Travel to Saigon - Vietnam
(Ho Chi Minh City)
Vietnam, or officially: The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, borders China, Laos, and Cambodia. It is an affordable destination for Western tourists, containing real hidden travel gems. Despite its image, Vietnam is not meant for backpackers alone – it is also friendly to independent travelers looking to discover a country with a rich history, impressive nature, and a variety of beaches and bays.
The weather in Vietnam is tropical, but varies between the north and the south. In the south, the dry season is between November and March, and the rainy season is between May and October. In the north, the dry season is cool, while during the rest of the year it is very hot and humid.
Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam and previously served as its capital. It is a convenient starting point for your trip to Vietnam – a vibrant, energetic city whose airport is the largest and busiest in the country.
Saigon is the economic center of Vietnam, housing most of the commercial, shopping, and entertainment hubs. More than 8 million residents live in the city, and at first glance, it seems as though most of them ride motorbikes. The roads in the city are a strange mix between chaos and order: thousands of rickshaws, cars, and motorbikes honk at each other and drive fast, while many pedestrians weave between them.
A short video about the traffic on the busy streets of Saigon:
Amidst all this, there is a sense of order, and everyone knows exactly where and how to drive to avoid colliding with others. Intimidating – but no less an experience. It is great to combine a rickshaw ride through the bustling streets and lively markets into your city tour.
When walking through the busy streets of the city today, it is hard to imagine the bloody history and difficult days Saigon – or by its current name, Ho Chi Minh City – went through just 40 years ago. During the Vietnam War, the city served as an American headquarters, housing military offices. In 1975, when Northern forces captured the city, the name was changed from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City, named after the pioneer of communism in Indochina and leader of conquering North Vietnam. Nevertheless, many city residents still use its old name and refuse to get used to the change.
♦ Recommended Hotels in Saigon
5-Star Hotels in a Central Location:
Pullman Saigon Centre
A modern 306-room hotel, with an observation terrace on the 31st floor and a pool on the 6th floor. Rooftop restaurant. Free internet. The hotel features a gym, spa, and family rooms.
Rex Hotel
A luxurious 288-room hotel rich in sports and leisure facilities in the heart of the city: pool, gym, spa, casino. Rooftop restaurant. Free internet.
Somerset Ho Chi Minh City
A luxurious and central apartment hotel with 165 rooms and apartments, including two- and three-bedroom apartments designed to comfortably accommodate 5-6 people. The hotel features a swimming pool, children's playground, gym, free internet, and free parking.
4-Star Hotels:
Fusion Suites Saigon
A suite hotel with 71 family rooms and suites, centrally located with a 4-star rating. Features a spa, gym, free internet, and a local and international restaurant.
Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint
A 171-double-room hotel centrally located with a 4-star rating. Features a gym, pool, spa, restaurants, and free internet.
♦ Attractions and Tours in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
♦ Recommended tours in Saigon (book on Viator):
Reunification Palace
The fascinating and bloody history is interwoven into every step in the city. It is recommended to start your tour at the Reunification Palace, which served as the official residence of the President of South Vietnam before the city was captured in 1975.
In front of the building stand the two tanks that breached the palace gate. On a guided tour of the palace (held daily in English), you can see the original furniture and artifacts preserved in the palace and bunker since the days of the war.
War Remnants Museum in Saigon
You can learn more about the war at the fascinating War Remnants Museum, a must-visit site for visitors to Saigon. Outside the museum building, airplanes, tanks, and various war equipment from the Vietnam War period are displayed.
The museum has several buildings with various displays from the war years, such as cages where prisoners were held and weapons.
The main building consists of several floors, with the primary display consisting of photos and information about the war. Some photos are difficult to view. The main theme in these photos aims to show the extensive damage caused by the bombs and toxic chemicals dropped by the Americans on the Vietnamese.
Water Puppet Show
A unique show presenting traditional Vietnamese lifestyles through puppets of people and animals, as well as other props and equipment, all set within a water-filled stage and accompanied by local music and brief narration in Vietnamese.
Video of a puppet show:
Night Tour by Bicycle Rickshaw
A night tour by bicycle rickshaw through the busy streets of Saigon is quite an entertaining and special experience. The primary means of transportation in the city are motorbikes and scooters traveling in huge numbers through the bustling streets, while bicycle rickshaws move slowly alongside them on the busy road. It is hard to believe how traffic manages to flow through all the chaos unfolding before your eyes on the road.
Night Cruise with Dinner on the Saigon River
Every evening, several boats decorated with colorful lights set off on a night cruise along the Saigon River, offering views of the city lit up in a multitude of colors. This cruise includes a full dinner accompanied by music and dancers in traditional attire.
Video of a night cruise in Saigon:
Notre Dame Cathedral
The city features not only historical buildings, but religious ones as well. The main cathedral in the city is Notre Dame Cathedral, built in 1880. The church serves the local Christian minority, as well as many couples who come on their wedding day to be photographed against the backdrop of the impressive church...
Central Post Office
Adjacent to the church is the Saigon Central Post Office, built in 1886. The impressive building was designed by Gustave Eiffel, a French engineer and architect best known for constructing the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Viewpoint from Bitexco Building
A unique perspective of the city unfolds from the top of the 49th floor of the city's tallest building, Bitexco Financial Tower. Standing at 262 meters, the building is located in the city's business district.
The view from the Skydeck reveals the city's contrasts: impressive colonial buildings and modern office towers alongside old neighborhoods and crumbling houses.
City Hall:
Markets and Shopping in Saigon
Vietnam, as mentioned, is considered a very affordable destination, even compared to its neighbors. Those looking for great value shopping will certainly enjoy the colorful Ben Thanh Market. This is a famous, bustling market where you will find clothes, souvenirs, bags, wallets, luggage, decorative items, as well as a variety of delicacies and juices. Even if the initial price sounds high, you can practice your bargaining skills here...
Market lovers are also recommended to visit the colorful flower market.
A completely different shopping experience can be found on Dong Khoi Street, the most prestigious street in the city. Here you will find all the Western brands and top designers like Versace and Louis Vuitton. All the shops are housed in impressive, ancient French colonial buildings.
Recommended Guided Tours
♦ Food tours in Saigon (book on Viator):
To make the most of Saigon and experience its fascinating history, joining one of the guided tours recommended at the top of the page is highly recommended. The experienced guides will be happy to make your stay in the city a success. Another recommended tour company in the city is Hynos Travel, which offers a variety of successful tours in the city, including a half-day tour among the main city landmarks, food tours, market tours, and more. Advance booking required. https://www.hynostravel.com/
And also by email sales@hynostravel.com
Another recommended company is: My Way Travel, which offers tours outside Saigon as well. The company has English-speaking guides and diverse tours to experience the best of the city. Advance booking required. https://www.mywaytravel.com
And also by email sales@mywaytravel.com
Tours Outside the City
If visiting the city for more than two or three days, it is desirable to take day trips outside of it. A fascinating site is located about 35 km from Saigon: a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The 250 km long tunnels were dug by Viet Cong fighters from North Vietnam. The tunnels served as underground rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, meeting rooms, and ammunition stores. From here, fighters went out on attack operations. On the tour, you can crawl through the narrow tunnels yourself and imagine daily life here in the 1960s.
♦ Recommended tours to the Cu Chi Tunnels departing from Saigon (book on Viator):
A short video about a tour of the tunnel site:
If these impressive sites sparked your interest, it is good to know that although there are no direct flights between Israel and Vietnam, you can reach Saigon through its Tan Son Nhat Airport via many connecting flights from the Far East and Europe. It is recommended to visit Vietnam for at least two weeks, during which about three days should be dedicated to the fascinating Saigon area.