Day 11 (final day) - Sight seeing in Saigon

Upon returning to Saigon, finally I had the opportunity to visit some of the tourist attractions in the city. Because they were all situated very close in the heart of the area, walking between each site saved spending money on taxi fares.

First we visited the Saigon Central Post Office (Buu Dien), which was built between 1886 and 1891. Locals and tourists flock here to either admire the architectural design, purchase souvenirs, make phone calls or send off postcards, letters and packages.

[Clockwise from top left: main hallway, map of telegraphic lines in South Vietnam and Cambodia (1892), letter box, map of Saigon (1892), telephone boxes, booths to send and collect letters/packages]

Just next to the post office is a Catholic Cathedral, Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, built earlier in the 1860s by French colonists.

Arriving in Saigon, no tourist can ever miss going to Cho Ben Thanh. a huge market where you can buy souvenirs, local produce, clothes, shoes and dried food. In one section there are several food stands where you can sit down and enjoy local street food.

[The iconic Ben Thanh statue on a round-about island]

The Reunification palace is full of history about the Vietnam War. Once accommodated by the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, it is now used as a museum, for events, meeting, receptions and even accommodation at the Guest House. Just outside are 2 replica tanks of the first 2 tanks that drove down the gates of the palace in 1975 where the resistors captured the President. You can access 4 levels where preserved rooms such as the banquet hall, President's office, guest rooms and stage hall are all open for view. Located on the roof of the building is a helicopter replica of what the President used to tour the city before 1975. Finally there's an underground basement of old war rooms and a kitchen. I'm not a history buff, but those that are interested in the Vietnam War would love to visit this place, for a fee of 30 000.