Vietnam's pulsating metropolis, Ho Chi Minh City is rich with history, culture and commerce and offers a thrilling adventure for all.
Ho Chi Minh City is filled with stunning architectural monuments, many of which pay homage to the country's religious heritage. There’s the downtown Notre-Dam Cathedral Basilica of Saigon – a red Romanesque church featuring twin bell towers topped with crosses. Another must-see is the 1744 Buddhist temple Giác Lâm Pagoda, believed to be the oldest temple in the city.
Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City has an incredible history and is home to several institutions happy to tell it. The War Remnants Museum recounts the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War, while the Museum of Vietnamese History goes all the way back to the country’s Tây Sơn and Nguyễn dynasties. Elsewhere, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts boasts a huge collection of traditional artworks.
Ho Chi Minh City is a shopper’s paradise. You’ll find all your favourite fashion brands at Diamond Plaza, a luxurious shopping complex in District 1. After a holiday splurge, you can even dine at one of its many instore restaurants. Throughout the day and well into the night, the city’s bustling Tan Dinh Market and Bến Thành Market promise local foods and fabrics – along with a vibrant energy.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is located about 7 kilometres east of the city.