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Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City
A City with Two Names
There are many stories regarding the origin of Saigon’s
name. One theory is that Saigon ties back to a Khmer word which
meant “Kapok Tree Forest”. In Khmer folklore, southern
Vietnam was given to the Vietnamese government as a dowry for the
marriage of a Vietnamese princess to a Khmer prince in order to
stop invasions of Khmer villages. One thing is clear, history shows
that this region was swampland before the 1700’s when a mayor
decided to fill many of the canals in order to form streets. It
then became a strategic location for trade and commerce and began
to have military importance as well.
In the 1900’s the Spanish helped the French invade the city
and this began the long struggle between Vietnam and France. During
this time, Saigon underwent a huge building boom and it was often
referred to as the “Pearl of the Orient” and more than
10% of its citizens were French.
Once France was finally defeated in 1954, Vietnam was divided
into two separate countries and Saigon became a central locale for
people resettling from the north and central areas of Vietnam.
This also began a period of significant growth for Saigon in
commerce and expansion. America later began another tumultuous chapter
in Vietnam’s history with the Vietnam War. After America withdrew,
then in 1976 Saigon officially became “Ho Chi Minh City”,
though it is still referred to as Saigon, by both foreigners and
Vietnamese.
The European cultural influence still shows prominently in architecture.
The distinct blend is evident as one walks the city and encounters
many coffee houses with a distinct French flavor.
Today, Saigon is a growing blend of Socialist government and a
controlled capitalist market. Signs of significant growth are everywhere
and business people plying their trade are an increasingly common
sight. Unlike other cities in Vietnam, Saigon is very active at
night.
Local restaurants and music halls host sellout crowds and stay
open late into the night.
Spots to see
Ben
Thanh market has been one of Saigon's most famous landmarks which
have been in existence since France invaded the fort city. The original
market was on the shores of Ben Nghe river and was the spot for
merchants and soldiers to land. In 1859, when the French invaded
Saigon and overtook the fort and Ben Thanh Market was destroyed.
It was rebuilt shortly thereafter and in 1899 the market was moved
to the center of the city where it remains today.
Vinh Nghiem Temple
This majestic temple is located on Cong Ly boulevard and was
completed in 1971 with a large parcel of land at its base.
The ground floor has a library, the auditorium, and offices. On
the upper court yard there is a seven-level “stupa”,
which is a Buddhist commemorative monument. Next to the tower there
is a large bell given to the temple by Japanese Buddhists.
Transport
Currently there are plenty of motorbike taxis or car taxis to
take you wherever you want to go.
A ride on a “cyclo” (which is sort of akin to a reverse
tricycle with the passenger sitting in a front seat) through downtown
HCMC is a great way to see the city. You can experience the sights,
sounds and smells from your open air vehicle with a relaxed pace
in a cyclo. However, cyclos are harder to find these days because
the government restricts cyclos on busy urban streets. If you do
visit and decide on one of these classics for your ride, it is good
to be careful with cameras and purses and wallets while cyclo riding
as these items can be easily stolen by passing motorbike riders.
Floating Markets
You will want to take a short trip outside the city to visit
one of the best known floating markets. When you travel just a
couple hours south of Saigon, along the Mekong Delta and it’s
many rich sights, you can visit the Cai Be market. It is fun to
search for souvenirs and interesting finds among the colorful floating
markets where vendors hang up the merchandise while you drift through
a tropical landscape. It is fun to shop while surrounded by water
palms and small rowing boats. It’s a memorable way to spend
the day. Families can enjoy this type of excursion during one of
our Vietnam heritage tours, which are customized to your specifications.
You can get a sample of visiting Ho Chi Minh City and other key
sites in Vietnam in this tour: Tour 1B. Lotus Travel is always
ready to make your visit to Vietnam trip of a lifetime!