Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City has the largest population and is the economic centre of Vietnam. Until the reunification of North and South Vietnam in April 1975 the city's name was Saigon. The Communist government of Hanoi renamed it in honour of Ho Chi Minh, the leader of the Communist forces during the Vietnam War. The "Real City" is District 1 also known as Saigon, a name still used by most people to refer to the whole city. Officially though, Ho Chi Minh City is the correct name.

Ho Chi Minh City is protected on (3) three sides by water but to the west it opens into the country side. It is a facinating city but it's layout is hard to grasp. In recent times it's tremendous growth has obliterated the historical and ethnic sectors that were previously seperate and clear. Even though Ho Chi Minh City is now cosmopolitan it is still possible to see traces of it's rich heritage.

Dont's:
Shoes are to be removed when visiting homes or Buddhist Temples. Do not point the bottom of your feet towards other people or Buddhist statues. This is not universal so watch what others are doing.

Shorts are considered inappropriate attire and are allowed to be worn by children. In recent times in the main cities, it has been considered fashionable by women. However, it is still not widely accepted and has not yet filtered to the hinterlands. Again, check what people are wearing around you.

Leaving chopsticks sticking upright (vertically) in a rice bowl is not appreciated as this is a powerful death sign. In doing so this indicates incense sticks which are burned for the dead.

Vietnam's weather is tropical in the South and monsoonal in the North with a hot, rainy season (mid-May to mid-September) and a warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March).