The first area most tourists will see is District 1, Central Saigon, the financial centre of HCMC, shaped like a mirrored L it stretches east and eastward from the chaotic backpacker area around Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien street to the posh area around the 68 floors tall Bitexco Financial tower and northwards to the Jade Emperor Pagoda.
The northeastern side part of District 1, Central Saigon.
The area around Bitexco and the Opera House is dominated by international franchises and high end brands - Versace, Top Shop, Starbucks and many more are all well represented. You get a feeling of being in a generic rich area of any major international city, but there are interesting spots like the Opera, the rooftop bar of the Caravelle and especially the spectacular 360 degree view from the bar at the 52nd floor of the tower.
Workers completing questionnaires by the helipad of the Bitexco Tower.
One of many luxury hotels in Central Saigon.
Bui Vien is reminiscent of Bangkok's Khao San Road, full of tacky bars and cheap hostels and hotels catering to wastern tourists, but also has a few gems - truly nice restaurants and places to stay, right in the middle of the chaos. A fair share of Vietnamese travellers also stay in this area, and the narrow alleyways are full of guest houses and little shops. Even though it is very intense, it is very central and a convenient spot to stay for easy access to most sights.
The western side of District 1, with Ben Thanh Market to the left of the building under construction and the backpacker area on Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien Street along the left side of the park .
Bui Vien street at night - a bit after the worst rush hour.
Typical HCMC wiring.
Stars on flags, stars on billboards - an odd mix of capitalist and socialist propaganda is present all over the city.
Our fantastic boat guide Pham.
Potted trees along the Saigon River. The whole city is very lush, with parks and planted trees.
Preparing Banh Mi at the tiny but famous Banh Mi Huynh Hoa on Le Thi Rieng. It is a term for all sorts of bread, but is also used for the typical Vietnamese baguette with a variety of meats, a spread of pate, herbs and chillies.
Souvenirs...