HO CHI MINH CITY
(SAIGON)
Telephone code: (84-8)
Area: 2,090 km2
Population: 4,989,600
Under the French, Ho Chi Minh City was called the "Pearl of
the Orient". Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest city in Vietnam
with hundreds of rivers and canals. With 300 years of
foundation and development, Ho Chi Minh City has witnessed the
construction of numerous ancient buildings. |
Nha Rong Port |
In the general view, one of the
cultural characteristics of 300 years of historic Saigon - Gia
Dinh is the combination of the 3 cultural sources: Vietnamese,
Chinese and European, which have made its urban structural
architecture.
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
It was constructed between 1964 and 1971 following the design of
architect Nguyen Ba Lang. This classic style seven storey tower
with strong Japanese influences was built with the assistance of
the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association. The Kwan-Yin tower is
located on the left of the pagoda. This structure is the biggest
of the Vietnam Buddhist Association.
Thien Hau Pagoda
The Pagoda is dedicated to Thien Hau - The Sea Goddess who
protects fisher folk, sailors, merchants and anyone else who
travels by sea. It said that Thien Hau can travel over the oceans
on a mat and ride the clouds to wherever she pleases. Her mobility
allows her to save people in trouble on the high seas.
War Museum
It contains countless artifacts, photographs and pictures
documenting American war crimes. Such documents illustrate the
killing of civilians, spreading of chemicals, torturing of
prisoners and the effects of the war on the north. Planes, tanks,
bombs and helicopters are also on display.
Revolutionary Museum
The building was formerly the palace of the Cochin-china Governor,
and then the office of the Imperial Delegate the King's special
envoy. Numerous pictures and exhibits related to the struggle
against French colonialism and the American aggressors to liberate
and to protect the City, Particularly, there are images relates to
the General Uprising in the Mau Than Spring (1968) and the
historical Ho Chi Minh campaign (1975) to liberate the Country.
History Museum
The house was inaugurated on January 1st 1929 and previously
called Blanchard de la brosse. The museum are exhibited antique
articles such as Ngo Quyen's stakes the Nam Han, stone steles,
Buddha statues and other ancient ceramic articles, ivories, bronze
drums, gongs... Particularly there is a special hall to exhibit
the Oc Eo civilization (about the 5th Century) from the South.
Reunification Palace (Hoi Truong Thong Nhat)
It was completed in 1966; the present Hoi Truong Thong Nhat was
the former Independence Palace. It was designed by Western-trained
Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Was built between October 1877 and April 1880. With the approval
of the Vatican the cathedral was named Notre Dame during
ceremonies held on December 7-8, 1959. Its Neo-Romanesque
architecture with two - 40m square bell towers crown the Paris
Commune Square where it is located.
Cho Lon Market
It is really a typical Chinatown in Vietnam with its market still
full of from forestry to artisan's products. Cho Lon has become an
attractive scene for visitors to study the daily life of the City
population.
Cu Chi tunnels
Cu Chi is an "Underground village" with its labyrinth totaling
more than 200 km. The main tunnel is 60 - 70cm wide and 80 - 90cm
high. The structure has either a delta shaped or vaulted ceiling,
above the tunnel is a layer of earth about 3 - 4m thick, enough to
sustain the weight of 50-tonne yanks or heavy artillery as well as
the destruction of bombs up to 100kg. Although it is an
underground communication network, the tunnel is enlarged here and
there in to rooms large enough to hold large meetings, a medical
station or art performances. That are the reasons why Cu Chi
Tunnel became legendary during the 1960s for its role in
facilitating Viet Cong control of a large rural area only 30 to
40km from Saigon.
Mekong Delta
Visit the Mekong Delta to
understand why it's called the rice stock of Vietnam, why a sampan
tied to a coconut tree can evoke nostalgic. There you will find the
simplest people, who would not care much about the luxury life of
the city. Just walk idly in Mytho or Vinhlong or Cantho and
discover daily life of the Vietnamese on the river and arroyos,
taste the sweet and fresh coconut juice and smell the particular
fragrance of the rice paddies. Further down to Soctrang, the
mysterious Khmer culture is hidden behind the gate of Hinayana
temples. The Mekong River with its intertwined branches will lead
you from one surprise to another. The hospitality of the people is
the most impressing. They welcome you like relatives coming home.
Mekong delta is not also the biggest fruit gardens of Vietnam.
Food here tastes different from other places. Beside the common
food the local dishes also comprise of snakes, tortoises, bats,
eels...
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