10 Reasons Why You Should Saigon

_{Helen @ rural Saigon –}

If you were born before the year 2000, you might be familiar with Saigon as a city name in Vietnam in comparison to Ho Chi Minh City. But did you know these two are the same?

_{Ho Chi Minh City now}

Vietnam is rich in history. The world back then probably knew it because of the Vietnam War. It was one of frowned-upon periods in American history, which also led to unification of the northern and southern parts of Vietnam. As a result, Saigon was replaced by Ho Chi Minh City, a name of the most important person in Vietnam, a father of unified Vietnam which we know today.

_{Ho Chi Minh is very popular that you will find his picture also inside a local temple like here}

So, why is Ho Chi Minh City so special? Ho Chi Minh City is located in the southern part of Vietnam. And unlike the northern part, it is not popular for its beautiful scenery. But, by going to Ho Chi Minh City you will experience something different in Vietnam, which you will not get in any other part of the country.

_{A heartwarming picture of two ladies on Vietnam reunification day}

Without a further a due, let me just break it down for you just as following:

1 – Did you know that Ho Chi Minh City can also provide you with a view of natural beauty?

_{Beautiful rural Ho Chi Minh City}

_{You can also live a slow life in Ho Chi Minh City}

Just a few km away from the hustle bustle city center, you can experience your stay in a farm with Saigon Garden Homestay. I truly appreciated how we were treated as family.

_{Our everyday view}

We explored by ourselves with bicycles, saw how the locals live, interacted with the locals in normal settings, and even prepared food by ourselves.

_{Biking around the area}

_{Farmers working on the water spinach farm}

_{The homestay has a farm as well}

_{Eating with our host family with vegetables we handpicked from garden}

2 – We were inside of the former CIA building, which was popular as the building for the last mission.Now this CIA was just a history and the building looks like just a normal building with the famous Cong caphe, local brand shops, restaurant, and artists.

_{Inside the former CIA building}

_{While we were there, we stopped by at the legendary Cong Caphe for their coconut coffee}

3 – Not a lot did I know about how the Vietnam War affected the lives of civilians. But now I have a deep understanding about it because I went to the War Remnant Museum.

_{This museum is popular among the tourists}

A warning for you – It is graphic and they show you unfiltered stuff. But in the end, a trip should be more about a growth journey rather than your cup of coffee in some fancy cafe, shouldn’t it?

_{I could never wrap around my head how a destructive action affecting civilians like orange agents was even allowed}

4 – Independence Palace is probably the most important historical building in the city. Here lies the history of how Northern Vietnam took over the building and proclaimed the south for the north. You can even see the helicopter for this mission on the building’s helipad. The building itself is well maintained and there are explanations for the rooms’ usage in the past.

_{Exterior of Independence Palace}

_{The legendary helicopter}

_{There is also a bunker inside}

5 – Southern Women’s Museum is one of my favorite places in the city for women appreciation. And it is not just because I am a woman and free to visit. Here, you will see the proof of how women are unstoppable when they are given the chance to shine. The displayed history of them reflected how achiever they were.

_{The brave southern Vietnam women}

_{The heroic Vietnam mother, Nguyen Thi Thu}

6 – Cu Chi Tunnel is an experience that one should try while in Ho Chi Minh City. Back then, this tunnel was used by the Viet Cong as a hiding spot. Going inside this tunnel is not for a faint heart since the entrance was small, dark, and long. But it is an experience that you definitely won’t forget.

_{This is how big one of the entrance to the tunnel, a perfect camouflage and hiding}

_{I found this bat in the tunnel, Cu Chi Tunnel is that humid}

7 – Pink Church or Tan Dinh Church is a church that is for me more interesting to visit in comparison to Notre Dame church. This kind of church suits Ho Chi Minh City where the city itself is more modern than any city in Vietnam that I have ever visited.

_{I was there on the weekend and wasn’t allowed to visit since it was for mass}

_{A night at modern Ho Chi Minh City}

8 – Saigon Central Post Office which has been operating since the end of 1800. I even sent a postcard from this post office. The building is so iconic that one will not miss it while exploring the city. In front of the building one will see famous names of inventors, such as Volta, Graham, etc.

_{An iconic post office}

_{From the inside}

9 – Ho Chi Minh Book Street is a must visit even if you are not a book worm. Of course it is a paradise if you are a book lover since you can buy books with a good discount and a wide range of genres. But, it is also a spot where you can see how the youngsters hang out, since there are drinking spots and continuous events being held there.

_{Books for sale}

_{Cafe to hang out}

10 – Ex Opium Factory which was the biggest in South East Asia was established in Ho Chi Minh City. If you have travelled across South East Asia, you might have realized how this region had a complicated relationship with opium. It was legal back then before the government realized it brought more harm than good. Nowadays, you can only see a trace of opium from the opium flower decoration on the wall. And this area has transformed into a hip place for Michelin and international restaurants.