4 Get to grips with its history

More than 60% of Vietnam’s population was born after the end of the Vietnam War (1955-1975). Vietnam has moved on and modernised in so many ways, but the sacrifices made by both sides of the conflict are still remembered in Ho Chi Minh City. Its namesake museum has fantastic exhibitions year round, and documents the country’s bloody past through photos, artefacts and interesting memorabilia. The War Remnants Museum is a bit more grisly – but equally essential and fascinating – featuring eerie bomb remnants and first-person accounts by war veterans.