A visit to Ho Chi Minh City is an encounter with exotic food, French colonial architecture and memories of war.
1 Cheap eats
Ho Chi Minh City (also still called Saigon) is famous for its pho
(traditional Vietnamese noodle soup) and pork rolls. Often the best
places are shops and stalls named after family members, such as "Aunty"
or "Chi" (meaning sister) followed by a number representing their order
in the family and, finally, their name. Though many chains, such as
Pho24 and Pho 2000, do big business these days, you can't beat
family-run outfits for the real deal.
2 Late-night pedicure/spa
Manicure and pedicure shops are everywhere, particularly around the
Pham Ngu Lao area, and most are open late into the night. Happily, some
will even serve you a glass of wine or offer a massage, and a basic
treatment will probably cost you less than half what it would back home
(expect to pay about $6 for a set). Those looking to take the pampering
up a notch might try My Spa or Spa Authentic. myspa.com.vn.
3 Scooter tours
Exploring the streets from the back seat of a Vespa is an exhilarating
way to get a feel for a city with nearly 5 million motorbikes. To get
your orientation fast, jump on an organised tour with an emphasis on
food, nightlife, iconic sights or unusual attractions; a guide can help
you discover the hot spots. Note that motorbike helmets are compulsory
in Vietnam. For shorter day tours, try xotours.vn, or
vietnamvespaadventures.com for longer excursions.
4 War Remnants Museum
Not for the squeamish, the War Remnants Museum documents the brutality
of the Vietnam War and, although it has received criticism for its
alleged propagandist tone, it remains one of the most visited museums in
the country, attracting more than half a million visitors a year.
Retired military vehicles such as "Huey" helicopters, attack bombers and
even an M48 Patton tank dominate the front yard while, inside, a
harrowing selection of text and photographic exhibits tell the story.
(Open 7.30am-noon and 1.30-5pm.)
5 Bonsai River Cruise
Though it's true the Saigon River has serious pollution issues, a
Bonsai dinner cruise is still a unique experience. Watch the city lights
at sunset while sipping a Tom Collins from the deck of a traditional
19th-century dragon boat, take in a show and enjoy a buffet meal in
style. Try to pre-book and stretch your dollar for a more boutique
cruise if funds permit. bonsaicruise.com.vn.
6 Fresh beer
Found on most street corners and in ramshackle bars, fresh beer, or
"bia hoi", is Vietnam's answer to microbrewing. First introduced by the
Czechs, it's free of preservatives and therefore best gulped down
immediately. The standard is seriously variable, but it certainly won't
hurt your wallet (expect to pay about 35¢ to 40¢ a glass), so trial and
error is part of the fun. Look out for the ubiquitous hand-scrawled Bia
Hoi signs.
7 Central Post Office and Notre-Dame cathedral
Designed and built by French architect Gustave Eiffel (yes, he designed
another fairly famous building or two), the Gothic-styled Saigon
Central Post Office began its life in 1886 and remains one of the
country's most celebrated structures. Inside, beneath a long, domed
roof, walls decorated with French colonial maps flank a portrait of Ho
Chi Minh, while the elaborate tiled floors complete the refined look.
Opposite, the neo-Romanesque Notre-Dame cathedral, built between 1863
and 1880 by French colonists, is equally impressive.
8 Daring food
Fertilised duck eggs, fermented scorpion wine, deep-fried snake dishes:
Vietnam is synonymous with cuisine to put hairs on your chest. Try to
avoid restaurants prone to killing the snake in front of you (some
diners like to feast on the still-beating heart). It's not kind to the
snake and it won't increase virility. Reputable hotels can point you in
the direction of a good restaurant with such creatures on the menu, or
look out for glass bottles of snake wine known as "ruou thuoc" at most
markets. Don't worry, the venom is neutralised by the ethanol.
9 Reunification Palace
Home of the president of South Vietnam during the "American War", as
locals prefer to call the Vietnam War, this is the site where the first
communist North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates on the
morning of April 30, 1975, resulting in Saigon's official surrender. It
is preserved almost exactly as it was in 1966, and you can look around
at your leisure or take one of the free guided tours that depart every
15 minutes. (Open 7.30-11am and 1-4pm, Dinh Thong Nhat.)
10 Markets
There isn't much you can't buy from a market here, and although
haggling is an art form requiring practice, it's still easy enough to
pick up a bargain. District 1's Ben Thanh Market is certainly the most
famous — there are more than 3000 stalls — but prices can often be
inflated for tourists. For a lesser-known alternative, District 1's Tan
Dinh specialises in silks and clothing material, while Ben Thanh night
market is popular for those who prefer bargain hunting free from the
noon heat.
11 Nightlife
Equivalent to Bangkok's famed Khao San Road, Pham Ngu Lao Street is
HCMC's backpacker district, and it's where the revelry goes on long into
the night. If you're looking for a more urbane option, try a rooftop
bar hop of three of the city's most famous hotels, the Rex, Caravelle
and Majestic. Yes, drinks are nosebleed expensive, but there's a
colourful history and impressive view from each. For a refined colonial
feel, Temple Club serves up a mean gin and tonic in a former temple
guesthouse, while the Dong Khoi area is home to several live-music
venues and more upmarket bars. anyarena.com.
12 Coffee
Since its introduction to Vietnam by French colonists in the 19th
century, coffee has become a national obsession that rivals our own.
Thanks to the intense humidity, iced coffee, known locally as "ca phe
sua da", is generally favoured, and is brewed with a dark roast over a
single metal french drip filter called "ca phe phin". Served with sweet
condensed milk poured over ice, it's the perfect kick-start. Head to the
Tan Tao Park to enjoy an early-morning brew with the locals or order a
cup from any street vendor.
13 History Museum
Ensconced among lush botanic gardens in a beautiful 1929 French
colonial building is the history museum, showcasing 4000 years of
Vietnamese life and culture, starting from the Bronze Age. The
collection includes items from the Cham and Khmer civilisations as well
as artefacts illustrating mountain culture, revolutionary periods and
even gifts bestowed on president Ho Chi Minh before his death. Not all
exhibits are clearly labelled in English, but the setting practically
justifies the visit. (Open Tuesday-Sunday, 8-11am and 1.30-4.30pm.)
14 Cooking classes
After sampling so much great food, chances are you'll want to replicate
it. While many of the major hotels offer generic cooking lessons, a
smaller-size class is a far better option. The best classes will team
you with a chef to source ingredients at a nearby market before you
learn to cook classic dishes such as summer rice rolls, rice noodle
soups and many more. Most provide a take-home recipe pack so you can
dazzle your mates back home. See saigoncookingclass.com for private,
full-day and half-day classes.
15 Mekong Delta
Often dubbed the "rice bowl" of Vietnam, this 39,000-square-kilometre
labyrinth of waterways remains one of the most densely populated parts
of the country. About four hours' drive from the city, it's another
world, where markets, villages and schools float on sprawling,
life-sustaining estuaries. It's easiest to experience the delta on a
tour, with most ranging from between one and five days. Spend a few days
here if time permits; you can even make your way over to Cambodia by
river, rather than by plane or bus. sinhbalo.com, mekongdeltatravel.com.
16 Cu chi Tunnels
You don't know the true meaning of claustrophobia until you've visited
this vast network of interconnecting underground tunnels, 30 kilometres
from Ho Chi Minh City. Used as operational headquarters by Vietcong
guerillas during the Tet Offensive of 1968, they were instrumental in
numerous military campaigns during the war and played a decisive role in
defeating American forces. A guided tour allows you to explore the
tunnels firsthand or even fire an AK-47 should you wish to emulate Chuck
Norris for a day. cuchitunnel.org.vn.
17 Tailored clothing
While the World Heritage-listed riverside town of Hoi An, about 865
kilometres north of HCMC, remains Vietnam's top spot for quality
tailoring, HCMC is another safe bet. For best results, go prepared, take
magazine cutouts and bring clothing you want to replicate. Have a set
budget in mind, too; it's easy to get talked into an entire new
wardrobe. Allow a few days for the necessary adjustments. For high-end
tailoring, try Mi Silk, 181 Dong Khoi, District 1.
18 Fine Arts Museum
Not far from the Ben Thanh Market, housed in a Chinese-influenced
yellow and white colonial-era mansion, the Fine Arts Museum offers an
extensive insight into Vietnamese aesthetics ranging from the country's
earliest civilisations to the present day. Exhibits include anything
from sculpture and paintings to pottery, abstract art and even weaponry.
(Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-4.30pm, baotangmythuattphcm.vn.)
19 Pagodas and temples
The kaleidoscopic Jade Emperor Pagoda is widely regarded as the city's
most spectacular, but it's one of many. For a dose of southern India's
colour, check out Mariamman Temple, built in the 19th century by traders
to honour the Hindu goddess Mariamman. For a wealth of Chinese temples,
check out Cholon or take a day-trip to the Cao Dai temple at Tay Ninh,
which is easily combined with a tour of the nearby Cu Chi tunnels.
Incorporating aspects of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and even
Catholicism, it was built between 1933 and 1955. (Day tours, including
the temple and tunnels, cost about $8.)
20 Shopping
Markets aside, there are plenty of options for high-end shopping. The
major department stores are found at the central business district's
Diamond Plaza or Saigon Centre — though prices won't differ much from
home — while locals tend to favour Trai Street, straddling districts 1
and 5 for cheaper goods. Le Cong Kieu is famous for antiques, and the
relatively new Vincom Centre opposite the Hotel Continental is a good
bet for pricier, high-quality and boutique wares, while fashionistas
will love Nguyen Hue Street.
The Danang International Paramotor Race (DIPR) 2012 named "Danang - New peaks" will be first organized in Vietnam from May 23-27 with the participation of 25 athletes coming from America, France and Japan.
The race will include four contents: speed, avoiding obstacles, rescuing, and performing in a team; and promises to be an exciting performance for audience.
Speaking at a press conference, Vice Chairman of the Danang municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Xuan Anh, head of the competition board, said that the competition will introduce paramotor performance to tourists and people in the city and help Danang live up to its slogan "the city of events". "The competition sets the ground for the development of paramotor events, as well as bringing a new activity to aviation sports in Vietnam.”
During the DIPR 2012, tourists can fly with the athletes at a cost of about 1.3 million VND. Apart from that, tourist can also participate in related activities such as cuisine garden, beer garden, stalls for traditional products and beach sports.
The race will present three prizes, the first prize is worth 10,000 USD.
Nearly
200 representatives from Vietnamese and Chinese businesses attended a
trade promotion forum in the Chinese city of Tianjin on November 25.
Jointly
organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in China and Tianjin authorities,
the event was part of activities to realise the Vietnamese government’s
plan to boost economic, trade, investment and tourism cooperation
between Vietnam and other countries, as well as between Vietnam and
China.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the Vietnamese
Ambassador to China Nguyen Van Tho said that relations between Vietnam
and China in general and Tianjin city in particular are growing
fruitfully, creating a foundation for the two sides to step up
cooperation in trade and investment.
Tho cited statistics as
saying that Vietnam and China have seen an annual trade growth of 30
percent for the past five years. Bilateral trade has hit more than 28
billion USD since the beginning of this, a year-on-year rise of 40
percent.
He added that the two countries signed an economic and
trade cooperation development plan for the 2012-2016 period during the
recent visit to China by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu
Trong, laying a legal foundation for strengthening trade ties.
Tianjin
Vice Mayor Ren Xuefeng affirmed that Tianjin city, one of the leading
sci-tech development centres in China, will closely cooperate with
Vietnam, especially in the fields of research exchange, economics,
culture and education towards building a comprehensive cooperation
mechanism in the near future.
At the event, Minister Counselor
of the Vietnamese Embassy in China, Hoang Ngoc Vinh briefed Chinese
businesses on Vietnam’s guidelines, policies and laws relating to trade
and investment cooperation with foreign partners.