Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon, officially named Ho Chi Minh City (invariably shortened to HCMC) is the commercial and financial hub of Vietnam and its most popular tourist destination. Saigon is a sometimes dizzying mix of old and new, uniquely Asian and international architectural styles. Older tree-lined streets have a vaguely French atmosphere, while the multi-storey buildings and office blocks show the city's modern heritage.

However, this 300 year old city has much more to offer such as Giac Lam Pagoda dating from 1744 or Giac Vien Pagoda founded about 200 years ago. Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883, is in heart of the city and is the most famous of the French-era churches in and around Saigon.