Ho Chi Minh City aka: Saigon, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

The last time I visited Ho Chi Minh City was when I was about 10. I am going again in 2007. From my memory, Ho Chi Minh City was great. Maybe it was because I was a kid. I remember running in the rain barefooted (that might not be the smartest thing to do now that I think about it), riding on motocycles, and just eating hot noodles. The only bad thing that happened in Vietnam was probably when the store owners figured out I was from America (yes I am Asian).. so they charged me more for the items. Besides that, it was cool there

The bustling traffic and looming skycrapers looked outlandish after Hanoi’s cosy streets and charming architecture. Saigon is too modernized for tourists in Vietnam.

Saigon is a city of about 7 million people. From what I could gather most of them seemed to be on a motorbike at any given time. It was very crowded. At first it seemed frightening to see so many people busily going to and fro with only minimal traffic lights to control them. Actually the traffic lights seemed to be more of a suggestion.

Once I got acclimated a little bit, I found it to be a wonderful city. It was very cosmopolitan compared with the other parts of the country that I had seen.

I could not believe how people did not all kill each other at traffic intersections…stand at the edge of the curb, take a deep breath, pray to god then make your way across and just look straight..don’t worry they will all avoid you somehow someway..good luck!

The French colonial buildings are great to look at. The art museum is worth a visit. Wouldn’t recommend going to the market by the station unless you want to be pawed and pulled into peoples shops….yuk.

Pretty commercialized and Westernized, with all the accompanying air and signage pollution.

I looked at their faces and you see joy inspite of.

What can I say? I was born here! We emigrated to France when I was 11, then next to Canada. My brother and me returned once in January 2005, almost 20 years since we left. The city have changed so much …unbelievable. I had a hard time to recognize my old neighborhood. The house where we lived haven’t changed though. It was very emotional. I would love to go back again.

I’m moving to HCMH and I’m going to live there and work as an aupair from August ‘06 to August ‘07. Tell me stuff!!

Definitely a place to go! The locals are super friendly and the food is great! Try eating at Maxim Restaurant @ 15-17 Dong Khoi and for shopping you need to visit the Ben Thanh Market!