Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
The South is dominated by the metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, still often called Saigon, once a small fishing village that has expanded to well over 2,000km2 of urban sprawl with a population somewhere between 5 and 8 million.
Ho Chi Minh City is a Mecca of commerce. Practically anything can be bought in its malls, shops and markets. Stylish stores bursting with famous international brand names down to the wicker baskets of fruit and the trays of lighters and shoelaces carried by humble street sellers: something for everyone and prices for everything. Modern office blocks house the many trading and financial businesses that have their headquarters in the southern hub.
It’s also a city with a chequered history and a rich culture. Its pagodas, museums, public buildings, parks and boulevards make it a magnet for international tourists who arrive in increasing numbers at Tan Son Nhat, Vietnam’s busiest airport, or by road, train or ship.
Ho Chi Minh City Highlights: