Culture of Ho Chi Minh City. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

A number of historical monuments in Ho Chi Minh City are not as great as in the capital of the state. However, each of them deserves the attention of modern travelers. In the city center, in the charming Pariser Platz there is the main historical monument of Ho Chi Minh City – Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral. Its construction began in 1877 and had been lasted for 6 years. This beautiful temple is a striking monument of colonial architecture now. The temple is still active. The entrance is free, so the most curious tourists have an opportunity to see the rich interior decoration of the main religious city attraction.

Within walking distance there is another important historical building the Reunification Palace . The amazing Palace was the main residence of the President of South Vietnam during the hostilities in 1962. Then it was completely destroyed. With the help of local residents, the Palace was restored. Nowadays, there is a gorgeous park with fountains and landscape decorations next to it. Guests have an opportunity to walk through some rooms of the Palace and see the priceless historical artefacts.

Ho Chi Minh City is famous for its variety of museums and cultural centers. Several city museums can introduce the military past of Saigon. Among them there is the Museum of Vietnam War . Its exposition is devoted to the hostilities between the United States and Vietnam. It should be noted that the exposition is quite specific and difficult to understand, so it will not be the best place for family outings. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

For family holidays the City Hall is the best place. It is one of the most distinguished architectural landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City and is one of the most visited sites. Despite the fact that the Palace is currently closed to the public, curious tourists still visit it. Locals and visitors like to come here in the evenings to stroll around the surrounding Palace Park and admire its illumination.

The Historical Museum is an interesting cultural center. Its collection covers a vast time period, from prehistoric times to the early 20th century. Among the Museum exhibits there are priceless archaeological finds and works of art, which age is more than hundreds of years. It is also worth noting that the Museum is a single complex with a puppet theatre.

The tunnels Cu Chi are unique in all respects. The complex of underground structures is located in the immediate vicinity of Ho Chi Minh City. They were built in the mid-20th century and during the war years served as a shelter for thousands of the indigenous inhabitants. This is a real underground city with arranged infrastructure. Firstly, the length of the tunnels was more than 250 kilometres. Modern travelers can visit only a part of a large complex. They can walk through the cave only with a guide.

In tourists’ opinion, one of the most attractive city districts is the Chinese quarter ChoLon . On its territory there is the biggest market of Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Thanh . This scenic area will appeal not only to fans of shopping but for those who love hiking. Gourmets can visit the excellent national restaurants there.