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Ho Chi Minh City Pages by sailor_p
| Page Views: 4,622 Last Visit to Ho Chi Minh City: June, 2007 | SAIGON – PEARL OF THE ORIENT by sailor_p - last update: Jun 20, 2007 |
"Paris of Asia" - A Timeless City | Say "Cheeze" with "Uncle Ho" in Saigon! |
[Updated on 21 Jun 07]: Hi all, I've just come back from a 24-hour adventure in HCMC. This was my second time visiting this charming city. My first visit was in Aug 2005.
During my 24 hours in HCMC, my fiancee, Martin, and I walked a lot. We literally walked the whole District 1. In addition, we spent about 3 hours shopping at the well-known Ben Thanh Market, follwed by a relaxing spa treatment at the well-known Spa Tropic. We sampled local delights at both Pho 2000 and Quan an Ngon. We also visited the Ben Thanh Night Market for more shopping.
Honestly speaking, compared to my visit in 2005, HCMC has become more "touristy". I've also met many fellow Singaporeans in HCMC. Goods sold at Ben Thanh Market are trendier. And as for traffic, it has improved tremendously. At every zebra crossing, there is a traffic light. It is not as chaotic as before.
I really love this city and I will be back soon!
[August 2005] Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), formerly known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam, a major hub for commerce, education and tourism. Despite the rapid development in economy, the strong culture that has passed through the age of time still remained. It is this old-world charm that beckons me to explore the former Saigon all by myself.
Travelling alone for the first time to a foreign land certainly gripped me with fear. With much assurance from friends and colleagues that it is a safe city to visit, I packed my bags and headed for HCMC in late August. It was a decision that I never regretted. |
| Serenity : A view of the HCMC through the windows |
|  | Journey Starts with Saigon's Most Charming Hotel The four days in HCMC were packed with nothing but excitement and fun. My journey into this city, once known as the “Paris of Asia”, started with my stay at the Continental Hotel. The 19th century French building, located at the heart of HCMC District 1, has welcomed famous writers such as Graham Greene, author of "The Quiet American” in which most of the action in the story took place at the hotel. It was also a place for journalists to gather for news updates during the Vietnam War. My stay at this original French colonial architecture is certainly a good way to relive the days as presented by the Broadway Production, “Miss Saigon”. There's just this mystical charm about this hotel that I can't put my words to it. Awesome! |
City Highlights Highlights of my city tour included visits to the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum and Thien Hau Temple in Chinatown. No trip to HCMC is complete without a visit to the Ben Thanh Market. One could get beautiful handicrafts at rock bottom prices if you know the art of bargaining. HCMC is definitely a shopping paradise. With so many shops located at the city’s wide boulevards lined with stately trees and magnificent French villas, everyone visiting HCMC would be spoilt for choices.
Besides staying in District 1 of HCMC, I have the opportunity to visit the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels.
This is simple abundance in life! | | | The Reunification Palace at HCMC |
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| Pros: | "It's a fast developing country with old world charm!" | | Cons: | "The traffic!!!!" | | In A Nutshell: | "If you're not there, you are missing out a lot!" |
sailor_p's Ho Chi Minh City Travel Tips
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 Comments for sailor_p about Ho Chi Minh City | | | | |
THLIN Sat Jun 23, 2007 09:20 UTC
24hrs in HCMC...what a nice short trip!!! | Jim_Eliason Sun Jun 10, 2007 13:31 UTC
Great HCMC page Theresa! | victorwkf Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:11 UTC
Great tips and photos of HCMC! The traffic crossing here is similarly challenging as hanoi it seems :) | Cyncyn Thu Mar 8, 2007 16:40 UTC
oops ! you go alone to Vintnam ! you are brave ! I'll read through the info you put here ! maybe one day I'll go solo too :) |
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