CONCIERGE LIST MUSEUMS AND BUILDINGS War Remnants 28 Vo Van Tan, AM: 7:30 to It primarily contains exhibits relating to the Museum District 3 12:00 American phase of the Vietnam War. Lunch closed Definitely worth going to. Some of the exhibits PM: 13:30 to can be disturbing / emotional. 17:00 Admission fee: VND15,000 per person Reunification Palace 135 Nam Ky Khoi AM: 7:30 to Was the home and workplace of the President (Independence Nghia, District 1 11:00 of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It Palace) Closed for was the site of the end of the Vietnam War Lunch during the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, PM: 13:00 – when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed 16:00 through its gates. A quick walk around is interesting. Check out the basement where the Government ran the war from – a bit like Churchill’s War Rooms. Admission fee: VND15,000 per person The Fine Art Museum 97A Pho Duc 9:00 to 17:00 The building dating from 1829 was the home Chinh, District 1 Closed on of a Chinese-born businessman known as Mondays Uncle Hoa (1845-1901), one of the 4 richest men in Vietnam at that time. A mixed collection from modern, wartime and centuries old carvings and pottery, also houses a galleria where you can buy paintings. Worth a visit if you enjoy art & architect. Phenomenal colonial era mansion built with a combination of French and Chinese architecture Admission fee: VND10,000 per person Saigon Central Post 2 Cong Xa Paris 6:30 to 17:00 It was designed and constructed by the Office – Across from the famous architect Gustave Eiffel - best known Notre Dame for the world-famous Eiffel Tower. It was Cathedral constructed between1886 - 1891. Nice building, fun to look inside if you’re walking pass. Free admission Saigon Opera House Lam Son Square It is an example of French – Dong Khoi, Colonial architecture in Vietnam, was District 1 completed by 1 January 1900. http://www.hbso.org.vn/default.aspx => Check event schedule. Located right in the city center and main shopping street. A must-go. You can see À Ố Show there and we can help to arrange tickets. Saigon Notre-Dame Cong xa Paris, The cathedral was constructed between 1877 Cathedral Basilica District 1 and 1880. All building materials were imported from France. The outside wall of the cathedral was built with bricks from Marseille and these 197/2 Nguyen Van Huong Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam T +84-8-3744 6090 F +84-8-3744 6094 www.villasong.com bricks have retained their bright red color until today. Just across from the Central Post Office and considered landmark of the city. Beautiful pictures can be taken from Lotteria inside Diamond Plaza (opposite) TOURS (Front Office can help make reservations for you) Sophie’s Art Tours www.sophiesarttour Half-day tour with Sophie wandering around galleries and .com museums. She describes the History of the last 150 years of Vietnam through art. Runs from Tue to Sat (tours on Sun can be arranged). A must-go if you’re into arts. Cu Chi Tunnels Tour Les Rives Half-day tour. Boat pick-up direct from Villa Song’s private pier. Take approximately 1hrs & 20’ to get there (more than 2hrs by cars). Including breakfast and traditional Vietnamese lunch (for AM tour from 7:45AM – 1:35PM) or light dinner (for PM tour from 11:45AM to 5:30PM), unlimited refreshments and local fruits, English speaking guide. Early arrival to avoid crowds. Scenic yet informative journey with a look of river life along Saigon river. 5hrs tour length. Mekong Delta Tour Les Rives Full-day tour. Including light breakfast and lunch (traditional Vietnamese), unlimited refreshments and local fruits, English speaking guide. Free hotel pick-up drop off by car. Key cultural stops include a Cao Dai Temple, a riverside market, a pagoda, farmlands and local pottery workshops. A visit to an orphanage runs by Buddhist monks. 7 – 9hrs tour length. Less time on boat, more time to explore. Vietnam Vespa Multiple options from half-day city tour to full-day exploring Adventure Mekong Delta area. 30% OFF for kids under 12. Recommend “Saigon After Dark”. Night excursion while eating street food like a local. Other recommendations available at Front Desk: Roads tour (City tour, Cu Chi, Mekong Delta, Vung Tau, Can Gio…), Cooking Class, Jeep tours, Sports (Golf, Scuba diving, Tennis, Pony club, Rock climbing…) SHOPPING MARKETS & SHOPPING CENTERS Ben Thanh Market District 1 One of Saigon symbols. Can buy local handicrafts, textiles, áo dài and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine. Hot and humid inside, light clothes are recommended. Have fun bargaining and bargaining hard. Night market at outdoor area. Binh Tay Market – Chinatown, District Day and night wholesale market, non-tourist area. It’s a good Cho Lon 6 40’ drive to get there. Sellers don’t speak English (unlike Ben Thanh Market), bargain by calculator. Can find a church and a few temples around market area (Cha Tam Church, Quan Am Temple, Thien Hau Temple) Dong Khoi Street District 1 Tourist Street where you can find some of the luxury brands together with local traditional stuffs (Vietnamese silk and embroidered items). Lot of options for restaurants and coffee shops to sit and rest. Saigon Square 1 & 2 77 Nam Ky Khoi Local shopping area, air-conditioned. Mainly clothes, shoes and Nghia/ 7 Ton Duc accessories and lot of “original fakes”. Both sell similar Thang st products. Bargaining is a must and walk away tactic works all the time. TAKAPlaza 102 Nam Ky Khoi Same products with Saigon Square but better quality and Nghia, District 1 prices. Still have to bargain. Hidden shopping gem for locals. 197/2 Nguyen Van Huong Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam T +84-8-3744 6090 F +84-8-3744 6094 www.villasong.com SHOPS Duy Tan Saigon 76A Le Loi, District Small & Unique. Specializes in traditional Vietnamese lacquer Artisan 1 ware, ceramics, tableware, and jewelry…Fixed price and worth a stop-by. Ipa Nima 77 -79 Dong Khoi & Little shop with truly original quirky, colorful and trendy items. 71 Pasteur, District Good quality and imaginatively designed bags, clothes and 1 accessories. Libé 3rd Floor, 26 Ly Tu Vietnamese clothing label. Chic and Cool. Trong, District 1 Lam Boutique 98 Mac Thi Buoi, Vietnamese clothing lable. Feminine and sensual, modern yet District 1 classic. Sadec District 3A Station, 3A Ton The store’s name, Sadec, refers to one of the places in Duc Thang, District southern Vietnam where the Mekong river ends. All of items are 1 inspired or bought from villages and towns along the Mekong. A place for distinctive ceramics and crafts. Gaya Showroom & 3 Tran Ngoc Dien, Modern home decor. Gaya is the first international designer Winebar District 2 showroom in Vietnam including Quasar Khanh. Verlim Interior Design 152 Le Lai, District Formal and traditional style. Specialize in the design and 1 production of furniture, lighting, upholstery, carpets and accessories Fahasa Bookstore 40 Nguyen Hue, Best choice for English books. Maps and stationary also District 1 available. TAILOR Dzung Tailor 221 Le Thanh Ton, One of the most reliable and respected men’s tailors in town. District 1 Great quality with tons of various fabrics in all colors. Tel: 08 38 29 67 78 / 76 [email protected] Uyen Tailor 13 Nguyen Thiep, English-speaking staff and a good selection of fabrics. District 1 Reasonable prices. Phan's Custom Tailor 85B Le Thanh Ton, Product range from men and women's suit, shirts, uniforms, District 1 dresses to accessories such as neck-tie, bow-tie, and handkerchief. Also provide online custom tailoring. Tel: 08 6686 2062 www.phancollection.com ARTS Ben Thanh Art & 7 Nguyen Thiep, Very good collection of local Vietnamese art. Served most of Frame AND District 1 luxury hotels in Vietnam: Hyatt, Sheraton, InterContinental, Gallerie Nguyen & 9 Dong Khoi, Caravelle… District 1 Galerie Quynh 65 De Tham, Features contemporary art of not only Vietnamese but also District 1 international artists. Modern exhibition space. (Tue – Sat from 1PM – 6PM) Phuong Mai Art & 7 – 9 Phan Chu Vietnam Painting Art Café Trinh, District 1 Apricot Gallery 50 -52 Mac Thi Impressive space, with three floors filled with art. Worth a visit Buoi, District 1 to see high quality local art. Lotus Gallery 67 Pasteur, District Traditional and contemporary Vietnamese fine arts. 1 FOOD.FOOD.FOOD (Front Office can help make reservations for you) Cuc Gach Quan 10 Dang Tat, Located in a beautiful French colonial designed house and Restaurant District 1 serves real fresh and authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Family- (Vietnamese) style. Gossip: Bratt Pitt and Angelina Jolie dined here. 197/2 Nguyen Van Huong Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam T +84-8-3744 6090 F +84-8-3744 6094 www.villasong.com Hoa Tuc Restaurant 74 Hai Ba Trung, The restaurant is housed in a former opium factory, shared by (Vietnamese) District 1 several other restaurants. It has both air-conditioned area and also al fresco dining area at the front and on the side of the building. Good Vietnamese food. Cooking class available during daytime. Bloom Restaurant 3/5 Hoang Sa, Beautiful French colonial villa serves Vietnamese family dishes. (Vietnamese) District 1 Off tourist commonplace. Temple Club 29 – 31 Ton That It serves good cocktails and food, classy and authentic (Vietnamese) Thiep, District 1 Vietnamese. All the furniture and accessories are for sale. Fanny’s ice cream is downstairs.