Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam: a complete guide. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Aka Saigon Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Vietnam is the largest city in Vietnam, with a population of about 7.5 million people, which is located in the south of the country in the Megong River delta. City Ho Chi Minh City today is a major center of correction and industry Vietnam. There are about 300 thousand enterprises for 7.5 million inhabitants.

South Vietnam is one hell of a frying pan when it comes to climate. Or a trip to my pioneer childhood, if you remember the number of red flags, plaster pioneers and pioneer women in the parks and some subtle, but clearly traceable spirit of the Soviet Union. And also a web of wires woven by a giant macrame lover, smoking incense in ancient temples, a cacaphony of horns and screams, pedicabs, bikes scurrying around without any rules, bikes, pedestrians crossing the streets along the most incredible trajectories, bright and lush greenery, huge fragrant flowers and the reigning above all this chaos, the merciless sun in the white-burnt sky... Forty in the shade and without the slightest wind, a wet camera strap on a tired and hot neck, hot sidewalks, the scorching breath of passing cars... And green tea with the aroma of lotus, quickly brought back to life and sent to search for new experiences. This is my Saigon, now on maps like Ho Chi Minh City...

Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam, the former capital of South Vietnam, is located in the south of Vietnam, about 1,750 km south of Hanoi, the current capital. The city center is located on the banks of the Saigon River.
In Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam we will see wide avenues, rare buildings of French architecture, and street cafes. This is a small trend of French culture. But it's enough to give Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam something quite different from any other Asian city. Ho Chi Minh City is still the economic center of Vietnam. The city streets are full of people, not to mention the endless stream of motorcycles. The atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam is created by sellers, markets, shops, cafes, crowds of busy streets and sidewalks.

Unlike Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City is large and spacious. You can walk on the sidewalks and they are not cluttered with bikes. The movement of bikes is more orderly and predictable. The central square looks very nice. There is a lot of old architecture in the center. In general, it is clear that the French were already planning the development of the city, and what remained of them were wide avenues and green areas. True, rats run around the streets, just like in Nha Trang, but there is much less garbage on the streets.

Here you can visit an old colonial church, a Buddhist temple and many other interesting things. You can read more in article 22 attractions of Ho Chi Minh City.

There is an opinion that tourists Vietnam can be divided into Ho Chi Minh City lovers and amateurs Hanoi. Of course, you can decide for yourself which city is closer to your liking only by visiting them both.

Weather in Ho Chi Minh City Now

Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon?

Second title Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon, which local residents readily use, even despite their respect and love for the legendary figure Ho Chi Minh.

Since 1976 the city has been called Ho Chi Minh City, and the locals still call it the old fashioned way. The name itself Ho Chi Minh City mainly used only in signage and official documents.

Vietnamese culture

Vietnam: People and Culture

In Vietnam, the people are a mixture of cultures, languages, and historical backgrounds. The common denominator between them is that, like most Southeast Asian countries, they love to smile and are interested in foreign visitors.

Vietnamese people

The origin of the Vietnamese people is a combination of the Mongolian race of North and East Asia, as well as Chinese and Indian. Population of Vietnam second only to Indonesia, and is one of the most densely populated country of Southeast Asia. However, a feature of the Vietnamese region is ethnic homogeneity country in which Vietnamese make up about 90% of the population. 85% of the Vietnamese ethnic minority population belongs to indigenous groups, the largest of which are Thai and Hmong, peoples who have settled in the mountainous regions of the country for many centuries. About 3% of the population is ethnic Chinese living in the urban centers of the South.

Vietnamese language

The Vietnamese language reflects a unique mixture of racial and cultural backgrounds, with its monotony, tone and grammar. Having been a Chinese province for over a millennium (111 BC-939 AD), most government, literary and technical vocabulary comes from the Chinese language.

Although the script is called Chunom, it uses partially modified Chinese characters that were developed as early as the 8th century. In the mid-17th century, a French missionary developed a spelling system using the Latin alphabet, which emphasized additional features and several accents to indicate tones. Using this script spread, and was recognized as the official script by the French in 1910.

Religion of Vietnam

Ten million live in Vietnam followers and also located 20,000 Buddhist pagodas. Buddhism is by far the largest religion, but Vietnam has a rich and wide variety of religions based on foreign beliefs and beliefs, with several indigenous groups population, including animism, theism and ancestor worship. Catholicism, introduced by European missionaries, is the second largest religion, with approximately six million followers, and more than 6,000 churches. Vietnamese indigenous religions, including the Cao Dai and Hoa Hao sects, have their holy lands in the city of Thai Ninh and the provinces of Chau Doc and An Giang in the Mekong Delta. They coexist peacefully with each other and contribute to the fight against foreign aggression.

Visitors entering Buddhist pagodas remove their shoes and it is considered impolite to step on images of people or Buddha. Donations for the maintenance of churches are not required, but are accepted with gratitude. Before photograph people in places worship should ask permission.

General rules of social communication in Vietnam

The most appropriate way of greeting is a handshake and a smile.

It's best to deal with misunderstandings with patience and good humor. Local people who offer help appreciate small gifts such as lighters, pens, foreign cigarettes, alcohol, perfume and even shampoo.

How to get to Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

Tourists arriving in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam enter Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the largest airport in Vietnam. The airport serves a large number of flights, including flights to Hanoi, and there are many airlines serving cities in Vietnam and other countries. Major destinations include Moscow, Paris, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Taipei, Beijing, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, Frankfurt, Melbourne, Siem Reap, Manila, Jakarta and Sydney. A taxi from the airport to the central area costs about 150,000-200,000 VND.

Ho Chi Minh City Saigon for tourists

For tourists, mainly the city of Saigon Vietnam is just a transfer point; few people stay in the city, which may seem quite boring and... clear Many tourists come to Ho Chi Minh City-Saigon only to travel further to Phan Thiet and Mui Ne. Of course, there are tourists who come to Ho Chi Minh City-Saigon precisely to immerse themselves in its atmosphere, walk around the shops, parks and squares, visit the Ben Tan market, bargain and experience the life of the average Vietnamese. If you are also planning to travel further from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, I advise you to read the article How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, Nha Trang, etc.

I'll say right away Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) I didn’t like it, it’s a big city where it’s not safe for tourists to be, there’s a lot of poverty, drug addicts, thefts are common among tourists.

Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam attitude towards tourists

If you haven't been deceived in Vietnam- it means you just didn’t notice. Tourists here are not treated as they should be. For the sake of short-term gain, the country scares away wealthy tourists. During the 15 days spent in southern Vietnam, they managed to rob us, we were deceived at every step. Upon arrival at the airport at the currency exchange office they tried to deceive us by exchanging a smaller amount of money, then taxi drivers who extort the cost (from 230 to 450 thousand dong, the real cost from the airport to the city center is 90-100 thousand dong), and we We encountered fraud when exchanging money at the hotel; when buying souvenirs, we were given the wrong change. In the supermarket Co.op Mart they punched the products twice, after contacting the quality control service of the supermarket, where, by the way, there was a rather large queue of the same deceived customers, they tried to return a smaller amount. After that in the same Co.op Mart We put our things in a storage room, and then they tried to return us one less package.

Regarding theft on the streets Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) You can talk for a very long time, the bags are torn off insolently and torn out of your hands with force. Movement in Ho Chi Minh City chaotic and does not comply with any rules, the Vietnamese travel in half-face masks, so you will never find your thief, and the local police also protect local thieves. But this is a separate topic - we were robbed in Vietnam. What to do without a passport and money in Vietnam.

I apologize, but personal attitudes and a spoiled impression of the country introduce their own nuances when talking about our journey. Vietnam is the only country that I would not recommend for travel. But first things first.

Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam my route

Our route started at Ho Chi Minh City, here we stayed at the Hon En Hotel 2*, then we took a bus to Phan Thiet, where we stayed at a hotel on the coast 5 km from Phan Thiet Sandhills Beach Resort & Spa 4*, then spent one night in Phan Thiet itself, at the Saigon Hotel PT Hotel 2*. From there we went by bus to Vung Tau, Romeliess Hotel 3*. From Vung Tau by boat we again went to Ho Chi Minh City, and from there we flew back to Moscow.

CO.OP MART THẮNG LỢI store address in Ho Chi Minh City is 2 Trường Chinh, D. Tân Phú. (co op)

Districts of Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

The main area that tourists visit in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam is the old city, which was built by the French. Most of the attractions and old buildings are located in this area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam. The main streets where everything happens in the city are Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien Street, which is parallel to it.

Attractions Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam and entertainment

Perhaps tourists who don’t like to spend their entire vacation on the beach will find something unusual and interesting in this city.

Here you can find excursions to nearby areas and attractions, as well as visits to neighboring Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam:

• Palace of Independence
• Binh Thai Market
• Thien Hau Temple
• Ho Chi Minh Museum
• Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

If you are interested in this topic, I advise you to read the article Ho Chi Minh City: 22 attractions in Saigon, which describes in detail the attractions of Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam.

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What to see in Ho Chi Minh City in a few days, how to get around the city, which hotel to choose, and where to buy souvenirs and clothes. Sights, store addresses, a map with marks and many photos in today's post.

Most independent travelers who go to Vietnam usually begin their acquaintance with the country from Ho Chi Minh City. It is summer and warm here all year round, unlike Hanoi. In addition, the southern capital has many attractions and excellent shopping.

Time in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is three hours more than in Moscow and 4-5 hours more than in Kyiv. Below on the clock is the exact time in Ho Chi Minh City for this minute.

Ho Chi Minh City Airport

The airport in Ho Chi Minh City is called Tan Son Nhat Airport. It is small and its structure is easy to understand.

Russians who plan to stay in Vietnam for up to 15 days do not need a visa and can immediately go through border control. Ukrainians, Belarusians, as well as those citizens of the Russian Federation who plan to stay in the country for 16 days or more should worry about a visa to Vietnam in advance. Ordering online is easy and only takes 10 minutes. And already in Ho Chi Minh City, upon arrival at the border control, you need to look at the immigration office. It is located directly in front of the border guard posts on the left side.

I advise you to fill out the visa application form in advance and do not forget to take your photographs with you. .

How to get from Ho Chi Minh City Airport to the city center?

You won't have to spend much time getting from Tan Son Nhat Airport to the center of Ho Chi Minh City. The airport is located just 6 km from the central streets, right within the city. If you arrive at night, then the only option to get to the hotel is a taxi. The cost is 8-10 dollars, although arrogant Vietnamese taxi drivers may try to rip off all 20 from you, blatantly deceiving that there is a double tariff at night. It is not true. Look for a taxi driver who will agree to a normal flat rate or want to go by the meter.

If you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City between 7:00 and 18:00, you can get to the center by bus. There is a bus stop right outside the airport. You need bus number 152. It runs every half hour and costs 4,000 VND ($0.20).

No matter how you get to the center, by bus or taxi, exchange some currency for Vietnamese dong in advance.

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City?

We have stayed in Ho Chi Minh City 4 times. Once, when Arina was just a baby, we even rented a studio for daily rent with a real kitchen, stove and refrigerator, which cost us $25 a day.

Whatever type of housing you choose, it is better to stay in the city center near the Ben Thanh Market or on the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker street. Another interesting place that we liked so much is Hoang Lien Hotel. The hotel is near Central Park. A double room with a window, air conditioning, bathroom and breakfast (decent buffet) costs $20. Nearby there is a gorgeous park, many budget cafes, as well as all the attractions of the center. It's better to pay a couple of dollars more and book a room with a window.

Free WiFi is available in almost every Vietnamese budget hotel. But if you stay in a hotel with stars, then most likely you will have to pay separately for the Internet.

What to see in Ho Chi Minh City: attractions

The main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City are located in the city center and can be explored in a few hours. In any hotel you will be given a free map of the city, using which you will go to see the local attractions.

Notre Dame Cathedral (Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral)

The current temple was built at the end of the 19th century. Interesting building in French colonial style.

The entrance is free. The temple is open on weekdays from morning until sunset.

Reunification Palace

Former residence of the King of South Vietnam. You can go inside, see the decoration of the palace, and stroll around the surrounding area.

Entrance fee 15 thousand dong ($0.75).

The palace is open to visitors daily from 07:30 to 11:30, from 13:00 to 16:00.

City Hall

Another attraction is the Palace of Culture. There is a beautiful square next to it, and in the surrounding blocks there are several shopping centers, many small shops and cafes. They are not allowed inside the building, but tourists take pictures in front of it. It's better to come here close to sunset to take great photos. By the way, the building is beautifully illuminated even in the dark.

Along the way you will come across several more military museums where you can look at Vietnamese tanks and aircraft.

If you fly to Ho Chi Minh City with children, then try to add two almost obligatory points to this cultural program:

Ho Chi Minh City Zoo and Botanical Garden

An amazing place that we visit every time we come to the southern capital of Vietnam. You can wander around the zoo all day, feeding different animals from your hands. Bring some cabbage or carrots with you to feed the kids and lambs in a special pen for young animals. We also hand-fed giraffes there. They eat pods from a tree that grows near the cafe opposite.

The zoo will be interesting not only for children, but also for adults. Here you can hide from the midday heat, take a walk among exotic flowers and trees, and sit on the shores of lakes.

From the city center, a taxi to the zoo usually costs no more than 60 thousand dong ($3).

Entrance to the zoo costs a little more than $0.5. The zoo is open until 6 pm.

Dam Sen Park

Large amusement park with a mini-zoo and a large water park. We call it Vietnamese Disneyland because they hold Disney-like parades of cartoon characters.

The park has a huge lake with lotuses and many interesting sculptures. Be sure to take a ride on the Ferris wheel to see Damsen from above.

On the territory of Dam Sen Park there are many cafes with inexpensive food, and there are also higher-class restaurants.

Dam Sen Park is located a little far from the center of Ho Chi Minh City and you can get there either by taxi for 130-150 thousand dong ($7-8) or by bus No. 11 from Ben Thanh market for 4 thousand dong ($0.2). Travel time is about 30-40 minutes, taking into account Saigon traffic jams.

Ben Thanh Market (ChoLon, Ben Thanh)

In the evening you can go to Ben Thanh market. There is a lot of exotic food and fruit, all kinds of souvenirs and clothes. You can take many interesting photos and try Vietnamese street delicacies.

I would not recommend buying anything there in the first days after your arrival. You still don’t know the prices at all and you will probably be deceived. So, on my first day in Vietnam, I bought a strange oversized dress at the Ben Thanh market for as much as 600 thousand dong ($30), although in a nearby store it was sold for only 100 thousand ($5). If you decide to buy something, bargain hard, do not hesitate to reduce the price several times.

If you stay in Ho Chi Minh City for another day, you can go on a tour along the Mekong River. By boat you will go through the jungle to the very colorful Vietnamese floating villages.

How to get around the city?

Even if you are a skilled scooter driver, I would not recommend driving a motorbike in Saigon. Traffic in this southern capital of Vietnam is dense and chaotic, making it very difficult to understand the local unspoken rules.

The Vietnamese are very careless and unpredictable drivers, so it is better to use buses or taxis in Saigon.

How to cross the road in Ho Chi Minh City during rush hour?

You can stand for half an hour near the crossing in the hope that the flow will stop in front of you. It is useless to hope for this. Begin to calmly move along the transition in small steps very slowly. Scooter drivers will pass you. The main thing is not to make sudden movements and be predictable. It's only scary the first time. If you think that you cannot cross the road yourself, ask a nearby hotel employee or police officer to transfer you. Or wait for the Vietnamese and go next to them.

Why do people wear face masks in Saigon?

Maxis are worn mainly by motorbike drivers to protect themselves from exhaust fumes. Women also cover their entire face, arms and legs during the day for fear of losing their white skin. In Vietnam, tanned skin is a sign that you have to work hard in the fields and behind the sales counter. Real ladies have a creamy skin tone and never tan.

Ho Chi Minh City from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Ho Chi Minh City.

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Fasten your seat belts, we are approaching Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) - a metropolis that is always on the move. And not only due to the endless streams of scooters, stools, motorcycles, cars and bicycles flowing through the city in all directions. Saigon (as many still call it, despite the new name) is the quintessence of Vietnamese bustle. This is the center of commercial and cultural life of the entire country, a living organism whose breath reaches the most remote corners of Vietnam, and the beating of its heart reverberates with powerful tremors even in carefree Phu Quoc.

Whatever the traveler chooses - luxury hotels or ultra-budget guesthouses, classic restaurants or street stalls with flaming woks, designer boutiques or bustling malls - Saigon has it all in abundance.

My city Ho Chi Minh City

Cuisine and restaurants of Ho Chi Minh City

Dishes of Vietnamese, French and Chinese cuisine are not a complete list of gastronomic temptations in Ho Chi Minh City for food lovers. Expensive restaurants offer original European and Asian cuisine. You can appreciate it in the EON51 restaurant on the 51st floor of the Biteksko tower. A dinner with wine and views of Ho Chi Minh City will cost VND 2,000,000 per person - not cheap even by European standards.

A 5% service charge and a 10% tax will be added to the total cost of food and drinks ordered.

Local cuisine is less spicy than in other parts of Vietnam. This is easy to see in the colorful restaurants and cafes on the tourist streets of Pham Ngu Lao, Nguyen Thai Hoc and Than Hung Dao. Another popular place is the Ben Thanh market, where many small cafes open after sunset. For starters, the hearty beef pho bo soup with noodles, ginger and herbs is good, as is the lau soup, which is prepared right in front of visitors. For the main course, you should order “ga kho” - a dish with juicy chicken meat and a sweet and salty taste. Exotic lovers can try dishes made from snake, crocodile or turtle meat, or even crunch on crickets fried in oil. There is no need to worry about your wallet - lunch in a cafe costs no more than VND 250,000.

Lotteria fast food chains are suitable for snacking on the go. In addition to the usual hamburgers, they have happy-box sets for VND 40,000 with meat, rice, a small portion of soup, egg and vegetables. They will compete with French baguettes with various fillings for VND 10,000.

Guides in Ho Chi Minh City

Entertainment and attractions of Ho Chi Minh City

The sights of Ho Chi Minh City are a bizarre mixture of Asian exoticism, French charm and American cosmopolitanism. The colonial spirit of Indochina still lingers in the area of ​​Dong Khoi Street with its trendy bars and cafes, where the characters of Graham Greene's novel The Quiet American met. The former City Hall building, modeled after the one in Paris, is now occupied by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. The opera house, with its ornate façade, was once the epicenter of social life for the French elite, as was the nearby Continental Hotel, which preserved the tradition of afternoon teas.

The Rex Hotel was also built by the French, but it became a landmark thanks to the Americans. During the Vietnam War, the highest ranks of the US Army were quartered here, the legendary The Rolling Stones raised the morale of soldiers with performances, and war correspondents met with American officers in the famous rooftop bar.

Reunification Palace

The Reunification Palace - also known as the Governor's Palace - was given to Saigon at the end of the 19th century by the French colonialists. Despite the fact that in 1963 it was significantly damaged as a result of bombing, three years later it was completely restored. Then, until 1975, the palace was the residence of the presidents of the pro-American government and after the liberation of South Vietnam it became known as the Reunification Palace.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral, located, as one can easily assume, on Paris Square in the city center, was built in the colonial style in April 1880. It is still considered one of the most unique buildings in Vietnam.

Enchanting Saigon

Saigon parks

Dam Sheen Park, the largest cultural and entertainment center in the city, deserves special mention. There you can see a small copy of the Jacques Vien Pagoda, a lake reminiscent of the West Lake in Hanoi, a puppet show, a bird garden, a water park, visit the sports center and the Nam Tu Royal Garden. It's also a good idea to spend time at the zoo and botanical garden, which was designed back in the late 19th century. The first inhabitants of the garden were rare species of trees and plants from India, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Today you can see thousands of plants, hundreds of breeds of animals and birds, unique and creepy reptiles.

Temple of the Jade Emperor

The quaint temple (Mai Thi Luu St., 73) is a gift from the Chinese community to the Taoist deity Ngoc Huang, who determines the fate of a person after his death. The torment awaiting sinners is depicted on the walls of the “Hell Room.” In the Main Hall there is a statue of Ngoc Huang himself, surrounded by the Four Heavenly Guardians and other deities.

Thien Hau Pagoda

The temple, located in the Chinese shopping district of Teulon (710 Nguyen Trai Street), is home to the sea goddess Thien Hau. Believers have established reliable postal communications with the patroness of sailors and fishermen. They write their requests on prayer flags - red paper strips, which, rustling in the wind, convey them to the goddess. The decor of the temple with wooden panels and exquisite ceramic friezes is one of the most beautiful in the city.

Cu Chi Tunnels

The rains from May to November are heavy but short-lived. The clouds quickly pass, leaving behind a pleasant freshness. Maximum rainfall occurs in September. Short rains can occur several times a day. Thanks to them, day and night temperatures drop to quite comfortable levels, and the city is filled to capacity with tourists.

“The Diamond of the Far East”, “Eastern Paris”, “Pearl of the East” - all these epithets refer to the same city in the south. Meet - Ho Chi Minh City, the second, unofficial, capital of Vietnam and its largest city.

Ho Chi Minh City - photo

A little history

The city was founded at the very end of the 17th century. It received its current name in 1976 after its first president, communist leader Ho Chi Minh. This part of the country once belonged to Cambodia, the city was then called Prey Nokor. Later, when the Vietnamese entered it, it became known as Saigon. The Vietnamese love this name more, use it among themselves in colloquial speech, and use the modern name on official occasions. The city was both the capital of French Indochina and the capital of South Vietnam. In the 20th century, Ho Chi Minh City survived a long war, was reborn almost from the ashes and became even more beautiful than it was.

Ho Chi Minh City - video

Geography

Ho Chi Minh City stands on the banks of the Saigon River, in the very south of the country. Nearby is the delta of another river - the Mekong, and the Nyabe River flows in the east. The capital of the country is more than 1,700 kilometers away. Ho Chi Minh City is located at an altitude of 20 meters above sea level, on a fairly flat area. The area of ​​the city is about 2 thousand square kilometers.

Climate

The city has a distinct subequatorial climate. There are only two seasons - dry and rainy. It rains from May to October, mainly at night. If you happen to get caught in the rain during the day, it’s okay - it stops within 20-30 minutes. During the dry season, there is practically no rain. The holiday season lasts all year long - the temperature rarely drops to +20, mostly always higher. But there is no desperate heat either.

Population

The largest city has the most people - about 7 million people. Mostly, of course, they are Vietnamese. But besides them, many people from neighboring countries, mainly from China, live in the city. The main language of communication is Vietnamese. Chinese and some European ones are also common. In addition to Asian residents, Europeans and Americans also live in Ho Chi Minh City. The bulk of the population professes Buddhism. There are also Catholic churches.

Industry

All types of industrial production are well developed in the city. Heavy industry is represented by mechanical engineering and industrial equipment. There is a shipyard and a thermal power plant. The light industry includes clothing and food industries. In addition, there are electronics and chemical industries. One of the largest jewelry factories in the country operates in Ho Chi Minh City.

Architecture

In the city, motifs of antiquity and modern architecture are intricately intertwined into one ensemble. Here, no one will be surprised by high-rise buildings next to architectural monuments of the distant past. National traditions of different eras and civilizations are mixed together here. But it is precisely this flavor that makes the city unlike all the others. You can get acquainted with the main attractions of the city in the article “”.

1. Best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City, the so-called “hot season”, is the period from March to May. At this time, the air temperature ranges from +26°C to +34°C. Also, the weather here is favorable in December-April - temperatures range from +22°C to +30°C.

2. Interesting fact - Ho Chi Minh City has the largest concentration of restaurants, cafes and bars in all of Vietnam. The menu includes dishes not only of national cuisine, but also cuisines from all over the world. The eateries in Ho Chi Minh City are notable for the fact that the quality of the food they serve is not at all inferior to the dishes prepared in expensive restaurants.

3. Perhaps the most memorable and vibrant restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City is Chill sky bar. If you have the opportunity, it’s worth visiting, because the view from the restaurant is beyond words.

4. The best place for purchasing souvenirs and shopping is Ben Thanh market, which is considered an important attraction of Ho Chi Minh City.

5. Tourists of the city should take a boat cruise on the river at night (duration approximately 2.5 hours, cost approximately $40). On the ship you will be treated to the best dishes of national cuisine, and will be entertained by dancing accompanied by live music.

6. Couples in love should know that the people of Vietnam do not welcome physical manifestations of love in public places. Holding hands and hugging is not prohibited, but it is better to avoid “French” kisses in crowded places.

7. Remember that when visiting Buddhist temples you must wear suitable clothing - trousers or a long skirt, a top with long sleeves.

8. When walking around the city, tourists should have a business card of the hotel where they are staying. She will help out if you suddenly get lost.

Ho Chi Minh City - map with attractions

Ho Chi Minh City on the map

Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon, “Pearl of the Far East”, “Paris of the East” - all these names refer to one city in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam, named after Communist Party leader Ho Chi Minh, who led the people of Vietnam in the fight against France and the United States. It is the industrial, commercial, transport and communications, as well as tourist center of the country. Today, Ho Chi Minh City is the dynamically developing economic capital of Vietnam, and this city is recognized as the heart and soul of Vietnam.

The city is located in the southeastern part of Vietnam on the banks of the Saigon River in the Mekong Delta, covers an area of ​​2,000 sq. km and stretches from the South China Sea to the Cambodian border. Population – 5,710,000 people. Thanks to its favorable geographical position, topography and climate, the city began to develop very quickly - and has now become one of the main ports of Southeast Asia.

Ho Chi Minh City is the spiritual capital of Vietnam, preserving the thousand-year-old traditions and characteristics of this country and preventing it from losing its originality and uniqueness. Those who want to truly get to know Vietnam should not limit themselves to visiting the official capital of the state - Hanoi - but be sure to stay for a while in Ho Chi Minh City.

The city is located in a tropical climate zone, where two seasons are clearly distinguished - the rainy season (from May to November) and the dry season (from December to April). At the same time, the temperature in the area never drops below 24°C and at the same time rarely exceeds 32°C, which allows tourists to visit this part of Vietnam all year round.

Ho Chi Minh City is a new land. More than three hundred years ago, the name Saigon began to be mentioned in history books. At the beginning, the fortress of Zha Dinh and Saigon were founded. Later this place turned into a huge urban area. In 1859, the colonial era of this area began: French colonialists invaded and occupied the South, destroying the Zhadin citadel. With the beginning of French rule, the city developed rapidly, many new buildings appeared, some of which are pleasing to the eye to this day. At the beginning of the 20th century, Th'olon (Chinatown) joined Saigon, forming the largest urban area in Indochina.

Later this land became the cradle of the anti-colonial movement. It was in this city that the Vietnamese gained full independence with the end of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign on April 30, 1975. On July 2, 1976, Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City.

In Ho Chi Minh City there is a noticeable mixture of national traditions, elements of Chinese and Western European culture. Elegant French buildings, Notre Dame de Saigon Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, magnificent pagodas and mosques - this is the architectural appearance of the city.

In addition to the Vietnamese, many ethnic Chinese live in Ho Chi Minh City, and in recent years there have been many foreigners working as teachers, bank employees, and representatives of international companies. At the beginning of the 20th, Chinatown was added to Saigon, forming the largest urban area in Indochina. Now it is a huge shopping district of Sholon in the western part of Ho Chi Minh City. Each building in this quarter has a store, workshop or restaurant. A significant part of all trade transactions carried out in Vietnam takes place through it.

Despite the rapid construction of the 20th century, which makes the city's appearance similar to cities such as Singapore and Bangkok, Saigon has not yet lost its originality, preserving many ancient architectural monuments, famous historical sites and picturesque corners of nature. The mixture of national traditions, elements of Chinese and Western European culture makes a visit to Ho Chi Minh City one of the most memorable.

Ho Chi Minh City is a young city, and therefore dynamic, vibrant and lively, with enormous potential for further development. Saigon can rightly be proud of the country's best restaurants, vibrant nightlife and luxury hotels.

In the center of Saigon, colonial buildings have been preserved, which gives a special flavor to the tropical city. The Notre Dame de Saigon cathedral, the opera house, the post office building and many villas recall the times of the French presence.

The Reunification Hall is unique. In the past it was the Presidential Palace. Everything in this building is preserved as it was in the early morning of April 30, 1975, when North Vietnamese tanks broke through the iron gates of the palace and the communist regime that still exists there was established in Saigon.

Holon - Saigon's Chinatown - is a feverishly busy shopping center: every building in this quarter is sure to have a store, workshop or restaurant. The city's largest market, Binh Tay, and several pagodas are also located here.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is the largest pagoda in Saigon, built in 1964-1971, named after the great teacher and preacher of the Chac Lam Buddhist school, located in the 12th century on Yen Tu Mountain. The pagoda consists of a complex of buildings: a prayer house, behind which there is a seven-tier 40-meter tower with a bronze bell inside, the diameter of which is 1.8 m, smaller buildings around the lake and a tower for urns with ashes. All buildings are made of concrete and stylized to resemble traditional architecture. Saigon Buddhists flock to the pagoda every day to pray.

Pagoda Jacques Vienne. Originally a simple thatched hut intended for the worship of the Bodhisattva goddess, it was converted into the Jacques Vien Pagoda by Master Kwan Yin in 1850. This working pagoda is a unique museum - its walls house more than 150 statues and engravings, most of which date from the late 19th - early 20th centuries.

Notre Dame Cathedral. Another colonial-style building, Notre Dame Cathedral is located on Paris Square in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. The construction of this iconic building was carried out extremely quickly: a French priest laid the first brick in October 1877 and the last in April 1880.

Historical Museum of Ho Chi Minh City. The Ho Chi Minh City Historical Museum was built in 1929 and was originally called the Blanchard de la Beauce Museum until 1956. During this period, the museum hosted several different exhibitions of ancient Asian art. In 1956, the museum was officially renamed the Saigon National Museum and finally, in 1975, after reconstruction and expansion, it became the Ho Chi Minh City Historical Museum. The museum's exhibits are divided into themes, each of which corresponds to a specific time period in the development of the state - from primitive times (approximately three thousand years ago) to the end of the reign of the last royal Nguyen dynasty, which dates back to the mid-20th century. The second half of the museum presents the characteristic features of the southern region of Vietnam, incl. such as Oc Yeo culture, ancient Mekong Delta culture, Thiam art, Ben Nghe Saigon art, artworks of Vietnam's ethnic minorities and ancient pottery art from other Asian countries.

Pier "House of the Dragon". The Dragon House Pier is a piece of Ho Chi Minh City's personal history, located at the confluence of the Ben Nghe Canal and the Saigon River. It was from this place that "Uncle Ho" set sail on a French ship in June 1911 at the age of 21. At that time, the Dragon House pier was called Nya Rong and was a French shipping company built back in 1863. In September 1979, the City People's Committee chose Nha Rong as the site of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum. The name was taken from two dragon-shaped symbols that adorned the building. About a million visitors, Vietnamese and foreign, visited this place. In addition, important events such as various festivals take place here, as well as the admission of new members to the Youth Union and the Communist Party of Vietnam. The museum houses an exhibition of photographs and items related to the former president.

Museum of Military History. A very instructive reminder of the country's bloody era, the Museum of Military History was founded in September 1975. It presents many facts, photographs and paintings documenting the far from heroic activities of the US Army in Vietnam. Horrifying exhibits illustrate the massacre of civilians, the spraying of toxic defoliants, the torture of prisoners and the consequences of the war in northern Vietnam. Planes, tanks, bombs and helicopters are also on display. Over the past 20 years, the museum has been visited by more than six million guests. Of these, almost one million are foreign tourists, including Americans. Thong Nhat Conference Hall, built in 1868 and having survived numerous changes of political regimes, this palace has repeatedly become the scene of military and political actions. Nowadays the palace is a historical and cultural relic, attracting both domestic and foreign tourists.

Municipal Theater. Located on Dong Hoi Street, the Municipal Theater is in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, next to the Caravelle and Continental hotels. It was built at the end of the 19th century and later, in the 1940s of the 20th century, underwent reconstruction. The three-story building can accommodate one thousand eight hundred spectators. The theater is built in French colonial style, with spatial ventilation and modern sound and lighting systems. Cai Luong Theater performances are staged here, traditional folk song festivals of South Vietnam, ballet and opera performances performed by various foreign and Vietnamese artists are held.

Cu Chi Tunnels is a small suburban area north of the city, which is famous for its underground labyrinths, which stretch for 200 km and were dug by the Vietnamese during the war with the United States. The tunnels are located at a depth of several meters, which allowed them to withstand artillery shelling and air bombs. To this day, these tunnels, dug without the use of any equipment, are a symbol of the strength of the Vietnamese spirit.

The Mekong River Delta is the southernmost point of Vietnam, where the great Mekong flows into the ocean - it is a beautiful and fertile land with emerald rice fields, lush tropical gardens, countless canals and straits. The river plays a vital role in the life of the surrounding towns: countless ships and boats scurry along it, carrying traders to the market, children to school, and tourists to see the beauty.

Saigon Water Park was built in 1996 jointly with Hong Kong. The most modern technologies were used during construction, thanks to which Saigon Water Park is one of the best in Southeast Asia.

The Zoo and Botanical Garden was built in 1864 -1865. First, precious species of trees and plants were brought here from India, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, and then rare species of animals began to be bred here. Today, the garden contains thousands of plants, including rare species from Africa and America. Hundreds of breeds of animals, birds and reptiles live here. All this makes the Saigon Zoo the main zoological park in the country and a major entertainment center.

Dam Shen Park is the largest cultural and entertainment center in the city, offering recreation for every taste: the infrastructure of the park, divided into 30 sections, includes dozens of types of entertainment venues, restaurants and show programs. Here it is worth visiting a small copy of the Jacques Vien Pagoda, a lake similar to the West Lake in Hanoi, a puppet show, a bird garden, a water park, a sports center and the Nam Tu Royal Garden.

Qui Hoa tourist recreation area. Qui Hoa Recreation Area, located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, covers a vast area of ​​14 hectares. Qui Hoa offers a park, a market, modern hotels and a wide range of restaurants. This includes the largest theater in the city, Hoa Binh. Qui Hoa is divided into two parts, which are connected by a picturesque bridge. There are many types of entertainment and recreation here, including yacht trips, train rides around the lake, a small zoo and aquarium, a video game salon and roller skating. More recently, the Doi Hoa Vang auditorium with more than 1,000 seats was built near the lake, which hosts various cultural events, international dance festivals and fashion shows.

Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat Airport is the largest and most important airport in Vietnam. From Ho Chi Minh City, tourists can easily reach famous tourist destinations in Vietnam: Dalat, Phan Thiet, Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Hue, Hanoi; Take a trip to the Mekong Delta with its vast rice fields and villages on the banks of intertwined canals, above which dangle the crowns of coconut palms.