Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is a full-throttle place, somewhere to either lose yourself in a throng of busy roads and food stalls, markets and restaurants, or explore the city’s fascinating history through its museums, galleries and monuments, plus everything in between.
The dichotomy and brilliance of touring Ho Chi Minh is that you really do get a fusion of old and new during your time here.
Given the city’s ancient and more recent war-torn past, French colonial buildings and ornate pagodas sit side-by-side with modern skyscrapers, theme parks and boutique shopping outlets. It’s an intoxicating mix, one that gives a cross-section of Vietnamese culture, past and present, throughout.
The food in Ho Chi Minch City is also another one of its trademarks, from lip-smacking street food stands to sophisticated fine-dining restaurants, servicing the city’s locals and lucky tourists alike.
Then you have the historic side of Ho Chi Minh, which unfolds over hundreds of years having once been a Khmer settlement, followed by 17th-century Vietnamese rule and ultimately a major battleground during the Vietnam War with America, in the 1960s and 70s. The result is a list of essential Ho Chi Minh sites to visit, including the Cu Chi Tunnels; Independence Palace; Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon; Ng?c Hoang Pagoda, and so much more.
This is a top travel destination in Vietnam, to be sure.
Nicola
Travel Specialist
Where to go in Vietnam
Vietnam travel information
When to visit Vietnam
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- Time zone: +7 GMT
- Flight time: 15-15 hours
- Recommended airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Thai Airways
- Currency: Vietnamese dong
- Tipping guideline: Tipping is not expected in Vietnam, but small tips for good service are appreciated.
- Health considerations: There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500m or higher. There is a risk of dengue. There is a risk of Zika virus. There is a low risk of malaria in the southern part of the country in the provinces of Tay Ninh, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum, and other rural areas of Vietnam. There is no risk of malaria in large cities, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), the Red River delta, coastal areas north of Nha Trang and Phu Quoc Island.
- Capital: Hanoi
- Population: 9.94977e+007
- National languages: Vietnamese
- Electricity and plugs: Type A, C, & D, 220 V
- Mobile phone coverage: Good coverage with several mobile service providers available.
- UK passport visa requirements: British passport holders can visit Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days
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