Ho Chi Minh City travel guides 2019– Ho Chi Minh City attractions map – Vietnam independent travel guidebook

Ho Chi Minh City

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About Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City was formerly known as Saigon. It is one of Vietnam's liveliest cities and a hub for commerce and culture. This place has all kinds of classically elegant French buildings that were left behind from the colonial period. You will feel almost as if you are in Paris. Apart from the sightseeing tours of places like the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, the Ho Chi Minh City City Hall and the Municipal Theatre, you can witness more grand French-style architecture off the beaten path by visiting the Central Post Office and mail a post card. At the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum you can learn about Vietnam's more recent history, take a boat trip along the Mekong River, or enjoy a cup of Vietnamese coffee in an old French-style café. Phạm Ngũ Lão Street is very quiet and peaceful during daylight hours. Once night falls, however, this place comes alive. Not only an excellent place to enjoy the city's nightlife, it is also a favorite place for backpackers to stay.

Popular Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

4.4/5

972 Reviews

Church

The Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is one of the landmark buildings of Ho Chi Minh City. Located in the heart of the city, it was built in the late 19th century. Featuring typical Gothic architecture, the front has two bell towers measuring 40 meters, which are modeled after the design of Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral. On the garden square in front of the church, there stands a 4-ton Virgin Mary statue which was given as a gift from the Church in Rome in 1945. If, by chance, you happen to visit while Mass is going on, you can quietly enter the church to feel the pious religious atmosphere.

Central Post Office

4.4/5

1,053 Reviews

Historical Architecture

The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City is a French colonial post office built in the 19th century. The exterior of the Post Office resembles an elaborate train station. Wherever you look, everything is intricately designed and decorated. The dates of the Post Office's construction (1886-1891) are inscribed beneath the large clock over the main entrance. Walk into the Post Office and you'll find a spacious lobby with a classically arching ceiling, round windows, hanging chandeliers, and stunningly gorgeous wall lamps, among other decorative features. Beneath the old map on the wall, there are classic phone booths from which you can make international calls. While visiting the Central Post Office, consider mailing a postcard home.

Pham Ngu Lao Street

4.3/5

690 Reviews

Featured Neighbourhood

Pham Ngu Lao Street is a place that appeals to backpackers. There are various grades of hotels and budget hotels all over the street, roadside shops, travel agency agents, foreign currency exchange points, restaurants of various flavors, western restaurants, bars, coffee houses and local specialties. Commodity stores are row upon row. The night at Pham Ngu Lao Street is very charming, the streets become lively, some quiet coffee shops during the day turn into lively bars.

Reunification Palace

4.3/5

447 Reviews

Historical Architecture

Reunification Palace was once the office of the French Governor in Vietnam. It is now a venue for government meetings and heads of state receptions. It is also an open historical site for both domestic and foreign visitors. The Palace is 3 stories high with two side buildings and a basement. There is a luxurious meeting room on the first floor; a credential submission room, a presidential VIP room, a banquet hall, and a presidential office on the second floor; and a movie room and entertainment room on the third floor. Reunification Palace is surrounded by trees, with a large lawn in front of the main entrance and a fountain.

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