Ho Chi Minh City Overview

Ho Chí Minh City (formerly Saigon) has long been a hotbed of activity, but it only recently became the overcrowded powerhouse that it is today. The French made it the capital of colonial Indochine, endowing it with wide boulevards and grand architecture. During the American War, the city served as headquarters for US forces and international journalists, many of whom were captivated by its exotic atmosphere. Today, Ho Chí Minh City is the country’s largest and most populous city, and it remains on the cusp of all things new and en vogue. Although the city was renamed after the national Communist hero, it has since come down hard with capitalist fever. With Vietnam’s imminent entry into the World Trade Organization, investment is already pouring into the city. Merchants crowd every inch of sidewalk space, businesspeople broker international deals over their cell phones, and sparkling shopping centers cater to a growing number of upwardly mobile Vietnamese. The two-hour lunch is a thing of the past; people are beginning to work around the clock, without breaking on the weekends. Yet, underneath all the commercial mania is a forgotten underclass of people left behind by the progress. Ho Chí Minh City’s street people make their living selling gum or incense, and it is not clear when or if the city will pause to take stock of their desperate conditions. But Ho Chí Minh City is nothing if not a city of contrasts. It is also home to magnificent pagodas, lush gardens, and charming cafes. For visitors, these may be a welcome respite from the city’s frenetic pulse, which races at the same speed as the millions of motorbikes zipping down its streets. Given the way his namesake has turned out, Ho Chí Minh is probably rolling over in his tomb, but the locals aren’t fazed—after all, half the city still calls it Saigon.

Get LOST in Saigon’s endless alleyways. You haven’t seen the city properly until you’ve explored these hidden streets. Here is where all the normal life of the city takes place—cooking, cleaning, sleeping—and tourists are conspicuously absent. Start by diving into any alley between Phåm Ng´ Lão and Bùi Vi_n and see where it takes you.
Buy Everything at comically low prices in the city’s sprawling, raucous markets . Clothing, plastic fruit, and everything else that can reasonably sport a price tag can be yours. District 5 isn’t called “Big Market” (Ch Løn) for nothing.
Escape Saigon and head for the clean air and white shores of V´ng Tàu , HCMC’s very own French Riviera. Stretches of waterfront abound, as do many unexplained religious statues. The C© Chi Tunnels , former Vi_t Cng hideouts, also make for an ideal place to explore and awaken the claustrophobic in you.

History

Compared to the rest of the country, the area around H· Chí Minh City is a relatively new addition to the Vietnamese nation. Set in the swampland of the Saigon River, the city that is now home to more ...more

Intercity Transportation

After you land, be sure to keep your entry/exit form in a safe place, as you will need it upon your departure, along with US$14 for the departure tax. There are several means of transportation to and ...more

Orientation

H· Chí Minh City consists of 24 districts (quÆn, sometimes abbreviated Q): 12 numbered urban districts, seven named urban districts, and five named suburban districts. Most of the action takes place ...more

Local Transportation

Buses: The city bus system can be confusing to foreigners. Many stops are unmarked, and route maps are hard to come by (try asking for one at Innoviet Travel). Most buses are labeled with their ...more

Practical Information

Tourist Office: There is a SASCO tourist booth (☎ 844 6666; www.saigonairport.com) at the airport, just before the baggage claim. Services include hotel reservations and tour booking. Free maps available ...more

Accommodations

Most budget accommodations in H· Chí Minh City have a variety of room options: with or without air-conditioning, window, bath, balcony, etc. A few dollars more will get you a larger room with better ...more

Food

Pull up a plastic chair—the true taste of H· Chí Min City is in the streets. Sidewalk stands and market stalls may lack the sophisticated ambience Western travelers are used to, but the taste and ...more

Sights

Most of the city’s major sights lie within a short walking distance of one another in District 1. Only a few outside this area are worth visiting, but they can be reached easily by motorbike or taxi ...more

Shopping

H· Chí Minh City is a shopaholic’s paradise. Shops crowd every block, particularly in Districts 1 and 5—you’re likely to find whatever your heart desires there. The most exciting places to shop ...more

Entertainment And Nightlife

The nightlife around Phåm Ng´ Lão tends to attract mostly budget travelers, while the expatriates and young Vietnamese party in the ·ng Khi area. Bar licensing is strict in Vietnam and most places ...more

Daytrips From H· Chí Minh City

Many tour companies in the Phåm Ng´ Lão area organize guided trips to the tunnels for US$4; they are the easiest way to access them. Alternatively, take the #5 bus from B\n Thành station to C© Chi ...more