Hochiminh's attractive see-sights

Ho Chi Minh City The “Pearl of the Far East”, famous worldwide before 1975 used to be the name of Saigon. Glorious Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City nowadays, has opened a new era towards a bright future. Booming, lively, dynamic and attractive, Saigon has become an important economic, industrial center of Vietnam forever, ready to receive visitors for different purposes: business, tourism. Saigon is delighted to welcome you, to show you the harmony of the Gothic architecture and modern houses and charming smiles.

Ho Chi Minh City provides a rare opportunity to witness a society in transition. Spend a few days here, you will sense the city changing before your eyes. While Hanoi provides a glimpse into Vietnam’s ancient traditions, Ho Chi Minh City reveals the nation’s dynamic future.

Cu Chi tunnel
Cu Chi Tunnels is known nationwide as the base where the Vietnamese mounted their operations of the Tet Offensive in 1968.
The Cu Chi Tunnels consist of more than 200 km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The tunnels are between 0.5 to 1 m wide, just enough space for a person to walk along by bending or dragging. However, parts of the tunnels have been modified to accommodate visitors.

The upper soil layer is between 3 to 4 m thick and can support the weight of a 50-ton tank and the damage of light cannons and bombs. The underground network provided sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, hospitals, and other social rooms. Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels provides a better understanding of the prolonged resistance war of the Vietnamese people and also of the persistent and clever character of the Vietnamese nation.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is located at 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Road, Dist. 3 in Ho Chi Minh City. It is noteworthy for its ancient Asian architecture and seven storey tower.
The pagoda was constructed between 1964 and 1971 following the design of architect Nguyen Ba Lang.
This classic style seven storey tower with strong Japanese influences was built with the assistance of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association. The Kwan-Yin tower is located on the left of the pagoda. This structure is the biggest of the Vietnam Buddhist Association.
A Devotee Relic Tower was erected behind the pagoda in 1982

Nha Rong Wharf
The Nha Rong Wharf, or Uncle Ho’s souvenir area, is located at the junction of the Ben Nghe Channel and the Saigon River. This museum mostly contains pictures and objects relating to President Ho Chi Minh.
It is from this area that 21 year old Ho Chi Minh set sail on a French ship named Admiral Latouche Treville in June 1911.
The Dragon House Wharf, originally called Nha Rong, was a French shipping company built in 1862. The first ship left Nha Rong in November 1862.
In September 1979, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City chose Nha Rong as the Ho Chi Minh Museum–Dragon House Wharf. The name was taken from the two dragon-shaped symbols on the top of the building.
Over time, approximately ten million people, local as well as international, have visited the Ho Chi Minh Museum. In addition, events such as artistic festivals and the introduction of new members into the Youth Union and Communist Party have been held in this museum.

Duc Ba Cathedral
The cathedral is supposed to represent the glory of the French Empire. Yet, as is always the case with colonisation, this attempt to import French traditions into Viet Nam transformed the colonisers’ culture. Even though the cathedral is built in a Western architectural style, it has a uniquely Eastern aspect. Five years later, the Duc Ba (Our Lady’s) Cathedral was inaugurated, and became the spiritual and cultural crucible of the French presence in the Orient.
For a long time it was the highest structure in the city centre, and was the first thing an arriving traveller would see when approaching the city by boat. The cathedral bells weigh a combined 28,850kg.On the square in front of the cathedral, there is a statue of the Virgin Mother made of white marble, symbolising peace. The cathedral is seen as a unique synthesis, adding an unmistakable Oriental flavour to an ancient Occidental recipe

War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum was established in September 1975 in Ho Chi Minh City. It contains countless artifacts, photographs, and pictures documenting American war crimes. Such documents illustrate the killing of civilians, spreading of chemicals, torturing of prisoners, and the effects of the war on the north. Planes, tanks, bombs, and helicopters are also on display.
Outside the museum are some rooms displaying cultural products of Vietnam

Reunification Palace
Reunification Palace: Twenty six years ago, on April 30, 1975, the world watched as the Viet Nam Liberation Army’s Tank No. 390 crashed through the main gate of the Independence Palace - headquarters of the US -backed Sai Gon administration.
In 1976, the Vietnamese Government labelled the Reunification Palace as a historic cultural relic. Every day, the building welcomes visitors from Viet Nam and abroad.Pupils and students, in particular, visit the palace to learn more about the nation’s history and honour.It is also now used as a government convention centre, and as a guest house for the Party, Government and HCM City People’s Committee to receive international high-ranking guests or hold flagship conferences, workshops, seminars or exhibitions.

The passage of time has taken its toll on quite a few parts of the palace, and a large-scale renovation project has been underway since 1999.And in a historic full-circle, the project managers have invited the original architect Ngo Viet Thu and chief constructor Phan Van Dien to advise them on preserving this significant historical monument for future generations to admire