'10 Ho Chi Minh photos - Visit Vietnam
Vietnam will be a hit in the next 10yrs! With it strong historical background and riches in arts and cultures, tourism is booming! Being the capital of Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh(lots of locals still call Saigon) is the driving force on all commercial activities. Abt 90mils people resides in Vietnam, the potential market is unveiling!
Commercial building is scrambling up and lots more are being built. Ho Chi Minh is gradually face-lifted into a modern cityscape. In front of me was stood the Vietnam tallest building "Bitexco"- designed as a lotus sprout with 68 level overseeing the whole city. Like the rest of the world, the gap bet rich and the poor widens distinctively. The old communism idealogy
seems a far sight though communist flag flies within the city as a constant reminder. With the foreign occupation in the past, US style of streets cable-wiring hanging, left hand driving,
big trucking...etc; Frence facade esthetically conserved and incorporated into modern architectural building. Streets pavement are well laid. And while walking in district 1(D-1), I kinda have a feeling that it will develope the similarity of Taipei(or may be next 10years). Given a room at 13flr - Palace htl(the most downtown centre), a pananomic view over Mekong river and
Bitexco within view finder. Sitting by the riverside cafe of Mekong river, by which the river runs from inner China,Thailand,Laos,Cambodia and finally here - where you are sitting, feeling is somewhat insense, how vital the river is for the people who depends onit and at the very end before going into Pacific ocean, then subdivided into 9 dragons -knownly as Mekong delta made of 70% of rices consumed in Vietnam. Accordingly to local, contruction of dam in China has somewhat affect the overflow in Mekong delta which use to nourish the delta with nutrients brought down from upper river.
In general, attractions of Ho Chi Minh is surrounding Palace htl(so coinsided that I was staying) can be highlited as below:-
1) At behind - Dong Khoi St. sits impressive Church Notre Dame and Grande Post Office. Along the way, there are some classy shopping mall Diamond Plaze...etc. Whereby, there are lots of silky garments, intricate handmade clothing, hand bags, sofa cushion, table cover, souvenior...etc are sold. Neighbor St - Le Thanh Ton St.(lots of nice looking Japenese rest. and service apt).
2) In front - SunWah Tower - Citibank/Bank Of China/Maybank(behinds has a stretch of local market to offer discounted items even within D1); Walking further south(passing Ham Nghi St.)- is older districts selling hardware/shoe/artifacts/anthics...misc. Food and things are relatively cheaper here; If you were to save some money, budget hotels are lots found somewhere along Tran Hung Dao St. One can rent a bike!
4) Westbound - along Le Loi hits Ben Thanh Mkt(not the cheapest considered full of tourists passing by); I could not get any better pricing than An Dong Mkt located in D-5(An Duong Vuong
crosses Tran Phu). This will squeeze your wallet.
5) Pasteur St. - Pho Hoa Pasteur is the authentic vietnamese beef noodle that gives rich in flavor of beef soup mingled with flagrant of vegie spices in low prices. Even local patrons seem to enjoy eating there. Neither famous outlet such as Pho24 nor Pho2000 could compare than that restaurant. Along Pasteur St too can discover a few elegant Vietnamese restaurants & cafe offer fanstantic ambient.
There are so much to explore around, do not overlook the back alley while walking on street, you may have missed a few cafes which provide a recess in this hassle of the city.
If there have to be a problem in this city? It has to be the crossing of road, particularly those round-about in a rush hour! The city has less pedestrian bridge nor trafic lights. You would have to cross blindly with bikes constantly moving and will manuevre arround you! It is adventurous and not for fainted hearts! Vietnameses horn relentlessly while on the road."beep-beep-beep" is resonant thru out the day. Hence, be sure to check in for the highest floor you can get for a good night sleep!
Expenses: average of VND 200k for lunch & dinner
Hotel: USD 80 per night;
Taxi: VND150k or less
Intnl airport tax: paid in air-asia ticket
domestic airport tax: N.A.
passport: Visa does not required
Revisit Index: 
*right click for wall paper view(640x480)
