Vietnam
HO CHI MINH CITY
Formally known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City resounds with the motorcycle noise & ‘chaotic calm’ of Vietnam’s most populous city. Renamed Ho Chi Minh City, after the historic Viet Cong victory, this metropolis beckons exploration. Colorful markets appear around every corner and motorbikes swarm the streets. Juggling its war-torn past with its forward-thinking economic future, Saigon boasts charm, intrigue and a youthful spirit that will delight you at every turn.
The city is traversed by many rivers, arroyos and canals; the biggest river being the Saigon River. The Port of Saigon, established in 1862, is accessible to ships weighing up to 30,000 tons, a rare advantage for an inland river port.
The climate is generally hot and humid. There are two distinctive seasons: the rainy season, from May to November, and the dry season, from December to April. The annual average temperature is 27oC. The hottest month is April and the lowest is December. It is warm to hot year-round.
Wander through timeless alleys to ancient pagodas or teeming markets, past ramshackle wooden shops selling silk, spices and baskets, before fast-forwarding into the future; modern skyscrapers or designer malls, gourmet restaurants and minimalist bars.
Today, Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest overseas visitor center in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City has various iconic attractions such as the Ho Chi Minh Museum, (formerly known as Dragon House Wharf), Cu Chi Tunnels, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, Reunification Palace and numerous cultural houses. More recently, modern visitor sites such as Thanh Da, Binh Quoi Village, Dam Sen Park, Saigon Water Park and Suoi Tien, Ky Hoa are gaining popularity.
The city is traversed by many rivers, arroyos and canals; the biggest river being the Saigon River. The Port of Saigon, established in 1862, is accessible to ships weighing up to 30,000 tons, a rare advantage for an inland river port.
The climate is generally hot and humid. There are two distinctive seasons: the rainy season, from May to November, and the dry season, from December to April. The annual average temperature is 27oC. The hottest month is April and the lowest is December. It is warm to hot year-round.
Wander through timeless alleys to ancient pagodas or teeming markets, past ramshackle wooden shops selling silk, spices and baskets, before fast-forwarding into the future; modern skyscrapers or designer malls, gourmet restaurants and minimalist bars.
Today, Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest overseas visitor center in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City has various iconic attractions such as the Ho Chi Minh Museum, (formerly known as Dragon House Wharf), Cu Chi Tunnels, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, Reunification Palace and numerous cultural houses. More recently, modern visitor sites such as Thanh Da, Binh Quoi Village, Dam Sen Park, Saigon Water Park and Suoi Tien, Ky Hoa are gaining popularity.
