Saigon’s Architectural Gems, Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam

As Vietnam’s most populous city, Saigon is not typically known as the country’s star attraction, with tourists often preferring the historical charm of Hanoi or Hoi An.

When put into perspective, this is not a surprise given that Saigon was founded only in 1698, making it a relatively young city. Moreover, many of its historical structures were destroyed during the French colonial era in the late 19th century. From then on, Saigon’s economic boom subjects the city to rapid modernisation.

But even with all the above put into perspective, I decided to dedicate some time to scour the best of Saigon’s architectural gems and I was pleasantly surprised that it has a lot to offer as well.

This guide will walk you through the key sites which can be visited while you are exploring this destination. Hence, without further ado…

The historic Ben Thanh Market is one of the most recognisable landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City, having served as the primary hub for shopping and local culture since at least the early 17th century, and thereby making it one of the oldest in the city!

Above the main gates, you can notice intricate ceramic reliefs made by artisans from the iconic Bien Hoa kilns with local rural motifs, featuring symbolism of cows, fish, ducks and flowers. On the South Gate, travellers can find the iconic Clock Tower which is reminiscent of European watchtowers. Fascinatingly, the lightning rod on top of the market is shaped like a traditional Vietnamese liquor bottle, which represents abundance and prosperity. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).