Ho Chi Minh City, which is still called Saigon by most residents, is a intriguing Vietnamese city to visit on a Southeast Asia cruise. 
Those of us who are baby boomers and were in high school or college during the Vietnam War (called the American War in Vietnam) have strong memories of Saigon. Following the end of the war in 1975, America and Vietnam did not resume relations until the mid-1990's. Today, Americans are welcome and the Vietnamese have quickly learned to take advantage of our fascination with the war by offering tours of many of the places we first heard about in the news 40 years ago.
Thirty five years after the end of the war, Saigon offers much more than war memories. The Saigon city streets packed with motor bikes and people are indescribable, and the History Museum, lacquerware factory, and Cholon Market provide a nice balance to the war sites. There's even a post office designed by Gustave Eiffel, who is most famous for that tower in Paris.
Our cruise on the Crystal Symphony had an overnight in Saigon, and we were all happy to have the extra day to tour the city and to visit the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels.
Photo Tour of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Two Days in Saigon - Crystal Symphony Travel Journal
Water Puppets at the Saigon History Museum (c) Linda Garrison
Thank you for the pictures and your travel journal. As a Vietnam War history buff, I hope to travel to Vietnam someday soon and experience the sights and sounds of the country my Uncles once fought in.
My family had a holiday in HCMC over Tet last year. We thought it was one of the most festive places we’d ever been. Such a fantastic place for families. Even the War Remnants Museum has a beautiful kids’ playroom. We loved it. Glad you did too!