Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The city of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam , formerly known as Saigon, is a major port city and the largest population center in the south of the country.

General Information on Ho Chi Minh City

Officially, the city was founded in 1874 by the colonialists from France and was named after the Saigon River, which is located. Later, in 1975, the city was renamed in honor of the famous politician and first president of Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh. However, the old name is still used on a par with the new one.

In the city live almost 8 million people, and the area occupied by them is about 3000 square meters. km.

Most tourists go to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), not to enjoy a beach holiday at sea, but to get acquainted with the unusual culture and history of Saigon. Eclectic style of the city harmoniously intertwines in itself Indochinese, Western European and traditional Chinese directions. Among the interesting monuments of architecture are the Cathedral of the Saigon Mother of God, the Presidential Palace, numerous Buddhist temples, as well as buildings built during the colonial period.

How to get to Ho Chi Minh City?

Tourists from the Russian Federation traveling to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) for less than 15 days do not need to issue a visa. Travelers from Ukraine or Belarus, as well as Russian citizens planning a longer visit to the country, need to open a visa for visiting Vietnam.

Tan Son Nhat Airport is located just a few kilometers from the city center, so it's easy to get to the reserved hotel. If you want to take taxi drivers to get to Ho Chi Minh City from the airport, you should bear in mind that such a trip costs a maximum of $ 10. Therefore, you should not agree to go with drivers who charge a higher rate. In the daytime, the city center can also be reached by the city bus No. 152.

Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Holidays in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam can be planned taking into account all individual preferences and wishes, because the choice of housing for every taste and purse in this city is very large. For very little money, about $ 20 per day, you can rent a decent and clean double room or rent a studio apartment, equipped with a kitchen and all the necessary equipment.

What to see in Ho Chi Minh City?

The main attractions are concentrated in the city center and can be viewed during a leisurely walk. Among the interesting places to visit is the Cathedral of Saigon Our Lady. It was founded by the French colonialists at the end of the 19th century and is an excellent example of a colonial-style building. You can also go to the Reunification Palace, which is the former residence of the king and walk to the Palace of Culture. And the botanical garden and the zoo are sure to please the children, because there you can feed some animals, for example, giraffes, directly from your hands.

The beaches in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam are not what attracts the bulk of tourists to this city. And to be more precise, you will not find a quality beach holiday in Saigon. Travelers go here in search of interesting adventures, unusual architecture and exotic culture, to feel how life is boiling in a large and densely populated city. But for fans of sunbathing, there are many small resort towns located in the south of Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City will in this case become an obligatory transfer point.

Among the Vietnamese resorts located in the southern part of the country, the most famous are the cities of Phan Thiet and Mui Ne, which are 200 km from Saigon. These resorts are very popular among lovers to lie on the beach, as well as among fans of active water sports: kitesurfing and windsurfing.