Day 01
Historic Landmarks and Hidden Gems of Ho Chi Minh City
- We will start our tour at the Reunification Palace, also known as the Independence Palace, which was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. This is where the Vietcong tank crashed through the gate on April 30, 1975, signalling the fall of Saigon as the then President, Duong Van Minh, surrendered to the Vietcong.
- We will then make our way through the beautiful park on our way towards Notre Dame Cathedral, which was built by French colonists in the 1880s and is a symbol of what was then known as Saigon. The cathedral is one of the few remaining symbols of Catholicism in a largely Buddhist Vietnam.
- Across the road from Notre Dame is the Central Post Office of Saigon, a beautiful and elegant building of French architecture constructed in the late 19th century.
- A short walk down Dong Khoi street, which was originally named Rue Catinat by the French before being renamed Tu Do Street in the late 1950s, takes us to where we can see the former CIA Building. This is the site from where the last US helicopter left Saigon in 1975.
- Next, we will visit the War Remnants Museum, which showcases the brutality of the Vietnam War from the perspective of the Vietnamese. It displays exhibits such as photographs, military equipment, and personal accounts of the war's effects on the Vietnamese people. It can be an emotional experience, but it is an important one for understanding the country's history.
- After visiting the War Remnants Museum, we will walk past the Opera House and visit some of the most famous hotels of the Vietnam War: the Continental Hotel, where many diplomatic cocktail parties were held; the Caravelle Hotel, which housed the Australian and New Zealand embassies; and the Rex Hotel, where American officers stayed and cracked open beers on the rooftop bar.
- We can stop by a local coffee shop in the heart of the city to experience Vietnam's coffee culture. Vietnamese coffee is known for its rich and robust flavour and is often served with sweetened condensed milk. This is a great opportunity to rest our feet and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee while soaking up the local atmosphere.
- Finally, we will go to the City Hall at the top of Nguyễn Huệ street. Today a walking street, Nguyễn Huệ street is one of Vietnam's most beautiful and lively streets. It is here that many important events of the year are held and celebrated, including the New Year fireworks, flower displays for Tet, Lunar New Year, or football screenings when Vietnam's soccer team plays an important Asia Cup or World Cup match. Even on days when no such event is being held, this is a beautiful spot to spend some time before you take your leave of the lovely Ho Chi Minh City.
