City of rich history also delights senses
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Shanghai Daily, July 10, 2013
|
|
|
A quiet and colorful street along the Mekong River in Ho Chi Minh City, which is the largest city in Vietnam. Much of the city is noisy and bustling. Photo by Elise Fu |
More than four hours after leaving Shanghai, I finally landed at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Although the guide who met us assured us that this was a nice, cool day, I was still recovering from the blast of hot, humid air.
Once I'd recovered from the heat, the next thing to hit me was the noise. Ho Chi Minh City is filled with a medley of sounds: honking horns of motorcycles in a steady stream of traffic, roaring television shops, blaring cassette tape stands, the buzz of street side salespeople calling out to would-be customers.
It was at dawn when we arrived at the city center. People rushed past; students in white school uniform swarmed around food vendors selling local delicacies; flashing lights illuminated historic buildings, the night markets were still bustling, with food and souvenirs displayed neatly.
Once it was light Ho Chi Minh City began to take shape for me.
Despite the fact that modern high-rises have begun to dominate the skyline in recent years, there are still many fine examples of French colonial architecture in the city.
These include Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office, the Municipal Theater and the former Hotel de Ville. Meanwhile, crowded residential areas are full of French-style villas, French bakeries and cafes, pho restaurants and trendy boutiques and galleries.
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's largest city, in the past renowned as the Pearl of The East and the Paris of the East.
The economic, cultural, technological, trade and travel center of southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is named after the country's communist revolutionary leader, and have previously been known as Saigon and Prey Nokor.
Famous films "Miss Saigon" and "The Lover (L'amant)" give a glimpse of the glamor of the city. The charm and flavor of Ho Chi Minh City, a mix of its rich history and local folklore and tales, makes it a fascinating and vibrant place to spend some time.
Historical architectures
One of the most interesting places to visit is the former Presidential Palace, now renamed the Reunification Hall. Built in the early 1960s, it was designed by famous Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu, who had won the First Grand Prize of Rome (Grand Prix de Rome) in 1955.
This magnificent five-story building was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975.
The complex covered an area of 12 hectares, including a palace with an 80-meter-wide facade, a guest chamber, with a spacious garden and a lawn. Most of the building materials were imported from France.
Not far from the palace, you will find the magnificent Cathedral of Notre Dame. The cathedral in the center of the city was established by French colonists between 1863 and 1880.
It has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters and worshippers and other visitors can admire the beautiful structure of the building.
Standing adjacent to the cathedral is the Saigon Central Post Office, which was built between 1886 and 1891. It's a very pretty French colonial building from the outside, while inside filled with old-fashioned charm - including phone boxes, ceiling fans and an antique clock.
The arched windows of the post office are adorned with decorative capstones, while the main entrance is decorated with intricate ironwork. Huge maps of Vietnam of the both sides of the entrance also draw attention.
This busiest post office of Vietnam provides the usual mail services and also has phones and fax machines for public use. Stamps and souvenirs are sold from the counters.
The Mekong Delta tour
The Mekong Delta at the southernmost end of Vietnam is not only the location of Ho Chi Minh City, but the country's main rice basket and fruit garden.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)