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Nguyet Cat
For longtime residents of Ho Chi Minh City, “going to Saigon” means heading to the city center. Here, you can tour landmarks like the Opera House, Le Loi Street with its famous Bach Dang ice cream from the subsidized era, the tasty food stalls around Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Street, and bustling Bach Dang Wharf with its array of tourist boats.
There are many places worth mentioning, yet they all lie close together, within a radius of about 1km, or within view of each other. The heart of Saigon is perfectly suited to a leisurely stroll through the city’s interesting streets.
Historic soul
The journey begins at the Opera House, built in 1898 in a gothic architectural style. Today, it hosts performances of opera, ballet, symphony music, and famous art shows. On event nights, the theater glows brilliantly from the inside out. On other days, young people gather to take photos in the spacious area out front, which offers good views in every direction. Nearby are meticulously maintained and seasonally decorated ancient buildings, such as the Caravelle Hotel on the left, which is over 60 years old, and Vietnam’s oldest hotel, the Continental Hotel, on the right. Sitting on the theater’s stone steps, which are lit up at night, you can watch the stream of people and vehicles passing by on Dong Khoi Street. While the street lies nearby, the traffic noise isn’t too bothersome.
From the theater, you can look straight at the spot where double-decker tour buses park, then see down Le Loi Street and the spacious Metro Opera House Park. At the end of the park lies the Nguyen Hue musical lotus fountain. When the street lights come on, this area sparkles with continuously changing light displays. On weekend evenings, the area around the musical fountain is a popular gathering spot for young people.
To the right of the musical fountain roundabout stands the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Building, boasting ancient French architecture. At night, the building’s yellow lights make it appear taller and more radiant, yet it still maintains its harmony with the surrounding landscape.
Modern street life
At night, the pedestrian street of Nguyen Hue offers two distinct vibes in two different sections. Turning right from the musical fountain roundabout leads to an area of solemn, nostalgic beauty. Turning left, the scene turns modern. Here, the space becomes a vast stage for street activities. A large area is dedicated to children and teens showing off their skateboarding and rollerblading skills. In another corner, individuals dressed as superheroes from the Marvel or DC universes not only attract children but also delight adults who come to take photos.
Street performers play musical instruments, sing, or paint. Youngsters showcase their rap skills, singing trendy songs and dancing artistically, with the audience grooving along. Not far away, artists croon soulful bolero music, each group attracting its own set of fans. Don’t be surprised if you encounter young locals cosplaying characters from Japanese anime, as if they’ve stepped right out of a film. The crowd surrounds them, and the street momentarily transforms into a runway where models stride to continuous applause.
At the end of Nguyen Hue Street lies Bach Dang Wharf. Locals often exercise on the breezy embankment, and couples enjoy romantic dates by the river. During the New Year and on major festivals, Bach Dang Wharf hosts the city’s fireworks displays. The wharf offers panoramic views of the river, which reflects the glittering lights of Ho Chi Minh City.
Friendly and intimate, a night stroll through Saigon offers a different perspective and deepens our love for this dazzling city.
