Things To Do & See in Saigon HCMC
Saigon is the heart of Vietnam's business and entertainment center -- commercially, spiritually, and culturally. The city has a dynamic mixture of nightlife, growing business development and exploring real estate market. Saigon is consider one of asia's fastest growing city with over 8 million plus residents. Life moves quickly in this city as it does in other big metopolotian like New York and London. However, during the day between the hours of 12 noon and 2 pm, the city takes a break from the hectic life of a booming economy and people of all types and age enjoy an afternoon coffee or lunch with families and friends.
Unlike any other city in the world, Saigon get repeated visitor that stay a month or more at a time. While France get visitors that travel throughout the country, Saigon visitors tends to stay around the city for their whole duration in Vietnam.
Industrious entrepreneur move to this city daily, experimenting with new ideas and opening many technological advance companies. In many ways, Saigon reminds visitors of a major city in a modern developed country. The city is an expanding gold mine with development seen in every street corner. The city is huge, but most people are friendly and personal. Saigon is a construction that never seems to end, and French colonial buildings that date back to the last century still are in existence today.
Saigon offers a number of major attractions.
Some of the most well know and famous destination are:
• Giac Lam Pagoda -- near Dam Sen (or "lotus pond") tourist park, the pagoda's ancient architecture dates back to the 19th century Nguyen Dynasty. There are 153 statues in the pagoda. Giac Vien Pagoda was a center for worship and discussions for the six southern provinces of Vietnam in the 19th century. Saigon boasts an astonishing number of pagodas (especially considering thatthe Communists won the war). Giac Lam is the oldest, dating from 1744. The pagoda is home to ten monks. Taoism and Confucianism and merged with Buddhism here. The entrance to the pagoda compound includes ornate tombs and a statue of Quan Thew Am Bo Tat, the Goddess of Mercy.
• Reunification Palace -- This was the scene of the transfer of power for the ogvernment of South Vietnam to the Northin 1975. The building is preserved almost as it was on the day Vietnam was reunified.
• Notre Dame Cathedral -- In the heart downtown Saigon (District 1) next to the main post office. Notre Dame Cathedral stands with a statue of Virgin Mary in front of it. Sunday Mass begins at 9:30am. The cathedral's construction took 16 years -- from 1877 and 1883. There are two 40-metre high towers that used to dominate Saigon's skyline until taller structure were built.
• Ben Thanh Market -- long one of Saigon's most famous landmark. The market dates back to the French occupation. The market has been at its present location since 1899. Saigon has about 200 markets. Ben Thanh Market is the most famous.
• The War Remnants Museum -- It was originally known as "the Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes." Not many tourists liked that. Once you've paid to get in, though, no one cares what you think. Be prepared for "Some Pictures of US Imperialist Aggressive War Crimes in Vietnam."
• Dong Khoi Street's Tourist Area -- Called "Saigon’s equivalent of New York’s 5th Avenue or London’s Oxford Street." Dong Khoi Street starts at the Notre Dame Cathedral and runs to the waterfront. It is the premier shopping district for the best people of Saigon. Be prepared for higher prices. But the majorities of the store will take your credit cards.
• Cholon – Chinatown. Cholon is the busiest place in Saigon. It also has the best pagodas in the city. Nghia An Hoi Quan Pagoda visitors are meet by a beautifully carved wooden boat hanging over the entrance to the pagoda. Tam Son Hoi Quan Pagoda, built in the 19th century by Fukien immigrants, is dedicated to the Goddess of Fertility, Chua Thai Sanh. Quan Am Pagoda is thought to be the oldest pagoda in the city. Thien Hau Pagoda is dedicated to the worship of Buddha and Thien Hau Thanh Mau - the Goddess of the Sea. Phung Son Pagoda (sometimes called Go Pagoda) is built on the site of an earlier Cambodian structure and contains a large seated gilded Buddha in the inner sanctuary. Not interested in Buddha? Not so long ago (1950) Cholon was infamous for its opium dens, cat houses, and its gambling.
• And there is always the elegant old French Quarter in District 3.