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 over 40 years ago.
Today, Saigon offers much more than war memories. The bustling Saigon city streets are packed with motor bikes and people, 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!
Who told you that HCM City is still called Saigon by most residents? That has not been true for about ten years, at least. That is a western held notion.
Thanks for your comment, Ong Mop. All the local guides we had in Vietnam called the city Saigon and told us that many residents also use the old name. But, maybe the guides used the term either because it is shorter and has less syllables or because our tour group was all westerners. I’ve modified the blog.
This is a business name Saigon like wwww.saigon.travel. And many business included Saigon on its such as hotel, restaurants,…
This is a business name Saigon: Saigon.travel event it is a site live http://www.saigon.travel. Many business name included Saigon term on it.