Your first impression when arriving at <b>Than Son Nhat Airport</b> and stepping outside, is a feeling of being somewhere surreal, like the twilight zone. The feeling is emphasized as you move through the city. It seems familiar on the surface but is still so different. My ever lasting impression from Saigon will be the <i>noise, undisciplined traffic and the filth</i>. However, the experience was fantastic and counterbalanced by <B><i>truly friendly people, an inspiring social rythm and the fact that it is so different. A nice break from Maccas joints on every bloody corner</b></i>.
Saigon, first registered in 1698 was built on the Saigon River and evolved into a port in 1862 when the French colonialised the country. It is located some 80 kilometers from the South China Sea but it is connected to the sea by the Saigon River and the Mekong Delta.
It is home to some 3.5 million people and a large minority is of Chinese descent. In July 1976 the city was renamed to Ho Chi Minh City, although District I is still officially known as Saigon. It is a city that never sleeps and is quite sleepy at the same time. It is full of contrast, where public (and now new financial/tourist buildings) buildings are well maintained, even extravagantly so. Most residential/retail houses look like crap from outside though they are quite comfortable and well-equipped on the inside. I suppose people are reluctant to show publicly if they are well off considering the system in place.
While I enjoyed HCMC it is not a place you'd spend more than a week visiting, I'd even say 3 to 4 days is enough, as the country side have so much on offer. It is worth the trip though.
Also check out the travelogue for more images of Saigon life
Picture is Saigon Town Hall with Uncle Ho in the foreground.
<font color=blue>Unfortunately the former American Embassy abandoned in April of 1975 was torn down a couple of years ago. A historic landmark is gone</font>
Ho Chi Minh City
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