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 The
Khmers originally settled this region, the Vietnamese taking over
from the 17th century onwards. The French who conquered Saigon in
1859, making it the capital of Cochin China in 1862, extended and
embellished the city with broad boulevards and elegant architecture.
At the peak of the War in 1969 the city held 4.5 million inhabitants
but was all but evacuated when if fell to the North in 1975. The
current population is thought to be as many as 6-7 million. The
inhabitants were so reluctant to adopt the new name that the authorities
compromised, allowing the central area to be called 'Saigon' whilst
the official name of the city is Ho Chi Minh.
Giac Lam Pagoda - Thought to be the oldest in the city,
dating from 1744, the temple reflects interesting elements of Taoism
and Confucianism as well as Buddhism.
Jade Emoeror Pagoda - Built in 1909, this impressively colorful
and incense-filled Chinese temple contains a plethora of remarkable
statues and figures.
 Notre
Dame Cathedral - Deprived of its original stained glass windows
as a result of WW2 fighting, the two 40 metre high towers of ths
Neo Romanesque building dominate the skyline. It was completed in
1883.
XaLoi Pagoda - Built in 1956, and housing a sacred relic
of the Buddha, several monks used this location for self-immolation
in protest against the American involvement in Vietnam.
Mariamman Hindu Temple - Built towards the end of the 19th
century and dedicated to the Hindi Goddess Mariamman, this interesting
temple is also revered by many non-Hindus, and said to have miraculous
powers.
Reunification Palace - Recorded for posterity on television
news-reels, this was where the first Communist tanks broke through
on April 30, 1975, followed by a soldier unfurling a North Vietnamese
flag from an upper floor balcony. His historic place provides some
fascinating sights, not least the basement tunnels and communications
centre.
War Remnants Museum - A well visited but chilling reminder
of the Vietnam War, with an assortment of American military pieces
and armaments, plus various other exhibits and photographs all attesting
to the hideous suffering caused by any kind of war.
Revolutionary Museum - Many interesting exhibits depicting
the communist struggle for independence on display inside this beautiful
white neo-classical building.
History Museum - A good collection of displays and illustrations
depicting the cultural evolution of the country from early times,
plus valuable exhibits originally from Angkor Wat.
The Art Museum - A broad spectrum of exhibits, including
contemporary paintings, some of which are for sale. The museum also
houses older and interesting works, including some valuable Cham,
Indian and Khmer pieces.
Cong Vien Van Hoa Park - Formerly a recreational enclave
for the French, this elegant tree-shaded sports club has numerous
tennis courts and a swimming pool which are open to the public for
a reasonable fee. There are also a gym, and table tennis facilities.
Artex Saigon Orchid Farm - One of several in the outskirts
of the city, this farm has a vast collection of blooms, including
several rare varieties. Orchid lovers will enjoy a visit here.
Bink Quoi Tourist Village - As the name suggests, this is
tailor made for package holiday makers, but nonetheless offers a
pleasant choice of activities including water puppet shows, boat
rides, and river cruises. Thre is an evening dinner cruise complete
with cultural show.
Near Ho Chi Minh City
Cu Chi Tunnels - About a one-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh
City, this mazeof underground tunnels is built on several levels,
and measures a total of almost 250 km. The soil above is between
3 to 4 metres thick, and can support a 50-ton tank. The network
provided accommodation, meeting rooms, mess halls, hospitals, an
operating theatre, and even a miniature cinema. It housed an underground
army whose insistent guerilla strately defeated their superior firepower.
It gives the visitor a glimpse of the extraordinary fighting spirit
of the Vietnamese people - the same spirit that vanquished the French
at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. The connecting tunnels are a claustrophobic
0.5 to 1 metres wide, just enough space for a person to crawl in.
Some of them have been modified to accommodate visitors
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