Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam
Over three decades have passed since the Vietnam War ended with the fall of Saigon. Today, the name of this bustling metropolis on the Mekong River is Ho Chi Minh City. Yet, the essence of the city, a major trading center since the 18th century, remains unchanged. The air is filled with the cries of street hawkers and honking horns. Bicycles, motorbikes and automobiles fly down the boulevards at dizzying speeds. And everywhere, friendly faces and warm greetings meet you.
The port of Phu My (pronounced "Foo Me") is your gateway to Ho Chi Minh City and the seaside resort of Vung Tau.
Points of Interest
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Dong Khoi Street
- National Museum of Vietnamese History
- Cholon (Chinatown)
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Mekong Delta
- Cu Chi Tunnels
- Home Visit
More about Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam Points of Interest
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Notre Dame Cathedral -
Admire the 19th-century red brick construction of the Roman-Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, then recall the historic end of the Vietnam War at Ho Chi Minh's stately Reunification Palace.
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Dong Khoi Street -
The best places to shop in Ho Chi Minh City are bustling Dong Khoi Street, with its artisan stores and cafes, and Ben Thanh Market, a historic symbol of Saigon, full of souvenirs and tempting cuisine.
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National Museum of Vietnamese History -
This French Colonial building houses a collection of Vietnamese relics, from prehistoric artifacts and carvings, to excavations of Han tombs, Buddhist statuary and everyday items.
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Cholon (Chinatown) -
A predominantly Chinese district, Cholon was historically filled with brothels and opium dens. Today it is filled with restaurants, temples, jade stores and medicine shops.
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Jade Emperor Pagoda -
Just over 100 years old, this elaborately decorated Taoist pagoda, also known as the Tortoise Pagoda, features a spectacular statue of the Jade Emperor, revered as the god of the heavens.
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Mekong Delta -
This waterway filled with nutrient-rich silt is the "rice basket" of Vietnam, growing a majority of the country's rice and produce, as well as a major rice exporter. Don't miss the floating markets.
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Cu Chi Tunnels -
During wartime, this underground network of tunnels stretched to Cambodia and included meeting rooms, kitchens and first-aid units. Today it features a museum and model of bunkers and snares.
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Home Visit -
There's no better introduction to Vietnamese culture than to be welcomed into a traditional home, which often houses three generations. See the family altar and learn customs of the Mekong Delta.
