Top Reasons to Go

The buzz: On every street corner there are people eating, drinking, and laughing, kids playing, old men napping, and someone selling something. The noise, the smells, the traffic, the honking–-it's all part of the mesmerizing chaos that makes this city unforgettable to everyone who visits.

The food: Saigonese are the ultimate foodies, dedicating a large part of each day to discussing what and where to eat. This is evident in the proliferation of local eating places, where style is unimportant, the options are almost endless, and everything is delicious.

The architecture: Vietnam's former French rulers left behind wide, well-planned streets and handsome colonial architecture. Old Saigon is, unfortunately, disappearing at quite a rate, but highlights—some crumbling, some well maintained—sit proudly among the modern skyscrapers.

The history: Chinese and French influence on the city is still in evidence—in the pagodas, the colonial architecture, and the food.

The coffee: Modern Ho Chi Minh City has a strong café culture. Everywhere you turn you'll see people at street-side cafés, watching the world go by over a glass of ca phe.