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HO CHI MINH CITY
Living the InterContinental life in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City is situated along the Saigon River. It is next to a broad plain that stretches west across Cambodia with the rich Mekong Delta at her feet. Known as Saigon until the end of the Vietnam War, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochin- China, and later of the former state of South Vietnam from 1954 to 1975. In 1975, Saigon was merged with the surrounding province of Gia Dinh and renamed Ho Chi Minh City (although the name Saigon is still frequently used).
In the past, Saigon was known as the “Paris of Asia” for its wide boulevards and lined with stately trees and magnificent French Villas.
Those days are long gone and now Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest and most exciting city, bulging with a population of nearly 8 million.
While Hanoi is the political capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is the nation’s economic heart. Time is precious, and people are in a hurry, but many still retain their favorite relaxation activity of enjoying traditional Vietnamese coffee and chatting at the numerous sidewalk cafés that are found throughout the city.
The InterContinental Asiana Saigon Residences team defines itself with its local knowledge, connecting guests and residents to the pulse of contemporary Saigon, providing access to authentic and enriching experiences.
Below we have summarized a selection of key things to see in Ho Chi Minh City. For more information and for assistance in booking tours, please contact the concierge.
BANKS & GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Government banks are open from 07:30am to 12:00pm and from 01:00pm to 04:30 pm and are closed on Saturday and Sundays.
Commercial banks are open from 08:00am to 04:30pm.
All banks provide standard services throughout the country and many have ATM machines. English is spoken at all main branches.
Government office work from 07:30am to 04:30pm and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
CLIMATE
The city has a tropical climate with an average humidity of 75%. A year is divided into 2 distinct seasons: The rainy season, which usually begins in May and ends in late November. The dry season lasts from December to April.
The average temperature is 28°C, the highest temperature sometimes reaches 39°C around noon in late April, while lowest may fall below 16°C in the early mornings of late December.
CURRENCY
The currency is Vietnamese Dong (VND). Bank notes are 500d, 1000d, 2000d, 5000d, 10 000d, 50 000d, 100 000d, 200 000d and 500 000d.
Coins include 200d, 500d, 1000d, 2000d and 5000d.
Money and travelers cheques, particularly U.S Dollars can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized money exchangers.
DRIVER'S LICENSE
Most foreigners who have a driver’s license issued in their home countries simply have to register for a license. According to a 2006 mandate by the Ministry of Transportation, all foreigners can register for a license in Vietnam if they had a valid one issued to them in their home countries.
Please contact our Guest Relations Team, who can assist you with all the requirements needed.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
JANUARY 1st - New Year's Day
Duration: 1 day
Last day of the last lunar month to the 3rd day of the first lunar month - Tet (Vietnamese New Year)
Duration: 4 days
Usually falls at the end of January or middle of February according to the Solar calendar
10th day of the 3rd lunar month - King Hung’s Commemoration
Duration: 1 day
Usually falls in April of the Solar Calendar
April 30th - Liberation Day
Duration: 1 day
Reunification of Vietnam in 1975
May 1st - International Labor Day
Duration: 1 day
September 2nd - National Day
Duration:1 day
BEN THANH MARKET
Ben Thanh market has long been one of Saigon's most famous landmarks. The market has been in existence since the French occupation. The original market was located on the shores of Ben Nghe River by old fort Gia Dinh. Its proximity to the fort and the river where merchants and soldiers would land was the reason for its name (Ben meaning pier or port and Thanh meaning fort). In 1859, when the French invaded Saigon and overtook fort Gia Dinh, Ben Thanh market was destroyed. It was rebuilt shortly thereafter and remained standing until it was moved to its present location in 1899.
Built on a landfill of what was once a swamp named Bo Ret (Marais Boresse), the new Ben Thanh Market is located in the center of the city.
From souvenirs, bags, crockery, clothes and materials to food and perfume, you can shop till you drop at Ben Thanh market. And don’t be shy to bargain!
REUNIFICATION PALACE
106 Nguyen Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Hours: 7:30-11:00 am, 1:00-4:00 pm
This was formerly the Presidential Palace of the Republic of South Vietnam, the site where South Vietnam finally capitulated to the North on April 30, 1975. Having undergone extensive renovations the palace is preserved almost exactly how it was in 1975; visitors can tour the President's office, cabinet room, bomb shelters, war rooms, secret tunnels and more.
HO CHI MINH CITY MUSEUM
Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Hours: 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Admission: 15,000d (≈$.90)
Located in a late nineteenth century estate of French design, the Ho Chi Minh City museum houses two floors of history, from pre-historic Vietnam to the Vietnam War (or the Resistance War against the Americans to save the Nation, as the Vietnamese refer to it). Prominently, the museum hosts a collection of captured American aircraft and tanks.
WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM
28 Vo Van Tan Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Hours: 7:30-11:45am, 1:30-4:45pm
Admission: 10,000d (≈$.65)
The museum, formerly known as the "Exhibition House of American War Crimes," is a disturbing look at the atrocities committed during the Vietnam War. Be prepared for a heavy dose of propaganda and revisionism. The museum features American tanks, aircraft and weaponry, as well as very graphic, disturbing pictures of war casualties, jars of still-born fetuses allegedly killed by Agent Orange and pictures of the lives of victims. Do not go if you are easily disturbed, and not recommended for children.
CHO LON MARKET
In 1788, a group of Chinese from Pho and My Tho Islands came to Ben Nghe River Dike and founded a market which developed into the existent Cholon market, offering a wide array of products. This is Vietnam’s Chinatown market. It is an attractive site for visitors to observe that lively atmosphere.
It remains home to more than 500,000 people, many of whom are of Chinese origin. The area and its side-streets and markets provide an interesting glimpse of Sino-Vietnamese life, as the Vietnamese Chinese strive to retain there cultural traditions and language. In addition to temples, traditional apothecaries, fortune tellers and the like, some excellent Chinese food is available in Cho Lon.
A visit to Ho Chi Minh City's Cho Lon Market reveals the city at its most vibrant, colourful and fun.
This mighty market seems to go on for miles, crammed with every possible kind of fruit, vegetable, nut, fish, meat, cigarette, beer and so on. There are cloth shops with every type of silk in every color and numerous types of cotton, wool and even tweed!
Fabric shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is a serious treat. Give yourself at least an afternoon, if not an entire day, so you can take your time, stop for cold drinks and snacks regularly and avoid becoming hot and bothered!
The variety of goods here is positively astounding and will give you uncanny glimpses into modern Vietnamese life.
THE SAIGON OPERA HOUSE
(Vietnamese: Nhà hát lớn Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh), an opera house in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is an example of French Colonial architecture in Vietnam.
Built in 1897 by French architect Ferret Eugene, the 800 seat building was used as the home of the Lower House assembly of South Vietnam after 1956. It was not until 1975 that it was again used as a theatre, and restored in 1995.
Please visit Concierge for information about upcoming events.
NHA THO DUC BA - CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY
Proposed to be one of France's most ambitious projects in Indochina at the time, Rev. Colombert laid the cornerstone for the cathedral on October 7, 1877. Three years later, in 1880, the cathedral was opened to the public. These two dates are inscribed on a marble placard in the cathedral.The bricks used to build the structure were shipped from Marseilles. Artisans from Lorin Company (Chartres, France) were commissioned to create the stained glass windows. The cost of construction was a whopping 2.5 million francs. In 1962, the Vatican gave the cathedral the title Basilique.
DEN NGOC HOANG - EMPEROR OF JADE TEMPLE
Located in Dakao Ward, District 1, the temple was built by Cantonese Buddhists who settled in Saigon in the 19th century. The architectural style is heavily influenced by the Chinese of southern China.
The Taoist deity (Emperor of Jade) is enshrined here along with his 4 guardians (Tu Dai Kim Cuong). The major attractions to the shrine are the elaborate carvings of the various deities as well as its unique architectural style of the interior. This temple is also home to the Hall of Ten Hells where there are carvings of various scenes of the various levels of hell.
SAIGON CENTRAL POST OFFICE
In downtown Ho Chi Minh City, near Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica is the city's main post office. The building was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the early 20th century. It has a Gothic architectural style. It was designed and constructed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel in harmony with the surrounding area. Today, the building is a tourist attraction, even though the post office is still running its normal day to day operation.
KINDERGARTENS
Kinderworld International Kindergarten
Kinderworld Kindergarten and Private School
Creativekids Vietnam International Kindergarten
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Renaissance International School
ACG International School Vietnam
Anglophone British Curriculum School
British International School
American International School
International School, HCMC (ISH)
Saigon South International School
The Australian Vietnamese International School
Horizon International Bilingual School
Star Saigon International Primary School
EMBASSIES / CONSULATES
USEFUL WEBSITE WITH INFORMATION
USEFUL LINKS
The Word HCMC - Competing magazine with a good website
Saigon Childrens Charity - Great charity working to help the children of South Vietnam. Run the annual Saigon Cyclo Challenge event
Chefmoz: HCMC - More reviews of HCMC restaurants
