Flight Destinations
Flights to Ho Chi Minh City
Destinations in Vietnam
Flights to Africa
Flights to Asia
Flights to Australia
Flights to Caribbean
Flights to Central America
Flights to Europe
Flights to Indian Ocean
Flights to Middle East
Flights to North America
Flights to Pacific Islands
Flights to South America
Ho Chi Minh City is located in southern Vietnam and is still widely known as Saigon despite the name change in 1975. Since the days of the Vietnam War, Ho Chi Minh City has become a popular tourist destination for visitors looking for something a little different, and several of the city’s attractions are war related.
There are several reasons why a visit to Reunification Palace (also known as Independence Palace) is popular with tourists; first is the fact that this was formerly South Vietnam’s Presidential Palace and second is the fact that it’s been completely untouched since Saigon fell in 1975. What this means is if you’re interested in seeing technology, telephones, furniture and more that’s been left over from the 1960s and 1970s this is a great place to do so!
The Palace was built between 1962 and 1966 but was evacuated the day before Saigon fell. Outside in the grounds is a replica of the tank that crashed through the gate of the palace. There are free tours of the palace available or just show yourself around.
War Remnants Museum
About a block away from Reunification Palace is the War Remnants Museum. This museum has been open since just after the fall of Saigon and is very biased towards the many cruel things that the American army apparently did during the Vietnam (known here as the American) War. There are exhibits and re-creations while outside are weapons, vehicles and more.
Other Museums in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City has several other historically related museums including the Ho Chi Minh City Museum which is housed within an old French colonial era building, and there’s also the Museum of Vietnamese History that traces the country’s history right back to prehistoric times.
Saigon-Notre Dame Basilica
The architecture of the Notre-Dame Cathedral looks quite out of place on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City today and this is because it was built by French colonists between 1863 and 1880. If you’re looking for more traditional Asian style architecture, try the Chinese temples around the Chinatown neighbourhood of Ho Chi Minh City.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Another war related tourist attraction in Ho Chi Minh City is the Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels were used by the Viet Cong during the war in order to move about undetected. Now this 75 mile long tunnel system has been preserved by the government and turned into a war memorial park. Tourists can travel around in some of the safer tunnels, some of which have been enlarged to accommodate larger Western tourists!
Flights to Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam's largest airport is less than 4 miles (6km) north of Ho Chi Minh City, the Tan Son Nhat International Airport (airport code: SGN), for international flights to Ho Chi Minh City. There are buses and taxi services for the 15 minute drive into the city from the airport. Many taxi drivers will try to inflate the price for tourists, so get a pre-paid taxi coupon at the airport before grabbing your taxi. Most flights to Ho Chi Minh City from the UK have just one connection. Thai Airways, Qantas, and British Airways all stop in Bangkok. Air New Zealand transfers in Hong Kong, and a flight to Ho Chi Minh City with Malaysia Airlines connects in Kuala Lumpur.Ho Chi Minh City Tourist Attractions
Reunification PalaceThere are several reasons why a visit to Reunification Palace (also known as Independence Palace) is popular with tourists; first is the fact that this was formerly South Vietnam’s Presidential Palace and second is the fact that it’s been completely untouched since Saigon fell in 1975. What this means is if you’re interested in seeing technology, telephones, furniture and more that’s been left over from the 1960s and 1970s this is a great place to do so!
The Palace was built between 1962 and 1966 but was evacuated the day before Saigon fell. Outside in the grounds is a replica of the tank that crashed through the gate of the palace. There are free tours of the palace available or just show yourself around.
War Remnants Museum
About a block away from Reunification Palace is the War Remnants Museum. This museum has been open since just after the fall of Saigon and is very biased towards the many cruel things that the American army apparently did during the Vietnam (known here as the American) War. There are exhibits and re-creations while outside are weapons, vehicles and more.
Other Museums in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City has several other historically related museums including the Ho Chi Minh City Museum which is housed within an old French colonial era building, and there’s also the Museum of Vietnamese History that traces the country’s history right back to prehistoric times.
Saigon-Notre Dame Basilica
The architecture of the Notre-Dame Cathedral looks quite out of place on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City today and this is because it was built by French colonists between 1863 and 1880. If you’re looking for more traditional Asian style architecture, try the Chinese temples around the Chinatown neighbourhood of Ho Chi Minh City.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Another war related tourist attraction in Ho Chi Minh City is the Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels were used by the Viet Cong during the war in order to move about undetected. Now this 75 mile long tunnel system has been preserved by the government and turned into a war memorial park. Tourists can travel around in some of the safer tunnels, some of which have been enlarged to accommodate larger Western tourists!