French troops then seized control of the city, and the First (or French) Indochina War began. Ho Chi Minh City attractions are a vibrant mix of old and new, with well-preserved colonial structures and war relics from the devastating Vietnam War as well as sleek skyscrapers, elegant sports clubs, and expansive shopping malls against a metropolis backdrop. I don't really know how this place manages to have stayed opened for so long. ". Most of the bars and restaurants that thrived in Saigon during the Vietnam War have closed their doors. You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. Asia Web Direct, the Asia Web Direct logo, Hotels.com and the Hotels.com logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Hotels.com L.P. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Only saying "Ho Chi Minh" may cause people to think you are referring to the historical figure. Use this Ultimate Guide for Planning Your Trip to Ho Chi Minh City, How to Travel From Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, 48 Hours in Ho Chi Minh City: The Ultimate Itinerary, Learn About Vietnam's Currency Before You Go, Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City: Best Bars, Clubs, & More, The Best Time to Visit Ho Chi Minh City for Nice Weather and Events, These Top 10 Destinations in Vietnam Are Just a Taste of the Country, See Which Airport Should You Fly Into When Traveling to Vietnam, The 12 Best Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Hue in Central Vietnam: an Inside Look at Vietnam's Old Royal Capital, Top Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, The Best Southern Vietnamese Foods To Try in Ho Chi Minh City, What to Pack Depends on When and Where you Go in Southeast Asia, These Museums in Ho Chi Minh City Celebrate Vietnam's Hard-Won Triumphs, Tripsavvy uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Saigon City also offers a variety of pho, vermicelli, rice, and claypot dishes, but you'll also find banh mi sandwiches, which are definitely done right! Saigon, or Sài Gòn in Vietnamese, was merged with the surrounding province in 1976 and renamed Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate the reunification of north and south at the end of the Vietnam War. Saigon City Main Page; Vietnam Photos; Vietnam Photos 2; How to get there; misc. Have a gander any time from 5.30am-5pm daily. Jillian Dara is a freelance travel writer and fact checker. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. This section of cheap or free things to do in Ho Chi Minh City is ideal for budget-conscious travellers looking to enjoy Read More... Ho Chi Minh City enjoys clear skies and warm days almost all year long, especially between December and March. Be it exhibitions displaying historical artifacts, memories of war, or modern art, these museums are the absolute best in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam is a large country with a population of almost 93 million people. Nightlife rages a little harder in Saigon than in Hanoi, and Western influences have taken hold. Menu, hours, photos, and more for Saigon City located at 6333 Brandon Ave, Springfield, VA, 22150-2512, offering Dinner, Vietnamese, Asian and Lunch Specials. One of Read More», Ho Chi Minh City has several beaches nearby just waiting to be explored. Find everything you need to know about Saigon City Market Ltd on Yellowpages.ca. While we all love a sweet and strong cup of traditional Vietnamese coffee, Ho Chi Minh City is no stranger to modern cafés serving up refreshing cold brews and yummy desserts. Many high-end luxury spas are opening up in Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Son Nhut Airport has regularly scheduled flights by Air Vietnam to other domestic urban centres and by Air France to Paris. Ho Chi Minh City attractions are a vibrant mix of old and new, with well-preserved colonial structures and war relics from the devastating Vietnam War as well as sleek skyscrapers, elegant sports clubs, and expansive shopping malls against a metropolis backdrop. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today 10Best, Michelin Guide, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Jetsetter. The city is also filled with rooftop bars that overlook Saigon and beyond, while fantastic restaurants offer a combination of French, Chinese, and, of course, local Vietnamese cuisine. urban agglom., 6,861,000. Corrections? It was the capital of the French protectorate of Cochinchina (1862–1954) and of South Vietnam (1954–75). Cocktails start from 220,000VND (£7.60) or a smoothie costs 169,000VND (£5.80). Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh, formerly (until 1976) Saigon, largest city in Vietnam. "Saigon" simply has less syllables and is used more often in daily speech. The whirlwind formally known as Saigon is a hot, noisy, dynamic city that rarely sleeps, with a complex history and plenty of culture to soak up. The city lies along the Saigon River (Song Sai Gon) to the north of the Mekong River delta, about 50 miles (80 km) from the South China Sea. In Hanoi and the north, you'll more often hear "Ho Chi Minh City" used. photos; © Saigon City Restaurant, Old Saybrook, CT. The commercial centre of Cho Lon lies immediately west of Ho Chi Minh City. Food is a great way to experience the flavours of a country, and Ho Chi Minh is a perfect destination for all food lovers! Search. And one of the most enjoyable experiences is hopping onto one, which is by far the best way to see the city. And are there any cultural or political implications of referring to Vietnam's largest city as "Saigon" instead of its new official name, Ho Chi Minh City? The French conquered Saigon, as it was then known, in 1859, and made it the capital of Cochin China in 1862, which resulted in numerous elegant architecture and broad boulevards that are still present to this day. Visitors can crawl their way through a 100m stretch of tunnel and watch their tour guide demonstrate with ghoulish pleasure the ingenious traps the Vietnamese used to kill or maim US soldiers. Service is wonderful. Be it exhibitions displaying historical artifacts, memories of war, or modern art, these museums are the absolute best in Ho Chi Minh City. There are daily 50-minute performances at 5pm and 6.30pm with tickets costing 230,000VND (£8) on the door. Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. On the other hand, official documents nearly always refer to Vietnam's most populous city as Ho Chi Minh City. During the Second Indochina War (or Vietnam War) in the 1960s and early ’70s, Saigon was the headquarters of U.S. military operations. Saigon City is always fantastic and we are soooooo happy that they have re-opened! It’s slightly under the radar for tourists, so don’t be surprised if the English isn’t too good, or if they don’t have everything listed on the insanely long menu. ", All official documents and writings should use "Ho Chi Minh City. 1st Time in Ho Chi Minh City? Colleen wanted to try out their banh mi sandwich and it was a "special" as pictured on the wall over there. Ho Chi Minh City retains the faded look of a European city, its many Western-style buildings dating from the period of French colonial rule. Past the bustling streets and dizzying traffic, uncover the delicious street food, booming nightlife and historical landmarks that give this city its distinct appeal. An excursion to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels makes for an eye-opening afternoon. The Vietnamese diaspora living abroad more often say Saigon. Drawing millions of tourists each year, Ho Chi Minh City is also fitted with a wide array of accommodation options of varying price range and styles while unique modes of transportation such as motorcycle taxis and cyclos make it relatively easy to explore the city centre and beyond.