"Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon - 'The Paris... " a Ho Chi Minh City Travel Page by dlytle

Located in the fertile Mekong delta and sprawling along a giant bend on the west bank of the Saigon river, Ho Chi Minh City is a big, bustling and chaotic low-rise metropolis. Saigon, as the city is still frequently referred to, is Vietnam's largest city with a population closing in on 7 million. It is a fast-paced city full of contrasts as street vendors selling fruit and vegetables can be seen next to glitzy western-style bars and boutiques. Known as the 'Paris of Asia', it has wide, often divided boulevards lined with stately trees and magnificent French villas and continental-style hotels. Saigon is an anomaly of sorts. It was ostensibly the loser that actually became the winner. While it lost major political and military battles in 1975, by the 1990's Saigon had won the economic war that continues to transform Vietnam in more ways than Hanoi could ever have imagined.

Saigon's history is only 300 years old, less than a third that of the capital, Hanoi. In 1859 the city was captured by the French and became the capital of Cochinchina. From 1956 until its dramatic demise in April 1975, Saigon was the capital of the US-backed Republic of Vietnam.

Today Saigon is very much the heart of Vietnamese business and entrepreneurs. It just seems that money is on the minds of everyone here. Hotel employees can recite the latest joint venture regulations and tailors make sure to stay in touch with their foreign customers by e-mail. And the city's skyline is rapidly changing, reflecting the sharp influx of foreign trade within the last decade. And yet the city still retains its connections to the past, particularly in Cholon, Saigon's Chinatown. Here dozens of elegant temples and pagodas can be seen. The French also left their mark here - the city has many street cafes and patisseries where fresh croissants can be purchased.

Ostensibly re-educated but apparently poor learners, the Saigonese are back to what works best for them - making money!

I don't know if Vietnam itself is yet ready for 'prime time' but I can tell you that Saigon is full of surprises for those of you who have the time and curiosity to explore its many treasures.