HO CHI MINH HOTELS

ABOUT HO CHI MINH

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) is the largest city in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is located in southern Vietnam. The city stretches along the banks of the Saigon River. It is 1,100 kilometers from the capital city of Hanoi and about 930 kilometers from Da Nang. The city also borders the Mekong Delta.

The history of Ho Chi Minh City dates back to the late 17th century when the area was settled by the Nguyen lords who established the town of Prey Nokor. It was initially a small fishing village inhabited by the local Khmer people. In 1698 the Nguyen lord Nguyen Phuc Nguyen annexed the region recognizing it’s strategic importance as a trading hub. As the city began to grow it attracted merchants from various ethnic backgrounds, mainly Chinese, who contributed significantly to its development.

By the 19th century the French colonial powers seeking to expand their empire in Asia arrived in Vietnam. In 1859 French forces captured Saigon. The city was visioned to be the key port city for their colonial ambitions in the region. Under French rule the city underwent significant transformations with the construction of wide boulevards, European-style architecture and new infrastructure. This period saw the establishment of institutions that laid the groundwork for education and commerce which altering the landscape of the city. The iconic Saigon Notre Dame Basilica and the Central Post Office are historic architectural legacy left by the colonial French.

The French era was also marked by stark social divides. While the colonial administration prospered the Vietnamese people faced oppression and economic hardships under colonial rule. Discontent nationalist movements began to emerge setting the stage for significant social and political upheaval in the 20th century. One of the most notable leaders to rise during this time was Ho Chi Minh. He was a revolutionary leader whose ideology would profoundly influence the nation’s path toward independence. The struggle for independence culminated in The August Revolution of 1945 leading to Vietnam declaring independence from French colonial rule.

The First Indochina War led to the division of Vietnam into North and South, with Saigon becoming the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (often referred to as South Vietnam strongly backed by the United States). The Vietnam War intensified in the 1960s turning Ho Chi Minh City into a battleground. In 1975 the fall of Saigon marked the end of the Vietnam War with the city being reunified under communist control and officially renamed it to Ho Chi Minh City.

ATTRACTIONS IN HO CHI MINH

• A popular tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City is the War Remnants Museum. The museum displays photographs, artifacts and exhibitions documenting the Vietnam conflict with outdoor exhibits featuring tanks, planes and other military equipment used during the war.
• Another attraction in Ho Chi Minh City is the Cu Chi underground tunnels that served as a hiding place and communication route for Viet Cong.
• The Reunification Palace is the former presidential palace marking the end of the conflict when North Vietnamese forces stormed the building in 1975. The opulent rooms (including the war room), presidential quarters and the underground bunker are open to visitors.
• Ben Thanh Market is one of the city’s popular markets offering a wide variety of goods including clothing, handicrafts and street food like the traditional pho, banh mi and fresh fruit smoothies.
• The lush green oasis of Tao Dan Park is a popular spot for locals to relax and exercise, with a walking path, playgrounds and a bird garden with beautiful floral displays at the park’s flower market.
• Ho Chi Minh City is also home to a number of beautiful temples and pagodas like the Jade Emperor Pagoda.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT HO CHI MINH

The best time of the year to visit Ho Chi Minh City is from December to April, when the weather is dry and temperatures are mild (between 22C to 34C) making it ideal for outdoor activities. Tourist season peaks on the months of January and February. February month is when most cultural events take place during the Tat festivities. The monsoon season falls between May to November with occasional heavy rain that may cause flooding.

HO CHI MINH TRAVEL ADVISE

The Vietnam Dong is used for all transactions in the country. Vietnamese Dong paper denominations are 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000 and 50000 while the coins are denominated in 200, 500, 1000 and 2000. The approximate exchange rate is 1USD = 26,100VND. Forex exchange is easily available at the local banks, money changer, jewelry store or at the hotel concierge desk. All major foreign currencies are accepted for exchange to VND.

The city is generally considered safe for tourist to move around at night. For fist timers to the city, stay at The Old Quarter for the classic Hanoi experience, The French Quarter for the elegance and quiet family, Tay Ho for peaceful stay and Dong Da for great value budget stay.      

The common electricity connection in the country is 220V / 50Hz. Some hotel may offer different electricity outlet socket types with stepped down power connection.

Getting around Hanoi is easy as transportation options such as taxi, bicycle rickshaw, motorcycle taxi, train, bus and skytrain are widely available.

HO CHI MINH DOS AND DON’TS

DO –

• Dress modestly at temples & mausoleums – cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoes before entering certain areas.
• Keep valuables secure – use hotel safes and carry bags in front of you in crowded spots like the Old Quarter area.
• Learn a few Vietnamese phrases – even a simple xin chào (hello) or cảm ơn (thank you) earns smiles.
• Try the street food – pho, bun cha, egg coffee. Affordable and part of the city’s soul.
• Carry small bills – many vendors can’t break large notes.
• Take a hotel business card – handy for showing taxi drivers if language is a barrier.
• Stay hydrated – always carry bottled water with you especially in the summer heat.

DON’TS –

• Don’t be loud or overly affectionate in sacred sites. It is seen as disrespectful.
• Don’t keep wallets or phones in back pockets – easy pickpocket target.
• Don’t wear revealing clothing in culturally sensitive places – locals may find it inappropriate.
• Don’t separate from your group in crowded nightlife spots – easy to get lost or lose belongings.
• Don’t expect Western style personal space – locals may ask personal questions as a friendly gesture.
• Don’t use banned substances – penalties are severe.
• small gestures of respect – like a smile, a slight bow of the head or waiting your turn goes a long way towards warm interactions with locals.