Ho Chi Minh City. Low Price Calendar to Ho Chi Minh City

Anyone who comes to Vietnam on their own is likely to face the problem of moving around the country, because most tourists are not limited to the two capitals of Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi).

In this review, I want to talk about such wonderful transport as Sleeping Bus (Sleeping Bass, literal translation of "sleeping bus") South-East Asia... Specifically about the buses of the transport company FUTABusLines

We were lucky to use the services of this transport company in March 2014, when we needed to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang.

We had two options to go to Nha Trang (Nha Trang is a more understandable name for the Vietnamese):

• by plane, travel time is about 1 hour, cost is $ 50 + taxi to the airports (i.e. $ 10 more)
• by bus, slipping buses in this direction leave every hour or half an hour, travel time 6-8 hours, ticket price $ 10

We smiled more exotic and most importantly more cheap option... Moreover, long-distance buses leave mostly in the evening and we did not lose the daytime part of our precious vacation.

So, if you also want to leave Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang, Da Lat, Mui Ne or other resort on a slip-bass, follow the following recommendations:

1. How to find the bus station

The Pham Ngu Lao street area known as the "backpacker district" or "budget traveler district", Pham Ngu Lao is a very convenient place in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to find cheap lodging, inexpensive food, nightclubs and tickets to other places in Vietnam. I would even say that Pham Ngu Lao Street is reminiscent of the world famous in, many travelers on a budget spend most of their time in the Pham Ngu Lao area. Pham Ngu Lao is an ideal base from which to explore the heart of Saigon. With your permission, I will call Ho Chi Minh City by his old name Saigon. Pham Ngu Lao Street is located in District N1. Many areas do not have a name, but are simply numbered.

This area has everything a traveler needs and a centralized location with close proximity to markets and attractions, making the area very convenient for a stopover. From to Pham Ngu Lao street there is a bus N 152, it takes about 20 minutes to go.

The Pham Ngu Lao area consists of two parallel streets - Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao - and several small connecting lanes. Located in the center of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), this area is ideal for hiking to the parks, markets and main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City. Most of the attractions in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), I would even say most of them are located within walking distance to the northeast of Pham Ngu Lao. The Reunification Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral can be reached on foot in 15 minutes. Ben Thanh Market is a 10-minute walk from the area.

The Pham Ngu Lao area has a wide range of budget accommodation options. Travelers can easily bargain, room prices are usually easy to negotiate. But personally, I had to go around about 8 guesthouses before I found a suitable option for myself. Always check if the air conditioner, TV, refrigerator, etc. are working. I rented a room supposedly with air conditioning, but the air conditioner did not work, but I paid for a room with air conditioning. Often in some guesthouses there are no windows or windows end-to-end overlook the wall of the next building. In principle, this is a problem for the whole of Vietnam, regardless of the city.

While hotels and guesthouses can be found along all Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien streets, the best accommodation deals are along the main road. An unnamed budget hotel alley connects the western end of Pham Ngu Lao Street to DQ Dau Street, great deals can be found in the many hotels along the narrow aisle. Another, wider mini-street connects Pham Ngu Lao Street with Bui Vien, where restaurants and hotels are found everywhere on both sides of the street.

There are carts selling baguettes, street food and even kebabs scattered around Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao. There are also establishments called "Pho24", which are constantly offline, open around the clock for everyone who wants to taste a cup of the famous Vietnamese Pho soup with noodles (in fact, this is an ordinary Thai noodle soup). There are several expat-owned establishments that offer various types of pizza, Italian cuisine, and more. Also in the area of ​​the street beer in cafes and bars is not much more expensive than in stores. By the way, I recommend Saigon beer - excellent beer, I really liked it.

The bars around the Pham Ngu Lao area are just as easy to find, on almost every corner. The most famous bars, Pham Ngu Lao, offer a wide variety of local beers and a great atmosphere. Both Pham Ngu lao and Bui Vien streets are literally lined with travel agencies offering trips to the Mekong Delta and bus tickets towards Hanoi, Nyachang and even Cambodia and Laos.

The high concentration of tourists on Pham Ngu Lao Street attracts a higher concentration of scammers and thieves who want to cash in on travelers. Although the area is quite safe in general, you should be careful in the roadside park after dark.

Travelers passing through the Pham Ngu Lao area receive constant attention from murky people trying to rent motorcycles, sell drugs and even offer prostitutes. Most people who come up to you all the time tend to look for a way to lighten your pockets, so stay alert.

Pham Ngu Lao street on Google map.

We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City in March and spent 4 days here. We mainly walked around the city center, visiting objects that would be interesting to see while in Saigon. Plus, Ho Chi Minh City was our first city in Vietnam, and we studied with increased attention not only the metropolis itself, but also a new country for us. I warn you right away, the post will be very voluminous, with a basic description of each attraction in Ho Chi Minh City, a huge number of photos, marks on the map, prices and coordinates. From the article you will also find out why Ho Chi Minh is called Saigon, in which area to choose a hotel, where to eat, what to see, how to get, get around and other useful information. You can immediately go to the question of interest by following the link in the menu.

Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City? A bit of history

Ho Chi Minh - famous politician in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam. - Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh) - although not the capital of Vietnam, but the most Big City in a country with a population of about 8 million people. This metropolis was named after the famous Vietnamese politician and communist - Ho Chi Minh. But this was not always the case. After the colonial countries of the Indo-Chinese peninsula gained independence from France in 1954, two different Vietnamese states were formed: South and North Vietnam. So, if Hanoi was the main city in the north, then the current Ho Chi Minh is the capital of South Vietnam, only it was then called Saigon (Vietnam. - Sài Gòn, from the name of the river on the banks of which the city is located). In 1976, after the unification of the country, the capital of South Vietnam lost its status and was renamed in honor of the first President of North Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh (ironically, or what?). But locals dozens of years later still call Ho Chi Minh City Saigon. On the routes of transport, various signboards, you can also find the old name. In general, Ho Chi Minh City is the official name of the city, Saigon is historical and spiritual.

Attractions Ho Chi Minh City with photo

The main sights of Ho Chi Minh City can be seen in 1-3 days, for a more complete and thorough inspection of the metropolis and its surroundings, it will take at least a week. Most of the attractions are located in the city center. You can easily get around them on foot, especially if you try to optimize the route. To do this, below will be provided a map of Saigon with marked noteworthy objects on it and a small guidebook, but for now I will list the main things to see in Ho Chi Minh City and show photos of attractions.

- Buildings and architecture

In the old center of Ho Chi Minh City, there are many buildings in the French colonial style, but the city has modern buildings and skyscrapers, as well as various interesting temples and pagodas. Now we will see them.

- - Cathedral of Our Lady of Saigon (Notre Dame de Saigon)

Notre Dame de Saigon is one of the most visited attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Cathedral Our Lady of Saigon is a Catholic active church built in 1877-1883. during the French colonization. Many people compare it to the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris in France. In my opinion, they are similar only in name and a little external form (from afar). Style, decoration, era of construction - all this is very different. Be that as it may, it is very pleasant to feel a piece of Europe in Asia (especially to us, who have missed it in nine months of traveling in Southeast Asia 🙂). In front of the cathedral there is a statue of the Virgin Mary, who stands with her feet on a snake.

• The address: Parisian Square (Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh).
• Coordinates: 10.779865 N, 106.69915 E
• Visit cost: is free.
• Temple opening hours: hedgehog. 5.00-11.00 and 15.00-17.30. Time for tourists to visit: Mon - Sat 8.00-11.00 and 15.00-16.00. Service Schedule: Mon-Sat 5.30, 17.00, Sun. 5.30, 6.30, 7.30, 9.30, 16.00, 17.15, 18.30.

Paris square
Notre Dame de Saigon

- - Saigon Central Post Office

In the vicinity of Notre Dame de Saigon, there is another colonial building - the building of the city post office, erected in 1886-1891. according to the architectural project of Gustave Eiffel himself. The post office is active, it will be interesting to go inside. Here you can not only send a parcel, but also buy souvenirs, call your relatives. By the way, many classic telephone booths have built-in ATM machines.

• The address: Paris Square (2 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh).
• Coordinates: 10.779865 N, 106.70018 E
• Visit cost: is free.
• Working hours: Mon-Fri 7.00-19.00, Sat. 7.00-18.00, Sun. 8.00-18.00.

Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office

Central post office building inside
ATMs in telephone booths

- - Municipal Opera House (Saigon Opera House)

The Saigon Opera House is a very beautiful building in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. According to the schedule, the popular acrobatic show "A O Show" takes place here in the evenings.

• Site"A O Show": aoshowsaigon.com
• The address: 7 Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Coordinates: 10.776829 N, 106.70327 E
• Visit cost: depends on the cost of the show ticket.
• Working hours: according to the schedule of programs and shows.

Saigon opera house
The fountain near the theater
Invitation to the acrobatic show "A O Show"

- - City Council Building (City Hall,City Hall)

The former city council building is one of the most beautiful buildings in colonial Saigon. They are not allowed inside, the photo can only be taken from the outside. Many tourists and travelers praised the landscaped area near the municipality, especially noted the beauty against the backdrop of the evening illumination. Unfortunately for us, as of March 2015, the entire street in front of the City Hall was completely renovated in Ho Chi Minh City. Nothing remained on the site of a cozy and pleasant square. 🙁 I would like to believe that after the complete restoration of this part of the city, it will become no less beautiful as it was before.

• Coordinates: 10.776492 N, 106.70087 E
• The address: Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh.

Former city hall
City Hall square under renovation
And the whole street is being renovated ...

- - Palace of Independence (Palace of Reunification)

The Reunification Palace is the former presidential palace. Visitors can stroll through the offices and galleries that characterize the building's history. On the ground floor, in a special room, you can watch the 25-minute documentary "Palace of Independence - a historical witness". There are copies of military equipment on the territory.

• Site: dinhdoclap. gov. vn
• Address how to get: 106 Nguyen Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. From Ben Thanh market 15-20 minutes on foot.
• Coordinates: 10.776955 N, 106.69539 E
• Visit cost: adults - 30,000 dongs ($ 1.5), students - 15,000 dongs ($ 0.75), schoolchildren - 5,000 dongs ($ 0.25). For a group visit of 20 people or more, there is a discount.
• Working hours: daily 7.00-11.00 and 13.00-16.00.

Palace of Independence (Reunification)

- - Building of the Supreme People's Court

Interesting old building in French colonial style.

• The address: 131 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường Bến Thành, Bến Thành, Hồ Chí Minh.
• Coordinates: 10.775668 N, 106.69803 E

- - Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market can also be attributed to the architectural landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City. At the same time, here you can buy all kinds of souvenirs, national costumes, various varieties of Vietnamese coffee and tea, dried fruits and seafood and other local delicacies. But, it should be remembered that the market is designed for tourists, you will be constantly beckoned and forced to buy something at a very inflated cost. Be aware that the first price for a product named here, with the ability to bargain, can be knocked down 2-6 times! Another highlight of Ben Thanh Market is that it serves as an excellent reference point for public buses from downtown Ho Chi Minh City to other parts of the city. The stop is located just on the opposite side of the square.

• The address: Lê Lợi, Bến Thành, 1 Hồ Chí Minh, Việt Nam.
• Coordinates: 10.772445 N, 106.69812 E
• Visit cost: is free.
• Working hours:≈7.00-19.00, from 19.00 to 24.00 the evening street market starts working around the building.

Ben Thanh Market Square
Market assortment

— — Skyscraper Biteksko(Bitexco Financial Tower)

Biteksko is the tallest skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City. Its height is 262 meters and has 68 floors. The shape of the building is inspired by the lotus bud, the national flower in Vietnam. On the 49th floor there is a closed observation deck Saigon Skydeck with 360˚ view. You can enjoy the views from the bar on the 50th floor by ordering something from the menu.

• Websites: bitexco.com.vn, bitexcofinancialtower.com
• The address: 36 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC. From Ben Thanh market 10 minutes walk.
• Coordinates: 10.771748 N, 106.70448 E
• Visit cost: Skydeck observation deck 49th floor: adults - 200,000 dong ($ 10), children 4-12 years old and retirees over 65 years old - 130,000 dong ($ 6.5). Bar on the 50th floor: drinks cost from $ 8.
• Working hours: Skydeck is open 9.30-21.30, ticket office closes at 20.45.

Bitexco Financial Tower

- - Emperor Jade Pagoda

The Jade Emperor Pagoda is a Taoist temple built in 1909. There is a small reservoir with turtles on the territory, for which the pagoda is sometimes called the Turtle.

• The address: 73 Mai Thi Luu St, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
• Coordinates: 10.791699 N, 106.69787 E
• Visit cost: is free.
• Working hours: all day.

At Turtle Pagoda
In the temple

- - Pagoda Jacques Lam (Giac Lam Pagoda)

Jacques Lam Pagoda is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Ho Chi Minh City. Built in 1744

• The address: Lạc Long Quân, Tân Bình, Ho Chi Minh City. Located outside the central part of Ho Chi Minh City.
• Coordinates: 10.778912 N, 106.64922 E
• Visit cost: is free.
• Working hours: all day.

- Museums

There are a lot of museums in Saigon, but only the most popular ones, which are located in the tourist center of Ho Chi Minh City, will be listed here.

- - Museum of the consequences of the war

The museum is dedicated to the aftermath of military action by the United States. Here are collected and stored archives of documents, various collections, photographs. A large number of military equipment is displayed on the territory of the museum.

• Site:baotangchungtichchientranh.vn
• The address: 28 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Buses: # 28 (from Ben Thanh market), # 14, # 6.
• Coordinates: 10.779371 N, 106.69217 E
• Visit cost: 15,000 dongs ($ 0.75), discounts for children, students, disabled people.
• Working hours: daily 7.30-12.00 and 13.30-17.00.

- - Museum of the History of Vietnam

Here are collected collections of exhibits from ancient times (including the Cham culture) to the XX century.

• Site:baotanglichsuvn.com
• The address: Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh.
• Coordinates: 10.787871 N, 106.70499 E
• Visit cost: 15,000 VND ($ 0.75).
• Working hours: Tue-Sun 8.00-11.00 and 13.30-17.00, Mon - closed.

- - Museum of Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City Museum, currently holding and preserving 45,666 exhibits, grouped into 133 thematic collections of interesting materials from various historical periods: flags, administrative documents, radio, cameras, wooden furniture, statues of popular faith, exhibits related to historical figures, weapons, Zinc Cochin coins of the 18th century, silver ingots (from the middle of the 17th century to the middle of the 20th century), money with a high face value (from the middle of the 18th century to the middle of the 20th century), Indo-Chinese coins, forms for printing paper money of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

• Site: hcmc-museum.edu.vn
• The address: No. 65 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. You can get there by bus number 04, 18, 36 from Ben Thanh market, walk from there in 15-20 minutes.
• Coordinates: 10.776091 N, 106.69971 E
• Visit cost: schoolchildren - 2.000 dong (0.1 $), adults - 5.000 dong (0.25 $), foreign citizens - 15.000 dong (0.75 $).
• Working hours: daily 8.00-17.00.

- - Museum of Women (Southern Vietnam Women Museum)

The exhibition is dedicated to Vietnamese women and their role in society and the history of the state.

• Site:baotangphunu.com
• The address: 202 Võ Thị Sáu, phường 7, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam.
• Coordinates: 10.784404 N, 106.68811 E
• Visit cost: is free.
• Working hours: Mon-Fri 7.30-12.00 and 13.30-17.00, Sat, Sun - closed.

- - Ho Chi Minh Museum

Here is an exposition related to the life and death of Ho Chi Minh. Exhibition halls are located on 3 floors. The museum has a small, but very pleasant park, from here a wonderful view of the Saigon River embankment opens up.

• The address: Số 01 Nguyễn Tất Thành, Phường 12, Quận 4, TP. Hồ Chí Minh.
• Coordinates: 10.768281 N, 106.70679 E
• Visit cost: 10.000 dong (0.5 $).
• Working hours: no information.

Ho Chi Minh Museum: view from the bridge
The territory of the Ho Chi Minh Museum
Around the museum
Exhibits of the Ho Chi Minh Museum

- Parks and places for walking and recreation

Saigon places of entertainment, recreation and walks will be listed here. In many of them you can spend half a day - a day.

- - Zoo and Botanical Garden

This is a truly wonderful place! In Ho Chi Minh City Zoo, you can enjoy walking for hours. There are giraffes, rhinos, elephants, crocodiles, many species of artiodactyls, monkeys, birds, reptiles and other animals. There is also a botanical garden and attractions. On weekends, performances are tripled on stage.

• Site: saigonzoo.net
• The address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Str., Ward Ben Nghe, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Coordinates: 10.788345 N, 106.70629 E
• Visit cost: adults - 50,000 dong ($ 2.5), children - 30,000 dong ($ 1.5).
• Working hours: daily 7.00-18.00, entrance until 17.00.

Ho Chi Minh City Zoo and Botanical Garden

- - Puppet theater on the water "Golden Dragon"

Traditional Vietnamese water puppet dance. The show is accompanied by live national music and songs.

• Site:goldendragontheatre.com
• Coordinates: 10.776241 N, 106.69247 E
• The address: 55 B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Visit cost: 7,5$.
• Working hours: the beginning of the performances 17.00, 18.30, 19.45. Lasts 50 minutes.

- - Pham Ngu Lao street area (Pham Ngu Lao Street)

There is a park along Pham Ngu Lao street. Both tourists and locals love to walk here. In the evenings, children and adolescents play various games. But this is not why this street is popular. The whole area is interesting, which is surrounded by Pham Ngu Lao, Do Quang Dau, Bui Vien and De Tham streets. There is a special Saigon atmosphere here. To feel it, you need to dive deeper into one of the narrow streets and walk through the labyrinths, where buildings stand at a distance of 1.5-2 meters from each other. Here, every door is open and you can watch the life of the Vietnamese. And when it gets dark, a huge number of small tables and stools are set up along Bui Vien Street, where crowds of backpackers gather to chat over a bottle of local Saigon beer.

• The address: Pham Ngu Lao, Do Quang Dau, Bui Vien, De Tham streets and alleys within.
• Coordinates: 10.768686 N, 106.693336 E
• Visit cost: is free.
• Working hours: around the clock.

Park along Pham Ngu Lao street
The end of Pham Ngu Lao street (Or maybe the beginning :))

Bui Vien Street

We lived in one of these streets
Tourist area in the evening

- - Amusement parkSuoi Tien

Attractions, water park, ice and other palaces.

• Site:suoitien.com
• Coordinates: 10.862741 N, 106.80295 E
• The address: 149ABC Nguyen Duy Duong Street, Ward 3, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Located on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, from Ben Thanh Market can be reached by bus # 19.
• Visit cost: adults - 90,000 dongs ($ 4.5), children - 45,000 ($ 2) + each attraction is paid separately.
• Working hours: Mon-Fri 7.00-17.00, Sat-Sun 7.00-18.00, holidays 7.00-23.00.

- - Damsen Amusement Park (Dam Shen,Dam Sen Park)

Amusement park and other entertainment.

• Site:tranhsondautot.com
• Coordinates:
• The address: 3 Hòa Bình, phường 3, Hồ Chí Minh. Far from tourist center Ho Chi Minh City. You need to get from Ben Thanh market by bus # 11.
• Visit cost: no information.
• Working hours: no information.

- - Damsen Water Park (Dam Shen,Dam Sen Water Park)

Aquapark.

• Site:damsenwaterpark.com.vn
• Coordinates: 10.764523 N, 106.63871 E
• The address: 03 Hoa Binh Street, Ho Chi Minh City. From Ben Thanh market by bus # 11.
• Visit cost: adults - 130,000 dongs ($ 6.5), children - 90,000 ($ 4.5); after 4 pm: adults - 110,000 dongs ($ 5.5), children - 80,000 ($ 4)
• Working hours: Mon-Sat 9.00-18.00, Sun, Holidays 8.30-18.00.

- - Park Le Van Tam

City park, where the tourist is not a frequent visitor. Here the people of Saigon go in for sports en masse. So, if you are staying in Ho Chi Minh City for a long time, you can join them. 🙂

• The address: Võ Thị Sáu, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh.
• Coordinates: 10.788245 N, 106.69369 E
• Visit cost: is free.
• Working hours: around the clock.

Attractions Ho Chi Minh City on the map of Vietnam

The map of Saigon below is divided into several layers, sections, which for convenience can be turned on / off in the menu on the left. The layers are grouped as follows: “Buildings and Architecture”, “Parks and Recreation Areas”, “Museums”, “Other Objects”.

If you are short on time and do not know what to see in Ho Chi Minh City, I recommend taking a stroll around the sights that are concentrated in the city center (follow the map). All of them are located not far from each other, if desired, you can handle it in one day.

Before walking, ask for a paper map of Ho Chi Minh City at your hotel's front desk. When you are walking around the city, it is convenient to use offline mobile app with maps maps.me.

What to see in the vicinity of Ho Chi Minh City

To go to explore the distant sights of Ho Chi Minh City, it is best to book an excursion at one of the many offices in the area of ​​Pham Ngu Lao Street. You can go to some places yourself by motorbike (rent $ 5 per day) or by public transport. We did not go around the neighborhood, so I will just list what you can see:

• Cu Chi tunnels.
• Dai Nam amusement park.
• Mekong Delta.
• Monkey Island Can Gio Island.
• Vung Tau city. We drove to this wonderful city as part of independent trip for 2 days.

Attractions in the vicinity of Saigon on the map Vietnam:

Excursions in Ho Chi Minh City in Russian

In Ho Chi Minh City, excursions around the city and the surrounding area can be ordered both locally at travel agencies and in advance.

Photo walk in the center of Ho Chi Minh City

In this section, I want to post different photos of Ho Chi Minh City, which are not related to specific attractions, but which give general idea about what the center of Saigon looks like.

Saigon river embankment

KFC is giving a gift))

I hope these photos will help you navigate among what you can see in the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

Safety precautions on the streets of Saigon

In Vietnam, the crime rate, although not high, but do not forget about basic security measures. V tourist area almost any metropolis, incl. and Ho Chi Minh City, bags should be worn over the shoulder. otherwise, they can easily be ripped off when passing by on a motorcycle. Don't put your money and valuables in easily accessible pockets. In crowded places, remove your backpack from your back. Cross the street carefully as traffic in Saigon is very chaotic.

Do not forget about the various kinds of "vtyukhivalschik". In tourist places you will be constantly forced to buy glasses, shout "hey, motorbike" (with the aim of giving you a lift), in the evening near each cafe you will be invited for dinner, massage, etc. When buying any trinkets or services, be sure to bargain.

Molesters

One day a guy ran up to us with a box and right on our way began to glue Kostya's frayed sandals. On our attempts to go further, he did not react to resistance and the phrase "know nid". As a result, he took off his shoes from Kostya and began to wash it with a strange liquid, which, judging by the dirty consistency, he used repeatedly. This comrade never once touched upon the topic of money, but we understood that now we would have to pay. At that moment, we only had large bills of 100,000 dong ($ 5) and 10,000 ($ 0.5) in small change. When a couple of minutes later the guy finished what he was not asked for, as expected, he demanded money. He did not name the price, but 10,000 was very little for him. In view of his pride, he did not take money at all and was very offended at us.

In which area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City to rent a hotel

In Ho Chi Minh City, it is best to rent a hotel in the area of ​​Pham Ngu Lao Street, which I wrote about earlier. Firstly, there are many tourist offices here, so taking a tour or buying a ticket will not be a problem. Secondly, they are accustomed to tourists, so there will be no problems communicating in English. Thirdly, in this area it is interesting to walk along the streets and hang out with backpackers. Fourth, there is Ben Thanh market nearby, from which you can get to any part of the city by bus. Fifth, here are the lowest prices for hotels in Ho Chi Minh City. Sixth, there are a large number of cafes and restaurants. The hotel can be booked on Booking... I wrote how to book a hotel on my own.

If you wish, you can look for housing on the spot near the same Fa Ngu Lao street. In budget hotels, they announce the price of $ 15-25 per night per room. If that doesn't suit you, you will most likely be asked to name your price. Bargaining is appropriate here, calmly discard $ 5, and then look at the situation. Before staying at the selected hotel, ask to be shown the room, specify whether the price includes the use of an air conditioner, check the Internet speed in the room. Be sure to pay attention to the presence of clubs or karaoke nearby, so that later there will be no problems with sleeping.

We travel light, each with only one small backpack with a volume of 25-30 liters. Therefore, recently we have been practicing finding a hotel on the spot. In fact, I didn't have to look for a long time, tk. from the crowd we were caught by a local resident and offered housing for $ 10. The room turned out to be small, clean, with internet. For using the air conditioner, the cost of housing increased by $ 2 per day. In March, it gets very hot and stuffy in Ho Chi Minh City, so we couldn't do without an air conditioner.

Where and at what prices to eat in Saigon

A huge number of cafes with Vietnamese and Western cuisine are concentrated in the area of ​​Pham Ngu Lao Street. Prices range mainly from 35,000-40,000 VND (1.5-2 $) for the local Pho soup to 150,000 for the rest of the menu items. Vietnamese food tends to be cheaper. In simple pizzerias, the cost of a small pizza starts at 100,000 VND ($ 5). Beer "Saigon" is offered in cafes at prices from 10,000 ($ 0.5) per bottle. In small shops in the neighborhood, it will also cost 15-20,000 dong ($ 0.75-1). The illogical difference in cost was explained quite logically: an empty bottle remains in the cafe, which in itself has a price. 🙂

Food in cafes near Pham Ngu Lao street

But we still love to eat in non-tourist eateries. It is in such places that you can taste the real taste of national dishes. We found a great street food court with Vietnamese cuisine at prices of 30,000-50,000 VND ($ 1.5-2.5) with huge portions of deliciously prepared food, with tons of herbs and various spices to boot. This place is located directly opposite the entrance to the observation deck "Saigon Skydeck" of the largest skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City, Biteksko. Here is a photo of the cafe.

Authentic food court opposite the Biteksko tower

How to get to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

To begin with, there is an international airport in Ho Chi Minh City that accepts direct flights from Russia and other countries. There are often discounts and sales for flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities. You can compare air ticket prices among different airlines and agents using the low prices calendar below.

If you have never booked a plane ticket, or have booked, but still do not really understand how to search correctly cheap air ticket, then I advise you to read the article.

During the day, public buses run from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city center. After six or seven in the evening, you will have to take a taxi. Before boarding, agree on the price per kilometer with the driver and keep an eye on the meter. If you want to take care of the road from the airport to the hotel (or another place) in advance, then you can pick up and book a transfer on the website kiwitaxi / hoshimin.

From other cities in Vietnam and neighboring Cambodia, you can not only fly by plane, but also take a bus or train. We ourselves got there, beforehand.

For a trip to Vietnam, you can make health insurance through the Internet among the most popular agencies on the site Sravni(the policy will be sent to the mail within 2-10 minutes).

This concludes my huge post. If you suddenly forgot something, or want to add something, write in the comments to the article. I will tell you a lot more about Vietnam and other countries of Southeast Asia, if interested - subscribe to the news!

Walked around Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

Marina and Konstantin Samorossenko

Hey! We, Marina and Konstantin Samorossenko, are the authors of this travel blog. All information provided on the site free... But if you want thank the authors, take part in fundraising for an expensive hearing restoration surgery our son Elisha. Details and our history can be found.

Tourists who come to Ho Chi Minh City from Cambodia often do not suspect that several centuries ago the territory of the metropolis belonged to the builders of ancient Angkor. The first settlement in these places bore the Khmer name of Preynokor. (Prei Nokor)... Viets first appeared in the Mekong Delta only in the 16th century, and already at the beginning of the next century, the flow of immigrants from the North, torn apart by civil strife, increased several times. Cambodia, having just experienced a devastating war against Siam, could do nothing about this human tsunami.

In the middle of the 17th century. from China came a new wave of emigrants fleeing the Manchu invasion. The Chinese settled in the village of Tolon and engaged in commerce, while the Vieta in the nearby community of Bennge grew rice. The name Saigon, meaning "kapok forest" (kapok is a tropical tree, also called seiba), first found in Vietnamese sources in 1674.

In 1698, the Vietnamese presence here was officially consolidated, and General Nguyen Huu Kanh became the first ruler of the newly formed Ziadin prefecture. This event is considered the starting point of the city's history. At the end of the 18th century. it was from here that the northern campaign of the army of Nguyen Phuc Anya began, which ended with the defeat of the Teishon rebels and the accession of a new dynasty. Having established himself on the throne, the first emperor of the Nguyen clan did not forget what he owed to the South. On the threshold of the 19th century. French engineers built a fortress in Saigon, which was located in the very center of the modern city, in the northeastern part of the current Le Duan street. The appearance of the fortifications has been continuously changing for half a century. In 1859, the redoubts were attacked by a French squadron and were so badly destroyed that Admiral Louis-Adolphe Bonard, who became the first governor of the Cochinquin colony in August 1861, had to start building the city from scratch. The admiral, who had managed to accumulate administrative experience as ruler of French Polynesia, energetically got down to business.

In 1862, the capital of the new possessions of Napoleon III was officially named Saigon.

At first, the city grew slowly, especially since the "Annamites" were not at all going to give the invaders an easy victory. In January 1863, a young warrant officer of the Russian fleet, Konstantin Stanyukovich, arrived in Saigon on a confidential assignment from the command. He had to find out the state of the new colony and its military forces. The city disappointed the future writer, it seemed to him "just a large, wide-spread village with 10-15 buildings, showing that a European lives here." After spending a month and a half in Saigon, Stanyukovich changed the tone of his notes to a more supportive one, praised the French for their "ability to live" and promised the city a great future. The author of "Maksimka" was right: after a couple of decades, the former village began to be called nothing other than "Paris of the Far East." In place of drained marshes and filled up river branches, boulevards and streets were laid. The city received a beautiful embankment on the Saigon River and a comfortable market, between which a wide avenue stretches - the current Ham Ngi Street.

The main thoroughfares of the city - Bonara and Katina streets - were already illuminated in 1866. A year earlier, the first local newspaper, Zyadinbao, was published in Saigon. The port, which already in 1877 received more than 400 ships, was the center of attraction for local life. The first multistory colonial-style buildings were erected near the embankment (current districts I and III)... The Botanical Garden and the Zoo also appeared here. (1865) rose cathedral of Notre Dame de Saigon (1877-1880) and the Post Office building (1891) ... In 1898, the first film show took place in Saigon, and two years later the luxurious Opera House was built. The transfer of the capital of the Indo-Chinese Union to Hanoi, which took place in 1902, did not in any way affect the development of the city. 1920s became a real "golden age" of colonial Saigon. Trade flourished - only one rice was exported up to one and a half million tons per year! The city was visited by many famous people: scientists Alexander Jersen and Albert Calmette, future Emperor Nicholas II and composer Camille Saint-Saens ...

In 1929, 300 thousand people lived in Saigon. The Vietnamese made up the working class, the Chinese traded, the Indian people were in control of the financial business. The French belonged to power, and this did not suit the patriots of Vietnam. Throughout the 1920s. riots often broke out on the streets of the city and anti-colonial demonstrations took place. In October 1930, the First Plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Indochina was secretly convened in Saigon, and ten years later an uprising broke out, the participants of which held control of the city for several days. Only after the suppression of the riots did the center of the anti-French struggle move to the north of the country. Immediately after this, Saigon was occupied by Japanese troops.

Five years later, the capital, which was subjected to several Allied air raids during the war years and was left without masters, fell at the feet of the Viet Minh fighters. The first communist rule lasted only a few days in the South of Vietnam: on September 13, a Franco-British airborne force landed in Saigon. During the I Indochina War, the city served as the seat of several pro-French governments. Death of the French commander-in-chief, the talented Jean de Lattra de Tassigny (together with Georgy Zhukov, who at one time signed the surrender of Nazi Germany), decided the fate of the campaign in favor of the Viet Minh, but the campaign of the "red" forces in Saigon was postponed for several decades. In June 1954, with the support of the United States, the first president of South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem, came to power.

The new leader was a much brighter and more independent figure than is commonly believed. He began his reign by replacing all French names on the map of Saigon with Vietnamese. Exceptions were made for only four names - Pasteur, Jersen, Calmette and Alexandre de Rod. Numerous monuments have appeared on the squares, perpetuating the memory of the figures of Vietnamese history. After Diem's ​​assassination in 1963, Saigon again became an arena for political strife. For 10 years, there have been 13 government coups.

Each new "caliph for an hour" began his reign with assurances of loyalty to friends from Washington, in connection with which the city was rapidly acquiring many American features - from Coca-Cola advertisements to John F. Kennedy Square. Oddly enough, despite the political instability, in the early 1970s. Saigon outpaced the growth of the capital of neighboring Thailand and Malaysia. By 1975, 2.5 million people lived in the city, there were 400 thousand streets and lanes, 80 thousand cars and 600 thousand motorbikes. Tan Son Nhat airport served flights of two dozen foreign airlines.

Uniting the country, the Communists launched a new renaming campaign in Saigon that surpassed all of Ngo Dinh Diem's ​​achievements. The very name of the city, which became almost a curse in the North, was solemnly erased from the map of Vietnam. The city has changed - businessmen fled, the disaffected hid, and the center of the riotous nightlife Southeast Asia finally moved to Bangkok. New town grew rapidly and soon absorbed many of the surrounding settlements- Cholon, Ziadin, Govap, Tanbin and others. The population exceeded 3 million, and in 1995 it reached 4.8 million.

Since the early 1990s, the SRV government has embarked on a course to revive the attractiveness of Far Eastern Paris. In 1994, the Communist Party called on Chinese businessmen, who had left South Vietnam, to return their capital to the country's economy. The appeal was heard - as early as 1997, foreign investment "worked" in Saigon to implement more than 600 projects.

The city has become the main economic center of the country, attracting a huge army of potential workers.

Location and transportation

Officially Ho Chi Minh Square (2056 sq. Km) almost twice the area of ​​Moscow. This is due to the fact that in addition to 16 urban areas (kuan, or district) the capital city of Nambo includes 5 vast rural areas (hyuen) stretching south down to the mangroves of the sea coast. The 16 kuan, denoted by Roman numerals, account for only about 10% of the area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City, while as much as 75% of the population of the metropolitan area lives here. The most famous, attractive and rich in sights are the I and III districts. From the southeast, they are adjoined by the former territory of the city of Tolon - "Chinatown", occupying V and VI districts. In the western part of Ho Chi Minh City, the Saigon River meanders. Highway 1 crosses it in the northwestern part of the city. Within Ho Chi Minh City, the highway is called Dien Bien Phu Street.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Tan Son Nhat) is located in the northwestern part of the city, about 6 km from the center. In September 2007, a new international terminal was opened here. Bus number 152 (1000 VND) will take you to the center of Ho Chi Minh City, a taxi for the same distance will cost no more than 80,000 dongs. Motorcycle carriers (2 USD / 30,000 VND to the center) can be found at the domestic terminal, located about 200m to the right of the exit from the international terminal.

Myendong Bus Terminal (Ben Xe Mien Dong, 292, Dinh Bo Linh Rd., Tel. 08-8984893), where long-distance buses arrive from the north, is located in the northeastern region of Binhtan, the same distance from the city center as Tan Son Nhat Airport. Several bus lines connect Myendong to the city center (the final stop is at the Bentan market)... Open-tour tourist buses take passengers to Pham Ngu Lao Street in District I - the main tourist quarter of the city.

Myentai Bus Station (Ben Xe Mien Tay, Kinh Duong Vuong St., Tel. 08-8752953) in the same area, Binhtan serves flights from Saigon to the south.

Ansong Bus Station (Ben Xe An Suong, 22, Quoc Lo St., Tel. 08-8832513) in the Hokmon area has appeared recently and serves flights flying to Taining.

The train station is located on Nguyen Ton street (1, Nguyen Thon St., Tel. 08-8245585)... It is interesting that, despite the renaming of the city, the station is still quite officially called the "station of Saigon" (Ga Sai Gon).

• Taxi: Mai Linh Taxi Company - tel. 08-8226666
• Vina Taxi - 08-8111111
• Saigon Taxi - 08-8424242

The chaotic picture of traffic on the streets of the city can scare even the most sophisticated car enthusiast. If the courage does not leave you, and the driving skills are not in doubt, you can rent a motorbike (any travel agency on Pham Ngu Lao street), which will cost from 5 to 15 USD per day, depending on the size and power of the "horse".

The city's hotels are mainly located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. At the same time, fashionable hotels are grouped in the vicinity of Dong Khoi Street, and inexpensive guesthouses are concentrated along Pham Ngu Lao Street and to the south of it.

Low Price Calendar to Ho Chi Minh City

Climate

The dry season in Ho Chi Minh City is from November to April, when the average temperature is around 26 ° C. At this time, the weather is clear, sunny. The rainy season lasts from May to October with an air temperature of about 29 ° C. The average humidity in the city throughout the year is about 80%.

Attractions Ho Chi Minh City

From Pham Ngu Lao Street to Ton Duc Thang Embankment

Pham Ngu Dao neighborhood (Pham Ngu Lao St.) in the 1st district of Ho Chi Minh City - the most famous tourist area of ​​the city. There are many restaurants, travel agencies and hotels, from small family-run guesthouses to the huge 5-star New World Saigon. Stopping at the crossroads of Pham Ngu Lao and De Tham streets (De Tham St.), you will see a long green strip of Le Lai Park across the road, followed by the street of the same name. A little further to the north rises the Gothic spire of the Huen Shi Church (Huyen Sy Church) standing at the crossroads of Nguyen Chai streets (Nguyen Trai St.) and Ton Tat Tung (Ton That Tung St.)... This beautiful Catholic temple is one of the five largest religious buildings in Saigon and keeps the memory of the family of the last Vietnamese empress Nam Phuong. The monarch's grandfather, a prominent businessman Huen Shi, converted to Christianity at the beginning of the 20th century. decided to build a new temple in Saigon. The project of the church was drawn up by the architect-priest Boutier, who also headed the construction work. The material is granite from the quarries of the nearby city of Bien Hoa. The temple was completed in 1902 and immediately became one of the centers of the city's religious life. In the small side chapel of the central nave of the church, you can see marble tombstones on the graves of Huen Shi himself and his wife.

From Huen Shi Church, you can easily and quickly get to the historic center of the city - there you will be led by Pham Ngu Lao Street or Le Lai Street (Le Lai St.)... They both go to northeast direction almost to the very square of Tran Nguyen Hanh (Tran Nguyen Han Sq.), on the north side of which stands the Bentan market building (Ben Than Market) crowned with a clock tower. In the center of the square rises the statue of Tran Nguyen Hanh (1380 - 1442) - poet and military leader, leader of the resistance to the Chinese invaders at the beginning of the 15th century. The bird that the hero holds in his raised right hand is not a hunting falcon at all, but a carrier pigeon. Tran Nguyen Hanh was the first in Vietnam to use these birds for the transmission of war reports. The white female head at the foot of the monument keeps the memory of Kat Thi Chang. This Buddhist believer was killed in the square in 1963 during a protest against the policies of President Ngo Dinh Diem.

On the east side, the square is approached by quarters of colonial Saigon, where many two- and three-story old mansions with balconies and wooden shutters have survived. Boulevard Le Loy departs from the square in the northeast direction. (Le Loi St.)- the main street of the capital of French Indochina. Once this wide highway was named after Admiral Louis-Adolphe Bonard (1805-1867) , the first French governor of Cochinchina. The current name, which appeared in the 1950s, is reminiscent of King Le Loe (1384- 1433) ... Back in the 19th century. the boulevard has become a traditional place for festive festivities for the townspeople. During the era of French rule, military parades were often held here, one of which took place on March 17, 1891 on the occasion of the visit to Saigon of the heir to the Russian throne, Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich. Future emperor and other Russian guests from a special rostrum watched the march of the marines, artillery and Annam riflemen, dressed in blue uniforms and plaited conical hats trimmed with polished brass.

Continuing your walk along the boulevard, you will soon see the beautiful building of the Opera House in the street perspective. The first European theater company appeared in Saigon as early as 1863. Around the same time, the first small wooden theater was built on the site of the current Continental Hotel. The Opera building was erected in the Belle Epoque style in 1899-1900. designed by the Parisian architect Felix Olivier. The construction was supervised by the architect Ernest Guichard. The luxury building with an 800-seat auditorium has cost over a million francs. After the completion of construction around the Opera, the current Lam Shon Square was planned. In 1944, the theater building was damaged by bombs from the allied aviation, but was soon restored. During the First Indochina War, the theater set up a temporary hostel for refugees who moved to Saigon from the northern regions of the country. Nowadays, the name of the Opera House does not correspond to reality: the building stands and pleases with its beauty the townspeople and tourists, however, instead of opera performances, concerts of national music are only occasionally given here.

Standing in the middle of the square facing the Opera, you will see on the right a 4-storey cream colored building with huge cafe windows on the ground floor. This is the famous Hotel Continental, built in 1885 with funds from the French industrialist Pierre Guizot. The hotel is located on the corner of Le Loi Boulevard and Dong Khoi Street (General Uprising street), in the past, bore the name of the French commander of the 17th century. Nicolas de Catina. President Ngo Dinh Diem renamed it Ty Zo Street (Freedom), a modern name was founded in 1975. As soon as it opened, Continental entered the prestigious Society of Grand Hotels of Indochina. Over the long years of its existence, the hotel has changed several owners, has seen many eminent guests and became a silent witness to all the dramatic events of the modern history of Vietnam. In the 1920s. the hotel was visited by the writers Andre Malraux and Somerset Maugham, who described their Saigon experiences in their travel essays The Gentleman in the Foyer: From Rangoon to Haiphong.

At the turn of the 1940s - 1950s. the hotel turned into a press club: journalists from the world's leading publications covering the vicissitudes of the Indochina War rented rooms for their offices. The exception was the correspondent of the London Sunday Times (and also a British intelligence agent) Henry Green, who entered the history of literature under his second name Graham.

The writer spent the last three years of French rule in Saigon, staying in different locations, but with a particular preference for the more conservative and quiet Majestic Hotel, which opened in 1925 at the very beginning of Ryu Katin. The writer dropped in to Continental to sit on the open terrace of a cafe - this habit was inherited by the heroes of his famous novel The Quiet American, written in 1955 in the wake of Vietnamese impressions. The Continental terrace has been a meeting place for the cream of Saigon society for years - it can be seen in numerous scenes in the famous film Indochina.

Continuing the walk along Dong Khoi Street towards the Saigon River, we pass the Mondial Hotel (d. 109)... At this place in the early 1950s. there was a house in which Graham Greene settled the main character of his novel - the journalist Tom Fowler. A little further down the street, a beautiful building with a round corner turret stands out, which also remembers the English writer. This is the Grand Hotel, first opened in the 1930s. and renovated in 1997. At a distance of a block from it, Dong Khoi Street faces the Ton Duc Thang embankment (Ton Due Thang)- the former Quet de Belgique (Belgian embankment)... Turning left and walking about 200 m upstream of the Saigon River, you come to the round Melin Square (Me Linh Sq.), in the center of which there is a monument to General Tran Hung Dao (1228-1300) To the left of the monument rises the modern Renaissance Riverside Hotel. Parts of the Ton Duc Thang promenade around the square have been transformed into shady gardens where you can stop and gaze at the calm waters of the wide Saigon River. Green islands of water hyacinth float slowly towards the mouth, and upstream you can see the docks of the shipyard.

Not far from where we are now, on March 16, 1891, a detachment of Russian warships anchored. On board the cruiser "Pamyat Azov" was the heir to the Russian throne with his retinue, he was accompanied by the frigate "Vladimir Monomakh", as well as gunboats "Manyzhur" and "Koreets" (the latter, 13 years later, shared the fate of the famous "Varyag"), The commander of the flagship had to sweat a lot: the huge cruiser "did not fit" in the river. When the anchor was dropped, Governor-General Jules Piquet personally came aboard to welcome the distinguished guests. A richly decorated arch with the inscription "Saigon to the Tsarevich" was built on the shore near the modern Me Lin Square, through which the future Nicholas II entered the Vietnamese land.

After walking along the embankment for about 400 m to the south, we come to the place where the Bennge Canal flows into the Saigon River. Bennge means "Calf's Landing". Once this was the name of the Vietnamese village located here, from which the history of the city of Ho Chi Minh began. Here the embankment bends to the west along the canal. At this turn, an old flagpole rises, modeled on the real mast of a sailing ship. At the top of the flagpole flutters state flag SRV, which replaced the French tricolor and the yellow-red flag of the Republic of Vietnam. Next to the flagpole is the Batdang pier, from which the "Comets" sail to Vung Tau. A beautiful three-storey building under a red tile roof, standing on the opposite bank of the canal, is the former French Directorate of Maritime Communications next to which the passenger berths of the Messageri Maritim shipping company were located. For many years, all visitors to the city of Saigon began here. Today, the building of the directorate houses the local Ho Chi Minh Museum.

From Ton Duc Thang promenade to Notre-Dame De Saigon

Hai Ba Chung Street goes to the northwest of Me Lin Square (Hai Wa Trung St.)... After walking two blocks along it, you can turn left at a place called Java Coffee Bar. Here, on a small street of Dong Zy (Dong Du), there is the main Saigon mosque, built in 1935. The white mosque surrounded by a garden is open from 8 am to 8 pm. You can rest here, provided that your shoes remain waiting for you at the entrance. The bulk of Saigon Muslims, including citizens of Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia, attend the mosque on Fridays, as is customary in Islam.

Having reached the end of Zong Zu street, we again find ourselves on Dong Khoi street. Turning to the right, you can see the building of the Saigon City Hall in perspective (Hotel deVille), built in 1902 - 1908. in imitation of the famous building of the Paris City Hall. Heading towards it, we leave the Rex Hotel on the left, which stands at the corner of Dong Khoi and Le Loi, opposite the Opera. The building has come a long way from a multi-storey car park to a 4-star hotel that first opened in 1959. American War The Rex was Saigon's most modern hotel and for this reason enjoyed particular sympathy among the officers of the Expeditionary Force. American generals lived here, and officers of lower rank liked to drop by the bar on the roof of the hotel.

The city people's committee meets in the building of the mayor's office, and it is closed for visiting, however, with the onset of darkness, it pleases with beautiful illumination. In front of the main facade of the Hotel de Ville there is a garden and a small, very intimate monument to Ho Chi Minh. Dong Khoi Street skirts the City Hall on the right and ends two blocks to the northwest in the square in front of Notre Dame de Saigon (Cathedral of Our Lady of Saigon).

The first wooden churches appeared in the city immediately after the French conquest. It soon became clear that the tree was quickly destroyed by termites, and in 1876 the governor of Cochinchina, counter-admiral Dupre, announced a competition for the design of a new cathedral. The temple was to become not only the center of religious life, but also a symbol of the power of France in the eyes of the local population. The winner of the competition, the architect J. Bura, presented a project of the building in the monumental neo-Romanesque style. The construction of the cathedral began in 1877, and it was consecrated in 1880.The 60-meter towers adorning the main facade of the temple were crowned with spiers in 1895. (in photographs taken before this event, they resemble the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral).

Six bells with a total weight of about 30 tons emit sounds of different tones. During the construction of the Saigon cathedral, only imported materials were used: even the brick was delivered by sea from Marseilles. The architect Bura, who personally supervised the construction, was able to provide exclusively high quality works. At the end of the XIX century. in the square in front of the cathedral, a monument was erected to Father Pierre Pigno, known in history as Pigno de Been. This missionary, who became the bishop and head of the Catholic Church of Cochinchina in 1770, at the end of the 18th century. won the favor of the future emperor Zia Long and laid the foundation stone of French Indochina. The monument depicted Pinho holding the hand of his pupil - the young prince Kan, son of Zia Long. In 1945, the monument was destroyed by Viet Minh soldiers, who spared only its round pedestal. In the mid-1950s. Bishop Joseph of Saigon (Pham Van Thien) ordered in Rome a granite statue of Our Lady. On February 16, 1959, the statue was solemnly installed on the old pedestal, where it remains to this day. In 2005, a rumor spread throughout the city that ... tears appeared in the eyes of the stone Virgin, but later it was not confirmed and the miracle did not take place.

To the right of the cathedral is the pink building of the central post office. The existing building was completed in 1891 and is located on the site of a post office built in 1886. (both dates can be seen above the main entrance)... Gustave Eiffel also had a hand in designing the metal structures of the post office. At the end of the XIX century. the first telephone exchange in Vietnam was opened here.

Bentan Market and areas to the northwest of it

Despite all the efforts of the authorities, none of the largest monuments of the colonial era managed to become a symbol of Saigon. For almost a hundred years this role has been played by an artless functional structure - the Bentan market. The modern building with a tower and clock was built in 1912-1914. Until 1954 the market was known under the French name Les Halles Centrales (Central market)... The main entrance to the market is located at Tran Nguyen Hanh Square, under the clock.

If you stand with your back to the entrance, then on your left, on the other side of the square, you can see a light 3-storey building with large windows and a red gable roof. This is the former Office railways French Indochina (Bureaux du Chemin de Fer)... It is interesting that the Saigon railway station once also adjoined the square, located on its western side, approximately where the greenery of Le Lai Park ends today. Later, he was “expelled” from the city center and moved almost 3 km towards the airport. Once under the arches of the Bentan market, a foreign visitor immediately falls into the tenacious hands of souvenir sellers. Further, there are shops with clothes and shoes, and in the center of the spacious hall, covered with a dome with a diameter of 28 m, there are “gluttony rows” where you can buy fruit and have an inexpensive snack.

After passing through the market, you exit through its northern gate to Le Thanh Ton street (Le Thanh Ton St.)... Go first to the left, and after 100 m turn right to Truong Dinh Street (Truong Dinh St.)... This short street is home to the colorful Hindu temple of Sri Mariamman. In the last quarter of the XIX century. a large colony of Hindus appeared in Saigon - they moved to Indochina from the French East Indies, a small possession on the Coromandel coast of Hindustan. The colony was dominated by Tamils, so the temple was erected in the style of South Indian Tamil architecture.

The gopurama is striking - a pyramidal tower above the entrance gate of the temple courtyard, decorated with countless painted plaster sculptures. The temple is open for free visits from 7 am to 7 pm (shoes should be left at the entrance)... Although only a few dozen Tamils ​​live in Ho Chi Minh City today, their temple remains operational.

Leaving the temple, turn left and at the intersection with Nguyen Zu street (Nguyen Du St.) let's head northeast along the fence of the central city park Kongwien Wan Hoa (Cong Vien Van Hoa)- the former Jardin de ville (City Garden) colonial era. At the corner of Nguyen Zu and Nam Ki Khoi Ngia streets (Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St.) it is worth looking to the right and paying attention to the white palace, located a little lower towards the river. This building, built in 1886, was the seat of the vice-governor in charge of the state of affairs in South Vietnam. During the independence of the South, the building was called Zia Long Palace. President Ngo Dinh Diem lived here from 1954 to 1955 and also in the last year of his life. Now it houses the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City (15 000 VND, 65, Ly Tu Trong St., tel. 08-8299741, 8.00-11.30 / 14.00-16.00, closed on Mon)... It is worthy of a separate visit, but for now we will turn left and walk along the fence to the main gate of the Reunification Palace, whose territory is adjacent to the city park. The first palace was built on this site in 1868-1871. and was intended for the official residence of the governor of the colony.

The first governor, who settled within the walls of the palace, was Admiral Pierre de Lagrandière. The two-story building with galleries and a dome was named Norodom Palace (Palais Norodom) in honor of the king of Cambodia, who in 1863 voluntarily accepted the protectorate of France. In March 1891, it was here that Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich stayed during his visit to Saigon. During World War II, the highest ranks of the Japanese occupation forces settled in the palace. In September 1954, the last representative of Paris in Indochina, General Paul Ely, handed over the residence to a new leader - President Ngo Dinh Diem. The latter renamed the residence to the Palace of Independence and lived here for seven years.

On February 27, 1962, the palace became the scene of a grandiose attempt on the life of the president, organized by conspirators from the ranks of the South Vietnamese army. To eliminate the dictator, two Skyrader attack aircraft were used, which bombed the building, completely destroying its left wing. Miraculously survived, Ngo Dinh Diem abandoned plans to restore the palace and ordered to build a new residence in its place, which can be seen to this day. The palace stands exactly on the site of the former Palais Norodome, with its main facade facing the beginning of Le Duan street. The building was designed by Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu (1926-2000) , who was awarded the prestigious Grand Prix de Rome scholarship of the French government in 1955 and studied the art of building in Italy for three years.

In 1962, Ngo became the first Asian architect to be elected an honorary member of the American Institute of Architecture. The four-storey palace designed by him has a height of 26 meters and has 95 rooms and halls, while the total area of ​​the complex is 22,000 square meters. The project was based on both the achievements of Western architecture and the ancient principles of feng shui. The various parts of the palace are reminiscent of the Chinese characters, denoting the concepts of "luck", "prosperity", "power", "king", etc. Ngo Viet Thu managed to create a truly original building, devoid of pomp and very comfortable.

Ngo Dinh Diem did not have time to admire his new palace: on November 2, 1963, a successful coup put an end not only to his political career, but also to the life of the president. The solemn "acceptance" of the residence took place only in 1966, and its main owner was General Nguyen Van Thieu, who lived here as the head of South Vietnam from 1967 to 1975.

Interrupting our walk around the city, we will enter the gates of the palace, which played a huge role in the history of Vietnam (entrance 15,000 VND, open daily from 7.30 am to noon and from 1 pm to 5 pm, www.dinhdoclap.gov.vn)... A wide square with a fountain separates the central gate from the main entrance of the building. Pay attention to the facade of the building: behind the marble screens, made in the form of bamboo bends, there are verandas that run along the second and third floors. The verandas were borrowed by the architect from the heritage of colonial architecture, but the screens are his indisputable find. They protect verandas from direct sunlight, while at the same time helping to ensure free air circulation in all rooms. Immediately behind the front doors, a wide staircase opens up to the second floor. To the right and to the left of it are the Great Hall, the Meeting Room of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Banquet Hall.

Large hall with an area of ​​about 450 sq. m is a truly historical place. April 21, 1975 Nguyen Van Thieu held the last meeting of the government here before his flight to about. Taiwan. Nine days later, the last president of South Vietnam, General Duong Van Minh, known as "Big Minh" and the leader of the 1963 coup, surrendered in this hall to officers of the North Vietnamese troops. This happened at I h 30 min. On April 30, 1975, tank engines were still roaring in the courtyard when a group of people in field uniform entered the hall. Big Min declared with dignity that he was ready to transfer power to the revolutionary government. There was a pause, and in the ensuing silence one of those who entered said mockingly: "You cannot convey what you do not have!" After the war in Great Hall there was a commission to work out the conditions for the unification of the country. It was at the end of her work that the palace received its current name.

The second floor of the palace during the years of the "Saigon regime" was intended for the residence and work of the president. Here you can see the office of the head of state and his reception rooms: one for Vietnamese guests, the other for foreigners. The offices of the adjutant and the duty officer of the headquarters, the radio station and the room for working with maps remind of the war. The office and reception of the vice president were also located here.

Most of the third floor is occupied by a comfortable living room with a bar and gambling tables, as well as a cinema room. The entire fourth floor is, in fact, a huge covered terrace. Here you can see the teak-clad dance floor. It is interesting that, according to the architect, this place was intended for focused meditation. There is a helipad just below. A trophy American helicopter standing here, one of the famous Huey's, helps to present scenes of the escape of the last inhabitants of the palace in 1975.

In the palace park there are T-59 and T-54 tanks, identical to the famous vehicles that broke into the residence on the morning of April 30, 1975. The first tank, hull number 843, crumpled the park fence from the side, while the second car tore off the grate of the main gate ... A little further, an American Northrop F5 fighter-bomber is installed. On April 8, 1975, a pilot of the South Vietnamese Air Force, Nguyen Thanh Ching, flew from an airbase in Vien Hoa in an aircraft of this type. Sending him on the next mission, the command did not suspect that the pilot had long joined the ranks of the communists and had received a much more important order from the party the day before: to bomb the presidential palace! Chung broke away from his flight and, appearing over Saigon, dropped two bombs. One exploded on an empty helipad of the palace, while the other broke through the ceiling and damaged the main staircase. The action had no casualties, and the pilot flew to the location of the "Reds" and a week later again bombed Saigon on the captured Dragonfly bomber. After the war, Chung took a seat at the helm of the Vietnam Airlines liner.

Going beyond the boundaries of the palace fence, you find yourself at the beginning of the former boulevard Norodom, which has turned into Rue Le Duan. After walking three blocks in a northeast direction, you find yourself in the diplomatic area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City. Today there are 29 foreign consulates in the city. The site closest to the palace is occupied by the representative office of the PRC, and about 200 meters from it the stars and stripes flag flutters. The US Consulate continues to occupy the grounds of the former US Embassy in the Republic of Vietnam.

The first embassy building in Saigon was built by Uncle Sam in the late 1950s and can still be seen at 39 Ham Ngi Street. As US influence in South Vietnam increased, the need for more spacious premises arose. The new complex on Norodom Boulevard was completed in 1964, and for the next 10 years all the most important decisions in the life of the puppet state were made here. In the last month of the war, a continuous air bridge operated between the embassy and the American ships stationed at the mouth of the Saigon River. The helicopters landed directly on the roof of the mission, while huge crowds of frightened people besieged the gate day and night, hoping for an evacuation. The atmosphere that prevailed here on the eve of the denouement of the 10-year-old drama is well captured in the famous film by American Michael Cimino, The Deer Hunter. At about 4 a.m. on April 30, 1975, the last staff, led by Ambassador Graham Martin, left the embassy, ​​and three hours later, the last helicopter took off, carrying off the Marine guards. After the fall of Saigon, the mission buildings were partially destroyed or rebuilt. After the reconciliation of former adversaries, diplomatic life is once again seething in the ashes.

Continuing the walk along Le Duan Street, you can go to Nguyen Binh Khiem Street (Nguyen Binh Khiem St.), where the Botanical Garden and the Zoo are located (adults / children 8000/4000 VND, tel. 08-8293901, 7.00-20.00)... Their common history began in 1864.The garden also houses the Historical Museum (10,000 VND, tel. 08-8298146, 8.00-11.30 / 13.00-16.00, Sunday: 8.30-16.00) and the temple of King Hung Vyong. The yellow building of the museum was erected in 1929 in the style of oriental eclecticism, which crossed a Chinese pagoda with a French colonial villa. Before independence, the building was occupied by the Society for Indo-Chinese Studies, which opened the first museum here, which until 1956 was named the Blanchard de la Bose Museum. The modern exposition tells about the history of the country from the period of Dong Shon culture (XIII century BC)... Much attention is paid to the ancient Khmer and Cham states that once existed on the territory of South Vietnam.

The museum has a large collection of temple sculpture (some samples were taken from Angkor) and ancient weapons. The halls of the museum are well lit, and the exhibitions are provided with explanations in English. Taking pictures in the halls of the museum is prohibited. From time to time, the museum organizes puppet theater performances on the water, but the condition for this is the presence of at least five interested spectators.

Returning to the gate of the Reunification Palace, turn right and, around the fence of the park, get to the intersection of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai streets (Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St.) and Le Cui Don (Le Ouy Don St.) located about 10 minutes walk from the palace. A block away to the north-west along the street. Le Cui Don houses the most impressive museum in Ho Chi Minh City - War Memorial Museum (entrance from Wo Wan Tan Street (Vo Van Tan St.), open daily from 7.30 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 16.30, entrance 10,000 VND)... The museum was opened on September 4, 1975 until the mid-1990s. was called the "Museum of the Crimes of the American Military". Then the exchange of ambassadors and the prospect of investment forced the name to be changed to a more neutral one ...

The content of the exposition, however, remained unchanged: terrible pictures of victims of sadistic military technologies, documents and captured weapons. The hall called "Requiem" contains the works of 134 photojournalists from 11 countries who died on the battlefields of the Indochina wars. The first to fall was the famous Hungarian Robert Kapa back in 1954, and the last front-line photographer was killed just two days before the fall of Saigon. The fate of several correspondents who went missing in the jungle on the Cambodian border is still unknown ...

On the west side of the museum is attached a full-size replica of "tiger cages" - solitary cells in which prisoners of political prisons in South Vietnam were kept. Here you can also see a genuine ... guillotine, which still belonged to the French colonialists. The last time such an archaic execution weapon was used in South Vietnam was in March 1960.

If visiting the museum did not take away your last strength, then to complete the excursion, it is worth visiting the Thich Quang Duc Memorial and Sa Loi Pagoda. To do this, leaving the museum, you need to turn right and walk in the southwest direction along Vo Wan Tan Street (Vo Van Tan St.) to the intersection with Kat Mang Thang Tam street (Cach Mang Thang Tarn St.)... Turning to the right again and walking for about 200 m, you will find yourself at a busy intersection. On June 11, 1963, this place was even more crowded: Buddhists held another demonstration of protest against the anti-Buddhist policy of President Ngo Dinh Diem. Their claims to the head of state were quite justified: from the first days of his stay in power, the Catholic Diem actively patronized his co-religionists to the detriment of the Buddhist majority of the population.

Catholicism has become the de facto state religion. Non-Christians could not hold official positions and receive officer ranks in the police and the army. It went as far as prohibiting Buddhist rituals and festive celebrations. Thich Quang Duc, 66, a senior monk from Thien My Temple in Hue City, came to Saigon to self-immolate in protest against the prevailing order. The car in which the monk was traveling with two disciples stopped at an intersection. Thich Kuang Duc with a detached face sat down on the pavement in the lotus position. The demonstrators surrounded him in a tight ring, while one of the novices poured gasoline on the teacher. Saying the name of Buddha, Thich calmly struck a match ...

Despite their best efforts, the police were unable to break through the human barrier. When it was all over, the remains of the monk were transferred to the nearby Sa Loi Pagoda. On the same day, President Ngo issued a statement expressing “regret and concern”. Despite this, the secret services broke into the pagoda the very next day and tried unsuccessfully to confiscate the ashes of the voluntary martyr. The unmarried president's daughter-in-law, who played the role of the country's "first lady", cynically called the monk's act a "barbecue show". With this "witty" statement, she drove the last nail into the coffin of the family's power: less than six months later, a coup took place in the country, and the president and his younger brother (husband of the "first lady") were killed ... Today, at the site of the death of the monk, there is a monument decorated with flowers in the form of a small pagoda.

The bell tower of Sa Loi Pagoda is visible to the north of the junction. To get to it, you need to walk a little further along Kat Mang Thang Tam street and turn right, to Ngo Thoi Niem street (Ngo Thoi Nhiem St.)... Sa Loi Pagoda (Pagoda of holy relics) was built in 1956 - 1958. This is the largest Buddhist temple Ho Chi Minh City. There is a large statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in the main prayer hall. The heart of Thich Kuang Duc is also kept here, the remains of which were cremated in the courtyard of the pagoda after a martyr's death. According to legend, the monk's heart was not touched by fire and is now kept in a crystal vessel on the altar of the temple.

The seven-tiered bell tower of the temple, built in 1961, has a height of 32 m - this is the tallest structure of its kind in the country. The bell, suspended from the tower, weighs 2 tons and is a replica of the bell of the Thien My Pagoda in Hue.

Tolon (districts V and VI)

Saigon's Chinatown is no younger than the city itself. Already at the end of the 17th century. there was a large Chinese settlement, which served as the main trade center of the area (the word "Teolon" itself means "big market")... At the end of the 18th century. the population of Tolon grew even more at the expense of the Chinese who fled from the North, engulfed in revolt. In the war with the Teishons, Chinese merchants supported the feudal lords and had every reason to fear the wrath of the rebels. Once safe in the affluent South, the Chinese tended to unfold in all their commercial prowess.

The French invasion cut the population of the Mekong Delta by more than half and dealt a tangible blow to the well-being of the Chinese colony. With their inherent dexterity, the Chinese quickly adapted to the changed situation and were able to benefit from it. Cholon returned to its former prosperity and began to grow rapidly. In 1910, Chinese settlements actually merged with Saigon, and in 1931 formed with it a special administrative unit "Saigon-Tolon Region". The last remnants of self-government disappeared in 1941, and Tölon finally became an urban area.

Like all colonialists, the French acted in Indochina on the principle of "divide and conquer". The dominance of the Chinese in trade was encouraged by the authorities, as it prevented the recalcitrant Viet from accumulating "excess" wealth. Under the terms of several treaties concluded between France and China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Chinese enjoyed duty-free trade and free border crossing rights in French possessions, as well as many other benefits. The Chinese minority, for their part, understood that they owed their prosperity to the authorities, and paid with loyalty to any regime that followed the "rules of the game." The Chinese much faster than the Vietnamese adopted the French way of life, the manner of dressing and doing business. A colorful image of a young westernized Tyolon rich man of the late 1920s. can be seen in Jean-Jacques Annaud's film The Lover. Many scenes in the film by the French filmmaker reproduce the life of Tolon of that era.

The "golden age" of the Tyolong Chinese was the era of South Vietnam's independence. Businessmen from Chinatown quickly forgot their French habits and even changed their names to the Vietnamese way. Chinese capital actively intervened in politics, sponsoring the most promising participants in the struggle for power. As a result, after 1964, 80 ethnic Chinese became multimillionaires. The residents of Tolon controlled 100% of the wholesale and 50% of the retail trade in the republic. 80% of the loans issued by the banks of the republic were received by the firms of the Tolon residents. The most successful Chinese businessmen were called "kings" in Saigon. Ma He was the "rice king", Lee Hong was the "gasoline king"; The "steel king" Lam Hue Ho controlled about 20 import directions and had the exclusive right to buy scrap metal from the army. Chinese Li Long Thang, who owned 23 enterprises, was called the "de facto president" during the time of Nguyen Van Thieu.

The fall of Saigon did not take the Tyolon "oligarchs" by surprise: in anticipation of the collapse of the republic, their capital was prudently transferred to Hong Kong and Singapore. Small businessmen from Chinatown, who had nowhere to run, had a worse situation. Their shops and workshops became the main target of the campaign for the introduction of "socialist management" in the south. As a result, many Tolon residents in the 1970s and 1980s. replenished the army of "boat people", trying to escape from the country by any means. All this led to the decline of Saigon's Chinatown ...

Tolon is located at a distance of about 3 km from the "colonial center" of the city. You can get here by bus from the stop at Bentan Market (15 - 20 minutes, 2000 VND), it will cost about 20,000 dongs. The main attractions of Chinatown are concentrated in the vicinity of Tran Hung Dao Street (Tran Hung Dao St.), which runs from the Bentan market itself and crosses Tolon from east to west. To the north of this street is a mosque and several Chinese temples.

Thien Hau Pagoda (Thien Hau) on Nguyen Chai street (Nguyen Trai) built at the beginning of the 19th century. corporation of Cantonese merchants. The temple is dedicated to the already familiar goddess - the mistress of the sea, “responsible” for the safety of merchant ships. Quan An Pagoda (Quan Am) is located next to the previous temple. It was built in 1816 by merchants from the Chinese province of Fujian. The pagoda is richly decorated with painted sculpture, gilding and varnish. Phuok An Hoi Kuan Pagoda (Phuoc An Hoi Quan) much younger than the two previous temples: it was built by the Fujian corporation in 1902. Its highlight is the countless ceramic sculptures and reliefs dotting its roof, walls and altar. All pagodas are open to the public.

Is in Tölone and christian temple- Cha Tang Catholic Church (Cha Tat, 25, Duong Hoc Lac St.), standing at the very end of Tran Hung Dao Street. A beautiful yellow church with a high spire is separated from the street by a gate built in a purely Chinese style. In November 1963, President Ngo Dinh Diem and his younger brother took refuge in Cha Tang Church during a coup d'état. The army command sent a detachment of soldiers in armored vehicles to the temple. The president was told that the military were ready to save the legitimate head of state. Believing, the brothers got into one of the combat vehicles and were treacherously killed on the way to the center of Saigon. Binh Tai is located about 100 m southwest of the church. (Cho Binh Tau)- the main market of Tolon. It was built in the Chinese style at the beginning of the 20th century. at the expense of the wealthy merchant Go Dong (Quach Dam, 1863-1927) who started out in Tölone as a junk dealer and ended up making a huge fortune. A granite monument to Guo Dong, surrounded by bronze sculptures of lions and dragons, can still be seen in the center of the market.

Today, only a few hundred Chinese live in Tolon. Nevertheless, this area is very different from other areas of the city: many of the signs here are written in Chinese characters, and not in Vietnamese Latinized script. Excursions to Saigon's Chinatown are especially popular with tourists from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. On the streets of Tölon, there are many restaurants with good South Chinese cuisine.

Dam Sen Park is located at a distance of about 1 km northeast of Töllon. (Dam Sen, admission for adults / children 18,000 / 12,000 VND, funny www.damsenpark.com.vn)- a local analogue of Disneyland, which will surely appeal to children. The park has two lakes surrounded by gardens and attractions. In the Royal Garden you can admire the flora of South Vietnam, and in the Bonsai Garden - bonsai (Vietnamese non bo)... Walking through the park, every now and then you come across bizarre statues of dinosaurs, dragons, giant beetles and shrimps. There is a miniature monorail here (travel 15,000 dong) and pleasure boats. There is a water park in the northwestern part of Dam Sen (visit for adults / children 50,000 / 30,000 VND, www.damsenwaterpark.com.vn), and on the opposite side is the ancient Zak Vien pagoda (Giac Vien), built at the beginning of the XIX century. The pagoda is home to several Buddhist monks who practice the art of Chinese calligraphy.

The secluded Zak Lam Pagoda is located about 1 km north of Dam Sen Park, in the direction of the airport. This is the oldest Buddhist temple in Ho Chi Minh City, founded in 1744 and still operating. Architectural ensemble the pagoda was formed by 1900 and since then has not been rebuilt. The pagoda is not only open to free visits, but also provides tourists with the opportunity to relax with a cup of tea in the courtyard of the temple. The inner surface of the walls of the temple courtyard is painted with scenes of Buddhist hell and the afterlife. A carriage or taxi to Dam Sen Park and Zyak Lam Pagoda from the center of Ho Chi Minh City will cost 20,000-30,000 VND.

Museum of Fine Arts (97A, Pho Due Chinh St., District 1, Tel. 08-8222441, 9.00-16.30, except Sundays. Entrance VND 10,000)... The youngest museum in the city occupies a beautiful building, built at the beginning of the 20th century. by the same architect who designed the Bentan Market. The museum is located a block away from Tran Nguyen Hanh Square. The exposition presents many works - from ancient Cham plastics to socialist battle painting.

Ton Duc Thang Memorial Museum (5, Ton Due Thang St., Tel. 08-8297542)... The museum is located on the waterfront 100 m north of Me Lin Square. The statesman and politician of democratic Vietnam was born in 1888 in the city of Lonshuen near Saigon. During World War I, Ton Duc Thang was drafted into the French Navy and even visited the Black Sea during the Russian Civil War. In the 1930-1950s. he took part in the anti-colonial movement and the 1st Indochina War, and then held high positions in the leadership of Vietnam for a long time. The museum opened in 1980, on the occasion of Thang's centenary.

Taoist Temple of the Jade Emperor (Chua Ngoc Hoang) built in 1909 by immigrants from Canton (Guangzhou), located on the northern outskirts of the city center, at the intersection of Dien Bien Phu and Din Tien Hoang Streets (Dinh Tien Hoang St.)... This place is located about half a kilometer from the Zoo and the Historical Museum. The temple, mistakenly referred to as a "pagoda", is considered one of the most picturesque structures in Ho Chi Minh City. Not too pompous when viewed from the outside, inside it amazes with the richness of carving and sculptural decoration. The walls of the prayer hall from floor to ceiling are trimmed with expensive teak wood, and the statues of the gods of the Taoist pantheon are located on the altar, including the Jade Emperor himself and the lord of hell Yanwang (Vietnamese Thanh Hoang).

In the courtyard, the waters of a picturesque reservoir quietly sway, on the surface of which a turtle appears from time to time. The temple is more of a prayer place than a tourist place. Half a kilometer north of it, along Dinh Tien Hoang Street, is the Lang Ong memorial temple dedicated to the memory of General Le Van Ziet (1763 - 1832) , governor and commander of the Ziadin citadel in the early years of the reign of Emperor Zia Long. Every year, on the 30th day of the 7th lunar month, a holiday is held in the temple, including mass prayers for the prosperity of the country.

Leisure

In addition to the aforementioned Dam Sen water park, there are several other places with water entertainments in Ho Chi Minh City:

Saigon water park

Kha Van Can St.
Tel .: 08-8970456

9.00 - 17.00, on weekends and holidays open until 20.00, admission for adults / children 60,000/35,000 VND. Closed on Tuesday. The park is located north of the city center. From the bus station, located opposite the Bentan market, a minibus goes to the water park every half hour (5,000 VND).

Sharks waterland

Ham Tu St.
Tel .: 08-8537867

8.00 - 21.00 on weekdays, Saturday and Sunday - 10.00 - 21.00, admission for adults / children 20,000 / 15,000 VND). Located on the eastern outskirts of Tölon, at the intersection of ul. Ham You are from st. Chan Hung Dao. This is the smallest water park in the city, however, it is convenient because it is located closer to the center than Dam Sen and Saigon Water Park.

Phu To Racecourse

Phu Tau Racecourse is located in the southeastern part of Le Zai Hanh Street (Le Dai Hanh St.), at a distance of 3 km from the center, just north of Tolon (entrance 5000 VND, tel. 08-9628205)... The hippodrome was built in the 1920s. in the art deco style. During the war, American soldiers loved to rest here. After the fall of Saigon, the races were closed, resuming only in 1989. Now the races are held on Saturdays and Sundays, from 12.30 to 19.00. Betting forms and information are printed in Vietnamese and English. There are several cafes at the hippodrome.

Massage and SPA

A wide range of professional spa services in good conditions can be found at Lanh Anh Hair Beauty Salon & Spa (8, Ho Huan Nghiep St., tel. 08-8237747)... Small Ho Hoan Ngiep Street runs between Me Lin Square and Dong Khoi Street, in the heart of the city. The establishment offers foot massage (75 minutes) for 7 USD and Thai body massage (75 minutes) for 10 USD. The Institute of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine is located in the far west of the Pham Ngu Lao tourist area, on Kong Kyuen Street (185, Cong Quynh St., Tel. 08-8396697)... It also offers massage performed by blind masters for about VND 50,000 per hour.

Residence

The largest number of hotels per unit area in the city can be found at the intersection of Pham Ngu Lao and De Tham streets. (De Thara St.) in area I. A whole street in this area is called the Alley of mini-hotels (Minihotel Alley)... The main class of local hotels is small guesthouses for 7 - 8 USD per day. For this money, the guests are provided with rather comfortable conditions: hot water, a fan, an air conditioner, a refrigerator and a color TV are always present in clean rooms. The sizes of the rooms are quite satisfactory, although the steep staircases are often cramped for two. When looking for a hotel of this kind, it is better to opt for establishments located in side alleyways - there is less street noise there.

Nutrition

If you are a guest of a budget guesthouse and need to take care of your breakfast, you can turn to street sandwich vendors. (ban mi), whose kitchen trolleys appear on the streets as early as 6 a.m. The French taught the Vietnamese how to bake delicious white bread with a crispy crust, which is especially good in Ho Chi Minh City. A small oblong loaf is cut lengthwise and stuffed with herbs, fried bacon or shrimp paste. Such a structure costs only 5,000 dongs. Unfortunately, the sandwich seller will not be able to pour you a cup of coffee - for this pleasure you should contact the cafes, which also open very early. The townspeople themselves prefer to have breakfast with traditional pho noodle soup (from 15,000 VND)... A casual lunch at a street cafe (pho, fried pork rice and freshly squeezed orange juice) will cost no more than 40,000 dong.

Pho24. There are several establishments of this network. Noodle soup from 28,000 VND, Taiger beer from 17,000 VND. Air conditioned cool. On Pham Ngu Lao Street, this establishment is located next to Hotel 211. Another restaurant is located in the historic city, on Nguyen Hue Street. Company (www.pho24.com.vn) owned by the son of a former Saigon government minister, started in 2003 and now owns more than 25 restaurants in Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Doner Kebab. Who missed shawarma (or shawarme?) can look at Bui Vien street (198, Bui Vien St.) in the vicinity of Pha Ngu Lao, where this dish is available for prices starting at 15,000 VND.

Ho Chi Minh City is a paradise for people with a good appetite, because you will not find as many restaurants as here in Vietnam anywhere else. It is rather difficult to determine the price level for a good establishment, since in a city experiencing an economic boom, the numbers on the restaurant menu can increase by a third during the year. I would like to point out a few popular places, visiting which will not make you feel regret.

Night life

In Ho Chi Minh City, it fades out no later than 2 hours after midnight, but there are exceptions. Nightclubs usually have an entrance fee (approximately 100,000 VND), however, in some popular establishments a foreigner can be admitted for free (it is recommended to have a photocopy of your passport with you)... Occasionally a free drink is included in the ticket price. The clubs are not allowed in sandals, shorts and "Brazilian" sleeveless T-shirts. Average cost of drinks - from 3 (beer) up to 5 (cocktails) USD. Be sure to check your invoice carefully before paying.

Purchases

Co-oP Mart supermarket chain owns 11 shopping centers in Ho Chi Minh City. The closest to Pham Ngu Lao is Co-oP Mart at Kong Kyuen Street (189C, Cong Quyen St.)... This street intersects with Pham Ngu Lao at its farthest from the center. Another Co-oP Mart is located on st. Nguyen Dinh Tieu (168, Nguyen Dinh Chieu St.), at the intersection with Le Cui Don street, next to the War Memorial Museum.

Famous Tax Department Store (also known as "Russian Market") located at the intersection of st. Le Loy and Nguyen Hue, opposite the Rex Hotel.

Dong Khoi Street, along its entire length from the Opera to the Saigon River embankment, is replete with souvenir shops, antique shops and artists' workshops. Here you can find truly original, highly artistic things at prices that can inspire tacit respect. Inexpensive and pleasant souvenirs, as well as clothes in the national style can be found in the Bentan market.

Saigon(also officially known as Ho Chi Minh City or in Vietnamese as Sài Gòn) is the most thriving city in Vietnam. In this post, I will share 22 of the best attractions to see in Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City. Get ready to dodge motorbikes, navigate market alleys, inhale incense in temples, and squat on the sidewalk with a plate of hot noodles. But first, let's start with some useful information. First, where is the best place to stay when you are in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam?

Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City: Where to Stay in Saigon

While I was in Saigon, Vietnam I walked around a few of the most popular neighborhoods to live in.

Dong Khoi: a good choice

Many large 5-star hotels are located in the Dong Hoi district of the city. Saigon Ho Chi Minh City. It is known as one of the most prestigious areas of the city. Here you will find famous chains such as the famous hotel. If you want to stay in an expensive 5-star hotel surrounded by French colonial architecture and pretentious cafes, Dong Hoi is the best choice to accommodate.

Saigon photo.

Pham Ngu Lao (District 1)

On foot

Due to the endless stream of motorcycles that occupy the streets and even the sidewalks, Saigon is not exactly comfortable and pleasant to walk. Walking in the city of Saigon is like an obstacle course: you have to dodge oncoming objects, jump over fences, go around spreading tents. No matter what, hiking are one of the best ways to explore any city, when you can stop anytime, anywhere, go to a cafe or relax.

The most popular means of transport for the residents of Ho Chi Minh City is the motorbike (also known as the scooter). By the number of scooters Saigon Ho Chi Minh City can easily be called the "scooter capital of the world." The number of scooters in the city is astounding.

There are two ways to join an army of motorcyclists:

• Rent a motorcycle - if you have the confidence that you are ready to be a part of this crazy traffic. There are many motorcycle rentals, especially in the Pham Ngu Lao area. Average cost $ 10 per day. However, be careful, motorcycles are stolen in Ho Chi Minh City too.
• Moto-taxis - At every corner of every street in Saigon, you can see men lying on their motorcycles, sometimes sleeping, sometimes just looking at the road. These are motorcycle taxi drivers. The cost of the trip starts from 20-40,000 VND.

Local bus

The bus system in Saigon city is good, but rather confusing. However, it is a very cheap and safe way to get around the city. The biggest challenge in using buses in Saigon is figuring out that all the streets are one-way, but you can study the map of the pair. bus routes, and at least move up and down the main streets.

Taxi

Before you head to Ho Chi Minh City, it is worth reading about the taxi in the city to know what to prepare for.

Saigon photo.

There may be “fake” taxis in Ho Chi Minh City, and drivers sometimes drive in circles to wind up the meter. But in general, taxis are a fairly reliable way of getting around, and even some of the drivers are quite friendly (not all).

Attractions Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Binh Tay Market

Binh Tai Market - one of the main official markets, has lower prices than Ben Thanh. It is located in the Cholon area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City, also known as China Town. The market itself is very similar to Ben Thanh, and even many of the things that are sold are similar. However, Binh Tai market is visited by a large number of local Vietnamese, so prices are lower and there are fewer tourists. If you arrive in the morning from about 6 am to 8 am, you will see an incredible market full of food and fresh Vietnamese produce. At Binh Tai Market, you will find literally everything that is made or produced in Vietnam, from clothing to food. There is a huge department for preparing Vietnamese dishes, dishes, nuts, spices and tools. Here, as well as in Ben Thanh, there is a kind of small food court where you can taste delicious, simple and affordable Vietnamese cuisine.

Address: Bình Tây Market, 57 Tháp Mười, 2, Quận 6, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hours of Operation: 6 am - 7 pm daily (main indoor market), 5 am - 9 am (open morning market)

How to get there: The market is located in District 5 and the easiest way to get there is by taxi. The fare from Ben Thanh Market is about VND 110,000, travel time is 15 minutes.

Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Thien Hau Temple

Thien Hau Temple is dedicated to Thien Hau, the owner of the sea. Located in Chinatown (District 5). When you visit Thien Hau Pagoda, you get the impression that you are in China.
From the outside, the pagoda does not look very impressive. However, once you step inside the temple, you will see its beauty, which is revealed through intricate details and carvings, incredible sculptures, reliefs carved into the upper section of the temple's roof, depicting scenes from everyday life. Once all this was colorful, but over time it burned out, and because of the censer smoke, the sculptures look ancient. Giant incense coils are surprising in the temple, which burn slowly, filling the temple and the air around with smoke.
Address: Thiên Hậu Temple, 710 Nguyễn Trãi, phường 11, Quận 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hours of Operation: 8 am - 4:30 pm daily

The entrance is free

How to get there: The temple is located in Cholon, District 5. The easiest way to get there is by taxi.

Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Ho Chi Minh Museum

When visiting the museum on a weekday morning, it is not crowded (unlike the War Victims Museum, which was packed to overflowing). Here you can safely walk and enjoy the exhibition. Most of the exhibits show the history of the city Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City and also has a number of Vietnamese cultural exhibits. The Ho Chi Minh City Museum is an amazing neoclassical mansion built in 1885 with large columns and wooden staircases.

Saigon photo.
Address: Hồ Chí Minh City Museum, 65 Lý Tự, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hours of Operation: 8 am - 5 pm daily

Entrance: 15,000 VND

How to get there: Ho Chi Minh Museum is located near the Dong Hoi district, a short walk from Notre Dame de Cathedral Saigon.

Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Bitexco Financial Tower

Bitexco Financial Tower - tallest skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam... This is one of the most recognizable buildings in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Bitexco Financial Tower is most popular as a tourist attraction, thanks to the gorgeous view overlooking Ho Chi Minh City from the upper floors. On the ground floor of the tower, there is a small shopping center with several cafes. Most of the building is occupied by offices.

There are two ways to visit Bitexco Financial Tower and get a chance to see the city from above:

• Saigon Skydeck (Saigon Skydeck). The observation deck, located on the 49th floor, offers a panoramic view of the city.
• Eon Cafe is located on the 50th floor. In order not to pay for the entrance to the observation deck, you can visit the Eon cafe and bar, although the prices are too high. Here you can enjoy the wonderful view of Saigon city with a cup of coffee or something stronger.

Address: 36 Hồ Tùng Mậu, Bến Nghé, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening Hours: 9:30 am - 9:30 pm daily (observation deck), 11:30 am - 11:00 pm daily (cafe)

Entrance: Saigon Skydek Observation Deck - 200,000 VND. In a cafe, a small cup of ristretto will cost 130,000 VND

How to get there: from Ben Thanh market on foot, the tower can be seen from afar

Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)

This museum is still used for official state meetings and events, and the Palace of Independence was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. After purchasing your ticket, you can go inside and walk through several floors, see all kinds of rooms, including conference rooms, dining rooms and lounges for the royal family. Each room inside the Palace of Independence is furnished with original chairs and tables. After inspecting several floors and helipad, you can go to the basement, where the scary offices, control rooms and bunkers are located.

It was very interesting to visit the Palace of Independence in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam, especially take a walk in the dark and eerie basement. And also to the palace kitchen, where old computers still stand. Independence Palace is one of the main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City.

Address: 135 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Bến Thành, Quận 1

Opening hours: 7:30 - 11:00 and 13: 00-16: 00 daily. However, the Palace may be closed on official days

Entrance: 30,000 VND

How to get there: From Ben Thanh Market, you can walk there in about 10 minutes, it is located right in the center of Saigon in District 1.

Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Saigon Cathedral Notre Dame

Welcome to Paris. An important cathedral and famous landmark in Ho Chi Minh City - North Dame Cathedral - center of French colonial heritage in Saigon, Vietnam... The cathedral is beautiful, with two 40-meter towers and a statue of the Virgin Mary in front of it. Here you get great photos with the Virgin Mary against the background of the cathedral. Inside you can see magnificent stained glass windows, wooden benches and classic floor tiles. Marriages are often held at the North Dame de Saigon Cathedral.

Saigon photo.

The cathedral still holds services on Sundays. When I first came, it was lunchtime and the gate was locked. Had to return another day.

Address: Bến Nghé, tp. Hồ Chí Minh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening hours: 8:00 am - 11:00 am and 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm on weekdays (Sunday service starts at 9:30 am)

Entrance: free

How to get there: From the Palace of Independence, head northeast through the park. The North Dame de Saigon Cathedral is located on the northwest side of Dong Hoi Street, next to the old post office.

Central post office

Saigon photo.

Directly across the street from the Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon, on one city square, there is also a famous monument - the building of the Central Post Office, built back in 1886. Like many other buildings in Saigon, it is in the French colonial style. One of the main reasons why the post office is one of the top attractions Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City- this is because it was designed by Gustave Eiffel (the man who also designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris). The Central Post Office is not only a tourist attraction, it is also fully used and operational. Among tourists, the post office is popular for those who like to send postcards to friends from around the world (especially popular among the French and Italians).

At the Saigon Post Office, I really liked the tiled floor and the huge map on the walls in the form of frescoes.

Address: 2 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hours of operation: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm on weekdays, 7:00 am - 6:00 pm on Saturdays, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm on Sundays.

The entrance is free

How to get there: Across the street from Notre Dame de Saigon Cathedral

Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. War Victims Museum

The War Remnants Museum is not a city entertainment venue

Ho Chi Minh City, visiting it can be quite difficult and leaves a sad impression. This is a place where you can remember the brutal and terrible consequences of the war. Much of the War Remnants Museum consists of photographs and exhibitions of various events from the Vietnam War. There is a life-size model of a prison with numbers for prisoners and torture devices for prisoners of war. Military weapons, tanks and aircraft are located on the territory of the museum complex.

For visitors with children there is a playground where they can be left. I do not advise taking children here.

Address: 28 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 6, Quận 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening hours: 7:30 - 12:00 and 13:30 - 17:00 daily

Entrance: 15,000 VND

How to get there: The War Victims Museum is located northwest of the Palace of Independence, you can walk in 10 minutes.

Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Opera

The Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City was built in 1897 and is considered one of the best buildings in the French colonial style, which has been perfectly preserved to this day.

Address: 7 Công trường Lam Sơn, Bến Nghé, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Entrance: prices range from 504,000 - 1,176,000 VND

How to get there: The Opera House is located on Dong Hoi Street

Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Dong hoi

Dong Hoi Street and Saigon Square are the prestigious areas of Saigon city. Dong Hoi Street is lined with exclusive boutiques and designer shops. It is also home to several modern shopping malls such as Vincon, many international and specialty shops and 5-star hotels such as the Hotel Majestic Saigon.

But along with upscale shops and hotels, Dong Hoi Street is also just a pleasant place to stroll. Walking around Dong Hoi, you can feel like you are somewhere between France and Vietnam. In addition to this, Dong Hoi Street is a huge contrast between old and new, modern and traditional in Saigon, Vietnam.

Address: Dong Hoi Street

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens are located in the same

location, and the entrance fee is charged immediately for visiting both attractions. In my opinion, the zoo is not too big and it seems that the animals are not doing well here, and the cages are not in the best condition. It looks like it is lacking a major overhaul. However, at the Saigon Zoo you can see tigers and elephants (who seem to want to escape ...). As for the botanical garden, I liked it. Beautiful vegetation, lots of shade and coolness - a great place to relax from the crazy city. You can come here with children. There is even a restaurant to eat in case you get hungry while walking.

Address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Str., Ward Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening hours: from 7:00 - 19:00 daily

Entrance: 20,000 VND

How to get there: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, take the bus down the street and get off in front of the bridge. Or you can get by taxi

Phyto Museum (Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine)

In the museum you will find a collection of over 3000 Vietnamese medicinal
funds to a collection of manuscripts, study guides and manuals used in traditional Vietnamese medicine. After exploring the museum, you can enjoy a free cup of tea on the ground floor at the gift shop.

In general, I was pleasantly surprised by the phyto-museum, and I recommend it for broadening my horizons.

Address: 41 Hoang Du Khuong Str., Ward 12, Distric 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening Hours: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm daily

Entrance: 50,000 VND

How to get there: Distric 10, easiest to get there by taxi

Saigon / Ho Chi Minh attractions. Gallery Sun Art

This is a contemporary art gallery. Sun Art is a place where artists can learn and develop their
creative talents surrounded by other artists. On the ground floor, you will find a small library with a collection of books on contemporary art. There are also a number of rotating exhibitions on the first and second floor.

Address: 48/7 Me Linh Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening hours: from 10.30 to 18.30 Tuesday - Saturday, closed - Sunday and Monday

The entrance is free

How to get there: The art gallery is located in the area, directly across the river from the Saigon Zoo.

Saigon / Ho Chi Minh attractions. Turtle Lake

What to do at night in Saigon? Visit North Dame Cathedral or Turtle Lake. Moreover, the turtle lake is not a real lake with turtles, it is just a fountain with sculptures of turtles. However, this place is called Turtle Lake in English.

Both places are the center of attraction for night vendors. street food, snacks and more. Also, a huge number of Vietnamese come here at night to spend time and socialize. If you want to catch this whole celebration of life, come here from 20: 00-22: 00.

How to get there: Turtle Lake is located northwest of Notre Dame Cathedral, at the intersection of Vo Van Tan and Pham Ngoc Thach streets.

Saigon / Ho Chi Minh attractions. Ben Thanh Market

This is probably the most important and central attraction of Ho Chi Minh City.
It is a bustling touristy market with a huge number of shopping stalls.
Here you can easily get lost for a few hours among the shops of clothes, souvenirs, Vietnamese dishes. Since this market is located in the tourist area Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, prices here are also for tourists.

In the streets nearby from Ben Thanh Market is the main transport node and a large business district where life is always in full swing. In the evening, very close to Ben Thanh, they close the roads to traffic and open a night market with several restaurants and tourist shops.

Address: ê Lợi, Bến Thành, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening hours: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm, night market from 6:00 pm - 00:00 pm

The entrance is free

Saigon / Ho Chi Minh attractions. Phu Mai Hung and the Star Bridge

Phu Mai Hung is an upscale development area in District 7 of Saigon, located 6 km south of Ben Thanh Central Market. The area is quieter with less traffic, shopping malls and cafes, and wide, spacious, uncluttered sidewalks.
Phu Mai Hung has many pleasant restaurants serving Vietnamese and international cuisine, fast food outlets ranging from Lotteria to Dominoe, and many Korean restaurants.

Apart from the restaurants, modern malls and shops that fill Phu Mai Hung, one of the main attractions in the area is the Star Bridge. This bridge spans the lake and is illuminated by flashing lights of all colors of the rainbow.

Address: Tôn Dật Tiên, Tân Phú, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

How to get there: taxi

Saigon / Ho Chi Minh attractions. Puppet Theater on the water

The water puppet theater originated in the northern part of Vietnam (Halong Bay region), but its performances can also be seen in the city of Saigon. Most of the performances depict scenes of Vietnamese culture, rural life, folklore and history.

One of the most famous and touristy places where you can see the Vietnamese Water Puppet Theater in Ho Chi Minh City is the Golden Dragon.

Address: 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening hours: 17:00 and 18:30 daily, ticket sales from 8:30 - 11:30 and from 13:30 - 19:30

Entrance: 160,000 VND

How to get there: The theater is located at the back of Tao Dan Park on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Road, just a few minutes' walk from the Independence Palace.

Saigon / Ho Chi Minh attractions. Museum of Vietnamese History

There are dozens of museums in Ho Chi Minh City, but the Museum of Vietnamese History is one of the most important. Inside, you will find sculptures, ceramics and porcelain showing the history of Vietnam. The exhibits date back to around 2000 BC. There are also well-preserved mummies found in District 5, in the heart of Saigon.

The Vietnam History Museum is right next to Saigon Zoo and is very popular with Vietnamese students.

Address: Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Bến Nghé, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening hours: 8:00 - 12:00 and 13:30 - 17:00, closed on the first Monday of each month

Entrance: 15,000 VND for entry, 40,000 VND for the opportunity to photograph, water puppet theater - 35,000 VND

How to get there: the Museum of Vietnamese History is right next to the zoo Saigon

Saigon / Ho Chi Minh attractions. Rooftop bars

Shri Restaurant and Lounge is one of the most popular rooftop bars. Other bars where you can enjoy drinks overlooking the city are Hotel Continental and Hotel Majestic. Every year, new skyscrapers and rooftop bars are being built in Ho Chi Minh City.

Address: Shri, 72 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, 6, 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hours of Operation: Shri Restaurant and Lounge - 10:00 - 00:00 am Monday to Saturday and 16:30 - 00:00 on Sundays and public holidays.

Cost: Rooftop bars are overpriced, dinner for two is VND 850,000

Saigon / Ho Chi Minh attractions. Art Museum

The Museum of Fine Arts, one of the best-preserved landmarks in the entire city, is located opposite the giant carousel at Ben Thanh Market. Inside the museum, you will discover a large collection of art, paintings and sculptures. You can spend an hour or two browsing the art exhibitions in this museum. If you are tired, there is a beautiful courtyard in the middle of the building where you can relax on a bench and just enjoy the silence.

The Fine Arts Museum is one of the best attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.

Address: 97 Phó Đức Chính, Nguyễn Thái Bình, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening Hours: 09:00 - 17:00 Tuesday to Sunday

Entrance price: 10,000 VND

How to get there: The museum is located directly opposite the carousel at Ben Thanh market.

Saigon / Ho Chi Minh attractions. Jade Emperor Pagoda

The Jade Emperor Pagoda is one of the most important Taoist temples in Saigon, Vietnam... Inside the temple is a statue of the Jade Emperor, seated surrounded by other deities and statues.

Address: 73 Mai Thị Lựu, Đa Kao, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening hours: 7:00 - 18:00 daily

The entrance is free

How to get there: The Jade Emperor Pagoda is located just off the Dien Bien Phu highway, north of Ben Thanh and near the river.

Saigon / Ho Chi Minh attractions. Vietnamese street food

Saigon is a gourmet haven for its delicious flavors, abundance, quantity and variety of foods.

Because Saigon Ho Chi Minh City- most Big city in Vietnam, there are a huge number of people who came from other regions of the country and brought their
and national characteristics. Street food is a staple of Vietnamese culture. With an affordable price tag, food has become a way of spending time with friends for Vietnamese. You will find a huge number of eateries in every area, along every street and on every corner of Ho Chi Minh City.

Hot bowls of soup and banh mi sandwiches are widespread and remain very popular, but there are dozens of other delicious Vietnamese dishes as well. For example, bun rieu, som tam suon, banh khot, and bo la lot.

This was a list of the 22 best attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. As soon as you arrive in town Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, you'll be surrounded by a sea of ​​motorcycles, delicious street food and interesting lighting spots. If you decide to plan your trip to Saigon, I recommend reading the other articles.

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