Ho Chi Minh City is a very interesting place with its blend of old and new.  The city itself is much more metropolitan compared to its Vietnamese counterparts, with modern cafés & hotels scattered throughout the downtown core.  Past, Present & Future seem to co-exist here in harmony and is embraced fully by the local people.  The locals are happy-go-lucky people with a strong entrepreneurial spirit.  However, there is still a sombreness in the air and a silent respect for what has happened during the War.

Stay:

We stayed at Yen’s Hotel.  It is located centrally in an area that has developed organically into HCMC’s ‘Backpacker District’.  It is down an alley on Pham Ngu Lao.  We were able to walk pretty much everywhere from here.  The Ben Thanh Market is only about a 10 min walk away.

Things To Do:

Half-Day Tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels (8AM-3PM) – We joined a tour on our first day and were picked up by a minivan from our hostel, then driven about 1.5-2 hours outside of HCMC, arriving at the site of the Tunnels in Cu Chi.  Admission was 80,000VND per person (however, the rates seem to have increased since).  The tour costs an additional $6USD per person, which includes a guide and transportation to/from your hotel).  When we arrived, we were ushered into what looked like a barrack, where we watched a video clip about the Cu Chi Tunnels and the War.

We then followed our guide to various stops at the site, including displays of weapons and traps made by the Vietnamese and tanks that have been hollowed out.  The traps are ingenious and really emphasize the fact that the Vietnamese are strong, resourceful people.  With the limited resources they had at the time, you really come to appreciate the natural human instinct for survival.

There is also a gun range on-site where you can try your hand at some of the weapons used at the time (i.e. M16, AK47, etc).  We’ve never been in a shooting range before, so it was a really fun experience.  Make sure you wear the headphones they offer you before walking into the shooting area!

And last, but certainly not the least, we were given the opportunity to crawl through sections of the tunnels on our own.  If you are claustrophobic, you may consider just going down for a quick peek.  We had to squat our way through the tunnels, which is only wide enough for 1-way travel.  It’s amazing to see this intricate network of tunnels and try to imagine what it must have been like in the midst of all the fighting.

War Remnants Museum – The extensive collection of photos, stories and articles here is a poignant documentation of the tragic events that took place in Vietnam from 1955-1975.  I really appreciated that the Museum was basic and simple, leaving its visitors with their thoughts as they silently move through the displays.  This is a sobering experience as you are presented with some very difficult facts, and the reality of how humans have chosen to treat each other.  Hopefully this means that we will never make these mistakes again.  We spent about 3-4 hours here.

Ben Thanh Market & Night Market – If you thrive on the hustle and bustle of the markets & the thrill of bargaining, look no further than the Ben Thanh Market.  It’s a large indoor market that sells everything you can think of.  It is organized by categories, so check the maps at each main entrance before you let yourself get lost in the maze.  The indoor market closes around 6PM.  Don’t worry though, because the Night Market vendors will start setting up, spilling out onto the nearby streets.  You will find street eats here as well.

Colonial Walk of Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has a very colourful history & is worth a read.  On and around Dong Khoi St in District 1, you will find grand buildings in French colonial style.  As you walk past the Rex Hotel, the Continental, the Majestic Hotel & the Opera House, you really do get a sense of the glamour and the intrigue of its glory days.  This area is now home to designer shops and fancy cafés.  Further along, you will find the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office (my personal favourite).