Ho Chi Minh City – or Saigon as it is popularly known – is once been nicknamed as the "Pearl of the Far East". To this day, the charm and vitality of the city remains, making it a must-visit for travelers to Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City has an area of approximately 2,094 square kilometers, bordering Binh Duong to the north, Tay Ninh to the northwest, Dong Nai to the east and northeast, Ba Ria-Vung Tau to the southeast, Long An, Tien Giang to the west and southwest, and the South China Sea to the south. With the largest port system and airport in Vietnam, the city is a transport hub of the southern region and a gateway to the world.

It was not always thus: centuries before, Saigon was nothing but a small fishing village named Prey Nokor. In 1968, the administrative structure in the area was established by Nguyen Huu Canh and this marked the official establishment of Saigon. Saigon was put under the colonial occupation of the French since 1859, and numerous of French style buildings were built during this time. The city was renamed Ho Chi Minh city in 1976 in honor of the leader of the country.

At the very first sight, Saigon appears a crowded, fast, noisy, and overwhelming place - a cultural melting pot with different offers to suit different people, different tastes and different budget. Stylish stores bursting with famous international brand names down to the wicker baskets of fruit and the trays of lighters and shoelaces carried by humble street sellers. Perhaps the best way to soak up the atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city is to wander the streets. The city is really a hustle and bustle: the number of motorbikes is now as much as 4,000,000 and counting. 

Take a stroll along the lively strips of Dong Khoi, Le Thanh Ton, Le Loi…and Saigon’s sight-seeings for excellent insight into Vietnam’s remarkable history, its intriguing people and culture. Dig a little deeper, though, one will find the soul of the past lingers on in the churches, temples, and beautiful old buildings. In addition, there are a green havens setting back from the roads in cool, calm cafes with gardens and relaxing spas and cool pools to swim in.

Eating is one of the many joys of a visit to Ho Chi Minh City. The city has a wide range of restaurants serving delicious northern, central and southern Vietnamese food as well as Thais, Indian, Korean and Western food.

The weather in Saigon feels hot and humid year-round. There are two distinctive seasons: the rainy season, from May to November, and the dry season, from December to April. The annual average temperature is 270C with hottest month being April and the lowest being December.