Ho Chi Minh / Vietnam

In the southwestern part of Vietnam on the coast of the South China Sea lies the port of Phu My, the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City, the country's capital and with its 12 million inhabitants, also the largest city. The port is about 130 kilometers from the city and an hour and a half drive by car.

The city, also known as Saigon, was a Khmer fishing village called Prey Nokor before it was annexed to Vietnam. Under the name Saigon, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina and between 1955-75, the independent South Vietnam. Since the formation of unified Vietnam in 1976, it bears the name of the famous revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh.

The city is a mix of modern and historical architecture, with skyscrapers standing side by side with colorful Buddhist and Hindu temples. Ho Chi Minh City boasts a number of buildings in classic Western style and French villas that recall the colonial era, while the center is characterized by wide elegant boulevards.

Most of the city's most visited landmarks are located in the very center, District 1. The dominant feature of Ho Chi Minh City is the Reunification Palace, built on the site of the former Norodom Palace in 1966. During the Vietnam War, the palace was the residence of the President of South Vietnam, and in 1975, the breaching of its gates by North Vietnamese tanks marked the end of the war. Today, visitors can explore interesting interiors and beautifully landscaped extensive gardens here.

The city is home to a number of museums, catering to both history enthusiasts and art lovers. For example, the War Museum provides details primarily about the Vietnam War, but also about the First Indochina War. On display are a guillotine, prisoner cages, tanks, and many period photographs.

The intricate labyrinth of Cu Chi tunnels northwest of the city served as a refuge for Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War. Part of the 121-kilometer-long complex is now open to tourists, who can visit two locations. While Ben Duoc represents the original tunnels, Ben Dinh invites visitors to a reconstruction. At both sites, traps used in the past can be seen.

The origin of the enormous Ben Thanh Market dates back to 1914, with hundreds of stalls offering both familiar and exotic goods, such as fish and seafood, clothing, household items, paintings, watches, jewelry, and wood carvings. The Chinese city of Cholon is a labyrinth of narrow streets with shops and several interesting pagodas.

The city is home to countless restaurants of all price ranges, but no one should miss a visit to street eateries with typical Vietnamese specialties – noodle soup "pho" or the "banh mi" sandwich.

Places worth seeing

Reunification Palace – Explore the grand palace from 1966, whose gate breach in 1975 marked the end of the Vietnam War.

War Remnants Museum – Learn about the history of the Vietnam and First Indochina Wars in the museum with a collection of tanks, prisoner cages, and many period photographs.

Notre-Dame Cathedral – Admire the cathedral with two 58-meter towers, built in the second half of the 19th century by French colonizers.

Cu Chi Tunnels – Don't miss a tour of the intricate network of tunnels from the Vietnam War, including the reconstruction of ingenious traps.

Ben Thanh Market – Get lost among hundreds of stalls with fish and seafood, clothing, watches, and jewelry… and haggle.

Chinatown – Visit Cholon, the Chinese city with a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with shops and interesting pagodas.

Vung Tau – Relax in the former French coastal resort with nice restaurants and stunning views from the lighthouse.