Cu Chi Tunnels
If you seek to understand more of this controversial war, there are a couple places that can give you some insights. The first is the Cu Chi Tunnels. This extensive network of tunnels total about 155 miles in length and consists of many larger sections housing such necessities as kitchens and field hospitals. The tunnels were first used in the French Indochina war right through the American Vietnam war. (It is interesting to note that most Vietnamese call it the “American War”) After a description of the tunnels by the guide, you will be invited to crawl into the maze yourself. The tunnels are located in Tay Ninth, about 24 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Another place that illustrates some frightening realities of the war is the War Remnant Museum, which includes a display of military vehicles, bombs, weapons and a photo gallery depicting the horrors of this conflict.

It offers a myriad of goods produced in the countries ranging from vegetable and flowers to knockoff watches and jewellery. There are also local restaurants with good traditional Vietnamese food near the market.

Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral is a quintessential remnant from the French colonial period. Built between 1877 and 1880, the church was approved by the Vatican to use the name ‘Notre Dame’ in 1959. Decked with stained glass windows, the red brick Catholic church has a neo-Romanesque structure with 40-metre iron spire towers that once dominated Saigon’s skylines. There is a marble statue of Virgin Mary in front of the church. It is a popular spot where young local brides and grooms take pictures before the wedding ceremony.

The church is located in the heart of the city, north of Dong Khoi road, near the city’s main post office and the botanical garden. It is full during the Sunday mass that starts at 930 am – the mass is performed in English.

Reunification Palace
Built in 1868 as a residence of the French Governor Generals, the reunification Palace has gone through several historic events that shape the course of the country. The palace, also known as the Independence Palace, was a presidential palace of the president of the South Vietnam Government during the 70s. It became famous around the world when the North Vietnam Army tanks smashed through the gates of the building on April 30, 1975, marking the end of the American War.

The palace is now a museum, comprising 3 main floors of conference rooms, a lavish Presidential Receiving Room, a helicopter-landing pad on the rooftop and a foundation floor with 95 apartments. The building is preserved almost exactly as its last renovation in 1966. Guides now offer daily tours to visitors. The museum is open to the public. Visitors can see the underground network of tunnels under the building, the conference rooms, the telecommunications centre and the war room. A video presentation of Vietnamese history is available in several languages.

Ho Chi Minh Museum
Located on the riverbank of Saigon River from the quay of Ham Nghi Boulevard, this is the place where the young Ho Chi Min set sail on a French vessel on the way to Europe and America in his political exile in 1911. The building, which was built in 1863, initially belonged to the French shipping firm Messageries Imperiales. Even though its main structure of the building has a European look, it has a Chinese style triangle tile roof with two decorative dragons.

The place is registered as a museum in 1979 and currently has a large collection of valuable articles, documents and artefacts connected to Uncle Ho’s life such as Zenith radio, his journals, fragments of his clothing and his rubber sandals – he is known for wearing sandals made only from tires. Another place where you can see a large exhibition of his personal belongings is the Ho Chi Minh museum in Hanoi.

The museum is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 8 to 1130 am and 2 to 6 pm and on Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm.

The Municipal Theatre
The municipal theatre is considered the most expensive cultural work in the city during the French domination. Built in 1898, the building was once used as the headquarter of the South Vietnamese National Assembly. The theatre, which is located on Dong Khoi Street between the Caravelle and Continental Hotels, is laid out in the French Opera house style with a large spectator hall, a refreshment area and an additional underground storey. It features a variety of shows from traditional Vietnamese plays and acrobatics to gymnastics and concerts.