Formerly Saigon, the city was renamed in honour of the revolutionary Communist leader Ho Chi Minh in 1976 following the reunification of the country and the end of the Vietnam War, though the city had been a busy commercial centre long before that. Due to its turbulent history, Ho Chi Minh is also a blend of the various cultures and architectural styles - Vietnamese, Chinese and European - that have influenced the area over time.
While in Ho Chi Minh City, make sure you do a guided tour to take in the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office and Thien Hau Pagoda in the city's bustling Chinatown.
