HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
A blend of culture and commerce. Founded as
a small fishing village, Ho Chi Minh City is now
Vietnam's largest city. Though still commonly
called Saigon, locals are likely to simplify the name
to HCMC. No matter what you call it, the bustling
metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City seamlessly blends
historic and contemporary elements to create its
unique identity. French-style architecture from
the colonial era can be seen throughout the city,
including Notre Dame Cathedral's looming twin
towers and Reunification Palace's stately facade,
while its downtown area is a vibrant hub of modern
commerce carried out beneath the gaze of
21st century skyscrapers.
Ho Chi Minh City is a heady mix of French and
Vietnamese cultures, where baguettes and
croissants are sold alongside pho (Vietnamese
noodle soup) and motor scooters buzz past colonial-
era architecture. The city's wide boulevards are
reminiscent of Paris, lined with jewels such as the
Opera House, fashioned after the Petit Palais,
and the grand Central Post Office, designed by
Gustave Eiffel. Aromatic food stalls and colourful
shops purvey local specialties and all manner of
Vietnamese wares, from conical hats to ao dai, the
traditional silk tunic worn by women.
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