Vietnamese culture Saigon

Vietnam is a country steeped in traditions and nowhere is this more apparant than the city of Saigon.

About 80 per cent of Vietnamese are born outside of major cities, with many living in Saigon for work and study. Family is an important part of Vietnamese life, and so many Vietnamese take the opportunity on weekends to travel back to their hometown to visit their family.

Saigon’s culture is changing rapidly, and there is a mix of old meets new, which can be seen everywhere.  Businessmen wearing suits can be seen in the city’s main financial area around district 1, while women wearing the traditional hat known as the ‘Nón Lá’ sell traditional Vietnamese coffee and street foods.

University students can be seen walking home with friends in their traditional clothing called an ‘Áo Dài’.

Vietnamese love to celebrate events, and whenever there is reason celebrate, spectacular floral decorations and amazing lighting displays will go up on display in the centre of the city, with many families coming to visit and take photos.  The biggest celebrations take place around Chinese New Year, known in Vietnamese as Tết.  Although  Tết in Saigon can be somewhat quiet as many Vietnamese go back to their home town to celebrate with their relatives, many fireworks displays and floral decorations still can be seen around the city.