Saigon – a snapshot

Vietnam’s largest metropolis and commercial center can at first seem like a chaotic nightmare with little to offer. However, visitors who can see past the traffic jams and neon billboards, discover a city bursting with culture and character.

Saigon is Hanoi’s more outgoing, cosmopolitan cousin. The city is at the epicenter of a thriving and vibrant scene, pulsating to the beat of commercial development and an ever growing tourist industry.

To experience the best of Saigon, it’s worth doing your homework before hitting the streets. Here are some of the top spots worth the crazy taxi ride:

Eat: Xu Restaurant, Dong Khoi, is a stylish dining hall serving innovative modern Vietnamese cuisine, without forgetting traditional Vietnamese favorites.

Drink: Carmen on Ly Tu Trong Street provides a lively, yet sophisticated setting for drinks, live music and a chance to mix with the locals. Stone walls, open brick face and candlelight add to the venue’s ambience and charm.

Shop: Ben Thanh Market lies at the throbbing heart of the city. Not only does this shopping mecca have the widest range of goods, but prices are competitive.

Chill: Botanic Gardens in District 3, is a pleasant space for a leisurely stroll in the shade of towering tropical trees. If you are feeling flush why not wind down in a more luxurious setting? A replenishing treatment at Xuan Spa in the Park Hyatt Hotel might be just want your body and mind have been craving.