Story: Truong Quy
Photos: Diem Cao
The heart of southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City draws visitors from near and far with the energy of a rapidly developing metropolis and a growing range of international-standard services.
The central stretch along the Saigon River has gained a new skyline, with landmarks such as the lotus-bud-shaped Bitexco Financial Tower and Landmark 81, inspired by a bundle of bamboo. These iconic skyscrapers rise alongside bridges illuminated after dark. Further into the city, luxury hotels blend into local neighborhoods, adding sophistication through their distinctive designs.
For tourists, the city’s modern pulse comes alive on yacht cruises, helicopter flights, double-decker buses, and the metro. Visitors can also explore the city’s art scene in century-old hotels, the Fine Arts Museum, and Thao Dien, a district that’s often described as an “international village.”
Beyond the city, coastal retreats in Vung Tau and Ho Tram, international-standard golf courses, and the ecological landscapes of Can Gio and Con Dao offer relaxing escapes. Cycling tours and river journeys to the orchards of Lai Thieu and the pottery villages of Binh Duong bring visitors closer to local life, nature, and traditions, adding a more personal dimension to luxury travel.
Ho Chi Minh City offers a rich culinary landscape where flavorful street food meets fine dining. After dark, the buzz continues, from large-scale music festivals to elegant live-music lounges. Echoes of an earlier era still linger amid the lights and melodies, reminding us of a line in the song Dem do thi by Y Van: “As night falls, countless lights suddenly seem to glow… Life is beautiful, a poem!” That dazzling “urban poem” finds new expression in modern Vietnam.
This November, join Heritage Guide as we return to Ho Chi Minh City and discover fresh perspectives on one of Vietnam’s most dynamic destinations.
