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 For much of its
history, the area in which Ho Chi Minh City, formerly called Saigon,
lies was traditionally a Khmer settlement which gradually developed
into an important trading port. The Viets resettled from the
north in the 17th
century and in the 18th century the Nguyen Emperors from
Hue took control and they called the city Saigon. In 1862, the
French succeeded in gaining control of Saigon and made it the
capital of French Cochin china. At this time, it became known
as “The Pearl of the Orient” and today the legacy left behind by the
French is still evident in the layout and design of the city as well
as its elegant colonial buildings. It was renamed Ho Chi Minh
City when it came under Communist rule in 1975 following the end of
the American War, but many locals still prefer to call the city
Saigon. Today’s Saigon is a bustling, international city with
a population of some 8 million. It has all the excitement and
convenience of a big city, but with an exotic flavor that is
unmistakably Asian. There’s a great range of things to do and
see—fascinating museums, galleries, vibrant markets, superb temple
architecture, and a vast array of restaurants and popular
night-spots. And of course, many of the restaurants are
fabulous!
Ho Chi Minh City
is a bustling, fast-growing metropolis. Saigon is the name of a
mystical and history-laden river flowing through the city.
Saigon-Cholon Port, in the early 18th
century, was one of the most buoyant cities in Southeast Asia.
Today Ho Chi Minh City, with a population of around 8 million and as
the largest city in Vietnam, is the leading business, cultural and
political center of the southern portion of the country.
Saigon's
Attractions
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Nortre Dam
Cathedral |
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 The
resplendent Governor’s Palace, completed in 1875, symbolized
the regime’s political power in Asia. And five years later,
the Duc Ba (Our Lady’s) Cathedral was inaugurated, and
became the spiritual and cultural crucible of the French
presence in the Orient
After the
first French colonizing force arrived in Vietnam in the mid
- 19th century, it took only 21 years before the
country had a cathedral to match the hulking Gothic edifices
of France itself. The cathedral is supposed to represent the
glory of the French Empire. Yet, as is always the case with
colonization, this attempt to import French traditions into
Vietnam transformed the colonizers’ culture in the process.
Even though the cathedral is built in a Western
architectural style, it has a uniquely Eastern aspect.
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Thong Nhat
Conference Hall |
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 Thong
Nhat Conference Hall, also called Reunification Hall or
Presidential Palace, was built in 1865 on the grounds of
Norodom Palace as a residence for the French Governor
General of Cochin china.
At 11h30 on 30 April 1975, the palace was overrun by
Liberation Army tanks. Duong Van Minh, who was president at
that time, together with his 45-member cabinet, surrendered
unconditionally. After the liberation of Saigon, the
Independence Palace was turned into the Headquarters of the
Municipal Military Administrative Committee. In December
1975, the palace welcomed a conference for national
reunification. To mark the historical significance of the
event, the building was renamed Thong Nhat Conference Hall
(Reunification Conference Hall).
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Ben Thanh
Market |
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 Ben
Thanh Market is always loaded with varieties of goods, such
as consumer goods, cakes and candies, food and foodstuff,
and particularly high-quality fruit and vegetables. Goods
are displayed in a very attractive way that always catches
the eyes of the buyers. They meet all requirements for the
customers' daily life or for their families. The market has
four gates that are very convenient for the market-goers.
For all of its advantages, Ben Thanh Market is one of the
most attractive tourist sites in the city for both domestic
and foreign visitors.
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Cu Chi Tunnel |
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 This
attraction contains countless artifacts, photographs and
pictures documenting activities by American Forces during
the American War. Some of the displays graphically
illustrate the terrible methods and the tragic effects of
the war, in both in the north and in the south. Planes,
tanks, light weapons, bombs and helicopters are also on
display.
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Cao Dai Temple |
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Cao Dai Great Temple
built between 1933 and 1955. The Great Temple is 140m long and 40m
wide. It has 4 towers each with a different name: Tam Dai, Hiep
Thien Dai, Cuu Trung Dai, and Bat Quai Dai. The interior of the
temple consists of a colonnaded hall and a sanctuary. The 2 rows of
columns are decorated with dragons and are coated in white, red, and
blue paint. The domed ceiling is divided into 9 parts similar to a
night sky full of stars and symbolizing heaven. Under the dome is a
giant star-speckled blue globe on which is painted the Divine Eye,
the official symbol of Caodaism. Cao Dai followers worship Jesus
Christ, Confucius, Taoism, and Buddha.
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China Town
(Cho Lon Market) |
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 This
historic section of Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling town with
more than half a million Chinese inhabitants. China town was
set up at the end of 18th century when the Minh dynasty in
China was overthrown. Many Chinese faithful to the Minh ran
to Vietnam for help seeking peace and business and were
permitted to settle by the Nguyen Lords. China town has many
shops and family factories. |
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