Originally settled by the Khmer, the Vietnamese took control of Ho Chi Minh and its region in the 17th century. After the French conquered Saigon, in 1859, they made it the capital of Cochin China in 1862, extending and embellishing the city with broad boulevards and elegant architecture. 4.5 million people had made Saigon their home by 1969, but the city was all but evacuated when it fell to the North in 1975. Despite changing its name to Ho Chi Minh City, locals were reluctant to adopt the new name. So the authorities have compromised, allowing the central area to be called 'Saigon.' The current population is believed to fall between six and seven million.

The Reunification Palace or Independence Palace is a restored five-floor time warp to the Sixties left largely untouched from the day before Saigon fell to the North (construction started in 1962 and finished in 1966). Formerly South Vietnam's Presidential Palace, the war ended on April 30, 1975 when tank #843 — a replica of which is now parked on the lawn outside — crashed through the gate and a soldier unfurled a North Vietnamese flag from an upper floor balcony.

The War Remnants Museum is formerly known as the of Exhibition House of American War Crimes. It's currently housed in a rather confused assemblage of seven warehouses, with new purpose-built premises partially open for temporary and permanent exhibits. This disturbing display of man's cruelty during the Vietnam (American) War. There is bias as there are no "records" of any unpleasant deeds having been committed by the North Vietnamese Army. Outside, there are helicopters, jets, tanks, and other bits of armament.

City Hall, end of Nguyen Hue Street. Originally called the Hôtel de Ville and now formally re-branded the People's Committee Hall, it's a striking cream and yellow French colonial building beautifully floodlit at night. No entry, but the statue of Uncle Ho in front is a very popular place.

Museum of Vietnamese History, at the intersection of Le Duan Street and Nguyen Binh Khiem (just inside the zoo gates). The museum has a fine collection of Vietnamese antiquities, but they are accompanied by signage which is both in poor English and full of Marxist comments. Read up on Vietnamese history first or you'll have no idea what you're looking at.

Ho-Chi-Minh Museum, in a French colonial era building, near the dock of Saigon shows the life story of the modern day father of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh .

Notre Dame Cathedral (Nhà thờ Đức Bà) is a French-built Catholic cathedral in the city center. The two 40 meter high towers of this Neo-Romanesque building dominates the city's skyline. It was completed in 1883, but lost its original stained glass windows as a result of fighting in WWII.

There are several Chinese temples in Cholon, the Chinatown district of old Saigon. Only a few are listed here.
Jade Emperor Pagoda is impressively colorful, incense-filled. The Chinese temple was built in 1909 and contains a plethora of remarkable statues and figures.
Thien Hau Pagoda is dedicated to Lady Thien Hau, the sea goddess, who left two giant turtles to keep an eye on things in her absence.
Quan Am Pagoda is the oldest pagoda in town, home of a lot of incense and a cheerful puppy. Phung Son Tu Pagoda is dedicated to the god of happiness and virtue.


Copyright Jean-Marc Michel. Use of any image is strictly forbidden without my explicit written permission.

The images on the site are available for sale as fine art prints and also as stock images.