Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city, business and financial hub of Vietnam. Also known as Saigon, it has a prominent history going back hundreds of years. There are plenty of museums showcasing the country's dark wartime history and classic colonial architecture built by former French rulers.
Today, Ho Chi Minh City is a popular tourist destination due to its fascinating culture, sleek skyscrapers, ornate temples and Chinese pagodas. The city has plenty of rooftop bars overlooking Saigon and beyond, plus fantastic restaurants offering a combination of French, Chinese, and, of course, local Vietnamese cuisine. You will find many prominent landmarks spread out among Districts 1 and 3 in central Saigon, while Pham Ngu Lao Street – set on the western edge of District 1 – is an iconic backpacker’s district divided into numerous lanes and back alleys that are ripe for exploration.
