Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is located in the downtown of Ho Chi Minh City. It was constructed between 1863 and 1880 by the French, and reaches a height of up to 60 meters. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral (officially Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception), the ancient cathedral is located in a very peaceful picturesque corner in the downtown of Ho Chi Minh City. Constructed between 1863 and 1880 by the French colonists, following their conquest of the city, the building reaches a height of up to 60m. In front of the cathedral stands a Virgin Mary statue. The cathedral looks most beautiful in daylight, together with the smiles of couples coming to take photograph and record movies, especially for wedding. Of course, there should be no worry about how to get there as the route is easy and almost everyone can give tourists guidance. Entrance is free and visitors can attend masses easily at weekend.

Ben Thanh market

The historic main entrance and clock tower of Ben Thanh Market As one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon, Ben Thanh Market is considered one of the symbols of present day Ho Chi Minh City. The market is popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), souvenirs, and local cuisine. The market developed from a group of makeshift markets formed by early 17th century street vendors who gathered near the Saigon River. The market was formally established after the French took over the Gia Dinh Citadel in 1859. The market got its name Ben Thanh because at the beginning the market was located near a wharf (ben) of the Gia Dinh Citadel (thanh). Ben Thanh Market was repaired in 1975 and underwent a major renovation ten years later in 1985, which expanded and updated the market. While many aspects of the market were changed in the renovation, the famous clock tower on the main entrance, which is a landmark symbol of HCMC, was left unchanged. On an area of over 13,000 square meters, Ben Thanh Market is home to more than a thousand stalls and shops that sell a wide range of products such as handicrafts, souvenirs, clothes, fabric, confectionaries, jewelry and more. It is a place where both foreigners and locals can find some of the best products the country produces.

Independent Palace

Like Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi, Reunification Palace (formerly known as Independence Palace) has stayed in the mind of many generations of not only Vietnamese but also foreigners. It is known as the famous historical witness which passed through the two fierce wars against the French and American colonists. Today in most locals' minds, the palace is remembered vividly as a marked end to the war, just like the fall of Berlin Wall, as the North Vietnamese tank crashed its gates on April 30th, 1975. Much political turbulence led to the come and go of several South Vietnam President, until 1975 when the war officially ended and Vietnam became one country. It is the palace is so well-known and right in the center.

Saigon opera house (Municipal theatre)

Standing magnificently at the heart of Ho Chi Minh City is the Saigon Opera House, also known as Municipal Theater. Just a few blocks away from the Notre Dame Cathedral and Ho Chi Minh’s People committee, on the busy intersection of Dong Khoi and Le Loi, the building stands as one of the impressive sight in Saigon – both night and day. the Opera House looks like a beautiful gigantic city gate. The building grandeur decors, from the entrance with stone-carved ornaments and statues to crystal chandeliers, shiny granite floor and many other details – all were imported directly from France. The oval auditorium, with 468 seats in three different classes, offers good view from every seat. It is also echo-free and therefore remains the sound inside the theater.

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