HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)

The largest city in Vietnam, it covers an area of over 2,000 sq km and has a population of around 5 million. The city is located between the Mekong Delta and South Vietnam, 50 km inland from the South China Sea.
In the earlier part of its history it was an outpost of the Angkorian Empire, before it was settled by Vietnamese. In 1859 Saigon was captured by French troops who had sailed up the Saigon River and attacked the city. It later became the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina.

Places of Attractions

Museum of Vietnam History
The museum is located at No. 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem. It was built in 1929 was formerly called "Musée Blanchard de la Bosse" until it was renamed in 1956. The exhibits on display are from various periods of the history of Vietnam, from ancient times up until the 1930's. Another part of the museum displays an array of artefacts from specific parts of the south of Vietnam; the Oc-Eo culture; the Mekong Delta and the former Champa area. It also displays objects relating to the ethnic minorities and ancient pottery from other Asian countries.

Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi tunnels are located about 30 km northwest of HCM City. The district of Cu Chi was the base from were the NLF (National Liberation Front) started the Tet Offensive in 1968. The tunnel network consists of more than 200km of interlinked tunnels. The tunnels were located about 3m to 4m underground, enough to escape damage from bombs. The network even contained sleeping  quarters, hospitals and meeting rooms.

Notre Dame Cathedral
The cathedral is situated in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, in Paris Square. the construction of the cathedral started in 1877 and completed in 1880, under the management of French engineer, Baurad. The cost of construction totalled 2.5 million francs.

Thong Nhat Palace
The palace is located at 106 Nguyen Du Street. Built in 1865, it was originally called Norodom Palace. Up until 1954 it was the home and offices of Ngo Dinh Diem, the President of South Vietnam.
In 1963 the palace was almost totally destroyed by military bombings. The President had a new palace built, which was then named Doc Lap or Independence Palace. However, in April !975, the liberation army entered the palace and President Duong Van Minh, along with members of his government surrendered to the forces. After the liberation of Vietnam the palace became the HQ of the military administration. It was here that the meeting for national unification was held.
The palace contains a total of 95 rooms, and also features 2 exhibition rooms, guesthouses and entertainment areas.

Ben Thanh Market
This large market is on the grounds of the former main railway station. A vast array of goods, from local products to imported, are on sale at the market.

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TAY NINH

Tay Ninh is located about 90 km to the north of Ho Chi Minh City. This place is the home of the Cao Dai Sect, founded in the 1920's. The sect blends aspects of Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Christianity together.

Places of Attraction

Cao Dai Temple
The temple is located in Long Hoa, about 5 km to the southeast of Tay Ninh. It was built between 1933 and 1955, as the religious home of the Cao Dai sect. It is 140m long and 40m wide and has four towers. The domed ceiling of the temple has a blue globe, speckled with stars, which is the symbol of Caodaism.