Ho Chi Minh City Museum

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)

Bikes and bustle

Get caught up in the heady buzz of Saigon, dizzy with the pace of a million motorcycles, and beguiled by the local girls cycling by in their flowing Ao Dai dresses. Southern Vietnam is captured in all it’s intriquing essence here.

Follow the history and culture of the city on this blog, from Re-unification Palace to the War Museum, with plenty of Asian and Indo-Chine architecture and character splashed across this guide. From the Cu Chi tunnels and Mekhong Delta, to endless pagodas and Com Pho shops, it’s all soon covered here.

It’s all part of a comprehensive travel guide, with hundreds of pages and dozens of pictures, which we are busy developing to help you plan you trip to Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.

About Saigon
All the basic facts for tourists visiting the city plus top tips for the interpid traveller… more

What to do
Whether you want to shopping for gifts, indulge in some pampering, play sport or see the sights… more

What to see
All the top attractions listed in detail including tours and highlights for those short on time… more

Hospitality
Everything from cheap rooms in hostels to the best luxury hotels in town plus spa, restaurant and nightlife tips… more

Shopping
Whether you need to pick up a few essentials or a seeking out that perfect wedding present, we’ve got the inside scoop… more

Vietnamese Culture
This diverse and oft-misunderstood land is begging to be discovered by cultured visitors… more

South Vietnam
Guide to areas of the countries which are an easy leap away from Saigon for when the city gets too much… more

Getting here
All your transportation need taken care of in one simple section be it plane, train or taxi… more

Living here
Complete guide to everthing an expat is every going to need for long-term stays in saigon… more