As the Pearl of the South of Vietnam, Saigon or Ho Chi Minh city has long been a convergence of Vietnamese cultural, economic and political center of Vietnam. Traveling to Saigon developed more than 300 years old, tourists can meet the high-storey buildings located close to the sanctuary, amusement park, crowded shopping center, ancient villas in outside of the city centre, and especially traditional markets existed for hundreds of years. Coming to Saigon, tourists can blow their mind with ranges of specialties in here. Saigon has two distinct seasons, the rainy season from May to November, and the dry season from December to April. If tourists come here in the rainy season, tourists should bring umbrella or raincoat when going out because Saigon is famous for the sudden rains maintaining even many whole days. In addition, Saigon is also a place with full of sunshine. It is estimated that there are 270 hours of sunshine per month, average temperature 27 ° C, highest up to 40 ° C but not as harsh as other places. To travel to Saigon, tourists can go by plane, train, car, or motorbike based on tourists’ location and time to travel. If locating far away from the Central of Saigon, tourists can choose a fast and convenient movement by airport, from Hanoi to Tan Son Nhat airport taking about two and haft, from Da Nang or Hue to Saigon, tourists can take about over one and half hour, or from Da Lat to Saigon, tourists can take a train to admire the natural beauty through the window. Taking the train is a great choice for those who have a good time. With two bus stations in the East and the West, from any province in the country, tourists can also go to Saigon by car. In the Saigon, tourists often travel by rent motorbikes or bus with very reasonable prices.
Coming to Saigon, the first impression is the many special historical architecture works with very spacious area. Located at the end of Le Duan Street, Independence Palace attracts Vietnamese and foreigners coming here to visit the royal architecture in the rooms used by the president, the vice president, the reception room, and so on. Based on traditional oriental philosophies, the harmonious combination between the main building and the natural landscape, and the surrounding garden is the unique feature of this place. Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is the largest church in Saigon. Being one of the only four churches in Vietnam that has a cathedral, the church has been maintained through hundreds of historical years remaining many historical relics until now. Most prominences of the church include the design with pink ceiling tiles over the centuries. Along with that are 5 bells, in which Son bell is one of the largest bells in the world with the ability to resonate nearly 10km. Not far from Notre Dame Cathedral is the City Post Office, a place bringing French architecture with open space, high domes and polished floor tiles are glossy over time. This place still works as a post office, but today, more tourists come here to admire architecture in here. Especially, the opera house in Sai Gon is the magnificent French-style building homed many largest and t important cultural events in the city.
Another beautiful aspect of Saigon, tranquility comes from a little corner of Ho Chi Minh city. Bet Coffee seems to become the very own culture of Ho Chi Minh city. It is simply that sitting down and enjoying the drops of black coffee, and milk cafe in Saigon around the area of Notre Dame Cathedral or the tortoise lake in Saigon, and sharing about their own stories, will be the exciting experience for tourists. In addition, specialties in the area of Notre Dame Cathedral also has some famous snacks such as mixed rice paper rolls, baked rolls, mango will leave tourists many special moments about the culture of Saigon in here. Walking to Nguyen Van Binh’s book stret between the site of Paris and Hai Ba Trung street is a special note in the heart of Saigon bustling and dusting environment. With dozens of boutiques from reputable publishers at home and abroad, this is a world of books with full of knowledge in a green, peaceful and quiet space. If tourists have time, tourists can come here to immerse in the peace and enjoy a cup of coffee. The Bitexco lotus building symbolizes the great development of Saigon will not only lead tourists to the tallest building in the city but also have the opportunity to participate in many other activities such as taking the panoramic view of Saigon from the lotus tower, enjoying cocktails on the rooftop bar and trying one of the fastest elevators in Southeast Asia.
Ho Chi Minh city also welcomes tourists with very rustic and simple beauty from the traditional markets, the walking streets, and specialties contributing on the friendliness of this city. Concentrated many families of Chinese origin, Large market is the largest commercial center in Saigon. Tourists can almost find all the goods and materials in this market. Coming here, tourists will encounter the red paper lanterns hanging before each house. Especially on the occasion of mid-autumn this is the place attracts a lot of tourists as well as young people to take pictures and enjoy the true moonlight. If there is a city in Vietnam where tourists can eat all kinds of dishes from early morning to dark without being bored, it can only be Ho Chi Minh city. A place to gather specialties of many localities from north to south, from authentic Vietnamese dishes such as rice, bread, pho to European and Asian dishes such as pizza, sushi, udon noodles. Tourists can spend even days enjoying the food in this city. Not only many dishes, Saigon cuisine is also diverse in different type. Tourists can use the luxury buffet to the pavement food counts.
There are billions of other activities tourists can do in Saigon, such as going to modern cinema centre, the shopping malls on the top of the peak buildings, … waiting to discover by tourists. Let’s come to Saigon once day and dive in the friendly and special culture in here!