20 places every traveller to Saigon must see

August 13, 2015 | 15:20

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If you think Saigon is just about shopping you clearly don’t know what you’re missing. Beyond the glitz and glamour of the city centre are plenty of exciting things to do and exotic foods to try.

We’ve gathered here a bucket list of the top 20 places you mustn’t miss on your next trip to the city.

1. The area around Reunification Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral are ideal places to chat and enjoy a cup of brew.

Saigon, traveller, Saigon Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral

2. Western streets – Pham Ngu Lao and De Tham – at the centre of District 1 serve tasty inexpensive food.

3. The Thu Thiem tunnel with its majestic architecture runs underneath the Saigon River.

4. The Anh Sao Bridge located in the new urban area of Phu My Hung in District 7.

5. The iconic Bitexco Financial Tower skyscraper named a top five tower in the world by CNN.

6. Distinctive Ho Con Rua or Turtle Lake, nestled inside a traffic roundabout at Pham Ngoc Thach, Vo Van Tan and Tran Cao Van, is a popular destination for young Saigonese looking to escape the heat and grab some tasty street snacks.

7. Ben Thanh Market in District 1 is the iconic symbol of city commerce.

8. Cho Lon (Big Market) including surrounding localities where Chinese people reside and work with thousands of kiosks retailing merchandise.

9. Bach Dang Wharf and surrounding park are an attractive destination of locals and tourists alike.

10. The 100 year old Saigon Central Post Office with its aesthetic European and Asian architecture.

11. Take the West East (or Vo Van Kiet) avenue to avoid traffic jams form the Saigon Bridge and other major roads of the city.

12. The 900 seat Municipal Theatre built in 1911 is a replica of the Opera Garnier in Paris designed by architect Broger et Harloy.

13. Nguyen Hue walking street in district 1 operates at night only and is the future site for the underground metro to be started in 2016.

14. Vincom Centre with more than 200 stores provides a great shopping experience and is the first energy efficient building in Vietnam.

15. Diamond Plaza with its extraordinary design is an ideal place for thrifty young people to shop.

16. Nhieu Loc canal with its new green appearance is a great place to relax and fish.

17. Reunification Palace (or Doc Lap Palace), with total useable space of over 20,000 square metres, is one of the important historical sights of Saigon with its three stories above and two below ground— including one terrace for a helicopter.

18. Notre Dame Cathedral, with its two bell towers reaching a height of 58 metres, is one of the truly architectural marvels of the city.