 3D painting museum in the city.You will become very small when setting foot in the art world. Currently, the museum has 9 different topic areas which finely are decorated such as the wildlife world, oceans, the Renaissance art, ancient Egypt, etc.
Especially here is the image of Vietnam which is located in the heart of the museum, with highlight images as vast terraced fields in northwest region, Halong Bay, Hue ancient citadel or charming Mekong Delta Rivers. The impressive image is a girl in traditional ao dai costume which is drawn in big size.
3D Painting is the art form that applied with near and far principle, and then drawing in walls, ceilings, floors, etc. Images of people or nature are combined to make up the rich and vivid for work.When stepping through each different topic area, you’ll be lost in a new world with many different emotions and being surprised by the images which were designed in a related way.
Many houses are designed in a tilting position compared to the floor, making a small or big difference in attracting many young people to take pictures and experience.
Small paintings decorated around corridors and walkways were also meticulously drawn and animated. You may be deceived vision with these colorful paintings. Even taking by phone, you can still have your own realistic 3D pictures. I think Artinus is one of best things to do in Ho Chi Minh city.

Hau Lady Pagoda
This gorgeous 19th-century temple is dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau, and always attracts a mix of worshippers and visitors who mingle beneath the large coils of incense suspended overhead. It is believed that Thien Hau can travel over the oceans on a mat and ride the clouds to save people in trouble on the high seas.