On the way to Vietnam’s beautiful, sunny beaches for a holiday ? Then you might unwittingly also end up in Saigon for a day or two. If it’s an option – take the chance – you can experience both the old South East Asia and a modern chaotic metropolis. Here are our suggestions on what to do and see.
Getting Around: Metro and bus are not that good to be honest – the network is not so big considering the large population. Take a taxi, but avoid any motorcycle taxi in the extremely dense traffic. It’s not worth the risk.
Worth knowing: Saigon is officially called Ho Chi Minh City, but most say Saigon, as it was known before. Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon is Vietnam’s largest city with about 6.5 million inhabitants.
24 Hours in Ho Chi Minh City
08.00
Frightening war museum
Less than five months after the war ended in 1975 this museum opened. The war in Vietnam is called “American war” here. In the courtyard are various old American aircraft, tanks and bombs. But it’s hardly indicative of what’s is to come. Inside the exhibition rooms are eight thought-provoking, frightening exhibitions. Below are pictures of 134 war photographers who were killed during the wars in Indochina, against the colonial power France and the United States after that, among them Larry Burrows, Henri Huet, Robert Capa and Sean Flynn. There is also documentation on the half a million babies born with deformities after the U.S. spraying of Agent Orange. Thought provoking are the drawings that show the war through children’s eyes.
Address : War Remnants Museum, 28 Vo Van Tan.
10:00
Permits the palace
This was the iconic location where, when the Vietnam War ended the last South Vietnamese president received the North Vietnamese soldiers here in April 30, 1975. The presidential Palace has been standing almost intact and is today a popular tourist destination. We found Mai Thanh Ngo, who fled to America in 1975, just before the regime collapsed.
“- I come back every year, ” she says. And then I will always come and remember.
Many people go up and bow to a Buddha statue.
Address : Reunification Palace, 106 Nguyen You
11:30
Terrifying temples
Chinese temples are always exciting to visit with their imaginative outfits. And the Jade Emperor, acquired Taoists supreme god, is one of the most intriguing we’ve seen. The smell of incense is intense here, the people kneeling in front of statues of terrifying appearance. In one room are twelve female figures in porcelain with children crawling on and around them.
Address : Jade Emperor Pagoda, 73 Mai Thi Luu
13:00
FNL restaurant Pho Binh
American soldiers peacefully ate noodle soup here during the Vietnam War. Two flights up was the FNL’s command center in Saigon.
And there was planned the Tet Offensive in 1968, the war turning point. Owner, Ngo Toai, died a few years ago, but his grandson, Ngo Duy Thinh, showing the room where the FNL leaders met in Saigon and the cupboard is full of awards.
Lunch consists of a fairly simple noodle soup.
Address : FNL restaurant Pho Binh, 7 Ly Chinh Thang
14:00
Oriental Market
Large, narrow, lovely oriental market under a roof. And surprisingly clean and tidy. It feels like they’re all here. We are looking for Vietnamese coffee, a real pleasure when it is high quality. We find for £15 for a kilo and then it’s still not the finest of fine, Kopi Luwak, which can cost between £140 and £900 kronor a kilo.
Kopi Luwak, the Vietnamese call it something like “weasel”, coffee, is roasted before it passed through the stomach and intestine of an Indian Palm Civet, a small cat sized animal. In this way, it has got a nice unique taste which lacks any bitterness.
Address : Ben Thanh Market, Intersection Le Loi and Ham Nghi.
15:30
Exciting scents of Chinatown
Cholon Saigon is “Chinatown”. This is tremendously exciting to walk around. Do not miss the quarter with traditional Chinese herbs and medicines, enjoy the scents and try to guess what it is that creeps into the jars. Check for example along the street D Trieu Quang Phuc.
Right next to the market is one of many notable temples in Cholon – Thien Hau. It is dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau revered for her activities saving distressed seamen.
The ceiling is filled with spirals of incense and all roads are adorned with statues and icons.
Address : Cholon and Thien Hau Pagoda, 710 Nguyen Trai.
18:00
Shopping mall Tax
Tax is a modern department store, it doesn’t feel particularly cheap, but get up to the top floor and you will find goods at Asian prices.
Address : Tax Department Store, Corner of Le Loi and Nguyen Hue
20:00
Dinner with atmosphere
In a beautiful old building in traditional style is pleasant restaurant Hoi An. Floors and beams are in dark wood, and the interior feels like an old manor house, with nice atmosphere. On the second floor has a trio of traditional Vietnamese music.
Service and food is high class, and it is quite expensive for Vietnam. Here you’ll find specialties such as swallows’ nests (about £20) with sea cucumber and shark fin (about £65). But you can eat cheaply, too. Most main courses cost between £5 and £10.
Address : Hoi An restaurant, 11 Le Thanh Ton
22:30
Drink on the rooftop terrace
Roof terraces at Hotel Rex and the Caravelle Saigon are the best place for a little nightcap. Conveniently enough for one night in town, we took the Saigon Saigon Bar at The Caravelle Hotel.
Address : Rooftop Bar Caravelle Hotel, 19 Lam Son Square
