Ho Chi Minh City - Sai Gon

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 Vibrating with energy, innovation and traffic – lots of traffic – Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, the name comes from the Khmer word “Prei Kor”. Nowadays, HCMC is the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. A freewheeling, cosmopolitan metropolis, HCMC's dynamic cityscape draws together old and new Vietnam in the most compact of spaces, representing the city’s past as well as its future. 

 Locals said “Saigon never sleeps” to describe the busyness of the city. You can start your day at a local cafe from 3-4 am and see how the people transfer products from the countryside to the local market. Walking around the market to buy all fresh food & fruits. Visiting all highlights of the city such as Ben Thanh market, Reunification Palace, Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedrals, flower market. Having lunch or dinner at the local restaurant or fancy places. Hanging out on the sidewalk drinking beer at a restaurant or going to a live music bar until midnight.  

 The labyrinthine tunnels in Cu Chi, located just 60 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, stretch nearly all the way to the border with Cambodia. Built over a period of 25 years starting from 1948 during the war against the French, the tunnels were a vital communication network, connecting remote villages, and helped the Vietnamese soldiers evade the French army. These same tunnels later became hideouts for the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. The tunnels were preserved after 1975, and are now a historical relic where visitors can explore the claustrophobic tunnels themselves, and clearly imagine the circumstances and environments in which the soldiers fought. Visiting the Cu Chi tunnels is a great way to develop a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s history. 

 Just a two hour drive east, Vung Tau is the closest beach town to Ho Chi Minh City. Originally a French resort town built for officials and soldiers to visit for rest, Vung Tau has been transformed into a modern economic and tourist hub in southern Vietnam. Vung Tau is a favorite weekend getaway for Saigonese, who come almost every weekend to beat the heat and bustle of the city. Known for its beaches, fresh seafood, five-star resorts, and towering statue of Jesus Christ. Vung Tau is a relaxing, popular destination for citizens and tourists alike. 

 One of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, the Mekong Delta is a vast, maze-like flood plain interwoven by tributaries and distributaries of the massive Mekong River. The Mekong River is the twelfth largest river in the world, and beginning in China, its course runs through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia before finally reaching the sea in Vietnam’s southernmost region. Known locally as “Cuu Long Giang,” or, “The River of Nine Dragons,” the Mekong River Delta is a must-see destination for any visitor staying in Ho Chi Minh City. The region is known for its natural beauty, unique culture, and delicious, fresh food. 

Visitors can take a short, 1-day trip to My Tho or Ben Tre province, or choose for a lengthier 1-night stay in Can Tho, the largest city in the region. If the sleepy tourist can wake up early in the morning, they can take a trip to the floating market, where they can take a boat ride into a vast, interlocking market made up of boats and rafts, where fresh food is sold every day.