Located to the south of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is a center of entertainment, education, cuisine, commerce and also one of
the biggest cities in Vietnam. With a number of tourist attractions, Ho Chi Minh
City usually is the top attraction which could draw the attention of the
tourists.
The tunnels of Củ Chi are an immense network
of connecting underground tunnels located in the Củ Chi district of Ho Chi Minh
City (Saigon), Vietnam, and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that
underlie much of the country. The Củ Chi tunnels were the location of several
military campaigns during the Vietnam War, and were the Viet Cong's base of
operations for the Tết Offensive in 1968.
The tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers
as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply
routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous
North Vietnamese fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the
Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces, and helped to counter the
growing American military effort.
Independence
Palace
Independence Palace, also known as the
Reunification Palace, Independence Palace also known as Reunification built on
the site of the former Norodom Palace, is a landmark in Hochiminh City,
Vietnam. The Palace is one of the most fascinating things to see in Saigon. It
was designed by architect o Viet Thuu and was the home and workplace of the
President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. With regard to history, this
building witnessed every historic event happening to the Saigon government
until the regime finally collapsed in April 30, 1975.
Under the Saigon regime, the Independence
Palace always symbolized the power of the government of South Vietnam. In the
end, on the morning of April 30, 1975, a tank of the Liberation forces crashed
into the iron gate of the palace terminating the existence of a regime. In
addition to historic value, the Reunification Palace is also famed for its
architectural characteristics which are unique in Vietnam.
Located in the heart of downtown Saigon, the
Reunification Palace was built on a block of 12 hectares, bordering four
streets: Nam Ky Khoi Nghia in the front (the main entrance is open to Le Duan
Boulevard), Huyen Tran Cong Chua in the back, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai on the right
and Nguyen Du on the left. Surrounded by immense lawns and high trees in its
gardens, the main building of the palace is modern architecture, typical of the
60's. Before 1975, access to the palace and some surrounding areas was
prohibited to the public. Now the site has become a famous tourist attraction
in HCM City. The palace hosts about 700-1,000 tourists per day on average.
War
Remnants Museum
In order to save the heroic remnants of the
Vietnamese people in the struggle against the invading forces, and to denounce
the crimes and highlighted the devastating consequences of the war of
aggression, the War Remnants Museum was established.
Currently the War Remnants Museum is a unit
under the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hochiminh City. Located in
the museum system of Vietnam, the War museum aims to preserve and display the
material, photographs, artifacts on the evidence of the crime and the
consequences of the war that the invasion force has caused to Vietnam.
Moreover, the Museum also educates the
public, especially the younger generations, in mental struggle for independence
and freedom of the country, the anti-war sense of invasion in order to protect
peace and solidarity friendship between the peoples of the world. Museum store
more than 20,000 documents, exhibits and films, in which more than 1,500
documents, artifacts, films have been applied to introduce in eight exhibitions
frequently.
In 35 years, the Museum has welcomed over 15
million visitors at home and abroad. Currently, with about 500,000 visitors
each year, the War Remnants Museum is one of the only cultural tourism to
attract high public credibility at home and abroad.
Situated right in the heart of Hochiminh
City, Notre Dame Cathedral is the most famous landmark as well as main
cathedral of the city. It is a famous age-long cathedral in Southern Vietnam,
attracting not only Catholics but also most tourists for its Romanesque style
architecture and a sacred atmosphere. Established by French colonists, it has
two bell towers, reaching a height of over 58 meters.
Apart from the religious meaning that
attracts tourists, the even more special captivating point of Notre Dame
Cathedral is its special style of architecture. The cathedral foundation was
designed to bear 10 times the weight of the cathedral. In front of the
cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary. On a whole, the architecture and two
58m-high square towers tipped with iron spires dominate the city’s sky line, creating
a beautiful religious site.
Set amidst the active and continuously
moving Saigon, the Notre Dame Cathedral is considered a stop for seekers of old
beauties and calmness as well as one of the most popular tourist attractions in
Hochiminh City. For those who wish to ease their mind from stresses of daily
life and immerse in tranquil atmosphere of religious buildings, touring this
diversified city under religious theme will give you the perfect chance to
explore the religions, the architecture and the cultural meanings lying behind
well-known religious places in Hochiminh City such as Notre Dame Cathedral.
The
Municipal Theater
This Municipal Theater is one of the
landmarks left by the French in Saigon. This magnificent building was built at
the turn of the 20th century as a classical opera house to entertain French
colonists. The theater has been undergone extensive renovations in recent
years. The three-story interior houses some 1,800 seats.
Today the Municipal Theater does very little
in terms of performances, but it is a stalwart atmospheric holdout amid the
rising steel and glass downtown. It features a pair of white statues of girls
at the gate, chandeliers, bronze statues that are placed at the stairs, a stone
veranda, an audience hall that has the capacity to hold 1800 people at a
particular time and rows of statues on the two sides of the theater.
These features reflect the French style. To
watch a classical concert or a jazz concert, operas, traditional Vietnamese
dances and ballets, you need to head to this place and it opens from 8.00 am to
10.00 pm. The front space of the theater is utilized by the local youths as
they use this space to make arrangements for various kinds of exciting
activities.
Giac
Lam Pagoda
Giac Lam Pagoda, built in 1744, is the
oldest Buddhist temple in Hochiminh City and as such was listed as an important
historical site by the Vietnamese Department of Culture. Situated in Tan Binh
District, the pagoda is surrounded by spacious, walled garden and fronted by
statues of dragons, the protective guardians to many temples here.
Inside, this richly decorated shrine is
comprised of three areas: the ceremonial hall, the chanting hall and the
refectory. This large and sprawling establishment houses beautifully rendered
images of Buddha in various incarnations, along with numerous Taoist deities,
each with own altar. All the wooden pillars are decorated with red-and-gold
Chinese characters. The ceremonial hall is dominated by the large statue of
Amitabha Buddha, who is surrounded by five smaller Buddha images.
Also in the main hall is the nine dragon
altar depicting the birth of Prince Sidharta, the future Buddha Gotama.
Outside, a new addition, the 32-meter tall stupa dominates the temple grounds.
This seven-story high, hexagonal structure contains a Buddha relic housed on
the top floor. Visitors can climb up to the top floor for panoramic views of
the city. In front of the stupa stands the white statue of Kuan Yin, the
Goddess of Mercy on an open lotus flower – a symbol of purity.
Saigon
Central Post Office
Saigon Central Post Office is a post office
in the downtown Hochiminh City, near Notre Dame Cathedral, the city's main
cathedral. The building was constructed when Vietnam was part of French
Indochina in the early 20th century.
It has an ancient architectural style and
was designed and constructed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel in harmony
with the surrounding area. Today, the building is a tourist attraction.
Inside the Saigon Central Post Office of
special note are two painted maps that were created just after the post office
was first built, the first one located on the left side of the building is a
map of Southern Vietnam and Cambodia titled “Lignes telegraphiques du Sud
Vietnam et Cambodge 1892” which translates to “Telegraphic lines of Southern
Vietnam and Cambodia 1892”. The second map of greater Saigon was titled “Saigon
et ses environs 1892” translating to “Sai Gon and its environment 1892”.
Ben
Thanh Market
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. Ben Thanh Market is a well-known market that you should visit when
coming to Hochiminh City.
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. In the morning, you can find
almost everything from dry food to clothes for a reasonable price. However,
always remember that bargain is a must in any Vietnamese market. There a number
of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers guests dishes
freshly made to the order so that visitors can taste various kinds of local
dishes.
Things from clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry
to kitchen ware, grocery, sweets, and great Vietnamese coffee, or you can say
everything that Saigon people need for their daily life can be found here.
Besides goods for daily use, tourists can find a variety of eye-catching local
handicrafts, souvenirs here. Just picking up some cute things, visitors have
got small gifts for friends and family at home or something to remind them
about the trip to Ho Chi Minh City.
Hochiminh
City People’s Committee
Officially known as the Hochiminh City
People's Committee Building, the Saigon Town Hall was first known as the Hotel
de Ville when it was completed in 1908. The building stands at one end of
Nguyen Hue Boulevard on The Le Thanh Ton Street, a brisk walk away from Dong
Khoi Street. Its French builders drew inspiration from town halls in Europe.
Modeled on the original Hotel de Ville in Paris and built between 1902 and
1908, the People's Committee Hall is the former City Hall or Hotel de Ville of
Saigon.
The building was known as the City Hall of
Saigon before 1975. Since the fall of Saigon in 1975, this impressive colonial
building has served as the Headquarters for the Hochiminh City People's
Committee, and a statue of Uncle Ho sits triumphantly in the garden surrounding
the hall. Often referred to as "Gingerbread House" due to the
yellowish tinge and ornate features of the exterior, the hall is at its most
striking after dark, when the entire building is floodlit.
It's just as well the outside is so
impressive, as members of the public won't get any closer than that; only state
officials are allowed in this working government building. The Town Hall is
closed to the public, as it is an official Vietnamese government building. Its
beautiful French Colonial architecture and sunny cream-and-yellow hue, along
with its iconic statue of Ho Chi Minh, make it a tourist favorite and a symbol
of Saigon.
Vietnam
History Museum
Housed in a rambling concrete pagoda-like
structure, the museum presents a clear picture of Vietnamese history, with a focus
on the south. Although some of the artifacts are being held together by Scotch
tape, there's an excellent selection of Cham sculpture and the best collection
of ancient ceramics in Vietnam.
Weaponry from the 14th century onward is on
display; one yard is nothing but cannons. There are even some general
background explanations in English, something missing from most Vietnamese
museums. A small three-row theater inside the museum shows regular water puppet
performances. It's an intimate venue, and the performance is more clever and
witty than the for-the-tourists water puppet show in Hanoi.
Here, you can see the crumpled remains of an
American reconnaissance plane shot down, as well as more utilitarian vehicles,
troop carriers, and the construction equipment from the U.S. defoliation
campaign. The museum has little in the way of English explanations and it's
more or less a place for Vietnamese school field trips, but Vietnam War
enthusiasts can find some weaponry and tools not displayed in other museums in
town.
Nha
Rong Wharf
Nha Rong Wharf or Ho Chi Minh Museum is a
tourist site attracting tourists, who can expect to learn about the rich
culture and history of Vietnam. Nha Rong Wharf was the first largest trading
harbor of Saigon in 1862. The main purpose of building this wharf is meeting
the demand of transportation among the colonized Vietnam and the world. Ho Chi
Minh, the greatest leader of Vietnam in history, set sail on a French ship
named Admiral La Touche Treville at this place in 1911 and departed Vietnam for
his 30-year journey around the world.
In September 1979, it is reformed into Ho
Chi Minh Museum branch in a city, but it did not change the name. In terms of
its architecture, the wharf was designed which combining the French style and
Vietnamese style. It is quite similar to other French architectures in Vietnam.
The main building was constructed following the French characteristic, but
there are 2 Vietnamese dragon-shaped statues on the top of roof.
You can easily find out the similarity detail in the architecture of Vietnamese traditional temples or pagodas. It is said that the name of the wharf comes from this decoration. It is home to a rich collection of 3,000 pictures and 700 artifacts, personal belongings and journals as well as many scripts and publications relating to President Ho Chi Minh.
Nguyen
Hue pedestrian street
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport
opened Nguyen Hue as a walking street on April 29, attracting around 3,000
pedestrians.
The project on upgrading and turning Nguyen
Hue into a pedestrian street was started in September 2014 with a total
investment of VND 470 billion (US$21.7 million).
The walking street, 670 metres long and 64
metres wide, features two musical water fountains with laser light beams, free
wifi service and an information centre for tourists.
As many as 160 wooden chairs will be placed
along the two sides of the street and 20 electric cars will be put into
operation in the area.
In the coming time, Nguyen Hue street is
scheduled to join its neighbouring streets: Le Loi, Ham Nghi and Dong Khoi to
form a pedestrian area in Ho Chi Minh City.
Eating
in Hochiminh City
When the visitors come to Ho Chi Minh City,
they should not miss any local dish. It offers an amazing array of food for
visitors and you will discover that there is a lot more to Vietnamese food than
just Pho (noodle) and Banh Mi (bread), and discover the complexity of flavor
that can come from the use of fresh, simple ingredients. Everywhere you look,
no matter what the time of day, there are people eating and preparing food.
Food is prepared or eaten constantly in Vietnam.
Street
food
Throughout Ho Chi Minh City you’ll see men
and women pushing around portable street carts. Sometimes, they’ll be selling
one kind of fruit, or something else simple and other times they will be
pushing around what is essentially a small cooking station with a few shelves.
Many of the drinks and dishes that I’ve described above can be found on these
roaming street carts.
The same thing goes for fresh fruit vendors,
who can also be found throughout Ho Chi Minh City. Just like everywhere else in
the world, food and dinner is what brings the family together. Many families
got together for dinner on this busy street corner every night.
Finally, we get to the one dish that most
foreigners associate with Vietnam, a noodle dish that is deserving of its own
heading. Pho is a noodle soup consisting of broth, flat rice noodles, herbs and
meat, usually beef or chicken. The quality and style of pho varies quite a bit
between vendors. Pho is served with a variety of condiments and side, exactly
what you’ll get depends on the vendor.
There is a fairly typical selection of
limes, chili, mint and basil, as well as a variety of sauces to the side.
Especially, there is a sweet chilli sauce. Unlike the watered down sweet chili
sauce that’s typical in Western countries, this sauce sweet, but also properly
chili. It’s also a lot less thick in its consistency.
Noodles
A rather sweet soup with thick, udon-like
noodles filled with large mushrooms and some sort of meat is what’s contained
in the bowl. To top it off is a semi-soft egg type. It’s a very hearty and
tasty dish. Everywhere you go in Ho Chi Minh City, someone is doing their own
take on a dish. The differences are subtle, but they are there and over time
you start to get a real appreciation of the variety and complexity of
Vietnamese food.
At these stores, soy sauce, fish sauce, and
chili were on the table, awaiting a meal that they could be added to. There are
some noodles make from quite strange things. One of them is made from herbs,
meat, mushrooms and sausage were combined in the soup and it was topped off
with a fried wonton. In this kind of store, the ingredients are cooked right
out the front on these small cooking stations.
This is the traditional dishes which could
be used in terms of the rolls. It is just like a spring roll of the western
people, but this food is not stirred. The delicious thing is that the shrimp
and vegetable are so tender. Spring Rolls are another dish that many people
outside of Vietnam associate with the country.
They are very common throughout Ho Chi Minh
City. The rolls are prepared fresh out the front, with a seafood and pork
option. Dipping sauces include a peanut sauce containing hoisin sauce and a
mixed fish sauce.
Banh Mi is one of the foods that people
commonly associate with Vietnam and is a delicious snack that shows how fusion
food, when done right, can be brilliant. “Banh Mi” is actually the Vietnamese
word for all kinds of bread, which was introduced to the country by the French.
The food that most people in the West refer to as Banh Mi is actually Banh Mi,
followed by other words denoting the type of sandwich.
The meat is usually some kind of steamed or
roasted pork belly, grilled chicken, Vietnamese sausage, or other pork related
meat. Usual condiments include pate, sliced cucumber, coriander, pickled
carrots and shredded daikon. Common condiments include chili sauce, sliced
chilies, mayonnaise and cheese. Stalls selling bread can be found throughout
Hochiminh City. Have a look at the ingredients and if it looks good, go for it.
Pointing is generally the way to choose your fillings. I like to get mine with
“the lot”. For the freshest bread, eat banh mi in the morning or early evening.
.jpg "Vietnamese New Year 2015")
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