Visit Hô Chi Minh (Saigon): what are the best things to do and see in Vietnam's largest city?
Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon was a time the capital of Vietnam , title she has left to Hanoi since. Today the country’s economic lung, Ho Chi Minh is a big city often chaotic and noisy like its Asian sisters. The flow of scooters in the great avenues never seems to stop and such an effervescence can scare travellers who come to visit the beauties of Vietnam and not the big cities. However, you must read this article to find out what to do and see in Saigon to take advantage of your precious time of barouder. Here are the activities and things not to be missed in Ho Chi Minh.
1. Turn around the most beautiful pagodas, and temples
The "Kaleidoscopic" pagoda Jade Emperor is generally considered the most spectacular of the city, but it is part of a long list of other pagodas. To see Chinese temples and pagodas, head to the neighborhood Cholon . You will see in particular the Temple of Bà Thiên HÃu and Pagoda Quan Am . For a dose of South India colors, go to the Mariamman Temple, which was built in the 19th century by traders to honor the Hindu goddess Mariamman. 
Flickr – lecercle
2. Drink a delicious coffee
Since its introduction to Vietnam by French settlers in the 19th century, coffee has become a national obsession that rivals ours. The iced coffee, known locally as "ca phé sua da", is generally preferred in coffee. It is prepared with a black coffee corsé and filtered gout by a metal filter (French style) called "ca phe phe phin". It is served with sweet condensed milk and ice. This is the perfect whip! It gets so hot, and in both cases it is a regal . Click here to get one map of the best places for a delicious coffee in Ho Chi Minh City.
3. Visit interesting museums
Saigon has some very interesting museums on the history of the country, but also on the Vietnam War. Two museums are to be visited in priority:
- The War Museum (War Remnants Museum): Sensitive souls abstain, it offers graphic examples of some of the worst incidents that took place during the Vietnam War and the unfamiliar Chinese invasion that followed. There are austere photographs, weapons posters and remains of fetus deformed by chemicals. On the second floor, a permanent exhibition presents the work of some of the best photographers who covered the war, including many who died for their efforts. The museum is closed between noon and two.
- Comfortably installed in the middle of the botanical gardens in a beautiful French colonial building of 1929, the History Museum exhibits 4,000 years of Vietnamese life and culture since the Bronze Age. The collection includes objects from Cham and Khmer civilizations as well as objects illustrating the culture of mountain lands, revolutionary periods and even gifts given to President Ho Chi Minh before his death. Everything is not labeled, but the museum frame justifies the visit. In the garden there are warplanes.
4. See the Tunnels of C POL Chi
At an hour’s drive outside the city, try the claustrophobic experience of the tunnels used by Viet Cong to escape the attention of the American and Vietnamese forces of the South. The visitable part of the C POL Chi tunnels only makes a few hundred meters, but after crawling on your hands and knees through the tunnels poorly lit for a few minutes, passing through storage rooms, schools and dormitories, it will be difficult for you to imagine living underground weeks as we do up to 16,000 people (!). On the surface, you will find examples of the many devastating traps used by the rebels to mutilate and injure every nearby enemy. On site it is possible to shoot at the AK-47 and other weapons.
Wikimedia - Bencmq
5. Attend the Midday Mass at Cao Dai Temple
If you are going to explore the Cu Chi tunnels, your day will be coupled to the visit of the Temple Cao Dai de Tây Ninh . This temple of remarkable architecture is to be seen! Inside you will find a beautifully decorated room. Think about getting on the coursework before noon to attend the Mass which takes place half day. The ceremony is very beautiful.
Flickr – dalbera
6. Discover the Mekong Delta
Often nicknamed Vietnam’s “great of rice”, this floating labyrinth of 39,000 km2 remains one of the country’s most densely populated areas. About four hours of road are needed from Ho Chi Minh to arrive in another world, where markets, villages and schools float on tentacular estuaries. The simplest is to book a tour of at least 2 days on the Mekong Delta to enjoy a minimum (the road is long). You can even rally Cambodia by the Mekong by boat if you prefer to avoid the road or plane to reach the neighbouring country.
7. Cross the street
Vietnam had over 35 million scooters and motorcycles in 2012 and Ho Chi Minh was the most populous city, its streets overflowing with two wheels . There is not too much traffic rule and you will have trouble with it cross the street if you are shy and hesitant. You must not be scared, just be determined and commit. The experience will make you smile (after having been hot...). It seems that the best way to cross the street is to close your eyes, take a big breath, (do your prayers), and move forward with a sustained pace. The scooters will then naturally avoid you to form as a shell around you (if!).
8. Spend admiring the Cathedral and Post Office
Notre Dame Cathedral , which was built by the French in the 19th century is not necessarily engaging at first sight (not in the second in fact ;-)). But take a look at it during a day of walking tour of the city for example. Right next door. Central Post Office Gothic style has been open since 1886. Inside, the metal structure designed by Gustave Eiffel gives a rounded shape to the ceiling. The walls decorated with French colonial maps frame a portrait of Ho Chi Minh, while the elaborate tiles complete the refined look of the room.
9. Eat for nothing at all
Ho Chi Minh is part of 10 best cities to eat in the street . And here you will only eat for a handful of dongs . Pho soup is the national dish and you will find it everywhere in the street for less than one euro. To eat more heartily, head to the Byen Thành Market , where you can also do some good business on the tissues and bibelots.
Flickr – jepoirrier
10. Get out and enjoy the nightlife
In recent years, ephemeral bars (or street) have begun to bloom in the city, taking advantage of empty pitches by construction work, and offering cheap beer, grilled meats and a good atmosphere. We find rue Pasteur and Thái Văn Lung. Those looking for bars and clubs can go to the corner of Bui Vien and De Tham in the Routards quarter . Otherwise, it is interesting to climb to the 23rd floor of the Sheraton Saigon hotel, which offers a rooftop bar with excellent cocktails and surely the best view of the city by night . Even the premises go.
How to get to Ho Chi Minh City?
The national company Vietnam Air offers regular flights from France to Ho Chi Minh City. The majority of major European companies such as Air France or Lufthansa also offers flights to Saigon. Qatar Airways airplanes also fly to Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City by calling to Doha. Find cheap flights to Saigon on our partner's website Ulysses .
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
Loger to Ho Chi Minh City is really cheap. This is the advantage of South-East Asian countries, where the cost of living is still far below the western countries. Several neighbourhoods or places are preferred to sleep in Saigon, such as the street "Pham Ngu Lao" which is the "routards" district, the Ben Thanh district which is not far from the Cathedral of Saigon, or the Thao Dien district, more residential but also more cosmopolitan. To find a cheap hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, search this Compare hotels .
Have you been to Ho Chi Minh (or Saigon)? How did you find this town? Give your opinion!
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