Dai Nam Tourist Park, is an interesting attraction found around 40kms from Saignon which opened in November, 2008. Dai Nam Van Hien Temple is located within the site as well as entertainment site complex, shopping areas, open range zoo, hotels, Vietnamese and Western restaurants plus the country’s biggest man-made mountain range.

Upon arrival visitors first across the famous Dai Nam Quoc Tu Temple. The first floor contains historical artefacts whilst the second continues to be used as a place of worship. Exhibits of the various dynasties of Vietnam from Ngo to Nguyen are on show here.

Dai Nam Quoc Tu is otherwise known as Tu An Temple (or the Temple of Four Gratitudes), and acts as a reminder of the apparent origins of the Vietnamese people. Buddha, the Au Co Mother, the Hung Kings and President Ho Chi Minh all represented here.

More than 50 billion dong was spent to build the park, and it is treated as the started point for mass tourism in Vietnam. However, despite the rather contrived origins, many locals rave about it especially the beautiful temple. The park can be found as Thu Dau Mot Town, Binh Duong Province (to get there take bus number 616 or arrange a tour through a travel agent.

Reunification Palace: Previously known as Independence Palace, this five-storey time-warp has been left largely as it was when Saigon fell to northern Viet Minh troops in April 30, 1975. The impressively kitsch recreation room is a popular draw as is the basement, filled with 1960s office equipment abandoned as the defeated forces fled. There are propaganda films and a photo gallery whilst free tours are available. A pleasant café can be found outside the main building. (135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, tel. 9693272. Open daily 7:30am to 11am and 1pm to 4pm, Entry 15,000 dong)

War Remnants Museum: Having shrugged off it’s rather confrontational former name of the ‘Exhibition House of American War Crimes’, this museum first opened its doors a mere five months after the end of the Vietnam War. Visitors of a squimish disposition may want to avoid the re-created ‘tiger cage’ prison,gruesome photographs and jars of deformed fetuses apparently caused by Agent Orange poisoning. (28 Vo Van Tan Street, tel. 9302112, warrmhcm@gmail.com, Open 7:30am to 12noon and 1:30pm to 5pm. Entry costs 15,000 dong)

City Hall: Called the Hôtel de Ville during the French occupation and now formally entitled the People’s Committee Hall, Saigon’s City Hall is a a striking yellow and cream French colonial building especially picturesque while floodlit at night. Although visitors are not allowed inside, the statue of Ho Chi Minh outside is an obligatory photo stop. (End of Nguyen Hue Street)

Museum of Vietnamese History: This museum contains an extensive collection of Vietnamese exhibits from ancient times, although it’s best to come prepared to get the most out of the experience as descriptions are minimal. The Botanical Gardens outside have placed for a cheap lunch and are great for relaxing away from the hustle and bustle. (Intersection of Nguyen Binh Khiem and Le Duan Street just within zoo gates)

Ho Chi Minh City Museum: This museum is housed in another imposing French colonial building by Saigon’s docks. It depicts the life of Ho Chi Minh, the hero of the communist victory in the Vietnam War. Don’t expect impartiality here though! (Duong Nguyen Tat Thanh, District 4, Open every day from 7:30am to 12:00noon and 1:30pm to 5pm. 10,000 dong entry)

Like most Vietnamese cities, Saigon didn’t escape the wrath of war. Saigon has a tumultuous history and there are many ideas about the birth of the city and the origin of its title. Saigon was an area of marshland in the 15th century, but by the 17th century, a small township had developed.

The city experienced rapid growth during the 17th century due to its strategic location for trade, as well as military significance. By 1772, Saigon was an impressive city and the mayor filled many of its canals to create streets.

In the 19th century the Spanish helped the French invade the city, and destroyed its fort. This marked the beginning of a long struggle between Vietnam and France, until the French were finally defeated in 1954. After this, the nation was divided into two separate countries and many people immigrated south to the city.

In the sixties and seventies, Saigon was a bustling economic hub, as well as the cultural centre and capital of South Vietnam. Saigon was heavily influenced by the French and became a city of distinct cultural diversity. Architecture, culture and style had a strong European flavour.

In 1975, after the fall of South Vietnam to communism, the city was chaotic and in a state of unrest. By 1976, Saigon was renamed ‘Ho Chi Minh City’, although it is still referred to as Saigon, by both Vietnamese and foreigners.

While Hanoi is Vietnam’s political centre, Saigon is the country’s economic heart. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, the city was named Ho Chi Minh City; however, the old name is still used by both locals and foreigners.

The Tourist Information Centre can be found on the north eastern side of the roundabout where Le Loi meets Nguyen Hue. Staff are extremely helpful and can provide you with useful maps of Hanoi, as well as Saigon.

Tan Son Nhat Airport in Saigon is the country’s largest, and receives passengers from all over Asia, as well as Australia, New Zealand, France and Germany. Immigration is known for being tight and a lot of time is often wasted waiting around; however, if your papers are legitimate there shouldn’t be any problem entering the country.

Taxis are the most comfortable way to travel around Saigon and rates are usually quite reasonable. Motorbike taxis are easy to find and very cheap, they are also actually quite safe despite how chaotic the roads look!

Crossing the road in Saigon can be a nightmare the first few times, but if you shadow a local and observe their technique you should find it easier. Walking slowly at a steady pace is the key, and never ever turn back.

There are plenty of attractions in Saigon, as well as an excellent dining scene. Saigon offers the widest selection of Vietnamese and international food, although authentic local food is becoming harder to find due to the city becoming more cosmopolitan.

The Saigon Opera House is a stunning example of French Colonial architecture in Vietnam. The building was designed by award-winning French architect Ferret Eugene; construction began in 1897 and the theatre opened in 1900. After an initial buzz, the theatre’s popularity lessened as night clubs and dance halls stole the limelight on the city’s entertainment front.

After the French’s final withdrawal in 1956, the theatre underwent a programme of restoration in order to serve as the Lower House of the House of Vietnam. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, the building returned to its status as a theatre. To celebrate the 300th anniversary of the founding of Saigon, the municipal government organised a massive refurbishment.

New materials were added, lighting and sound equipment were installed and fire safety measure put in place. The venue is now suitable for performances of song, dance, and traditional and modern theatre.

The design of the Opera house is based on that of the Opera de Paris. The impressive venue has a rotating stage and can seat up to 800 guests.

There is a fantastic atmosphere in the opera house during shows, and it is a focal point in the city. On hot sultry nights, many locals congregate around the illuminated fountain at the front of the building.

Details of performances at the Opera House are available from Saigon Concert; their offices are located at the rear of the building.

An Quang Pagoda is the chief meeting place for Vietnamese Buddhist leaders in Saigon and a site of the revered Institute for Dharma Propagation. The site, located on Master Van Hanh Street, has played an important role in the development of modern Vietnamese Buddhism. An Quang Pagoda is the headquarters of the School of Buddhist Studies, and the seat of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam.

Originally established in 1948, the building has expanded over the years and now is home to a library and publishing house. The pagoda has been instrumental to training a large number of Dharma teachers. Many monks and nuns spent time in the pagoda, learning about the various aspects of Buddhism.

The Pagoda gained public attention during the American War, as it was the home of a powerful monk named Thich Tri Quang. The monk rallied protest against the South Vietnamese government in attempt to promote free speech and free religious expression. This was considered anti-governemnt propagation, and led to his arrest.

Freedom of speech and democracy are still sensitive subjects in Vietnam. Although Buddhist religion is tolerated, criticism of the government or its policies is not acceptable.

If you visit a temple in Vietnam, it is important to be respectful. Conservative dress is essential and shoes should always be removed before entering. Try not to talk too loud, run or use flash photography. If you would like to take a picture, you should wait until people have finished praying.

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City was founded by French colonists and constructed in downtown Saigon between 1863 and 1880. After the French conquest of Saigon, the Roman Catholic Church began religious services for the French colonists.

The cathedral has many special characteristics, and all the original materials for building were imported from France. A glass company in France provided 56 glass squares and many tiles feature carvings of the name of the region where they were produced.

In 1959, the Bishop of the Saigon parish visited the Vatican to attend the Holy Mother Congress. During his visit he ordered a Peaceful Notre Dame statue to be crafted from granite. After the statue’s arrival and installation in Saigon, Cardinal Aganiannian arrived from Rome to chair the ceremony for the statue. After this ceremony the cathedral was known as the Notre Dame Cathedral.

In 2005 a rumour that the statue had shed a tear quickly circulated around the city of Ho Chi Minh. Thousands of people flocked to the Cathedral to witness the spectacle causing major traffic congestion. Authorities were forced to close roads around the site, and the Bishop made a statement denying the teardrop incident.

His statement did little to disperse the crowds who continued to swarm to the statue. The story started with a rumour that a tear had flowed down the right side of the statue.

Ben Thanh Market is not only a large market in the centre of Saigon, it is considered a symbol of the city. The market is one of the few structures dating back to the early 1900s which has survived. The market was heavily bombed during WWII, but was given new life in the fifties.

Ben Thanh enjoys a prime position in the city, unrivalled by any other market. It is situated on an area of more than 13,000 square metres, with four main gates and 12 side gates. The main gates are labelled according to their position – north, east, south and west.

The market encompasses around 1,500 stalls arranged in a complicated layout. You can find almost everything at the market, including more than 100 dishes from around Vietnam. Most vendors can speak English, and some can speak a variety of languages including French, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

The market receives around 15,000 visitors each day, many of which are tourists. Japanese travellers make up the majority of the foreign tourists. Not everyone visits the market with shopping in mind; many visit out of curiosity. The market has a lively atmosphere and is sometimes chaotic; however, it is well worth a visit.

Although all goods have a price tag, the figures are usually negotiable. Vendors are required to show a price, but shoppers should bargain to get a better deal. The market is well equipped with fire safety equipment and a 40 strong team of security guards patrol the market, in order to keep shoppers safe from theft.

The War Remnants Museum is located at 28 Vo Van Tan, in district three of Saigon. It is one of the city’s chief attractions and receives visitors from all corners of the globe.

The museum opened during September 1975, originally named ‘The House for Displaying War Crimes of American Imperialism and the Puppet Government’. After this, it was renamed: ‘the Museum of American War Crimes’, and later ‘War Crimes Museum’. Liberalization of Vietnam and improvements in relations with the USA has led to another more recent name change – ‘War Remnants Museum’.

The museum is spread over a number of buildings and has a total of eight rooms, each with a different theme. There is also period military equipment on display inside a walled enclosure. This equipment includes a helicopter, F-5A fighter, M48 Patton tank, as well as an A-1 attacker bomb.

Visitors can view the tiger cages which the South Vietnamese government used to confine political prisoners. Graphic and disturbing images depict the effects of chemical sprays and phosphorus bombs.

Visitors can see the guillotine which was used by French and South Vietnamese to execute prisoners, while three jars contain preserved human foetuses which illustrate the deformation caused by dioxin.

All items and photographs have detailed descriptions in both Vietnamese and English. The exhibition starts to the right of the entrance, and begins with a catalogue of war facts and figures, moving onto biological warfare, weaponry and international peace demonstrations.

Saigon features a delectable blend of old and new. Crumbling old buildings sit next to gleaming modern complexes; while vintage Vespas buzz by amongst a swarm of shiny Hondas. It’s also an east meets west fusion, with new ideas and dreams born out of a newly flourishing economy.

The district of Cholon is home to Saigon’s Chinatown and was established in 1879. There are many interesting sights to see in this district including Binh Tay Market, Thien Hau Paogoda, Quan Am and the Cholon Mosque. Chinatown is a vibrant area of the city, well worth experiencing.

The Saigon Opera House is an elegant structure situated close to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the central post office. The 1,800 seat venue has undergone a programme of restoration and is now used for performances of opera, ballet, music and traditional dance.

Visitors to Saigon can attend mass in the impressive Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica. Built between 1863 and 1880, the cathedral is a charming example of Neo-Romanesque architecture.

The Reunification Palace was brought to the world’s attention in 1975, when footage was broadcast of Communist tanks breaking down the gates and a soldier unfurling a North Vietnamese flag from a balcony. Visitors can take a tour of the building including its intriguing basement tunnels.

Saigon Zoo is a fantastic attraction for all the family, featuring an array of wildlife and over 100 different types of animal. The zoo is situated close to the Reunification Palace and has a temple and museum on site.

The Revolutionary Museum charts Vietnam’s Communist-inspired struggle from the reigns of France and the USA. This stunning white Neo-classical building was constructed in 1885 and was used for various other purposes before becoming home to the museum in 1978.