I must admit that I was completely ready to hate Ho Chi Minh city. This is partly because I hadn’t read the best things about it online so was quite apprehensive. I have to say that it completely exceeded my expectations! I’m never going to be a huge fan of Asian cities, but I feel like this one has a lot of character. I preferred it by far to its Northern counterpart Hanoi.
Getting there…
Getting to Ho Chi Minh was easy. We boarded a sleeper train from Nha Trang, which despite ominous TripAdvisor reviews we found to be quite comfy. We then trekked across the city to SG Capsule Hostel, conveniently located near all the big sights. After dumping our bags it was time to head out and explore.
What to do?
Some of the main sights include the Town Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. The French influence on architecture is easily seen across these buildings. They each have their own charm but above all, make sure you have a look inside the post office. It truly is special.
Reunification Palace
The Reunification Palace is a sight in itself. Rebuilt after it was bombed in the Coup of 1962, the palace contains multiple reception rooms and dining halls with a variety of decorative themes, each more extravagant and and exquisite than the last. The bottom floor of the palace also contains an underground bunker from which the President would have been able to take charge of the movements of the South Vietnam army in the Vietnamese war. It is well worth a visit.
War Remnants Museum
Another highly recommended attraction is the War Remnants Museum. Fair warning, this can be quite an emotional experience for some, however I would still implore you to push through it. The insight it gives into the Vietnam war is fantastic (even if it is a tiny bit biased). Start from the top floor and work your way downstairs and outside. Take your time walking around to let everything sink in. And bring some tissues just in case!
Cu Chi Tunnels
Continuing on the theme of the Vietnamese War I would strongly suggest booking an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. We made our booking through Viator, which included transport, water and lunch. On the way to the tunnels we also stopped at Handicapped Handicrafts where we were able to witness the process of creating traditional Vietnamese artwork. It was incredible to see the care that was put into each piece, and the time it takes to create them. Not to mention the support of those who were affected by Agent Orange in the war. A truly good cause with genuinely stunning pieces on offer.
On to the Cu Chi Tunnels themselves. Our very friendly and informative tour guide showed us around many aspects of the huge site. We saw hidden entrances, ventilation shafts and traps set for the American soldiers by the Viet Cong. How entire communities moved themselves underground I will never know. The Viet Cong tended to live on the top level of the tunnels and used the lower two levels for moving around or escaping the area. The tunnels stretch for large distances all the way to Ho Chi Minh city in the South and across the Cambodian border to the North.
When you get the opportunity to walk through the tunnels (that have unbelievably been widened for tourists!!!) you will be able to choose to walk through for 20m, 40m, 60m or 100m. They are incredibly narrow and stuffy, but it is worth pushing through to the end if you can to get the full experience. Our tour group were incredibly encouraging of one another and between us we emerged at the other end in one piece. Within the tunnels are meeting rooms, dining rooms and kitchens that you can see. We even saw a birthing room for the women who had moved underground. What an eye opener!
Where to eat?
On to slightly lighter topics, there are many great places in Ho Chi Minh city to grab a bite to eat, however I would have to recommend The Secret Garden Restaurant. Following Google Maps will take you to a dark side alley full of motorbikes. Don’t turn around assuming it’s wrong. The entrance to the restaurant is down here! You will find a sign for the restaurant pointing you towards an ominous stairwell. Keep going up the staircase until you reach the top floor where you’ll be rewarded with the most beautiful little restaurant. The decoration and the atmosphere is phenomenal. A true little hidden gem.
Ho Chi Minh was a pleasant surprise. It is most definitely worth a visit on your travels, especially as it gives you such a great insight into the history of the country. It easily ranks as my favourite Vietnamese city.
