Ho Chi Minh City Guide

Ho Chi Minh, formerly known as Saigon, is the largest metropolis in all of Vietnam. The vibrant city contains an abundance of festivals, night clubs and entertainment for both its tourists and citizens. The streets are filled with the buzz of vendors and markets; the sheer amount of activities and attractions means that tourists flock to the city year after year.

Festivals in Ho Chi Minh

As 50% of the Vietnamese population are Buddhists, Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month. This event draws in masses of locals as well as tourists as the day is an important aspect of this Vietnamese religion. The temple is decorated and people place colourful lanterns in Ho Chi Minh’s many pagodas. The monks lead processions that go through all the city’s streets, and the smell of incense permeates through Ho Chi Minh for days.

The largest event that takes place within Ho Chi Minh is the Tet Festival. The 19^th January and the 20^th February are the beginnings of the Lunar New Year and many believe that it is the perfect time to start new ventures. This festival is spent with those who are closest to you, and all arguments are to be avoided during this time of good luck and prosperity. It may be difficult for tourists to find accommodation and open shops in this period; however it is worth trying to holiday during this event as the fireworks and banquets are exquisite.

Religious Spots

The Vinh Nghiem Temple is a visually spectacular Buddhist temple; the pagoda is visited by the locals on their weekly worship, by the monks who reside within it and by the many tourists that descend upon the building. The slanting roof and upturned cornices are the distinguishable features that make this temple perfect for photo opportunities. The ground floor is the main space that is open to visitors, yet the second floor and its grand sanctuary are usually private.

The Emperor Jade Pagoda is one of the most visually breathtaking temples to visit. There are a variety of stories from the Taoist and Buddhist religions carved onto its walls. The statue of the Jade Emperor dominates the space; Vietnamese people believe that he is the god who can refuse or grant people entry to the heavens. There are also statues of Kim Hua (the goddess of fertility) and the King of Hell; this is the perfect place to visit if you want to know more about the religions and mythologies that exist within the Vietnamese lifestyle.

Things To Do in Ho Chi Minh

The areas of Dong Khai and Le Thanh Ton are Ho Chi Minh’s main shopping districts and have a variety of shops for tourists to explore. There are many ceramics, silks and jewellery to take home as gifts for your family. The boxes and vases are also popular with visitors as they are hand made by the locals within the city.

There are also many night clubs and bars for those looking for excitement during the midnight hours. The Apocalypse Now club is the most popular and allows you to enjoy cheap, tasty drinks whilst dancing to a mix of Eastern and Western music. In District 1 (the streets that surround Dong Khoi and Hai Ba Trung), you will find a concentrated amount of bars and clubs for you to delve into and explore.

 

5 Day Weather Forecast for Ho Chi Minh