Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) is situated in Vietnam. It is
the most populated city of the country. Here one can experience both the
old as well as new Vietnam. Within the city are several landmarks which are
best to learn about the history, culture, & heritage of the region.
These include Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post
Office, Saigon Opera House, Continental Hotel, Ben Thanh Market, Jade
Emperor Pagoda, & others. Apart from these War Remnants Museums and old
buildings like 22 Ly Tu Trong & 42 Nguyen Hue are also worth paying a
visit.
Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
War Remnants Museum
War Remnants Museum is amongst the most renowned museums in Vietnam. It is
a three-story building with exhibits focusing on the Vietnam War. Apart
from this, there are exhibits related to the 1st Indochina War with French
colonialists. Majority of the artifacts here describe the brutality of war.
These displays are mostly in the form of photographic images.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Situated within the heart of the city, the Note Dame Cathedral is a
landmark to Ho Chi Minh City. Constructed in between 1877-83, the cathedral
is a fine example of Neo-Romanesque architecture. It was built with the aim
to be a place of worship & a symbol of power of the French colony. The
interiors feature 56 squares of stained glass by Lorin from Chartres in
France, 12 pillars representing 12 apostles, & more.
Reunification Palace
The Reunification Palace was once known as the independence Palace. It is a
1960s style building with large, airy rooms & furnishings. It appears
as if it has frozen in time since April 30, 1975 when a North Vietnamese
army tank crashed through the iron gates here, bringing an end to the
Vietnam War. It is a symbol of reunification for locals & represents
the historic event.
Best Time to Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
The best time to book flights from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City is the
dry season, between the months of December & April. Book SFO to SGN
flights in advance to avoid paying more at the last minute.