Things to do in Around Ho Chi Minh City
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Plein Sud
One of the most atmospheric restaurants in town has a Mediterranean feel with an alfresco terrace, plus pool table, internet and bar. The menu includes an ever-changing series of specials, including fresh fish and seafood, plus wood-fired pizza and tapas.
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Ben Dinh
The most visited of the tunnel sites, this small, renovated section of the tunnel system is near the village of Ben Dinh, about 50km from Ho Chi Minh City. In one of the classrooms at the visitors centre, a large map shows the extent of the network; the area shown is in the northwestern corner of greater Ho Chi Minh City. The tunnels are marked in red, Viet Cong bases in light grey and the river in light blue (the Saigon River is at the top). Fortified villages held by South Vietnamese and US forces are marked in grey, while blue dots represent the American and South Vietnamese military posts that were supposed to ensure the security of nearby villages. The dark blue area…
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Ben Duoc Tunnels
Many Vietnamese and the odd foreign visitor make it to the Ben Duoc tunnels. The tunnels here have been enlarged to accommodate tourists and feature a number of sights within the underground chambers themselves. The emphasis here is more on the fun fair rather than the history of the tunnels. Hence visitors can don guerrilla costumes and gear before scraping through the tunnels in order to feel like a ‘real’ VC soldier. Inside are bunkers, a hospital and a command centre that played a role in the 1968 Tet Offensive, and the set pieces include tables, chairs, beds, lights, and dummies outfitted in guerrilla gear (aside from your fellow tourists, that is). Although it’s amu…
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Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Centre
Just a few kilometres down the road from the tunnels of Ben Dinh, this rescue centre is a welcome addition to the sites around Cu Chi. It’s a small centre dedicated to the protection of wildlife that has been confiscated from owners or illegal traders. Animals here include Asiatic black bear, otter, gibbon and even a leopard. The centre is expanding its enclosures to create more comfortable habitats and there is an informative display on the rather depressing state of wildlife in Vietnam, including the ‘room of death’ featuring a host of traps and baits. Donations welcome or purchase some of the merchandise on sale. It’s tough to navigate these back roads on your own, so …
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Dai Nam Theme Park
There have been many attempts at theme parks in Vietnam, but few have come close to the real deal. However, this has all just changed with the arrival of Dai Nam Theme Park, located about 30km from Ho Chi Minh City on Hwy 13. The roller-coaster is serious stuff with corkscrews and loops, plus there is a sky dive and a log flume. There are plenty of rides for smaller kiddies and a safari park–style zoo with white tigers, white rhinos and other big animals. Plans are afoot to open a huge water park here during 2009. Local bus 18 runs from Ben Thanh to Dai Nam daily.
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Cu Chi War History Museum
The small Cu Chi War History Museum is not actually at the tunnel sites but just off the main highway in the central area of the town of Cu Chi. Almost all of the explanations are in Vietnamese. There are a few gruesome photos showing civilians who were severely wounded or killed following American bombing raids, and a list of Viet Cong guerrillas killed in the Cu Chi area. Overall, it’s rather disappointing and doesn’t warrant a visit. Most travellers find Ho Chi Minh City’s War Remnants Museum far more edifying.
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Nui Ba Den
Fifteen kilometres northeast of Tay Ninh, Nui Ba Den rises 850m above the rice paddies, corn, cassava (manioc) and rubber plantations of the surrounding countryside. Over the centuries Nui Ba Den has served as a shrine for various peoples of the area, including the Khmer, Chams, Vietnamese and Chinese, and there are several interesting cave temples here. The summits of Nui Ba Den are much cooler than the rest of Tay Ninh province, most of which is only a few dozen metres above sea level.
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Cat Tien National Park
One of the outstanding natural treasures of the region, the 72,000-hectare Cat Tien National Park comprises an amazingly biodiverse region of lowland tropical rain forest. The hiking, mountain biking and bird-watching are the best in Southern Vietnam. Always call ahead for reservations as the park can accommodate only a limited number of visitors. However, a word of caution, visitors rarely see any of the larger mammals resident in the park, so don’t come expecting to encounter rhinos and tigers.
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Can Gio Mangrove Forest
The principal attraction in Can Gio is Can Gio mangrove forest. Formed by sediment deposits from the Dong Nai and Long Tau Rivers, this forest contains a high degree of biodiversity with more than 200 species of fauna and 50 species of flora. However, as with many ‘ecotourism’ activities in Vietnam, Saigon Tourist has got in on the act and turned the experience into a bit of an event. Kayaking in the mangroves is a great concept, but the animal circus just doesn’t do it for us.
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Tunnels of Cu Chi
If the tenacious spirit of the Vietnamese can be symbolised by a place, then few candidates make a stronger case than the tunnels of Cu Chi. Cu Chi is a district of greater Ho Chi Minh City and has a population of about 200,000 (it had about 80,000 residents during the American War). At first glance there is little evidence here to indicate the intense fighting, bombing and destruction that occurred in Cu Chi during the war. To see what went on, you have to dig deeper – underground.
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Giant Jesus
Welcome to Rio di Vietnam, where a giant Jesus stands atop Small Mountain with arms outstretched to embrace the South China Sea. The Vietnamese claim this is the highest Jesus statue in the world at 32m, a good 6m taller than His illustrious Brazilian cousin. It is possible to ascend to the arms for a panoramic view of Vung Tau. At His foot is a sad collection of monkeys and snakes in cramped cages, plus a couple of major field guns.
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White Villa
The White Villa was the weekend retreat of French governor Paul Doumer (later French President) and is a gorgeous, grand colonial-era residence that smacks of boutique hotel for the future. It is possible to wander the extensive gardens and spot art-nouveau features on the ageing exterior. Inside is some Ming pottery retrieved from shipwrecks off the coast. The villa sits about 30m above the road, up a winding lane.
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Nam Thien Nhat Tru
Modelled on Hanoi’s One Pillar Pagoda, this structure is similar but not identical. The One Pillar Pagoda of Thu Duc, Hanoi’s original pagoda was built in the 11th century, destroyed by the French in 1954 and rebuilt by the Vietnamese; Ho Chi Minh City’s version was constructed in 1958. Officially known as Nam Thien Nhat Tru, most people call it the One Pillar Pagoda of Thu Duc.
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Revolutionary Museum
The Revolutionary Museum is next to Saigon Con Dao Hotel and has exhibits on Vietnamese resistance to the French, communist opposition to the Republic of Vietnam, and the treatment of political prisoners (including some gruesome photos of torture). There is also a mock-up of the islands and some curiously embalmed animals – including a monkey smoking a pipe.
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Buu Long Mountain
Given the number of tourist pamphlets that tell you that Buu Long Mountain is the ‘Halong Bay of the south’, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it must be an incredible place. In truth Buu Long Mountain is more like a small hill and definitely no Halong Bay, but it’s a peaceful place to escape the crowds of Ho Chi Minh City.
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Long Hoa Market
Several kilometres south of the Cao Dai Holy See complex is Long Hoa Market. This large market sells meat, food staples, clothing and pretty much everything else you would expect to find in a rural marketplace. Before reunification the Cao Dai sect had the right to collect taxes from the merchants here.
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Lighthouse
The 1910 lighthouse boasts a spectacular 360-degree view of Vung Tau. From Cau Da Pier on Ð Ha Long, take a sharp right on the alley north of the Hai Au Hotel, then roll on up the hill.
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Ali Baba
A popular Indian restaurant in the middle of town. We suggest the Tandoori kebab platter or one of the excellent seafood curries. This place also offers a delivery service.
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Viet An
This shady garden restaurant is located on a peaceful side street and offers an enticing combination of Vietnamese fish and seafood or 100% halal Indian food.
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Cay Bang
With a great location on the water, this is one of the most popular seafood restaurants in town and draws a huge crowd at the weekend for the shellfish.
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Quan Tre Bamboo
A tip-top seafood place that does the full monty like lobster or king crab. Good views of the Mary and Baby Jesus statue from the upstairs terrace.
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Black Cat
The Black Cat team are famous for their bespoke burgers and this place doesn’t disappoint. Located in the same spot as the Irish-themed Duck Bar.
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Thanh Thuy
Right next door to the Hoa Binh Hotel, the menu at Thanh Thuy has no prices, but the cost is reasonable and portions generous.
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Phuong Hanh
If you want to mix it with the locals, try Phuong Hanh, a welcoming restaurant in the centre of town.
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