Ho Chi Minh City

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.

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 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 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.