Travelog - A travel guide to Vietnam

The Vietnam Airlines airplane was descending to Tan Son Nhat international airport. A bird’s-eye view of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City ), for long described as the pearl of the Orient, reveals a sparkling city that promotes the eagerness among visitors to explore it.In Saigon , there are only two seasons, the dry and the rainy. It is neither too hot nor too cold in the City, a light coat would be enough to ward off the cold during the coldest days; that is why visitors can come to Saigon at any time in the year.

Exploring the history, visitors are advised to go to Cu Chi District, over 70km northwest of the City’s centre, that houses a system of underground tunnels. It is a manifestation of the creativeness of the Cu Chi people and soldiers during the two fierce resistance wars over 30 years (1945-1975) against the French then the Americans for national independence. Here history records the heroic struggle of the Vietnamese as a legend of the 20th century and Cu Chi is a name known to many people throughout the world. Stretching over 200km like a cobweb, the tunnel system forms a unique war marvel. “I admire the Cu Chi people, especially women, for braving the difficulties to fight side by side with soldiers against their enemy,” said Lorraine Shirriff from Australia . Realistic legends from the tunnels go beyond human’s imagination.

European tourists by a tank in Cu Chi.

In fresh air, visitors can enjoy local special foods and buy souvenirs after trying to explore some sections of the tunnels. On the way back to the City, visitors can call at restaurants serving fresh spring rolls made from dew-soaked pancakes brought from the nearby Tay Ninh Province . Many different kinds of fresh vegetables rolled together with thin slices of loin pork in the pancakes would leave an unerasable imprint in the visitors’ mind and prompt them to visit bio-tourist sites the next day, including the Thu Duc Stork Sanctuary, the Can Gio Submerged Forest with vast mangrove concentrations.

Back in the City, there is a busy and colourful atmosphere with shops and supermarkets, green parks, museums, pagodas and churches. The Reunification Hall, previously the Independence Hall, used to be the presidential palace of the Saigon regime, stands as a witness of the complete fall of the US-installed puppet administration. Visitors can have a chance to enjoy a unique structure created by the harmonious combination between modern architecture and Oriental traditional one, as well as relics of the activities of the Saigon administration. Those who wish to explore the staunchness of the Vietnamese soldiers and people during the Vietnam war and to see with their own eyes the cruel crimes committed by the American aggressors against the Vietnamese people, are advised to visit the museum that houses war relics.

The system of 11 museums and over 1,000 pagodas and shrines built over various periods creates a valuable historical, cultural, architectural and artistic legacy. Western architectural and artistic styles mingled with local ones make visitors feel lost among Saigon streets. Quite a few artistic details of the Viet, Cham and Khmer races are used as decoration. Visitors can also make a spree in the City called a shopping paradise: everything is available in large quantity and at a low price. It is not necessary to visit the system of modern supermarkets or major business centres like the Chinatown and Ben Thanh municipal market to buy goods and souvenirs.

On Nguyen Hue Street
in the City’s downtown.

Saigon by night looks so beautiful. There are hundreds of cultural spots up to the tastes of visitors: modern music, traditional art performances, recreation activities, etc. Saigonese are crazy for coffee, they can buy the drink everywhere, inside a luxurious bar or in a make-shift street cafe. Some hours should be set aside for a visit to night markets that boast a large diversity of commodities and hundreds of open-air restaurants. “No need to go anywhere far, I can be attracted to very typical southern foods right here,” said a French tourist enjoying a hot and sweet noodle soup. To escape from the noisy and busy streets, visitors can take a cruise along the Saigon River . Bach Dang wharf with four large tourist boats is always available to serve. The triple-deck and 700-seat boat named Saigon keeps the middle deck for those who wish to enjoy foods and music at the same time. Besides Vietnamese special foods, many western delights are served on the boat that departs from the wharf at 8:30 p.m. to the sea. Within one hour, cruisers can enjoy beautiful Saigon from afar with high buildings and the fresh breeze from the river that resembles a piece of silk. “I feel very relaxed in this fresh air. The staff are all quick, whole-hearted and smiling. It is so excellent. I will organize more tours to Vietnam ,” said Alfred H. Resch, President of the US Resch Tours.

As it turns deeper into the night, Saigon becomes a little colder. Visitors may find it hard to leave the City with its streets lined and shaded by strait trees and the sweet voice of girls without once going in the flash rains that bring freshness to the City, the Pearl of the Orient.