"Keeweechic's Ho Chi Minh " a Ho Chi Minh City Travel Page by keeweechic

"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." (Confucius)

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam. Prior to the north and south reunification in 1975, Ho Chi Minh City was known as Saigon and even today the city is still referred by the locals as such. The renaming was offered by the Communist government of Hanoi in honour of Ho Chi Minh who was the leader of the Communist forces during the Vietnam War. As the old name Saigon could not be abolished, the authorities compromised and kept the name 'Saigon' for the centre of the city while the entire area is known as Ho Chi Minh City. Amongst the grand old buildings, you will see colourful markets selling everything from chilies to French bread and almost be run down by the endless stream of bicycles, cyclos (trishaws) and motorbikes.

Tourists from the West are now being encouraged and welcomed into what was once a forbidden country. It may take a little more effort to plan a trip to Vietnam but the country has a great deal to offer in both culture and sightseeing. I went to Vietnam on a long holiday weekend while living in Hong Kong. With everything being relatively close (a few hours flying), I tried to make the most of any long weekends by visiting nearby countries. In these instances, with limited time, it was easier to book an organised trip which allowed me to cover as much as possible in the time given. After having had a taste of Vietnam, I look forward to the day that I can return and see more of this beautiful country.