welcome to saigon - hochiminh city

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saigon or hochiminh city overview

When was this area called Saigon city and Hochiminh city?
There is much debate about the origins of the Vietnamese name for this area. However, it was called Gia Dinh since 17 th century. Up to 1862 the name: "Saigon city" was given by The French when the South Vietnam was already under the French control. This is the reason Saigon city has influenced with colonial architecture and the tree-lined boulevards.

The French had to leave Saigon city in 1955. It was also the year American troops came in. In 1976, Saigon city was changed into Hochiminh city by Vietnamese government. However, Vietnamese people still call both Saigon city and Hochiminh city. Nowadays, Hochiminh city is Vietnam' s biggest city and undisputed dynamic, commerce capital with lavish hotels, restaurants and trendy nightspots while Hanoi offers more chance to enjoy the ancient traditional, elegant and charming atmosphere.

saigon travel guide - top attractions to see

• Opera House.
• Reunification Palace.
• Notre Dame Cathedral.
• War Remnants Museum.
• Ben Thanh Market, a massive old-style market. Please bargain hard in a polite manner.
• Take a picture of traffic jam.
• At night, join chic bars and restaurants that are full of the rich and trendy.

saigon city guide - attractions around saigon

Visit The Cu Chi tunnel system of over 200 km length used by the Vietcong during the war time. You will be surprised at the lives of the inhabitant during that time. Then visit Cao Dai temple where all the major faiths of the world blends together in a unique religious cocktail.

saigon travel guide - top places to eat out

One of the delights of visiting Vietnam is the cuisine. Different places have their own specialities. Experience the difference of Hochiminh city.

• Lemon Grass - No 4 Nguyen Thiep street:
        Delicious Vietnamese food with traditional live music.
• Indochine - No 32 Pham Ngoc Thach Street:
        Vietnamese food in elegant colonial style villa.
• The Refinery - No 47 Hai Ba Trung Street:
        Nice French dishes in beautiful atmostfere.
• Manderine - 11A Ngo Van Nam:
        Fine selection of traditional Vietnamese food.
• Hoi An - No 11 Le Thanh Ton:
         collection of central Vietnamese food.
• Blue Ginger - No 37 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia:
        Vietnamese bistro style with live music.
• Son Ha - No 143 Hai Ba Trung:
        Tradition Vietnamese food.
• The Bonsai dinner cruise - Embarkment Time 19h 00, duration 2.5 hours:
        Enjoy a memorable dinner cruise while sailing along Saigon River.

Note: For eating out in Hochiminh city, this is the recommendation when our website was updated. We personally check the restaurants every three month. Please veiw this section before you go.

saigon travel guide - top places to stay:

• 5 star saigon hotels
• 4 star saigon hotels
• can tho hotels
• mui ne hotels

saigon tours - daily departure:

• ho chi minh city tour (day trip)
• amazing ho chi minh tour
• saigon tour
• all saigon tours
• amazing mekong tours