Published 6th Nov. 2019
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Ho Chi Minh City, a city built for both business and pleasure, is at the cutting edge of Vietnam's economic development. This is a metropolis in the making, looking towards the future while reinterpreting the past; a city where everything is possible. Dynamic and effervescent, the city vibrates with youthful energy, and with good reason : half of its ten million inhabitants are under 25 years old. So here's what we recommend you do during 24 hours in Ho Chi Minh City...
07:00 am
Bird farming in Vietnam is an ancient passion, rooted in Buddhist bird liberation rituals. It's also a way to assert your social status - At Tao Dan Park, every morning, collectors display rare, brightly coloured, singing birds in precious rattan, bamboo or ivory cages, which require months of work from the craftsmen who make them. Come early to listen to the birdsong and have a cup of ' ca phe Sua da ': coffee served with sweet condensed milk and ice cream.
09:00 am
The echoes of the French colonial period are best found in the former colonial districts : the Town Hall and its belfry, La Poste, whose structure was designed by Eiffel (of Tower fame), the Central Market, the Cathedral, with its square bell towers and red bricks, and the Continental Hotel, Saigon's legendary hotel, ' the most beautiful hotel in the world ', according to French writer Marguerite Duras.
12:00 pm
Cholon is the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the huge covered market of Binh Tay - sugar cane, papayas, pineapples, oranges, lemons, durians, green mangoes, watermelons and crates of banana, pyramids of dragon fruit, baskets of green chillies and fresh lemongrass ; Fish, shellfish and crustaceans, meat and poultry: stalls loaded with merchandise from the nearby Mekong Delta, ' the rice bowl ' of the country. Lunch is served at a street stall with papaya and pork spring rolls washed down with an iced tea.
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03:00 pm
Here, dozens of shops sell moulded glassware from the 1930s, antique silverware, embroidered silks, lacquer and horn dishes, and baroque shell cutlery.
05:00 pm
Don't miss a visit to the Maison Marou, where they sell the ' best chocolate in the world ' according to the New York Times . From cacao cultivation, bean selection, roasting and blending to the final chocolate bar itself : they have mastered the whole process.
07:00 pm
Nestled at the back of an alleyway lined with street stalls, this boutique cafe was opened by a group of expat friends, in a beautiful building that was once the Saigon Hotel. Shop for textiles and bamboo dishes before grabbing a drink at the bar.
Dive into Vietnam’s vistas on a holiday tailor-made by our talented consultants. We'll guide you down roads less travelled with visits to regions like Ha Giang, where you can stay in authentic homestays and connect with local Hmong tribes. Our savvy in-country Concierges and guides are experts at adapting tours to help you find adventure in Vietnam’s caves, romance on its beaches or family fun throughout this friendly country. Plus, with our e-Visa arrangement, fast-track airport services and options for every budget, you can relax knowing the finer details are sorted.
ENQUIRE NOWPractical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Vietnam is as varied in its culture and cuisine as in its landscapes and topography. Tuck into stuffed Bahn Mi against the bustling backdrop of Ho Chi Minh
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