Ho Chi Minh, formerly named and still informally known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam by population found in the South. You can expect to find beautiful French buildings and chaotic road conditions, but it’s all part of the experience. The key part of my trip here was to learn about its history and tensions between North and South Vietnam. Here are my top 5 recommendations:

1)     Cu Chi tunnel tours. The Cu Chi Tunnels is a network of underground passageways that run to more than 200km in total length in this area alone. Work by the Viet Cong commenced in 1948 as a means of shelter from the French air attacks during the Indochina conflict. My tour package included a boat ride from Saigon River pier to the tunnels, followed by a biking tour. I wouldn’t recommend the biking tour here as the one I did in Hue City was WAY prettier and less polluted.

2)    The War Remnants Museum relates to the American phase of the Vietnam War. You can see displays of old military equipment and other related objects as well as larger exhibits including an F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter. There are many eye opening images showing the horrible effects of war and the use of the chemical agent orange that still haunts people today.  

3)    The Independence Palace which  witnessed the growth of Ho Chi Minh City during peacetime and throughout the Vietnam War until its end in 1975. Here you’ll also find the famous tank that drove through the palace gates. 

4)     Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and Central Post office. These two landmarks are opposite each other. The post office is one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh City,  and you can admire its neoclassical-style as well as send a postcard to a loved one!

5)    Ho Chi Minh city at night. The atmosphere was really vibrant and City Hall looked beautiful! The temperature also gets better, less hot and humid. When visiting Vietnam, I suggest going around Feb and March to get cooler temperatures, although you would have to sacrifice super blue skies. Weather varies from the North and South so it can get tricky but as long as it isn’t raining right? 

Others: Binh Tay Market is where you can barter for everything you want to buy and is also a good place to exchange money at a better rate. Also, make sure you keep trying all the local restaurants (try not to eat too much greens if you have a sensitive stomach)