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Walking on Water in Saigon

For anyone looking to wake up one morning and find themselves in Ho Chi Minh city (formally known as Saigon), expect everything. With a population well over 7 million (and growing) spilling onto its busy streets everyday to peddle its exotic wares, cuisine (which includes a variety of snakes, dog, and fruit you’ve never fathomed exists), and hound foreigners with offers of any- and everything, modern day Ho Chi Minh City is decidedly immodest.

A country that assertively bares its history on its sleeve, there is no escaping what happened here on and around 1975—but now 35 years passed—Ho Chi Minh City has blossomed into the working definitions of growth, history and culture, with a number of attractions and accommodations that make it a formidable destination for the adventurous traveler.

What to do and See in Ho Chi Minh City. One of the more beautiful and scenic things you can do in Ho Chi Minh City is taking an extended tour of the Mekong Delta. With a variety of adventures lasting a mere evening, to multi-day trips, the more time you can afford to spend exploring ever-lasting imagery of vast river cities and rural South Vietnam and Cambodia, the better. Although, much of the adventure takes place outside the city, a boat-ride through Southeast Asia’s majestic pagoda’s, waterside markets, and beaches at Phu Quoc, and Tra Vinh is an ideal experience.

The refreshingly tame, yet culturally fulfilling water puppet show (Múa rối nước) at restaurant Ngon, in Thao Dien village, is a great way to enjoy ancient Asian theater. Enjoy traditional, and tasty, Vietnamese cuisine over a glass of pinot noir, as local artists exercise the mastery of their craft, springing delightfully ornamented puppets to life in choreographed water dance. Where the restaurant merits a visit on its food alone, make sure to make a reservation for the show, occurring weekly on Saturdays between 19:30-20:00.
Exploring District 1
Passing through the colonial quarters, a stroll through the Dong Khoi area (Đồng Khởi) in Ho Chi Minh’s District 1, you can peruse wonderful art galleries, eateries, café’s, and boutiques, while taking in the influence of French colonization. An incredibly vibrant destination for foreigners, be sure to check out the French built Notre Dame Cathedral (Nhà thờ Đức Bà), located on Han Thuyen Street at the city center. This lovely 19th-century, neo-Romanesque basilica serves as the symbol of Catholicism in Vietnam, and with its beautiful redbrick exterior and bell towers—peaking almost 200 feet high—it is a jewel of the city.

Also located in the downtown, District 1 area, the historic Ben Thanh Market too serves as one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most significant destinations. First opened in the 17th century, this popular and quite sizable indoor market offers textiles, local food and a wonderful variety of souvenirs. Many of the locals use the market to pick up produce and other foods such as meats, exotic spices, tobacco, and even clothing and hardware. For a special surprise, the market has the best prices and selection in the city for traditional weasel coffee. (Named for the beans—from coffee berries—which are harvested from weasel droppings. Not appealing sounding surely, but surprisingly delicious.)

Our last recommendation is a somber one. As you tour the city, you will be sure to see staunch reminders of the famous Vietnam War. One of the cities most well put-together examples resides in the War Remnants Museum (Bảo tàng chứng tích chiến tranh) in District 3. A very sad, but realistic exhibition of the atrocities that occurred during of one of the countries bloodiest wars, the museum showcases military equipment (including bombs, helicopter, and guns) and features photos taken at the time, and after—serving as a significant historical reminder that cannot be missed, or easily forgotten.

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Walking on Water in Saigon

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