A Guide to Travel Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam

Have you traveled to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam? If yes, I hope you enjoy your trip to the city. Otherwise, I suggest you spend a visit there. It’s not just the most developed city of Vietnam, but its lively life will attract anyone who loves something vibrant. So, in case you plan to come back or travel to Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon, here is some general info that I believe will make your journey more enjoyable.

You may see many people call Ho Chi Minh City (or HCMC) is Saigon, an old name used for the land in the period 1955-1975. Actually, Saigon was the capital of South Vietnam, which belonged to the Republic of Vietnam. After the Vietnam War, when the Communist Party of Vietnam controls the whole land, it’s no longer the capital city of the country. Nevertheless, it becomes the very financial and economic center of the country. Moreover, it’s the hub of many start-ups, national and international companies in Vietnam. Nowadays, many people are still familiar with the old name and call it Saigon, but it’s mainly referred to as the central district or area of Ho Chi Minh City.

Basically, the city is located in South Vietnam, with the Saigon River winding inside. If you drive a car from Hanoi to HCMC, it will take you about 31h for the approximate 1500-1700km in distance. I usually see Ho Chi Minh City as the gate of the Mekong Delta region because from the North, you have to pass the city to enter the area. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).