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Ho Chi Minh City is not only famous for its unique architectural landmarks and lively entertainment spots but also for its distinctive culture and delicious cuisine. Let's explore the following 8 attractions with BDATrip!
The Independence Palace also known as the Reunification Hall, is an important historical symbol of Saigon and a fascinating tourist destination. Witnessing significant changes in Vietnam's history, the palace marks the major event of April 30, 1975, when the tanks of the Southern Vietnam Liberation Army rolled in, symbolizing the country's unification. Designed in a modern architectural style, the palace stands out with its refined and sophisticated lines, reflecting a unique historical period.
Inside the palace, visitors can explore various rooms like the working office, guest room, meeting room, war room, along with the living spaces of former leaders. Each corner of the palace holds rich historical stories and precious artifacts carefully preserved.
Outside, visitors are drawn to the cool green gardens, unique sculptures, and military vehicles like tanks and fighter planes, giving a sense of reliving historical moments.
The Independence Palace is open daily from 7:30 AM to 11 AM and from 1 PM to 4 PM, with an affordable entrance fee of 40,000 VND per person, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in Vietnam's history and culture.
The Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, officially known as the Saigon Cathedral, is one of the city's most prominent religious architectural symbols. Built in the late 19th century, it embodies the French Gothic style, characterized by soaring pillars, pointed arches, colorful stained-glass windows, and unique grey stone walls. The cathedral's bell tower, standing 57 meters high with four large clocks and six bells, is a striking feature.
The large square in front of the cathedral houses the magnificent statue of the Virgin Mary. Inside, the sacred and solemn space is adorned with religious paintings, saint statues, and glittering chandeliers.
The Notre Dame Cathedral is not only a significant spiritual destination but also a rich cultural site for visitors. Open daily from 5:30 AM to 5 PM, the cathedral welcomes both worshippers and those interested in culture and religion during festivals and traditional ceremonies.
Ben Thanh Market is a bustling hub for shopping and cultural experiences, attracting both local and international visitors. Established in 1914, the market stands out with its unique rectangular architecture, four entrances facing East, West, South, and North, along with a large dome featuring a clock and the market's distinctive sign.
Ben Thanh Market is a melting pot of Saigon's diverse culture and cuisine. Here, you can find everything from clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry to unique souvenirs. The food section of the market is a paradise of spices, fruits, and varied street food. The market is famous for its food stalls, where you can enjoy traditional dishes like Banh Mi, Pho, Bun Bo Hue, etc.
Open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM, the market offers a complete shopping experience. After 6 PM, the vibrant night market begins, with numerous stalls lining the sidewalks around the market, creating a characteristic shopping and dining atmosphere of Saigon at night.
Built at the end of the 19th century, the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office impresses with its antique French architectural style, featuring red tile roofs, white columns, intricate floral patterns, and large windows. The "Ho Chi Minh City Post Office" sign and the round clock at the front are iconic symbols of the site.
The square in front of the post office, with the statue of Uncle Ho, is not only an ideal spot for photography but also a spacious area for relaxation and sightseeing. Inside, visitors can explore maps of Vietnam, ancient mailboxes, retail stalls, and souvenir shops, along with cultural products like postcards and stamps.
Moreover, the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office is more than a tourist attraction; it's a hub for various postal services, including express delivery, money transfer, mailing, and parcel services. The post office operates from 7 AM to 7 PM daily and does not require an entrance fee.
Nguyen Hue Walking Street, located in the heart of the city connecting Independence Palace to the Saigon River, perfectly combines culture, architecture, cuisine, and entertainment. The street boasts several unique architectural works like the towering Bitexco Building, the historic Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City Theater, and Uncle Ho's statue, each with its distinctive character. Additionally, the street is filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars, each offering its unique style to cater to every shopping, dining, and entertainment need of visitors.
Nguyen Hue Street is also the center of major cultural and art events in Saigon, from colorful New Year celebrations, romantic Cherry Blossom Festival openings, to lively music festivals and dazzling light festivals. Visitors can stroll, enjoy the scenery, take photos, meet friends, and participate in fun activities. Nguyen Hue Walking Street is open 24/7, allowing you to explore anytime, with the best experience in the evening when the street is brilliantly illuminated.
The Vietnam History Museum, located in the heart of Saigon, is an attractive destination with educational and entertaining value, deeply reflecting Vietnam's history and culture. Established in 1929, the museum impresses with its Indochina architectural style, blending ancient beauty with modernity through red tiled roofs, white columns, and delicate floral patterns.
The museum houses a rich collection of artifacts, including pottery, bronze, iron, religious items, jewelry, weapons, textiles, and more. Each exhibition room opens a new chapter on Vietnam's history, culture, geography, and ethnology, from prehistoric times to the modern era, offering visitors a deep understanding of the country's diverse development.
The museum's large garden is an intriguing space where you can admire statues, pagodas, ancient houses, boats, and mythical figures like dragons, phoenixes, and unicorns. The Vietnam History Museum is open from 8 AM to 11:30 AM and from 1:30 PM to 5 PM daily, with an entrance fee of 30,000 VND per person, providing an educational journey and deeper insight into Vietnam's rich history and culture.
Located about 60 km from the center of Saigon, the Cu Chi Tunnels are an over 200 km long tunnel network, ingeniously constructed by the Southern Vietnamese military and civilians during the resistance against the US. The tunnels are not only a secret underground system but also a technical masterpiece with various entrances, exits, living quarters, and more. Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels offers a profound understanding of the life and fighting spirit of soldiers and civilians during the toughest years in Vietnam's history.
To reach the Cu Chi Tunnels, visitors can use various means of transportation such as buses, coaches, motorcycles, bicycles, or join guided tours. The tunnels are open daily from 7 AM to 5 PM, with an entrance fee of 110,000 VND per person, offering a unique educational and historical experience for those wanting to explore an important part of Vietnam's history.
Constructed in 2010, the Starlight Bridge elegantly spans 170 meters in length and 9 meters in width, resembling a graceful archer's bow. Situated over the Saigon River, the bridge connects the bustling areas of Phu My Hung and Tan Phu. The Starlight Bridge stands out with its colorful LED lighting system, creating a magical, starlit ambiance at night, reminiscent of thousands of twinkling stars on the water surface. Notably, the bridge is also adorned with white lotus flowers, a sophisticated symbol of Vietnamese culture.
The Starlight Bridge is not just ideal for walking, sightseeing, and photography but also offers a refreshing, cool atmosphere from the river. Around the bridge, visitors can explore attractions like Starlight Park, the Crescent Mall food area, Vivo City shopping center, and the Starlight Bridge cultural area, where culture, entertainment, and commerce blend into a unique experience. Open 24/7, the Starlight Bridge welcomes visitors at any time.
Plan your trip and remember to bring a camera to capture all the wonderful moments at these must-visit attractions in Saigon!
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