Ho Chi Minh City Overview

Ho Chi Minh City is not noted for its tourist attractions. Although there are several sights that shouldn't be missed, the particular appeal of the city is its street life. From early morning to late at night, streets and sidewalks are home to a startling range of activity -- from street hawkers and barbers to noodle sellers and street artists. It's a kaleidoscopic maze, where Western-style commercial activity takes place alongside traditional practices.

The city has 14 districts, but most areas of interest are in either District 1 (downtown Saigon) or District 5 (Cholon). In District 1 major arteries such as Le Loi Boulevard, Ham Nghi Boulevard, and Pham Ngu Lao Street converge at the Ben Thanh Market, an important commercial and transportation hub. Northeast of the central market, at the intersection of Le Loi Boulevard with Nguyen Hue Boulevard and Dong Khoi Street, is a cluster of French colonial-style public buildings -- the Hôtel de Ville (now the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee); the Opera House (once again serving its original purpose after housing the former South Vietnam's National Assembly); and hotels like the Rex, the Continental, and the Caravelle, built by the French and made famous during the Vietnam War.

Saigon's waterways have traditionally served as a means of commercial transport as well as a natural moat. District 1 is bounded on the east by the Saigon River and on the south by the Ben Nghe Channel. Not only do the rivers provide an alternative way of getting around, they also serve as convenient landmarks. The city's rather daunting layout and chaotic traffic tend to discourage leisurely walking. The intermittent taxi, cyclo, or motorbike ride -- ranging 6,000d-10,000d -- is an unavoidable but enjoyable alternative to walking.