Sightseeing in Saigon Vietnam

Until 1975 this city in Vietnam was known as Saigon. Since 1975 it is officially called Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Ho Chi Minh (1890 - 1969) was the first leader of North Vietnam, and a lot of locals refer to him as Uncle Ho. With over nine million residents, this is a bustling city of both old and new, just like the name. His statue in front of the City Hall receives bunches of flowers from admirers every day. French colonial architecture sits alongside modern high rise glass buildings. The food, museums, galleries and vibe of this city attract almost ten million visitors a year.

A large bronze statue of Ho Chi Minh stands on a marble pedestal in a park located in front of the City Hall. Flowers in all colours are placed at the bottom of this statue. His right hand is raised above his head in greeting to all who see him.

The best way to introduce yourself to this city is to take a hop-on hop-off bus. This is one of my favourite first day activities in most large cities I visit. The buses have a pre-recorded talk giving details at each stop about the history, culture and architecture, in different languages. Headphones are handed out when you board. In HCMC, I sat on the open top of the double decker bus and one of the staff handed out hats to those up top, so we didn't get burnt on the hot day. Such a thoughtful gesture.

The bus passed by each stop around every thirty minutes. I bought a 24-hour ticket from the available 4-, 24- or 48-hour choices. The 24- and 48-hour tickets include a 30-minute nonstop night tour. This 24-hour ticket allowed me to get off and enjoy the various stops.

For a bit of culture shock, visit one of the busiest markets in Vietnam, the Ben Thanh market in District 1. Haggling is expected at the stalls, unless there is a sign saying that they do not barter. The prices are inflated by two or three times the price they expect you will pay, so join in the fun of bargaining. Often, they will offer a special deal if you are the first customer of the day. Vendors believe that if the first person does not buy, it is a bad omen for the rest of their days sales. Another hint is to learn to walk away if you honestly are not going to purchase an item. If you pick it up or touch it, the vendor will earnestly endeavor to sell it to you.

the narrow walkways of a covered market sell an indescribable amount of products, including coffee, jewelery, clothes, food, souveniers, toys, household goods

This market is large, and almost impossible to see everything in one day. They offer hawker-style Vietnamese food and drinks both within the market and around the perimeter, the main stay being noodles, fish and meats. Raw meats and vegetables are also sold in open stalls here. Ordering a coffee is a visual experience. The barista will show you step by step how to make coffee the traditional Vietnamese way.

inside the markets, at a food stall, a Vietnamese barista shows people how to make traditional Vietnamese coffee. People sit on small plastic blue stools around a counter as he makes the strong coffee in clay pots

The Hotel Continental in District 1 was built in 1880. Even though it has been refurbished and renovated, it still maintains its French colonial style. During the Vietnam war it was a favourite hangout of journalists who called the ground floor bar they enjoyed - The Continental Shelf. Many famous people have stayed here but the most notable is Graham Greene, who wrote the book The Quiet American when he lived in the hotel. (Room 214 if you are a fan).

an external shot of the facade of the hotel continental saigon. four stories built in french colonial days, the long round floor to ceiling windows with glass french doors opening onto a wrought iron balcony that surrounds the building. The whole facade is a pale beige with greenery dotted thrughout the landings. A large multilevel glass building towers many stories above and behind it.

Another popular venue over time is the luxury hotel Rex, in District 1. It has been the haunt for military personnel, politicians, journalists and power brokers. Built in 1927 as a two storey garage it has been renovated in French colonial style into a five-star hotel. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can take the elevator and stairs up to the restaurant on the top floor. There you can enjoy a meal or a drink with incredible views looking out over the city.

the rooftop view from the sixth floor of the Rex Hotel in District 1 Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam looks out over park and central fountain of district 1. In the distance are both modern glass high rise buildings and restored French Colonial skyscrapers.

Opened in 1891, the still functioning Saigon Post Office attracts many tourists, and has often been mistaken for a train station. It is sometimes said that Gustaf Eiffel designed the building, but this is incorrect. It was designed by Alfred Foulhoux, with Gothic, French and Renaissance influences. Inside are two wall maps that were painted just after the building was opened, and are worth looking at. One is a map of South Vietnam and Cambodia, the other a map of Saigon in 1892.

the front facade of the post office, it looks like the entrance to a train station, built in 1891. This two storey building has a large clock over the entrance and french architecture and motives on its cream walls

Diagonally opposite the post office is Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon (or Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception). This Roman Catholic Cathedral was

built between 1863 and 1880. All materials used in the construction of the building were imported from France, including the bright red external bricks from Toulouse, glass squares from Chartres and tiles from Marseille. There is a story that in 2005, the Virgin Mary statue in front of the building shed tears. Even though this has not been officially confirmed by church authorities, the devote flock to the statue where the miracle is said to have occurred.

the red brick facade of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam had all its building materials imported from France.

Of course, like most large cities around the world, there are areas that are not as polished and pristine yet are still occupied by local residents. The Government has tried to relocate the occupants of these ramshackle dwellings and have met by resistance. It seems that even though there is no running water, they wish to remain in their community.

higgledy piggeldy squat dwellings on top of a building use any sort of building material that has come to hand. It looks like it will either fall down or be demolished. People still live here, even with no running water. Their clothes dry out on the verandahs, and rails stop them from falling off the edge of the roof.

It is estimated that around 6 million (7%) of the Vietnamese people are living with disabilities due to the use of Agent Orange and landmines used in the Vietnam War. Therefore, it is a common sight to see some of the disabled people begging on the streets. Most people who wanted to have children after the war were tested to see if they would pass on any abnormalities to their offspring. However, people in the country areas often were not tested and their disabled children would often be given to orphanages.

a disabled women with disfigured legs walks with a walking stick as she carries her groceries home. A traditional round cone shaped hat is decorated with floral material.

Even in the large capital city, there will be streets where businesses will be conducted on the footpath. Just a street away from the main thoroughfares will bring you to various tradespeople carrying on their businesses out in the open. A shoe repair worksite, including a sewing machine, will be packed away every evening, and then all equipment brought back out the next day to continue the trade.

on the sidewalk of a street, several men conduct a shoe repair workshop. They sit on small stalls and work away replacing soles and repairing shoes. A sewing machine sits on a low bench, and a grinder and airvacs on the concrete behind it. bits of rubber and leather scatter the ground everywhere

This is the contrast of the city. New vs. old, traditional vs. modern. Nearly everyone working hard to earn a living, and almost every Vietnamese person you meet is happy and welcoming.

There are 31 places of interest marked on the free hop-on hop-off bus map provided, and the 11 marked stops nearby.

1. Sai Gon Opera House, Dong Khoi Vincom Centre, Art Arcade and L’usine Coffee

2. Nguyen Hue Street, statue of President Ho Chi Minh and People’s Committee building, the Coffee apartment

3. Nha Rong Wharf

4. Saigon Water bus station

5. History museum, Saigon zoo and the temple of Hung King

6. War remnants museum, Tao Dan park and Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre

7. Pham Ngu Lao Street and 23/09 park

8. Ben Thanh Market and Mariamman hindu Temple Saigon

9. Independence Palace and Diamond Plaza

10. Sai Gon Notre Dam Cathedral and Central Post Office

11. Sai Gon Opera House

The night tour is a very different way to see this energetic, non-sleeping city and its beautiful landscape. At various night tours they even have a music tour. A live music band plays on the open top deck. More information and timetables can be found at www.city-sightseeing.com

Stop 1 and 11 are at the 1897 built French colonial style Opera House. This ornate building can seat 500 people inside.