While not the most beautiful city in the region or in Vietnam, Saigon has preserved some of its colonial heritage, as well as a number of museums.
Ho-Chi-Minh City, or Saigon, is the economic capital of Vietnam, but unlike the political capital (Hanoi), rapid urbanization and economic development have taken their toll on much of its artistic and cultural heritage, mainly inherited from the colonial era.
Nevertheless, it’s well worth spending some time in during a visit to Vietnam. As far as I’m concerned, this isn’t my first stay here, so I may skip over some subjects.
You will find at the bottom of the page a summary of the articles from this vacation in Vietnam.
- Saigon or Ho-Chi-Minh City?
- Notre Dame de Saigon Cathedral
- Central Post Office
- Saigon Opera House
- Ho-Chi-Minh square and city hall
- Ho-Chi-Minh City Museum
- Reunification Palace
- Bitexco Tower
- Articles about this trip to Vietnam
Saigon or Ho-Chi-Minh City?
By reflex, I continue to call this city Saigon, even though its real name has been Ho-Chi-Minh City since 1976 officially and 1945 unofficially.
It originally took its name from the Saigon River that runs through it.
Today, Saigon is only the name of the city center, but it is still widely used by many Vietnamese, and is still used in the names of hotels and restaurants, as well as being the call sign for Tan Son Nhat (SGN) international airport. And, of course, for most French people Ho-Chi-Minh Ville will always remain Saigon, if only by reflex or habit.
Notre Dame de Saigon Cathedral
Unfortunately, it was under construction at the time of my visit.
Erected by the French between 1877 and 1880, with the two bell towers added in 1895, it blends Romanesque and Gothic styles, and is built on the same model as Notre Dame de Paris, only smaller.
Central Post Office
As its name suggests, this is the central post office built by the French postal administration between 1886 and 1891.
Saigon Opera House
It was built in 1900, with a façade inspired by the Petit Palais in Paris. The façade has undergone several modifications over the years, but was restored to virtually its original state in 1998 for the city’s 300th anniversary.
It cannot be visited and is only open for shows. So if you want to see inside, you have to attend a performance.
Ho-Chi-Minh square and city hall
Ho-Chi-Minh square is a beautiful square in the center of town, where it’s pleasant to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. There’s a statue of the very same Ho-Chi-Minh.
With its many flowers and fountains, it’s a popular spot for photographers.
At the end of the square is the town hall (1908), one of the city’s most beautiful monuments.
Unfortunately, as the seat of a political body, it cannot be visited.
Ho-Chi-Minh City Museum
The building is in neoclassical style, with Ionic columns and Greek pediments. Built by the French in 1880, it became the palace of the President of the Republic of Vietnam after the Geneva Accords (1954) and was transformed into a museum after the invasion of South Vietnam by North Vietnam in 1954.
It is dedicated to the history of the country, its economic development and the wars it went through in the 20th century.
Like many museums here, it does not accept credit cards. I didn’t have any cash on me at the time of my visit and as I’ve already visited it in the past, I passed.
Reunification Palace
This is the former residence of the Governor General of French Cochinchina, built in colonial style between 1868 and 1871. Damaged by bombing by the South Vietnamese army in 1957, the government decided to demolish it and replace it with this more modern building.
It remained the presidential residence until the fall of power in 1975, when it was converted into a museum. It’s an essential place to immerse yourself in the country’s great moments of political history.
Unfortunately, I passed by on Bastille Day and the crowds made me turn back.
Bitexco Tower
Built between 2006 and 2010, at 262 m (68 storeys) it was Vietnam’s tallest tower until 2011, when Hanoi’s Keangnam Tower “Landmark 72” was inaugurated.
It’s interesting for its exterior style and, above all, for the view from its observation platform, which gives a panoramic view of the city.
Articles about this trip to Vietnam
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