Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, situated in the southern of Vietnam, is still called Saigon by most of the natives. The modern city used to be considered as the Pearl of the Orient by the French. It is a brazen, industrious and dense metropolis, the largest city in Vietnam and the business capital of the country. With a population of five million, this city of Vietnam is crowded, noisy, yet it is also exciting and historic, the essence of the nation.

The wide Saigon River, which takes a huge turn from the east of Saigon, links the city with the sea. Unlike Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) may lack charm and elegance, but the city with its essential French colonial character has enough to draw your attention. The colonial villas, wide avenues and a lively cafe society in the city remind you the days of French dominance.

Over the last 10 years, Ho Chi Minh City has experienced a spectacular change in its cityscape. And today, this city has a cosmopolitan and energetic atmosphere. The once low-rise landscape of the city's central area, District 1, is now marked with shining skyscrapers including high-rise apartments, international hotels, luxurious restaurants and bars and companies. This bustling, vibrant, industrial hub of the nation is the biggest city of Vietnam as well. Saigon is also the cultural center and economic capital of the country.

The city is well connected with rest of the world through air routes and sea and thereby draws huge foreign funds in the fields like oil, gas, agriculture, textiles, and marine products. However tourism contributes a major part of the government's revenue. Visiting Ho Chi Minh City, the travelers have a chance to visit a lot of interesting places from historic sites to entertainment and shopping area.

The city with its teeming metropolis mingled with the elegance of ancient culture, gives you a microcosmic view of the entire nation.

• Ho Chi Minh City Highlights
• Cu Chi Tunnels
• Dam Sen Water Park
• Ben Thanh Market
• Central Post Office
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Reunification Palace
• War Remnants Museum
• Ho Chi Minh City Museum
• Pagodas in Saigon