Holidays To Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City holidays take you to the business hub of Vietnam and offers a history that stretches back hundreds of years. Ho Chi Minh City is formerly known as Saigon and is often abbreviated today as HCMC. Visit the Củ Chi tunnels that have been left over from the Vietnam War, explore the French Colonial splendour of District 1, or explore beautiful natural surroundings with a trip to the outlying islands and conservation areas.

The region of Ho Chi Minh City was first settled by the Khmers of Cambodia, before the Vietnamese took control in the 17th century. In 1859 the French conquered what was then known as Saigon, leaving behind elegant architecture and wide boulevards that are still present today. This long history means Ho Chi Minh City is full of wonderful treasures, which can be witnessed through its architecture and explored through its food. Ho Chi Minh City is a unique blend of the old and the new, where sleek glass skyscrapers exist cheek by cheek with the grander of its French colonial past.

Ho Chi Minh City holidays: turbulent past and modern marvel

Below Ho Chi Minh City lies a fascinating legacy of the American/Vietnam conflict. The Củ Chi Tunnels is a 75 mile- long complex of tunnels, which form part of a much larger underground base. The site has been preserved by the government as a memorial to the war. Visiting the tunnels will give you more of an insight into the conflict and the conditions below ground.

French influence can be tasted in the food of Ho Chi Minh City, and it’s worth taking the time to explore the markets. The Chinese district, Chợ Lớn, literally means ‘big market’ and the Bình Tây Market at the centre of Chợ Lớn is a bustling hub full of fresh produce from all over Vietnam. This is the perfect place for you to sample the unique blend of flavours that make up Vietnamese cuisine.

As well as its fascinating history and French colonial architecture, Ho Chi Minh City offers excellent transport links to the rest of Vietnam, making it ideal for a multicentre holiday in Ho Chi Minh. Glimpse further back into Vietnam’s past with a trip to Hoi An. This UNESCO World Heritage site is an amazingly well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port and offers a unique blend of indigenous and foreign influences. For a truly relaxing trip visit Phan Thiết, a coastal town that’s home to a picturesque fishing fleet and miles of unspoiled coast.