Saigon - Ho Chi Minh city Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 5 million people. Vibrant and alluring, this city offers something for everyone. It is a study in contrasts: traditional and modern, young and old, rich and poor. If you ever wondered what Bangkok must have been like before the gridlock or Hong Kong before the high rises, this is your chance. But don't wait too long, this place is changing fast. Plan on spending a minimum of 2 or 3 days, longer if you can.
The central downtown area is in District 1. Here's where you'll find the greatest variety of lodgings, including classic hotels in Ho Chi Minh City like the Grand, the Majestic and the Rex, as well as most of the newer, upscale hostelries. In recent years a lot of new hotel projects have been going up, creating a temporary glut, particularly in the high end of the market. The result is some pretty good deals on some really nice hotel rooms. We recommend first-timers stay in District 1, as it's close to many museums, historical sites, and good restaurants.
Numerous worthwhile sites within Ho Chi Minh City itself include the Historical Museum, Reunification Hall and the War Remnants Museum (formerly the War Crimes Museum). Within a day's drive there are also several attractions well-worth the trip. Bargain hunters will find good deals on native handicrafts and custom- tailored clothing. Of course, Ho Chi Minh City is also a great place to just sit and watch the action or take a leisurely tour in a cyclo to visit the historical sites, including Notre Dame Cathedral and the former U.S. embassies.
Downtown streets are dominated by two-wheeled traffic. Fashionably-dressed women with designer sunglasses, high heels and elbow-length gloves cruise past on their Hondas, followed by teenage girls wearing traditional Vietnamese Ao dai, peddling bicycles and holding hands. With few traffic lights, intersections are negotiated by slowing down and then weaving through the cross traffic, making eye contact with the closest riders. Pedestrians cross the street by simply walking into the melee, hardly breaking stride as the traffic swirls around them. It all sounds crazy, but it works!
Most offices, stores and museums open early, usually around 7:30 am. Most close their doors for lunch for up to 2 hours. The city literally shuts down between noon and 1. Doors reopen by 1:30 and stay open until around 4:30 or 5. Most restaurants stop serving at 10 pm.
Ho Chi Minh City has essentially two seasons: dry and wet. The dry season runs from November through April; the wet season from May through October. Dry or wet, it's always hot! If you arrive during the wet season, bring a raincoat and umbrella. Foreign tourists can get Vietnam visa on arrival easily at Tan Son Nhat Airport.
Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City Ben Thanh market has long been one of Saigon's most famous landmark. The market has been in existence since the French occupation. The original market was located on the shores of Ben Nghe river by old fort Gia Dinh. Its proximity to the fort and the river where merchants and soldiers would land was reason for its name (Ben meaning pier or port and Thanh meaning fort). In 1859, when the French invaded Saigon and overtook fort Gia Dinh, Ben Thanh Market was destroyed. It was rebuilt shortly thereafter and remained standing until it was moved to its present location in 1899. Built on a landfill of what was once a swamp named Bo Ret (Marais Boresse), the new Ben Thanh Market is located in the center of the city. Under the French government, the area around Ben Thanh Market was called Cu Nhac circle (Rond point Cuniac), named after Mr. Cuniac, the person who proposed filling the swamp to create this area. The area was later renamed Cong Truong Dien Hong.
Den Ngoc Hoang, Ho Chi Minh City Located in Dakao, first district, the temple was built by Cantonese Buddhists who settled in Saigon in the 19th century. The architectural style is heavily influenced by the Chinese of southern China.
4 guardians - Tu Dai Kim Cuong The Taoist deity (Emperor of Jade) is enshrined here along with his 4 guardians (Tu Dai Kim Cuong). The major attractions to the shrine are the elaborate carvings of the various deities as well as its unique architectural style of the interior. This temple is also home to the Hall of Ten Hells where there are carvings of various scenes of the various levels of hell.
History Museum, Ho Chi Minh City Located in Saigon's Botanical garden and Zoo, the museum opened its doors to the public in January 1, 1929. Originally, the museum was named Blanchard de la Brosse. In 1956, the museum was renamed Bao Tang Quoc Gia - National Museum. And finally, in 1979, the government renamed it Bao Tang Lich Su - Historical Museum.
Nha Tho Duc Ba, Ho Chi Minh City Proposed to be one of France's most ambitious project in Indochina at the time, Rev. Colombert laid the cornerstone for the cathedral on October 7, 1877. Three years later, in 1880, the cathedral was opened to the public. These two dates are inscribed on a marble placard in the cathedral. The bricks used to build the structure were shipped from Marseilles. Artisans from Lorin Company (Chartres, France) were commissioned to create the stained-glass windows. The cost of construction was a whopping 2.5 million francs. In 1962, the Vatican gave the cathedral the title Basilique.
Saigon Zoological and Botanical Garden, Ho Chi Minh City The Saigon Zoological and Botanical Garden in Ho Chi Minh City is the oldest cultural and historical park in Vietnam and has the country's largest collection of plants and animals. It was established in 1865 on an area of 12 ha close to the Rach Lang River in the north-east of city. The zoo opened with about 500 animals, birds and many species of plants that were seen in Vietnam for the first time such as cacao and coffee. In 1924, it was expanded to cover another 10ha and was officially named the Zoological and Botanical Garden five years later. In 1990, the Saigon Zoological and Botanical Garden was recognized as an official member of the Southeast Asia Association of Zoological Gardens. The zoo has become the country's largest of its kind and is a popular tourist attraction and an outdoor school for young Vietnamese.
The Saigon Zoological and Botanical Garden now houses some 800 animals of more than 120 species. The garden also houses rare species such as black-legged gibbons, flame-colored wolves and red headed cranes. Many precious trees have been planted throughout the zoo. Some are over 40m tall. It would take six people holding hands to circle the largest. The garden welcomes some 2 million visitors every year. The Saigon Zoological and Botanical Garden has just celebrated its 140th founding anniversary.
Vinh Nghiem Temple, Ho Chi Minh City Located on Cong Ly boulevard (or Nam Ky Khoi Nghia), Vinh Nghiem is south Vietnam's most majestic temple. Construction of the temple was completed in 1971 after the design was drawn by Mr. Nguyen Ba Lang and associates. The ground floor consists of the library, the auditorium, and offices. The temple is located in a large parcel of land. On the left of the upper court yard stands a tower or the seven-level Avalokitesvara Stupa. Next to the tower hangs a large bell given to the temple by the Japanese Buddhists Sangha.
Source: Đặt khách sạn