Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City: A City in Constant Motion

I decided to visit southern Vietnam and chose Ho Chi Minh City quite spontaneously. It turned out that April is actually one of the best months to visit, thanks to the dry season and generally stable weather – an important factor to consider when planning a trip to Vietnam! Formerly known as Saigon, the city was later renamed after Ho Chi Minh.

Today, it is the economic centre of the country, but it also holds strong historical significance, especially in relation to the Vietnam War, as the fall of Saigon in 1975 marked the end of the conflict. The city is known for its constant movement – millions of motorbikes, busy markets, and even crossing the street becomes an experience.

One of the interesting places is the Cafe Apartment – an old residential building converted into multiple small cafés. In the evening, areas like Bui Vien Street become especially lively – known for nightlife, crowds, and a vibrant atmosphere.

My first tour was with SST Travel to the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, also known as Monkey Island. The area is home to more than 1000 monkeys living in their natural habitat. While it was interesting to see them up close, they are very accustomed to people and can be quite aggressive when it comes to food, similar to my experience in Malaysia. It is important to be careful, as they tend to grab anything from snacks to water bottles.

We also visited the Hoa Ca Crocodile Reserve, where there was an option to feed crocodiles. Another stop was the Rung Sac Revolutionary Base, a former military base of historical importance, as it served as a strategic location for special forces during the war.

The second tour was to the Mekong Delta with Vietnam Adventure Tours, including a visit to a coconut village in Ben Tre. One of the main activities was a sampan boat ride through narrow canals surrounded by coconut palms, while wearing the traditional Vietnamese conical hat, Nón lá.

In the village, I observed the step-by-step process of making coconut candy. We also tried honey tea and listened to traditional folk music on Unicorn Island. At the end of the tour, we visited Vinh Trang Pagoda, known for its blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Khmer architectural styles.