HCM City to develop river tourism

HCM City with its proximity to a diverse river and canal system is focusing now more on river tourism for both domestic and foreign visitors.

http://www.vns-travel.com

3 Days in Ho Chi Minh City: Suggested Itineraries

Ho Chi Minh is the largest city in Vietnam, and is populated by more than 9 million people. Located on the Saigon River, it is the economic center and cultural trendsetter for the rest of the country. Formerly known, and still referred to by many as Saigon, this is an exhilarating city in which you can’t help but get immersed in the local culture, by virtue of the street markets, pavement cafes and stands on wheels.
Read more »

Sunday in the Saigon Countryside

Vietnam tours - For those wishing to escape Saigon on a Sunday, the Saigon Hash House Harriers provides a unique opportunity to leave town, see the countryside and both burn off calories and add a few through a cold beer or two.
Read more »

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

Situated right in the heart of Hochiminh City is the most famous landmark as well as core Cathedral of the city, Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral (translated as “Nhà thờ Đức Bà Sài Gòn).
Read more »

Hochiminh city’s prominent Museums

What could not be missed when you are in Hochiminh city is some of the significant museums that tell the whole vivid story of a heroic and historical Saigon..

Read more »

Ho Chi Minh City - ongoing dynamic & enchanting

Vietnam tours: Here, new buildings, there, persons in a hurry… It is the picture of a busting, dynamic but beautiful and friendly city – Ho Chi Minh City, the Chief Southern Centre of Vietnam!

Read more »

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) travel information

Vietnam tours: Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as it is still known to many, is Vietnam’s largest city with a growing population of around 7 million. This is a city on the go 24 hours a day, where everybody seems to be busy either buying, selling, studying, working or just enjoying themselves.
Read more »

Can Gio Biosphere Reserve

>>Vietnam national parks 
Alternative site name(s) Lam vien Can Gio (Can Gio forest park)
Province(s) Ho Chi Minh City
Area 75,740 ha
Coordinates 10o22’ – 10o40’N, 106o46’ – 107o01’E
Distance(s) From Ho Chi Minh City:
Eco-tours Bird watching, sightseeing…

Topography and hydrology

Read more »

Ho chi minh, Vietnam Travel Video Guide

I think the first thing that you notice about Ho Chi Minh City is the traffic, elbow to elbow, a constant drone of motorcycle motors and horns. In Saigon, I interviewed video artist, Tran Dan trandanvnartist.multiply.com asking him where he finds inspiration in such a bustling city.
Read more »

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in HCM City ( Chua Vinh Nghiem)

Inaugurated in 1971, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is the biggest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City. Built in modern style, but the structure draws its inspiration from traditional Vietnamese culture and a touch of Japanese architectural style. The pagoda features a vast sanctuary and an eight-storey tower. On the first and fifth of lunar months, believers throng the pagoda to pay their respects, make offerings and pray for blessings.
Read more »

Giac Lam Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City ( chua giac lam)

118 Lac Long Quan, Tan Binh
Although situated out on a limb north-west of Cho Lon , this pagoda should not be missed as it is arguably SaiGon’s finest and certainly the oldest. It was built in 1744 and has been twice restored since ( most recently in 1906), but still exudes architectural and decorative harmony.
Read more »

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Vietnam tours: Once romantically referred to by the French as the Pearl of the Orient, Ho Chi Minh City is still called Saigon by almost everyone who lives there. It is a modern city by Asian standards and has only been under firm Vietnamese control for a little more than 200 years.
Read more »

Shopping in Hochiminh City (HCMC)

Regardless of any age you are at, you will soon find yourself satisfied when shopping in Sai Gon (or Hochiminh City), the most dynamic city of Vietnam

Shopping – a ubiquitous custom of Saigon. Ever since the Vietnam’s policy shifted the nation into a market economy, buying and selling has been as ubiquitous as breathing. You are young and fond of modern stylish fashion, jewelries, etc.? Well, Diamond Plaza and Saigon Square Shopping Center should be your initial stop-over.

If you are looking for toys for your kids, those shopping zones also offer a lot to choose, or you may spend your time in the wooden toy store for special wooden kinds. Or, should you seek some low-priced goods, many street-front shop houses are available everywhere welcoming you to step inside! Yet, it’s ideal that you visit several markets such as Cholon (Big Market) (or China Town) and Ben Thanh market for further choices.

Read more »

Dam Sen Park

“Oh my kids did have a wonderful time at Dam Sen Park, and keep asking me to bring them back some day!”, smiled a young mother when asked about Dam Sen park in Hochiminh City.

Dam Sen Park

Most families visiting Hochiminh City much enjoy interesting games in Dam Sen Park, the ideal place of interest for small children. Opened in 1999, it now covers more than 50 ha on the corner of Lac Long Quan and Hoa Binh Street, and comprises various areas. Annually, it has several new water slides added.

Aquatic games and activities are much available here for all kinds of visitors. Water fountains, water pupetry, water games, truly unique water slide experiences (including the amazing "Space Bowl"), etc. attract thousands of turns of guests.

Ideal for kids. A series of water games for kids are of much interest. Also, a flower garden, a fun house, a ball game centre, electronic games, and so forth, are desired by every kid taking part in. Your kids will also feel the same, for sure!

Read more »

Cu Chi Tunnel in Hochiminh City

A great evidence and memorial site of southern Vietnam’s heroic and heart-breaking war against foreign invaders is found in Cu Chi Tunnel, northwest of Saigon (Hochiminh city) 

Cu Chi Tunel

Location. Around 70 kilometers northwest of Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnel is right near the so-called "Iron Triangle" of Southern Vietnam. Both the Saigon River and Route 1 pass through this region which used to serve as major supply routes in and out of Saigon during the war. Hence, the Cu Chi (in Vietnamese: Củ Chi) and the nearby Ben Cat districts had immense strategic value for the NLF (National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam), contributing to persuading the weary Americans into withdrawal, and has now become a popular tourist attraction for both domestic and international visitors.

Read more »

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City

Area: 2,098.7 sq. km
Population: 7,123,340 habitants 2009)
Administrative divisions:
- Districts: District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5, District 6, District 7, District 8, District 9, District 10, District 11, District 12, Tan Binh, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Thu Duc, Go Vap, Binh Tan,Tan Phu.
- Rural districts: Nha Be, Can Gio, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Binh Chanh.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Khmer, Cham, etc.

Location:

Situated in the core of the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the second most important in Vietnam after Hanoi. It is not only a commercial center but also a scientific, technological, industrial and tourist center. The city is bathed by many rivers, arroyos and canals, the biggest river being the Saigon River. The Port of Saigon, established in 1862, is accessible to ships weighing up to 30,000 tons, a rare advantage for an inland river port.

Climate:

The climate is generally hot and humid. There are two distinctive seasons: the rainy season, from May to November, and the dry season, from December to April. The annual average temperature is 27ºC. The hottest month is April and the lowest is December. It is warm all year./ Many centuries ago, Saigon was already a busy commercial center. Merchants from China, Japan and many European countries would sail upstream the Saigon River to reach the islet of Pho, a trading center. In the year of 1874, Cho Lon merged with Saigon, forming the largest city in the Indochina. It had been many times

celebrated as the Pearl of the Far East. After the reunification of the country, the 6th National Assembly in its meeting of the 2nd of July, 1976, has officially rebaptized Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City. The history of city relates closely with the struggle for the independence and freedom of Vietnam.

Tourism:

Today, Ho Chi Minh City is the big tourism center in Vietnam, attracting a large of visitors to Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City has various attractions as Ho Chi Minh Museum, formerly known as Dragon House Wharf, Cu Chi Tunnels, system of museums, theatres, cultural houses, etc. Recently, many tourist areas are invested such as Thanh Da, Binh Quoi Village, Dam Sen Park, Saigon Water Park, Suoi Tien, Ky Hoa, which draw numerous tourists. Despite its quite recent past, Ho Chi Minh City nevertheless possesses various beautiful buildings, displaying a characteristic combination of Vietnamese, Chinese and European cultures. These include Nha Rong (Dragon House Wharf), Quoc To Temple (National Ancestors Temple), Xa Tay (Municipal Office), Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theatre as well as many pagodas and churches (Vinh Nghiem, Giac Vien, Giac Lam, Phung Son pagodas, etc). After more than 300 years of development, Ho Chi Minh City presents many ancient architectural constructions, famous vestiges and renowned sights. It is remarkable for its harmonious blending of traditional national values with northern and western cultural features.

Transportation:

Ho Chi Minh City is the main junction for trains, roads, water, and air transportation systems for domestic trips and for foreign destination.

- Roads: Ho Chi Minh City is 1,730km from Hanoi, 99km from Tay Ninh, 30km from Bien Hoa (Dong Nai), 70km from My Tho, 125km from Vung Tau, 168km from Can Tho, 308km from Dalat, and 375km from Buon Ma Thuot. The City has National Highway 13 which connects Vietnam with the rest of Indochina.
- Train: Thong Nhat express train connects Ho
Chi Minh City and Hanoi, vie many provinces in Vietnam.
- Airlines: Tan Son Nhat International Airport, 7km from center of city, is the biggest airport with many domestic and international routes. There are flights from Hanoi and Danang to Ho Chi Minh City and between the City to many regions as well a lot of countries on over the world.

Source:Vietnam Travel