A O Show - Lune Production · 5.Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre · 6.Cu Chi Tunnels · Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong. The boat is actually a traditional dragon boat dating back to the 19th century and serves a buffet dinner with live music. The building is designed in the Gothic style and dates back to 1886 and remains one of the most famous monuments in the city. The building is also steeped in history, as this is also the place where the North Vietnamese invaded in 1975 and the city of Ho Chi Minh surrendered.
The building looks very similar to that of 1966 and you can take a free guided tour here that will explain the cultural and historical significance of this Vietnam War monument. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883 and is located in the heart of the city. The cathedral is designed in neo-Romanesque style and here you can see the towers, which rise to a height of 40 meters and are topped with impressive iron spires. The Mekong Delta is made up of 39,000 square kilometers of waterways and is also one of the most densely populated parts of Vietnam.
The market was built in the 1880s during the colonial period and here you can take a walk and try the food stalls. The Bitexco Financial Tower was designed by Carlos Zapata and consists of 68 floors. The building rises to a height of 262 meters and is supposed to have been designed to look like a lotus bulb. On the 48th floor is the Saigon Skydeck and you can come here at dusk to enjoy the stunning views of the city.
If you want to try banh xeo when you are in ho chi minh city, then you should head to Banh Xeo 46A. Here you will find a local dish called banh xeo, which consists of Vietnamese rice flour pancakes stuffed with a mixture of pork, shrimp and bean sprouts. The temple dates back to 1902 and is covered with ritual brass ornaments as well as antique weapons. The Ho Chi Minh Museum was built in 1885, although at this time it would have been known as Gia Long Palace, and later as the Revolutionary Museum.
The church of Cha Tam was built in the 19th century and is painted in a beautiful caramel color on the outside. If you walk into the church itself, you will find a plaque that marks the place where President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu were captured in 1963 when they were trying to flee the presidential palace. The temple is located near Lake Dam Sen and was founded in the 18th century. Local legend states that Emperor Gia Long, who died in 1819, used to worship here and this is a great place to get a glimpse of old-time Vietnam.
The new residence, the Reunification Palace, became the home of the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War (or United States War, as it is called here). It is an incredible example of architecture from the 1960s. It's outdoor, with classic 60s furniture and decor. Meeting rooms dominate the lower floor, with an impressive bar on the second floor and a bomb shelter and communication center in the basement.
The post office in Ho Chi Minh City was built in the late 19th century with Gothic architectural influences. It is by far the most impressive pieces of French architecture in the city. If that cost seems high just for a view, consider visiting the EON Heli Bar on the 52nd floor. It doesn't give you the 360° views like the sky terrace does, but admission is free.
Cocktails are quite expensive by Vietnam standards, but it's a small price to pay for the incredible view. I would say that the Ben Thanh market area is one of the best places to stay. But what I liked the most was the incredible mansion palace in which the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City was located, another beautiful neoclassical structure built in 1885, with large pillars and wooden stairs. Regarded as one of the best representations of French colonial architecture in Saigon, the Opera House was built in 1897 and has been beautifully preserved.
Built in 1909 in honor of the supreme Taoist god (the Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, Ngoc Hoang), this is one of the most evocative temples in Ho Chi Minh City, full of statues of ghostly divinities and grotesque heroes. The penetrating smoke of incense (huong) fills the air, hiding the exquisite wood carvings. Its ceiling is inlaid with elaborate tiles, and the statues of the temple, representing characters of the Buddhist and Taoist tradition, are made of reinforced papier-mâché. With almost 40 taps, BiaCraft is an essential destination for thirsty souls.
Complementing their own creations are beers and ciders from craft breweries in Saigon and Hanoi; freshly sealed cans of all available beers are available. Pair a tasting palette with probably the best bar food in town, with quirky offerings like drunken baby potatoes and Nashville's spicy quail. One of the city's most outstanding landmarks is the home of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. Built between 1901 and 1908, the former Hôtel de Ville decorates the northwest end of ÐL Nguyen Hue, but unfortunately the ornate interior is not open to the public.
Adorning the intersection of ð Dong Khoi and ÐL Le Loi, this large colonial building with a wide staircase was built in 1897 and is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Officially known as the Municipal Theatre, the Opera House captures the extravagance of France's belle époque. Performances range from ballet and opera to modern dance and musicals. Built between 1877 and 1883, Notre Dame Cathedral gives life to the heart of the government quarter of Ho Chi Minh City, opposite ð Dong Khoi.
A neo-Romanesque red brick church, it has twin bell towers that are topped with spires and crosses that reach 60 m. This Catholic cathedral, named after the Virgin Mary, includes beautiful stained glass windows and interior walls inlaid with devotional tablets. Its red bricks were imported from Toulouse, France. There is also a perfectly preserved mummy of a local woman who died in 1869, excavated at Xom Cai in District 5; and some exquisite Chinese mother-of-pearl characters inlaid on panels.
It is located next to the Botanical Garden. Sail through Cholon (District) and discover a treasure trove of historic temples and Chinese flavors. Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City is less Chinese than it once was, largely due to the anti-capitalist and anti-Chinese campaign of 1978-79, when many ethnic Chinese fled the country, taking their money and entrepreneurial skills with them. These include elegant Funan-era sculptures of Vishnu, the Buddha and other venerated figures (carved from wood and stone), and Cham art dating from the 7th to the 14th century.
There are more statues scattered around the grounds and in the central courtyard (accessed from the back of the building). There is a selection of lovely prints on sale (from 150,000 D) in the shop. Building No. 2 next to it hosts lesser-known works and stages exhibitions.
Surrounded by real palm trees, the dissonant 1960s architecture of this emblematic government building and the haunting atmosphere of its deserted corridors make it an intriguing spectacle. The first communist tanks that arrived in Saigon rumbled here on April 30, 1975, and it's as if time had stopped ever since. The building is deeply associated with the fall of the city in 1975, but it is the kitschy details and period motifs that steal the show. It is also known as the Palace of Independence.
For cocktails as artistic as alcoholic, Shri Restaurant & Lounge tops the list. Located 23 floors above, sample innovative cocktails inspired by several neighborhoods, such as Ben Thanh with lychee and ginger found in the city's best-known market or Thao Cam Vien with notes of cucumber and elderflower, inspired by botanical gardens. From the 68-story Bitexco Financial Tower, or, indeed, its elegant EON Heli Bar on the 52nd floor, visitors can have a coffee while watching the world go by. At 81 stories high, Landmark 81, similar to Tetris, is the tallest building in Vietnam.
Its Blank Lounge, some 76 floors higher, is where they share the views of the sprawling metropolis with the public. With more countries introducing mandatory hotel quarantine for travelers arriving from other countries, a writer, who has just completed a 15-day hotel quarantine in Vietnam, shares her tips for making the most of it. The Ben Thanh Market in District 1 is one of the main tourist attractions in Saigon. It is the most famous market in Ho Chi Minh City and an excellent place to experience the local Vietnamese culture.
It is one of the first structures to be preserved in Saigon and a key symbol of the city. Being as popular as it is, Ben Thanh Market can be quite crowded, but it's definitely worth a visit, especially if this is your first time visiting Ho Chi Minh City. It has more than 1,500 stalls selling everything from lacquer items, textiles, handicrafts, bags, spices and shoes. Open daily from 6am to 11am, Banh Mi Hoa Ma specializes in banh mi op la, which is a breakfast dish consisting of a baguette, two fried eggs, liver pate, an assortment of meats and a garnish of pickled vegetables.
It is a delicious food dish that exemplifies the Vietnamese street food experience. Bitexco Financial Tower is a unique lotus-shaped skyscraper in District 1 that was once recognized as the tallest building in Vietnam. You can buy tickets for the observation deck at the boarding gate or in advance through Klook. The owner of Com Ga Xoi Mo Su Su is a kind of crazy genius who built this machine himself.
What it does is send a stream of hot oil (about 180° C) that spills onto the poached chicken and into a pool below before being sent again. We heard about Tao Dan Park in the Ho Chi Minh City episode of Somebody Feed Phil. It is a green space in District 1 with gardens, a Buddhist temple and a bird café. Vietnam House Restaurant is Luke's exclusive restaurant in District 1, serving elevated interpretations of classic Vietnamese street food dishes, such as banh xeo, goi cuon and cha gio.
If you are interested in enjoying a special meal in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam House Restaurant is a good place to go. Added to the fascinating cultural upheaval is a number of interesting tourist attractions, from the moving Museum of the Remnants of War and captivating water puppet shows to colourful markets and the time jump of the Reunification Palace. Not far from the city, the famous Cu Chi tunnels are a must-see attraction, and the lush waterscapes and small villages of the Mekong Delta offer a fascinating glimpse into rural life. About 60 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels are a must-see half-day trip and one of the best tours for visitors to the city.
This vast network of tunnels of more than 250 kilometers served as the basis for Viet Cong's military operations during the Vietnam War. Soldiers used the narrow tunnels as hiding places, hospitals, communication bases, supply routes and even housing. To make the most of your visit, consider joining a full-day VIP tour of the Mekong Delta of the Cu Chi Tunnels & from Ho Chi Minh City. This 11-hour tour includes round-trip transfers by VIP limousine or air-conditioned coach, snacks and cold drinks during the trip, as well as a full Vietnamese lunch (vegetarian option available).
You will visit the tunnels of Cu Chi, learn about the welfare of the guerrilla and the booby traps used in the tunnels, and then enter directly into one of the tunnels. After the tour, you will head to a local restaurant for lunch before continuing to the Mekong Delta. Here, you'll board a small boat to paddle along the coconut-lined canals before heading to a farm to sample local produce, such as honey, tea, and fruits grown there. The War Remnants Museum is one of Vietnam's most popular museums, with harrowing exhibits related to the horrors of war in this war-torn nation.
The museum focuses mainly on the Vietnam War, however, some exhibits refer to the first Indochina War with French colonialists. Vintage weapons and military vehicles are on display in the courtyard of the museum. After touring the countryside and tunnels of Cu Chi, you will find that these exhibits are even more moving, but keep in mind that some of the exhibits are not suitable for young children. Woman paddling along the Mekong Delta Sailing through the lush labyrinth of palm-fringed canals, rivers and islands of the Mekong Delta is a popular day trip that seems to be a world away from the hectic city of Ho Chi Minh City.
It offers a fascinating insight into the way of life of people who depend on this fragile waterway for their survival. With an area of about 40,000 square kilometers, the delta produces more than half of the country's grain and 90 percent of its exports, and is known for its floating markets, which usually take place early in the morning. From Ho Chi Minh City, delta excursions usually involve a 70-kilometer trip to My Tho, a market town on the banks of the Mekong River; a delta cruise and visits to local villages, farms and factories. The Small Group Adventure Tour Discovery of the Mekong Delta offers these activities, as well as the opportunity to sample traditional dishes and tropical fruits from the region.
The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater is perfect for families with young children and anyone who enjoys casual traditional entertainment. Water puppets originated in rural villages of the Red River Delta and have been performed in Vietnam for more than 1000 years. The evocative 19th century Thiên Hau Temple is one of the best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown (ChoLon) and one of the city's oldest Chinese temples. Dedicated to the Lady of the Sea, Thiên Hau, this evocative temple is visited by locals as well as tourists, and many of the materials used in its construction were brought from China.
Clouds of incense fly in the air, candles flicker on the altars and rays of sunlight pass through the partial roof as you enter the green wrought-iron doors and stroll through the small courtyard. From here, you can see the altar, with statues of the goddess and the intricate porcelain dioramas adorning the ceiling depicting scenes of 19th century Chinese life. According to legend, the goddess left two turtles to guard the temple in her absence. On the 23rd of the third lunar month, a parade is held in the neighborhood with the figure of Thiên Hau, who is believed to save seafarers stranded on the high seas.
Entrance to the temple is free. Built from 1877 to around 1883, the cathedral was intended to be a place of worship for colonial missions and a symbol of the power of the French colony. Notable interior features include 56 stained glass paintings by Lorin de Chartres, France; the 12 pillars representing the 12 apostles; and one of the oldest organs in Vietnam. To see inside, try visiting it in the morning or attending a Sunday mass.
Across the street, the French colonial-style post office, completed in 1891, was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the French architect of the Eiffel Tower. Today, the post office is still in use and is a popular gathering place for locals. Also known as the Municipal Theater of Ho Chi Minh City, the elegant Saigon Opera House, at the beginning of the famous tree-lined Le Loi Avenue, is an attraction for architecture lovers, especially fans of French colonial style. It was built as a Saigon Opera House in 1897 by Eugene Ferret, a French architect, to entertain French settlers, and its striking façade echoes the style of the Petit Palais, which was built that same year in Paris.
After 1956, the building was used as the seat of the assembly of the lower house of South Vietnam and again became a theater in 1975, after the fall of Saigon. The only way to see inside the theater is to buy a ticket for a show. A visit to the Reunification Palace, once known as the Palace of Independence, has more to do with the historical events that took place here than with any pomp and grandeur. In fact, this 1960s-style building, with its spacious and spacious rooms and dated furniture, seems frozen in time since April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese army tank crashed into the iron gates here, ending the Vietnam War.
For the locals, the palace represents this historic event and the reunification of the country. Set in 44 acres of lush gardens and lawns, the palace also offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of privileged heads of state in the 1960s in Saigon. It was built on the site of the former Norodom Palace, which was bombed by warplanes in 1962 in a failed assassination attempt on South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem. The current building was completed in 1966 and became the home and workplace of the successive president when Vietnam was divided between north and south.
Notable features include the president's dwellings, the war command room with large maps and outdated communications equipment, and the basement's maze of tunnels. You'll also see military vehicles outside, including the fighter plane that destroyed Norodom Palace and the 843 tank, which broke through the palace gate that fateful April day, more than four decades ago. Guided tours are offered in English. Almost as interesting as the museum's exhibits is the building itself, which dates back to 1929 and merges French and Asian architectural styles.
After viewing all of the museum's exhibits for about an hour, you can enjoy a relaxing stroll through the botanical gardens. Built in the early 20th century, the evocative Jade Emperor Pagoda (Chua Phuoc Hai) is located in a simple neighborhood a few blocks from the Botanical Garden. The temple was built in honor of the Taoist god, the Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, Ngoc Hoang, and inside its dimly lit interior, you will see many depictions of Buddhist and Taoist deities. While the northern half of Vietnam experiences a cold season between December and March, the southern half of the country experiences average temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
However, these are still the best months to visit Ho Chi Minh, as there is little rain, lots of blue skies and the humidity drops enough to make the weather more bearable. December can even give you a few days here and there when the temperature drops below 30 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, April is the hottest month, with temperatures above 30°C and high humidity. I went in the morning to buy my tickets for the night show, but sometimes (as I was informed), they can sell out due to all the tour groups.
According to your recommendation, I had a memorable trip to Ho Chi Minh and this is my 4-day itinerary in that city, it is an economic plan. It's outside the main tourist area, making it more of a local experience, but the hotel is very nice, family-run and the Vietnamese food in the area is fantastic. You'll find hotels like the classic Hotel Majestic Saigon and the famous Continental Hotel Saigon, located next to the Opera House. The Alagon Zen Hotel & Spa is a truly luxurious hotel in District 1, located halfway between Ben Thanh Market and the Reunification Palace.
Ho Chi Minh City is full of centuries-old and faded buildings from when it was still under French colonial rule. Perhaps most fascinating of all is the basement with its telecommunications center, war room and maze of tunnels, where huge old fans cut through the air and old radio transmitters feel impassive. Thank you very much for the support Steve, and I am glad to hear that you will be going to Ho Chi Minh City soon. A good example of neo-Romanesque architecture, the red-brick Notre Dame Cathedral is a distinctive landmark in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
The Giac Lam Pagoda is reputed to be the oldest temple in Ho Chi Minh City and dates back to 1744. You will be taken on a tour of the Cu Chi jungle and will be shown what life was like in the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. . .
