Attractions Ho Chi Minh City: what to see, photo. Markets and shopping centers. Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City

What are the must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City?

The former capital of French Indochina, the southern capital of Vietnam, the huge city of Ho Chi Minh City and today is the center of attraction in South-East Asia. People come here in search of work, adventure, educational rest and just behind the Asian flavor that is in abundance in this city full of contrasts. What is Ho Chi Minh City, or as it is commonly called - Saigon? Let's walk along its streets and plunge into the history, religion and simply the beauty of this wonderful city.

Today's Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) has more than 9 million inhabitants. This number includes the population of the city itself and the surrounding rural communes that are administratively part of Saigon. Its area is 2095 sq. km, the population density is very high - about 3700 people / sq. km. km.

Saigon produces 17% of the national GDP and 40% of export products. Here are the headquarters of many multinational corporations, the largest banks in Vietnam and regional offices foreign.

The city is in a state of constant construction. New office and industrial complexes, luxury hotels are being built, parks are being laid out and new areas are being improved.

Tourists do not ignore the legendary Asian metropolis. Everyone will find here entertainment to their liking - from cultural and educational tourism to nightlife.

Museums

In the city more than a dozen museums, each in its own way interesting. Which one to watch is up to you.

Palace of Independence

One of the first places where tourists are taken with an organized tour is the Palace of Independence. Although the second name suits him more - the Reunification Palace. It was here that the act on the reunification of the Northern and South Vietnam. The history of this building is tightly woven into the historical events of the mid-twentieth century. Built by the French in colonial style, it became the residence of the President of South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem. Several assassination attempts were made on him. One of them is an air raid organized by two officers of the Republic Air Force in 1962. As a result, the building of the Palace of Independence was destroyed.

Its new appearance is very reminiscent of the building of the USSR era, so outwardly it does not look like a palace at all. In 1975, he again falls into the category of iconic places in Saigon. This is the year of the final withdrawal of American troops and the capture of Saigon by North Vietnamese troops. A tank that broke through the gates of the Palace of Independence, thanks to an Australian photojournalist, becomes a symbol of the fall of Saigon. It is still in the same place and is a historical landmark along with the Palace itself.

The exposition of the museum is the atmosphere of the late 60s, the office, old telephones and other means of communication, military equipment on the territory of the Palace and a whole network of underground tunnels connecting the Independence Palace and the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City.

This museum is worth a visit for everyone, but especially for those who are interested in the culture and traditions of Vietnam. Its building has a long history, starting from the fact that it was once the residence of the French governor of the province of Cochin China, then the office of the High Commissioner of France in Saigon, then the Supreme Court and the revolutionary museum were located here. It was later renamed the Museum of the City.

South Vietnam Women's Museum

Museum of Vietnamese History

Vietnamese history is inextricably linked with the evolution of cultures throughout Southeast Asia. The oldest valuable relics and artifacts belong to the Dongshon culture of the second millennium BC. e. What follows is the development of the early states of Bapnom and Champa, Khmer and Vietnamese minorities. There are exhibits from the Cambodian Angkor Wat, Buddha statues, the mummy of a Vietnamese woman who died in 1869. Many exhibits are connected with China. Here you can watch performances of the traditional water puppet theater and buy souvenirs.

In terms of exposure saturation, it is hardly inferior National Museum fine arts in Hanoi. The museum building itself is remarkable. This is a colonial mansion, riddled with many arches, with balconies overlooking cozy courtyards. There are 16 exhibition halls on 4 floors. Works of art include painting, ceramics, lacquer painting, sculpture, ancient Buddhist works, woodcuts.

The first floor is given over to the exhibition and sale of works by Vietnamese and foreign artists. The second is dedicated to contemporary art, which largely reflects the events of the time of the struggle against the French colonialists and the American war. The third floor contains works dating from the 1st to the 20th century.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Uncle Ho is the most legendary historical figure of the 20th century. And the most respected. It was under his leadership that the reunification of the two irreconcilable republics on the territory of Vietnam took place. It is to him that the country owes the socialist system. His portraits are on all banknotes of Vietnam.

The museum is divided into two parts. The first floor is a collection of personal belongings of the leader. The second is a gallery where his photographs of different periods of his life are exhibited.

This is the memory of the war crimes committed against the Vietnamese people. The exhibits full of tragedy do not leave anyone indifferent. It used to be called the Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes. The naturalism of the exposition clearly demonstrates the cruelty with which they were committed. Here are the instruments of murder and torture to which the Vietnamese communists were subjected, documents, including photo and video materials.

Tim Page is a legendary war photographer. He compiled a large selection of photographs of the victims of the US-Vietnam War on both sides. Here, adults and children, mutilated by napalm and phosphorus bombs, the consequences of the use of poisons and toxic substances with a description of their action.

religious objects

Vietnam - country of three religions and many beliefs. The metropolis of Ho Chi Minh has absorbed them all and provides an opportunity for each of its residents to send their faith in temples and pagodas, cathedrals and prayer houses.

Notre Dame de Saigon or Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon

The hallmark of old Saigon is the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Saigon. It was erected by the French according to the design of their architect J. Boer. An exact copy of Notre Dame Cathedral was built in just 6 years - from 1877 to 1983. Every last stone and nail was delivered from Europe. The architectural style is neo-romanesque with gothic elements. The temple is decorated with traditional stained glass windows. The internal space is organized as in an ordinary Catholic cathedral. Stained-glass windows and a marble altar with figures of angels give it extraordinary beauty. The bell tower has six bells, which ring at the same time only on the feast of the Nativity of Christ.

It was built at the end of the 19th century on the ruins of an ancient temple discovered during excavations. Its foundation is attributed to the beginning of our era - the era of Funan, a state that was then on the territory, later inhabited by the Vietnamese. The temple is active, services are held here three times a day. Many temples in Vietnam are associated with animal legends. This one is dedicated to the white elephant.

The legend says that one day it was decided to move the temple to another place. And all the relics and treasures, including the bell, were loaded onto the back of a white elephant. After walking a few steps, the elephant stumbled, and the whole load fell apart at the gate of the temple and into the lake. Superstitious monks took this as a sign that the temple should remain in the old place. They picked up all the relics, they could not extract only the bell from the bottom of the lake. And now locals they say that every full moon a bell ringing is heard from there.

Mariamman Temple

This is a Hindu temple, the only one operating in the city. Mariamman Temple is a place of pilgrimage for Hindu followers in Vietnam, where they travel on major religious holidays from all over the country. The legend says that this place is endowed with magical powers - anyone who crosses its threshold is healed of illnesses.

The initiator of the construction of the temple dedicated to Mariamman - the goddess, the mother of all living things, was the Tamil community living in the suburbs of Saigon. The temple was built on their donations at the end of the 19th century. Tamils ​​and now are his numerous flock. The temple is small, but very cozy and beautiful. Built in the traditional Indian style, it attracts not only tourists, but also local residents.

This pagoda is a symbol of "Buddhist renaissance". It was built in the 70s of the last century, when the persecution of the Buddhist faith ended. The temple was built jointly by the Japanese and Vietnamese, so its architecture contains the simplicity and harmony of traditional Japanese architecture. religious architecture. A multi-tiered 40-meter tower is a chapel. There is a bell with a diameter of 2 meters.

The neighboring squat building is the main building, at the back of which is an altar with a statue of Buddha surrounded by disciples. The smaller tower is a kind of columbarium, where the urns with ashes are located. In the pagoda, you can buy souvenirs and admire the exhibition of works by Vietnamese artists.

Ho Chi Minh City is one of the main industrial, commercial, transport and tourist centers of South Vietnam.

He is considered major metropolis and consists of nineteen districts and five rural counties.

Ho Chi Minh on the map of Vietnam in Russian

Ho Chi Minh City is located south of the state. This is a very picturesque area - the Mekong Delta. The city occupies more than two thousand square kilometers in area, the famous Saigon River flows in its center. Here you can quite clearly feel the separation of the wet (May-November) and dry (April-December) seasons.

The air temperature varies slightly, on average it ranges from twenty-five to thirty degrees.

History of occurrence

During its existence, the city renamed several times. It originally belonged to Cambodia and was called Prey Nokor. It was conquered by the Vietnamese in the seventeenth century and became Saigon. In 1975 it was named after the country's legendary leader Ho Chi Minh. Now residents often call it the Southern capital, and, thanks to the great French colonial heritage, the East.

Start education modern city gave a small fishing village, the location of which was saigon coast. Its inhabitants were Khmers - immigrants from Indochina. It was a very advantageous location in geographically. Merchants from China, Laos, Cambodia and some other countries located nearby could get here along the Mekong flowing near. The ever-increasing volume of trade contributed to the active prosperity and growth of the settlement.

In the seventeenth century in this territory settled Vietnamese, and in the second half of the eighteenth she was captured by troops. The French have made a huge contribution to the improvement of this land. They drained the swamps, began building houses and roads. All this time there was a war with local population, which ended only in 1954, when the French left the area.

Read also about the weather in the popular resorts of Vietnam by months.

Then for fifteen years the city was under occupation United States of America. After that, he was liberated by North Vietnamese (communist) troops. At this time, he continued his development already in local national traditions, and to date, Ho Chi Minh City attracts a huge number of tourists who want to know the features of the country and get acquainted with its cultural and historical heritage.

How to get there?

Getting to Ho Chi Minh City is quite easy:

• The capitals, as well as major cities of many countries, including, are connected by direct flights to international Tan Son Nhat located in Ho Chi Minh City;

That is why direct air traffic will be the most economical and comfortable option.

• You can also transit flights passing through Bangkok;
• Being in Vietnam, you can easily and for a short time get to Ho Chi Minh City by bus or train.

You can select plane tickets using this search form. Enter departure and arrival cities, date And number of passengers.

Attractions with photo

In the city, there are still many ancient architectural objects, monuments that have historical meaning, as well as exquisite natural places. As a result of the special historical development of the city in its culture, mixing cultural traditions Vietnam, France and America.

That is why a visit to Ho Chi Minh City will leave an indelible impression that will remain in your memory for a long time.

Tran hung dao statue



The monument is located in the central part of the city near the embankment of the Saigon River and is surrounded by numerous skyscrapers, against which it looks unusual and quite colorful.

Chan hung dao is considered the great commander of Vietnam, under whose leadership, it was possible to repel three major invasions of the Mongol-Tatars, who came to this territory from the north of the country. Then he led the tsarist army and, with popular support, on the ninth of April, one thousand two hundred and eighty-nine, completely liberated the entire country from the Mongol troops. To this day, this day is a national holiday.

Monument to Ho Chi Minh

Monument commemorating the great Vietnamese ruler Ho Chi Minh, installed on the central square of the city against the backdrop of the building of the People's Assembly. The people of Vietnam today treat this politician with great warmth and respect, who did everything possible for the country's prosperity. The locals affectionately call him Grandpa Ho.

What gives the monument a special tremor is that old man holds a sleeping little girl in her arms. It seems that looking into the distance, he thinks about her future fate and the future of the whole country.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Saigon - Notre Dame de Saigon

This cathedral belongs to main attractions Ho Chi Minh City. Its construction began by the French in 1877 and lasted about six years. The architects tried to introduce the foundations of European culture into the country and outshine the local temples with the grandeur of the structure.

Most building materials and interior items were brought from France and other countries. Their quality, as well as the craftsmanship of the builders, allow the building to maintain its integrity and fresh appearance to this day.

Notre Dame de Saigon is the most beautiful and a large European temple among Asian countries. Numerous tourists constantly come to visit the cathedral, on the Place de Paris Commune. The newlyweds of the country have already become the main tradition of holding photo sessions near the pinkish walls of the building.

In front of the temple is a small beautiful park, where you can see the statue of the Virgin Mary, which reaches four meters in height. This is a great place for a leisurely stroll.

The bell towers of the cathedral are decorated six bells, one of which calls daily, and the rest only at Christmas. The choir also sings and the organ plays. The interior of the building is characterized by modesty, but at the same time, beauty, which is mainly given to it by magnificent stained-glass windows. The main, important piece of furniture can be considered a white marble altar, which is decorated with carved angels.

Tien Hau Temple



While in Ho Chi Minh's Chinatown, Cholon, you can visit the temple, which was erected by the Chinese in the second half of the eighteenth century in honor of Goddess Tien Hau(Mazu), which patronizes sailors and fishermen. It is treated with respect in almost all South Asian countries, especially in China.

On the roof of the temple, there are numerous porcelain figures depicting scenes from ancient Chinese legends. Above the iron gates are placed theatrical models made of carved wood and numerous Chinese lanterns.

The open areas of the courtyard of the building are equipped incense burners, at the end is an altar. The temple has a calm and peaceful atmosphere, probably due to the numerous burning incense.

Anyone who comes here can purchase and leave spiral incense in the pagoda. It will smolder for a month, the Vietnamese believe that at this time luck will accompany them in all matters. And if you put a few coins in a donation box, then Tien Hau will be a reliable protector on the road.

Zach Vien Pagoda

Zac Vien Pagoda is located on the outskirts of the city near Lake Sen. It was built in the middle of the eighteenth century and was originally an ordinary hut with a thatched roof. And only a few centuries later it acquired its present form.

IN great hall The pagoda houses Buddha sculptures, beautiful wooden engravings and sculptures depicting the cultural and daily life of the Vietnamese people.

Now the building serves as an art and history museum, which is open to tourists. The monks living on the territory of the pagoda will help excursion on this Buddhist building and will tell a huge number of myths and legends that the people have put together about the pagoda during its operation. To date, it is considered the most sophisticated and beautiful architectural monument of Ho Chi Minh City.

Jade Emperor Pagoda

The construction of the Jade Emperor Pagoda or Ruler began in 1909. It is dedicated to the god of heaven Ngoc Hoangu. But interior halls the buildings are filled not only with his statues, but also with sculptures of other Buddhist deities. The pagoda is constantly visited by a huge number of tourists, they strive to feel its contrast. The exterior of the building is decorated in a bright pink color that evokes positive emotions.

But once inside, visitors are often confused. This is especially felt in a small room, which is called hellish. In addition to the statue of the Devil, here you can see ten circles of hell which are depicted on the wooden walls. They often give eerie thoughts to visitors, and they leave the premises in a gloomy mood. But when you enter the courtyard of the pagoda, it quickly passes, thanks to the beautiful vegetation, fragrant flowers and the many turtles that live there.

Historical Museum



Collected together in the Ho Chi Minh City Historical Museum thousand years of history the entire state. It contains many historical artifacts, household and religious exhibits. They allow you to see the full depth of historical events, cultural heritage and the characteristics of the life of the local population.

The museum was founded in 1929 and was originally called Blanchard de la Brosse Museum. Of the most interesting expositions for visitors, one can indicate ancient statue Buddhas, mysterious nineteenth-century mummies and a unique collection of antique pottery.

Asian Women's Museum

This is a rather unique museum, which was organized relatively recently, in one thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven. Numerous exhibits of his collections tell how Asian women live and what contribution they make to the history of the country's development.

Here you can get acquainted with national dresses, jewelry, household appliances and other things that play an important role in the life of Asian women.

The museum is often the venue for various conferences And seminars where you can watch documentaries and read letters, drawings and prints related to Asian women. The building occupies more than two thousand square meters, on which twenty-five thousand unique historical items are located.

War Crimes Museum

The War Crimes Museum is very popular but is shocking sight. Here are photographs and documents that testify to war crimes that were committed against the inhabitants of the country. On open areas near the building you can see the American military equipment and weapons. All this, indeed, causes the saddest emotions.

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden in Ho Chi Minh City was founded in the middle of the nineteenth century, when the French dominated here. Its territory covers about twenty hectares of land, on which about two thousand trees and shrubs grow, many of which are already over a hundred years. They were brought here from various countries peace.

By visiting this natural object, you can see more than thirty species of cacti and the same number of bonsai, and about twenty varieties of orchids regularly bloom here. Thanks to the magnificent view of vegetation and the freshness of the air, the Botanical Garden has become one of the favorite places for walking not only among locals, but also among tourists.

Vietnam National Water Theater



Watching any performance of this unusual theater will bring a lot of positive emotions and leave an unforgettable experience. It's exotic national art and a bright show is the pride of the country. It is believed that the first water performances were held as early as the tenth century. Their peasants came up with, in order to somehow entertain yourself after work.

Initially they were carried out on flooded rice fields , where water not only made it possible to hide the puppeteers and the puppet control mechanism, but also made it possible to create additional effects (waves, splashes).

Currently, performances are held on stages, which are specially equipped pools.

The puppeteers are behind a screen and control the puppets with long levers hidden under the water. It seems that wooden puppets, whose height reaches one meter and weighs more than five kilograms, move through the water with ease.

Plots performances are usually taken from national fairy tales and legends, which often have hidden meanings. During the performance, the orchestra plays and the singers who are next to the stage sing. The performances contain a large number of scenes that smoothly replace each other.

Short excursions



To get around all the sights of Ho Chi Minh City a week is not enough, but a well-planned route will help you visit most of them.

Where to go in 1 day?

If scheduled day trip in Ho Chi Minh City, it is recommended to visit the main, most interesting sights of the city, concentrated in its center:

1. should start with the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame;
2. After visiting the cathedral, go to Reunification Palace;
3. You can then go to Central Mosque;
4. From the mosque to Thien Hau pagoda located in Chinatown;
5. In conclusion, it is worth going to the nearby Bien Thanh market where you can buy interesting, food, clothes and other goods.

Or you can devote the whole day to a large amusement park and. Forty kilometers from the city there is a huge entertainment Dai Nam park. It is the largest in the country, and getting around it on foot is a difficult task.

For ease of movement Several buses and mini-trains travel here, as well as a bicycle rental. The park has a huge number of different attractions, including a pool with water slides. You can take a break during the walk in the cafe.

What to see in 2 days?

If you plan to spend two days to get acquainted with Ho Chi Minh City, then it will be more convenient to take sightseeing tour around town.

The sightseeing tour usually starts from Central Square, includes visits to several temples, Nha Rong Port, Post Office, Lacquer Factory and Ben Thanh Market.

You can also use guide services who will advise the most interesting places to visit. If you managed to see the main ones in one day, then the second can be devoted to a trip to entertainment and shopping centers.

Those who don't love organized excursions, can visit interesting sights on one's own, for convenience, knowing in advance how to get to them, and making a route.

With kids

In order for the trip to become interesting for children, they must be taken to Nai Dam or Suoi Tien entertainment centers or to a performance in a water park.

Also, a trip should not be complete without a visit. the oldest Asian zoo located in Ho Chi Minh City. It began functioning in one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five years. Now it is home to more than five hundred and fifty species of fauna, including quite exotic ones.

Animals are housed in large cages, aviaries or indoors under glass. Equipped for reptiles special terrarium. Since walking around the zoo often takes the whole day, for the convenience of visitors, there are several cafes on its territory where you can eat and relax.

Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, as it is also called from old memory, is an incredibly crowded and noisy city with a completely chaotic traffic, but at the same time, with a unique Asian flavor. Every morning, millions of small mopeds leave the roads of the metropolis and thousands of residents rush to the parks for morning exercises.

In downtown Ho Chi Minh City, French colonial heritage blends with the modern reality of glass skyscrapers, while traditional pho eateries coexist with trendy restaurants. Around everything honks and buzzes, gradually merging into an incessant cacophony. But what is surprising is that after a while you begin to get used to this chaos and even enjoy it.

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What to see and where to go in Ho Chi Minh?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

A network of underground passages in the suburbs of Ho Chi Minh City, which appeared during the Vietnam War. The Viet Cong guerrillas hid in the tunnels and attacked the American army from there. The total length of the labyrinths is more than 150 km. They contain several levels that housed living quarters, ammunition depots, and hospitals. Nowadays, tours for tourists are conducted in part of the tunnels.

Catholic church in the very center of the city, built by the French in 1880. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that all the materials for the work were imported from France. At the same time, the chief architect personally controlled their quality. The cathedral is the largest and most majestic temple in Southeast Asia; it was built in accordance with the canons of the European style.

Bitexco is a modern skyscraper in the central part of Ho Chi Minh City, owned by a financial corporation. It was erected in 2010 according to the project of the French architectural bureau. The building reaches a height of 262 meters, which makes it the second largest building in the city. In 2011, a rotating observation deck was opened on the 49th floor, which offers a panoramic view. There is a restaurant on the 50th floor.

The building was built in the elegant style of French colonial architecture (the building of the Paris City Hall was taken as a model). After the occupation administration left Saigon in the middle of the 20th century, the building housed the office of the mayor of the city. After the unification of Vietnam, government offices moved here. There is a small green park on the square in front of the building.

The post office building is one of the oldest in the city, it was erected in 1886 - 91, guided by the drawings of G. Eiffel - the author famous tower in Paris. The building was built in mixed Gothic, Renaissance and colonial styles. From the inside and outside, it resembles a European railway station of the early 20th century. Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh worked here when he was 17 years old.

The modern building was erected after the end of the Vietnam War in the 1970s. Previously, there was a 19th-century building on this site that served as the residence of the Governor-General of Indochina. The Reunification Palace consists of five floors and 100 rooms. The interior is luxurious and pompous. There are still carpets in the corridors, and massive wooden furniture stands in the offices.

The collection is dedicated to the Vietnam War, or rather the period when the United States took an active part in the hostilities. The exhibition is located in several buildings and is divided into eight thematic sections. Here you can see weapons and equipment, as well as numerous photographs of the bombing, bullying by American soldiers against the population and the results of the use of chemical weapons.

The exposition is located in a colonial-era mansion. In terms of its value, it is second only to a similar exhibition in the country's capital, Hanoi. The museum exhibits works of Vietnamese art - paintings, silk panels, sculpture, national ceramics, woodcuts. There are also works by foreign masters and exhibits related to contemporary art.

The museum appeared in 1929. For a long time of its existence, he managed to win the fame of one of the most authoritative in the whole country. The exposition covers a wide historical period from tribal relations, the struggle for independence and ancient kingdoms to the end of the Nguyen dynasty in the 20th century. The museum will be of interest to both ordinary tourists and specialists - professional historians.

The region of Southeast Asia, along with China, has long been famous for its non-standard medicine. Vietnam has been especially successful in this matter - it is not for nothing that “people's pharmacies” with all sorts of drugs are so popular with foreign tourists. The museum dedicated to traditional healing is located somewhat away from the main attractions. It is better to visit this place with a guide who will understand the exhibits.

The opera stage of Ho Chi Minh City is located in a picturesque building in the central part of the city. Like many buildings southern capital, it was built in the French colonial style. Internal design also made by French masters. The building is a copy of the Hanoi Opera House. Not only musical performances, but also events of a different format can be held here.

The traditions of the Vietnamese puppet theater have more than one century. For a long time, it has hardly changed, and today the audience can watch the same productions as several centuries ago. The action of the performance takes place on the surface of the water. Wooden figurines move smoothly over the surface and play out plots unknown to a foreigner. Even without understanding a word during the performance, one can deeply feel the Vietnamese culture.

In Tien Hau they worship the patron goddess of sailors and fishermen. She is especially devoutly revered in the southern provinces of the country. That is why Ho Chi Minh City could not do without such a place. The temple was built in the 18th century, it is located on the territory of Cholon Chinatown. It is logical that the building was built in the Chinese style from materials brought from China.

The temple is dedicated to the deity Ngoc Hoang, the ruler of heaven in Taoism. According to beliefs, the Jade Emperor stands guard over Heaven and determines who is worthy to rise there and who is not. The pagoda was built at the expense of the Chinese community at the beginning of the 20th century. Inside, in the very center, there is a gilded sculpture of a god, guarded by figures of guards. The temple is surrounded by a picturesque park.

An incredibly beautiful Catholic church of bright pink color with white openwork trim. Thanks to this coloring and decor, the building looks like a fabulous "gingerbread" house. It was erected in 1880 by French masters in the style of "flying Gothic". The church immediately attracts attention with its rather unusual appearance, because even in Europe it is rarely possible to meet religious building such an unusual color.

Officially, the market has been operating since the 19th century. Today it is one of Ho Chi Minh City's most popular tourist destinations. Here you can buy inexpensive souvenirs, excellent quality Vietnamese items, designer products, local aromatic coffee and tea. The market also prepares dishes national cuisine and offer fresh fresh juices from exotic fruits.

The park is located almost in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. This green oasis in the middle of a noisy metropolis is perfect for morning physical education (Vietnamese people love to do this en masse) and quiet walks. Meetings of pensioners often take place here, who, as a rule, are passionate about some kind of hobby: ornithology or Chinese exercises - it doesn’t matter, because people first of all come here for communication.

Suoi Tien is a combined park where, in addition to attractions, a zoo, a 4D cinema, a water park and other facilities, there are also functioning temples and religious sculptures. It opened in 1995. At the moment, the territory of the park is more than 50 hectares and it continues to expand. At the entrance, guests are greeted by a huge statue of a dragon - a fairy-tale creature highly revered in Asian culture.

The Botanical Garden was created by the French scientist L. Pierre on his own personal funds. Hundreds of plant species grow here from Cambodia, Laos, Taiwan, as well as from the countries of the American and African continents. On the territory of the garden there is a zoo, which fits very harmoniously into the landscape. About 500 animals and more than 100 birds live in the menagerie. Pink flamingos and black Asian bears are especially beautiful.

An important water artery in the southern part of Vietnam, providing uninterrupted transportation of goods. It passes through the center of Ho Chi Minh City. Pleasure boats ply within the city. The water in Saigon is not very clean, sometimes you can smell an unpleasant smell from it. Good views open from the banks of the river and from numerous bridges. In some places for walking the promenade is equipped.

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In the Vietnamese city of Ho Chi Minh, you can find entertainment for every taste. Among other things, special attention should be paid to the sights of Ho Chi Minh City. There are not very many of them in the city itself, you can see everything in 1-2 days.

Ben Thanh Market

One of the most famous sights of Ho Chi Minh City is the Ben Thanh market, located very close to the tourist area of ​​Phan Gu Lao. This is a great place to buy Vietnamese products, art and other souvenirs. Inside the market, there are plenty of spots where you can taste Vietnamese street food or just cool off with a drink after shopping.

Ben Thanh market is quite large and difficult to navigate, especially for the first time. Therefore, it is better to visit this attraction in the morning or in the evening, when the stuffiness familiar to Ho Chi Minh City is not so noticeable. With the onset of darkness around the perimeter of the market open numerous restaurants and cafes, and the choice of street food is getting even bigger.

Where it is located: the market is located in area No. 1 and is limited by Ham Ngh, Le Loi, Tan Hung, Le Lai streets (see the location on the map above).

In a quiet corner of the center of Ho Chi Minh City is Notre Dame Cathedral, which is a kind of stronghold of Catholicism in a predominantly Buddhist Vietnam. The cathedral was built by French colonists in the nineteenth century.

At Notre Dame Cathedral, also known as Cathedral of Our Lady of Saigon, and services are now being held, but in general, in our opinion, it is not particularly interesting and differs little from other Catholic cathedrals. Visitors can enter inside, but the space available for inspection of the church is very limited.

Literally across the street from Notre Dame Cathedral is the post office building, which, by the way, often attracts more tourists than the cathedral itself. This very beautiful building of French architecture is probably the oldest post office in Southeast Asia.

The post office in Ho Chi Minh City was designed by Gustave Eiffel- the one who created the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. Among other buildings, the post office stands out with arched windows and wooden shutters, as it was in its best years at the end of the nineteenth century.

The building performs its former function in our time - if you wish, you can even send a postcard from Ho Chi Minh City to any point in the world. A variety of Vietnamese souvenirs are also sold here.

The post office is open daily from 7:00 to 20:00. The entrance is free.

Observation deck on the Bitexco tower

The sights of Ho Chi Minh City include: observation deck actually tall building in the city - Bitexco Financial Tower. The 68 floors of this 262-meter building are offices, shops, restaurants and even a helipad.

The main attraction of the tower is the observation deck (Sky Deck) on the 49th floor, from where spectacular views cities. To go upstairs, you need to use one of the sixteen available elevators. On the site you can use the services of a guide (in English), as well as information stands that will tell you about the main attractions of the city, which can be seen from the lookout Bitexco platforms financial tower. Visitor reviews are the most positive.

• Opening hours: 09:30 – 21:30.
• Ticket price: VND 200,000 for adults and VND 130,000 for children.

Ho Chi Minh Zoo

The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden was founded on the banks of the Mekong River over 100 years ago and is one of the oldest zoos in the world. IN this moment more than 550 species of animals and birds are represented in the zoo, and more than 1830 species of trees and 260 plants are represented in the botanical garden.

One of the features of the Ho Chi Minh Zoo that you will definitely like is that many animals are not behind thick glass, but only behind a small lattice. Some birds roam freely around the zoo.

• Opening hours: 07:00 - 18:00 (tickets are open until 17:00).
• Ticket price: 50,000 VND.

Museum of War Victims

This place is also known as Museum of American War Crimes, was opened in Ho Chi Minh City in 1975, shortly after the end of the Vietnam War. Here are numerous photographs of military operations, the equipment and equipment used, including a helicopter, a tank, a fighter jet, and even an aerial bomb weighing 6800 kilograms. All this equipment during the war was used by the Americans against the troops of North Vietnam.

• Opening hours: daily from 07:30 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 17:00
• Ticket price: 15000 VND

Palace of Independence

When a tank belonging to the North Vietnamese army blew down the gates of the Palace of Independence in April 1975, it marked the end of the Vietnam War, which had lasted nearly 30 years. So this place became iconic and is now famous as one of the main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City.

Now the palace looks exactly the same as in 1975 - there are even two real tanks nearby, which were used in the assault on Ho Chi Minh City and the palace itself. Inside you can see spacious halls and secret rooms, antique furniture and a command bunker with eerie corridors.

• Opening hours: from 07:30 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 16:00.
• Ticket price: 30,000 VND.

Attractions Ho Chi Minh City on the map

The map below shows all the main places of interest in the city:

These are the main attractions that you can see directly in Ho Chi Minh City. There are also many interesting places in the vicinity (for example, the Cu Chi tunnels, the Khao Dai Temple and others), but getting to them is already more difficult. We will write about such sights in a separate article.

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We came to Ho Chi Minh City in March and spent 4 days here. We mostly 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 with increased attention we studied 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 of Ho Chi Minh City, a huge number of photos, marks on the map, prices and coordinates. From the article you will also learn why Ho Chi Minh City is called Saigon, in which area to choose a hotel, where to eat, what to see, how to get there, how to get around and other useful information. You can immediately go to the question of interest by clicking on the link in the menu.

Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City? A bit of history

Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam - Thanh phố Hồ Chi Minh) - although not the capital of Vietnam, but the most Big City in a country of about 8 million people. This metropolis is named after the famous Vietnamese politician and communist - Ho Chi Minh. But it wasn't always like that. After the colonial countries of the Indochinese 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 City is the capital of South Vietnam, only it was then called Saigon (Vietnam. – Sai 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 after decades still call Ho Chi Minh City Saigon. On transport routes, various signs you can also find the old name. In general, Ho Chi Minh is the official name of the city, Saigon is historical and sincere.

Sights of Ho Chi Minh City with photo

The main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City can be seen in 1-3 days, for a more complete and thorough examination of the metropolis and its environs, 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. For this, a map of Saigon with marked remarkable objects on it and a small guide will be provided below, but for now I will list the main things to see in Ho Chi Minh City and show photos of the sights.

— Buildings and architecture

In the old center of Ho Chi Minh City, many buildings in the French colonial style have been preserved, 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 temple built in 1877-1883. during the French colonization. Many compare it to Notre Dame de Paris in France. My opinion is that they are similar except for the name and a little external form (from a distance). 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 missed it during the nine months of traveling in Southeast Asia 🙂). In front of the cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary, who stands with her feet on a snake.

• Address: Parisian Square (Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh).
• Coordinates: 10.779865 N, 106.69915 E
• Visit cost: for 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.

— — Saigon Central Post Office

Next to Notre Dame de Saigon, there is another colonial building - the building of the city post office, erected in 1886-1891. By architectural project 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, ATMs are built into many classic telephone booths.

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

— — Municipal Opera House (Saigon Opera house)

The Saigon Opera House is a very beautiful building in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. In accordance with the schedule, in the evenings there is a popular acrobatic show A O Show.

• Website"A O Show": aoshowsaigon.com
• 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 ticket price for the show.
• Working hours: according to the schedule of programs and shows.

— — City Council Building (City Hall,city Hall)

former building City Council - one of the most beautiful buildings of the colonial Saigon. They are not allowed inside, photos can only be taken from the outside. Many tourists and travelers praised the well-maintained territory near the municipality, especially noted the beauty against the backdrop of evening illumination. To our regret, as of March 2015, the entire street in front of the City Hall was completely renovated in Ho Chi Minh City. There was nothing left in the place of the cozy and pleasant square. 🙁 I want to believe that after full recovery this part of the city will become no less beautiful than it was before.

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

— — Palace of Independence (Palace of Reunification)

The Reunification Palace is a former presidential palace. Visitors can walk through the rooms and galleries that characterize the history of this building. On the ground floor, in a special room, you can watch a 25-minute documentary film "The Palace of Independence - a historical witness." On the territory there are copies of military equipment.

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

— — The building of the Supreme People's Court

Interesting old building in the French colonial style.

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

— — Benh Thanh Market

Benh Thanh Market can also be attributed to the architectural sights 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 high cost. Know that the first price for a product named here, with the ability to bargain, can be knocked down by 2-6 times! Another highlight of the Benh Thanh market is that it serves as an excellent reference point for public buses from the center of Ho Chi Minh City to other parts of the city. Just on the opposite side of the square and there is a stop.

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

— — Skyscraper Biteksko(Bitexco Financial Tower)

Biteksko is the most tall skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh. Its height is 262 meters, it has 68 floors. The inspiration for the shape of the building is the lotus bud, the national flower in Vietnam. On the 49th floor, there is an indoor observation deck "Saigon Skydeck" with a 360˚ view. You can enjoy the views at the bar on the 50th floor by ordering something from the menu.

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

— — Jade Emperor Pagoda (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.

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

— — Pagoda Jacques Lam (Giac Lam Pagoda)

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

• 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: for 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 aftermath of the war

The museum is dedicated to the consequences of military actions by the United States. Archives of documents, various collections, photographs are collected and stored here. A large number of military equipment is presented on the territory of the museum.

• Website:baotangchungtichchientranh.vn
• Address: 28 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Buses: No. 28 (from Ben Thanh market), No. 14, No. 6.
• Coordinates: 10.779371 N, 106.69217 E
• Visit cost: 15,000 VND ($0.75), discounts for children, students, disabled people.
• Working hours: daily 7.30-12.00 and 13.30-17.00.

— Vietnam History Museum

Here are collected collections of exhibits from ancient times (including the Tyam culture) to the 20th century.

• Website:www.baotanglichsuvn.com
• 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 – day off.

— Ho Chi Minh City Museum

Ho Chi Minh Museum, currently holding and preserving 45,666 exhibits grouped into 133 thematic collections interesting materials various historical periods: flags, administrative documents, radios, cameras, wooden furniture, statues of folk religion, exhibits related to historical figures, weapons, zinc Cochin coins of the 18th century, silver bars (from the middle of the 17th century to the middle of the 20th c.), money with a high nominal value (from the middle of the 18th century to the middle of the 20th century), Indochinese coins, forms for printing paper money of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

• Website: hcmc-museum.edu.vn
• Address: No. 65 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. You can get there by bus No. 04, 18, 36 from the Ben Tan market, walking from there in 15-20 minutes.
• Coordinates: 10.776091 N, 106.69971 E
• Visit cost: schoolchildren - VND 2,000 ($ 0.1), adults - VND 5,000 ($ 0.25), foreign citizens - VND 15,000 ($ 0.75).
• Working hours: daily 8.00-17.00.

— — Women's Museum (Southern Vietnam Women Museum)

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

• Website:www.baotangphunu.com
• Address: 202 Võ Thị Sáu, phường 7, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam.
• Coordinates: 10.784404 N, 106.68811 E
• Visit cost: for free.
• Working hours: Mon.-Fri. 7.30-12.00 and 13.30-17.00, Sat, Sun – day off.

— — 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 you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Saigon River embankment.

• Address: Số 01 Nguyễn Tất Thành, Phường 12, Quận 4, TP. Hồ Chi Minh.
• Coordinates: 10.768281 N, 106.70679 E
• Visit cost: 10,000 dong ($0.5).
• Working hours: no information.

— 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 truly a wonderful place! At the Ho Chi Minh 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 the stage.

• Website: saigonzoo.net
• 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, admission until 17.00.

— — Puppet theater on the water "Golden Dragon"

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

• Website:goldendragontheatre.com
• Coordinates: 10.776241 N, 106.69247 E
• Address: 55 B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Visit cost: 7,5$.
• Working hours: performances start at 17.00, 18.30, 19.45. Lasts 50 min.

— — Pham Ngu Lao Street Area (Pham Ngu Lao street)

There is a park along Pham Ngu Lao Street. Both tourists and locals like to walk here. In the evenings, children and teenagers play various games. But this street is not popular for this. The whole area is interesting, which is surrounded by the streets of Pham Ngu Lao, Do Quang Dau, Bui Vien and De Tham. Here reigns special atmosphere Saigon. To feel it, you need to dive deep into one of the narrow streets and walk through the labyrinths, where the buildings stand at a distance of 1.5-2 meters from each other. Here, every door is open and you can observe 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.

• Address: Pham Ngu Lao, Do Quang Dau, Bui Vien, De Tham streets and lanes inside.
• Coordinates: 10.768686 N, 106.693336 E
• Visit cost: for free.
• Working hours: around the clock.

- - Amusement parkSuoi Tien

Attractions, water park, ice and other palaces.

• Website:suitien.com
• Coordinates: 10.862741 N, 106.80295 E
• 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 number 19.
• Visit cost: adults - 90,000 VND ($ 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.

• Website:transhsondautot.com
• Coordinates:
• Address: 3 Hòa Bình, phường 3, Hồ Chí Minh. Located far from tourist center Ho Chi Minh City. You need to drive from Ben Thanh market by bus number 11.
• Visit cost: no information.
• Working hours: no information.

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

Aquapark.

• Website:damsenwaterpark.com.vn
• Coordinates: 10.764523 N, 106.63871 E
• Address: 03 Hoa Binh Street, Ho Chi Minh City. From Ben Thanh market by bus number 11.
• Visit cost: adults - 130,000 VND ($ 6.5), children - 90,000 ($ 4.5); after 16.00: adults - 110,000 VND ($ 5.5), children - 80,000 ($ 4)
• Working hours: Mon-Sat. 9.00-18.00, Sunday, holiday 8.30-18.00.

— — Le Van Tam Park

A city park where tourists are not a frequent visitor. Here, the people of Saigon are massively involved in sports. So, if you stay in Ho Chi Minh City for a long time, you can join them. 🙂

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

Sights of Ho Chi Minh 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 and entertainment", "Museums", "Other objects".

If you have little time and you don’t know what to see in Ho Chi Minh City, then I recommend walking 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 you walk, ask for a paper map of Ho Chi Minh City at your hotel reception. When you walk around the city, it is convenient to use offline mobile app with maps.me maps.

What to see around Ho Chi Minh City

To go to explore the distant sights of Ho Chi Minh City, it is best to book an excursion in one of the many offices in the Pham Ngu Lao street area. You can go to some places on your own on a motorbike (rent $ 5 per day) or public transport. We didn’t drive around the area, so I’ll just list what you can see:

• Cu Chi Tunnels.
• Dai Nam Amusement Park.
• Mekong Delta.
• Monkey Island Can Gio Island.
• City of Vung Tau. We traveled to this wonderful city within the framework of independent travel for 2 days.

Attractions around 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 booked both on the spot at travel agencies and in advance.

Photo walk in the center of Ho Chi Minh City

In this section, I want to post various photos of Ho Chi Minh that are not related to specific attractions, but which give a general idea of ​​\u200b\u200bwhat the center of Saigon looks like.

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

Precautions on the streets of Saigon

In Vietnam, although the crime rate is not high, you should not forget about elementary security measures. IN tourist area almost any metropolis, incl. and Ho Chi Minh, bags should be worn over the shoulder, because. otherwise, they are easy to rip off while passing by on a motorcycle. Do not put money and valuables in easily accessible pockets. In crowded places, remove the backpack from your back. Carefully cross the street, because. Traffic in Saigon is very chaotic.

Do not forget about various kinds of "suckers". IN tourist places they will constantly force you to buy glasses, shout “hey, motorbike” (in order to give you a lift), in the evening, near each cafe, invite you for dinner, massage, etc. When buying any trinkets or services, be sure to bargain.

One day a guy with a box ran up to us and, right on our way, began to glue Kostya's tattered sandals. On our attempts to go further, resistance and the phrase "no need" did not react. As a result, he took off Kostya's shoes and began to wash them with a strange liquid, which, judging by the dirty consistency, he used repeatedly. This comrade never touched on the topic of money, but we understood that now we would have to pay. At that moment, we only had large denominations of 100,000 dong ($ 5) and 10,000 ($ 0.5) in small change. When, after a couple of minutes, 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 became very offended with us.

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City

In Ho Chi Minh City, it is best to rent a hotel near Pham Ngu Lao Street, which I wrote about earlier. Firstly, there are many tourist offices, so taking a tour or buying a ticket will not be a problem. Secondly, they are accustomed to tourists here, so there will be no problems with communication in English. Thirdly, in this area it is interesting to walk along the streets and hang out with backpackers. Fourthly, there is the 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. How to book a hotel on your own wrote.

If you wish, you can look for housing on the spot near the same Fa Ngu Lao street. IN budget hotels voice the price of $ 15-25 per day per room. If this does not suit you, then most likely they will ask you to name your price. Bargaining is appropriate here, calmly drop $5, and then look at the situation. Before staying at the chosen hotel, ask to see the room, check if the price includes the use of air conditioning, check the speed of the Internet in the room. Be sure to pay attention to the presence of clubs or karaoke nearby so that there are no problems with sleep later.

We travel light, everyone has only one small backpack with a volume of 25-30 liters. Therefore, recently we have been practicing searching for a hotel on the spot. In fact, I didn’t have to look for a long time, because. a local resident fished us out of the crowd and offered us housing for $10. The room was small, clean, with internet. For the use of air conditioning, the cost of housing increased by $ 2 per day. In March, it gets very hot and stuffy in Ho Chi Minh City, so we could not do without air conditioning.

Where and at what prices to eat in Saigon

In the Pham Ngu Lao street area, there are a huge number of cafes with Vietnamese and Western cuisine. Prices range from VND 35,000-40,000 ($1.5-2) for local Pho soup to VND 150,000 for the rest of the menu. Dishes vietnamese cuisine are usually cheaper. In simple pizzerias, the cost of a small pizza starts at 100,000 dong ($5). Beer "Saigon" is offered in cafes at prices from 10,000 ($ 0.5) VND 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 quite logically explained: an empty bottle is left in the cafe, which in itself has a price. 🙂

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

How to get to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

Let's start with what Ho Chi Minh City has international Airport, accepting 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 airfare prices among different airlines and agents using the low price calendar below.

If you have never booked a plane ticket, or booked it, but still don’t really understand how to search for a cheap air ticket, then I advise you to read the article.

In the afternoon from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city center go public buses. 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 watch the meter. If you want to take care of the road from the airport to the hotel (or other place) in advance, 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 get there by bus or train. We ourselves got there, in advance.

For a trip to Vietnam you can do medical insurance via the Internet among the most popular agencies on the site Sravni(the policy will come to the post office within 2-10 minutes).

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

Walking around Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

Marina and Konstantin Samorosenko

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