Saigon, known today as Ho Chi Minh City is a hard-to-miss destination when you get to Vietnam. You will enjoy delicacies and French architecture. The booming metropolis has so much to teach about the Vietnamese-American war as you sip coffee or your favorite beer in a rooftop nightclub. Here are great things to do in Saigon.
View the City From a Higher Angle
When seen from above, Saigon is very flat. It nestles on Mekong River banks. Admire the Bixteco Financial Tower by taking an elevator ride that takes tourists to Saigon Skydeck.
See the Real Vietnam
A walking tour is free in things to do in Saigon. Whenever you are unsure where to start, take a stroll around the city. You are sure to make new friends along the way. Check the food scene, motorbikes, and the bustling life of the Vietnamese. Be careful on the narrow streets with lots of motorbikes. Stalls are lined up the Cho Vuon Chuoi market on both sides. Take photos and grab some treats.
Learn Vietnamese Culture in the Museums
The Museum of Saigon and War Remnants Museum receive visitors every day. See the great exhibits that contributed to the current naming of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh). Find out what makes up the Vietnamese culture from these museums located on beautiful buildings.
Reunification/Independence Palace
Originally known as Norodom Palace, the Independence Palace was the home to General Ngo Dinh Diem the General who passed on in 1963. It was bombed in 1962 by the air force in an attempt to assassinate Diem. He built a residence with a bomb shelter in the basement. Unfortunately, he was murdered by his troops regardless of his precautions. Later, the South Vietnam president took over the palace which is today a breathtaking sample of the 60s-style architecture. The open-air palace features a communication hub, classic furniture of the 1960s, and a bar on the second floor.
Enjoy Vietnamese food
Vietnamese cuisine is found everywhere from restaurants, markets, and streets. Vegetarian cafes offer com chay, a special vegetarian dish you should try. Seek a local guide to move you around if you want to taste the best foods- banh mi, cao lau, pho, com tam, and goi cuon.
Trip to Cu Chi Tunnels
A vacation day in Saigon should not end without checking out the Cu Chi Tunnels. This is an extensive network of channels where the Viet Cong found refuge during the wars. They used the tunnels as hideouts storage areas, living quarters, and supply routes. Because of the heavy bombing activities that prevailed, people were forced to survive underground for days.