Exploring Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a short getaway full of culture, history and, of course, great food? Look no further than Vietnam’s largest city.
#1 Drop by a local market
Set out early for one of HCMC’S many markets. Expect a feast for the senses, with busy food stalls and vendors selling everything from fresh produce and spices to household necessities and handicrafts. A great market to visit is Ben Thanh, located in the heart of the city (District 1). Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle, and pick up some souvenirs or T-shirts for the folks back home. (Bargain hard!) There are also plenty of evening markets for night owls to explore.
#2 Visit a war museum
Glimpse the horrors of the Vietnam War at the War Remnants Museum. The displays poignantly show the suffering of innocent civilians and the far-reaching effects of the war. You’ll also come up close to vehicles and infantry weapons used during the war, on display outside the museum.
#3 Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels
Take a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground passages used by the Viet Cong during the war. It really gives you a feel of what it would have been like to live in those dark, narrow tunnels – in a word, claustrophobic! You can see some of the booby traps that were used and sample the sort of food the soldiers ate.
#4 Discover all things French
Vietnam was a French colony for over half a century and remnants of its past still permeate the city in everything from its architecture to its French restaurants. Constructed in the 1880s by Gustave Eiffel ( yes, that Eiffel), the Saigon Central Post Office exudes European flair – check out the classic phone booths and beautiful wall art. And don’t miss the stunning Saigon Notre-dame Basilica, with its towering bell towers and red-brick exterior.
#5 Savour some local eats
Don’t miss a bowl of the all-time favourite, pho, a noodle soup typically served with beef or chicken and loads of fresh herbs in a distinctive savoury broth. Or try a banh mi sandwich – a baguette filled with grilled meat and vegetables. The long list of yummy Vietnamese eats also includes rice-paper rolls and banh xeo, a crisp and savoury pancake cooked with meat. The more adventurous might like to try hot vit lon, or boiled- duck embryo (adapted from the Filipino snack, balut).