SAIGON |
The largest of Vietnam' s cities, you' ll see the
hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere, and there is something
invigorating about it all. Contrasting images of the exotic and mundane
abound. There are street markets, where bargains are struck and deals
done; the pavement cafe, where stereo speakers fill the surrounding streets
with a melodious thumping beat; and the sleek new cafes and pubs, where
tourists chat over beer, peanuts, coffe and croisnats. |
BEN THANH MARKET |
The central market of Saigon, which, with
the surrounding streets, makes up one of the city's liveliest areas. Everything
commonly eaten, worn or used by the average resident of Saigon is available
here. |
BINH TAY MARKET |
Cholon's main marketplace, much of the
business conducted here is wholesale. |
CENTRAL POST OFFICE |
A French-style building with a glass canopy
and iron frame, situated next to the Notre Dame Cathedral. The structure
was built between 1886 and 1891 and is by far the largest post office
in Vietnam. |
CITY HALL |
Completed in 1908, also known as “Hotel
de Ville”, and located at the northern end of Nguyen Hue Boulevard.
With its ornate gingerbread façade, it looks like the town hall
of a French town. (May be viewed from the outside only). |
GIAM LAM PAGODA |
The oldest pagoda in Saigon, built at
the end of the 17th century. Because the last reconstruction here was
in 1900, the architecture, layout and ornamentation remain almost unaltered
by the modernist renovations that have transformed so many other religious
structures in Vietnam. Ten monks live in this pagoda, which also incorporates
aspects of Taoism and Confucianism. |
JADE EMPEROR PAGODA |
Was a key meeting place for Chinese secret
societies. It has very colorful and mysterious ambience. |
NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL |
Built between 1877 and 1883, it is set in the heart
of Saigon's government quarter. It has a neo-Romanesque form and two high
square towers, tipped with iron spires. In front of the cathedral is a
statue of the Virgin Mary. |
OPERA HOUSE |
Built around the turn of the century and first renovated
in the 1940s, the building housed the lower division of the National Assembly.
Today it is a Municipal Theater and also known as the Saigon Concert Hall.
(May be viewed from the outside only). |
REUNIFICATION PALACE |
This was the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese
president and was stormed by tanks on 30 April 1975, signifying the fall
of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state. |
THIEN HAU PAGODA |
Built by the Cantonese congregation in the early 19th
century. The pagoda is one of the most active in Cholon and is dedicated
to Thien Hau. It is said that she can travel over the oceans on a mat
and ride the clouds to wherever she pleases. |
WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM |
Collections of weapons and photographs from two Indochina
wars are exhibited along with the original French 'Guillotine' brought
here in the early 20th century. |
