If you mention Hanoi, people immediately think of a thousand-year capital of civilization with ancient beauty. But when referring to Saigon, everyone is excited at the splendor and bustle on every street corner.
You can feel that the city never seems to stop boisterous even though the night has fallen. When the city brightens up during the day and there is a lot of activity around the residents, it is also a time when people can get exhausted from playing and having fun. Saigon is so, always brilliant, always full of life that makes every visitor stop here not out of curiosity: So what does this city exist at the end that makes life here so exciting? Let’s try to name the prominent places to understand more about Saigon’s human culture.
Ben Thanh market
This location must be mentioned first because it has served as a representation of Saigon for many years. This market is located in the center of district 1, next to Quach Thi Trang square and 23/9 park. Such a prime location is the reason why this market is so bustling and crowded. Construction on Ben Thanh Market began in the early 20th century, and it was finished and has been open ever since.
With more than 3000 stalls trading here including all kinds of wholesale goods and retail from affordable to luxury products, it can be said that the product here is extremely diverse. From about 8-9 am is the time when the stalls and counters are simultaneously open to welcome guests, so from this time onwards, the market is always in a busy situation with buyers and sellers, the space is bustling.
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral/Duc Ba Cathedral
And right here in Saigon, there is such a home. Although it does not have the same context as the other work’s love story, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral—or its full name, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception—seems to be a copy of this home with French classical architecture and Christian culture. Every weekend, the church is the place to hold the masses.
Read more: 17 places to visit in Saigon (Vietnam): Have you visited all? (Part 1)
Saigon Central Post Office
It is a place for young people who love to take pictures and check-in. The city post office is a typical architectural work designed by a French engineer in a combination of two luxurious European and classical Asian styles.
The outside of the building is decorated in each rectangular cell, on the cells with male and female laurel wreaths. In the middle, where there is an arc, the house has a large clock. In the evening, the whole post office glittered with lights that exuded more and more grandeur, towering in the middle of the center.
Saigon Opera House
Inaugurated in 1900, Saigon Opera House is one of the oldest theatres with Western European architecture, considered a counterbalance to Hanoi Opera House. For more than 100 years, it can be said that this is a witness of a long history of resistance of the nation until the liberation of the South, unification of the country. This building shares a similar impact with the Saigon Central Post Office in terms of the decorative interiors and façade reliefs.
Saigon Square
For those who are shopping devotees, it is impossible not to know Saigon Square – the extremely famous “shopping paradise” with 3 establishments located in District 1. Visiting this mall you will be overwhelmed in advance as you get lost in the matrix with too many booths with all kinds of items from dresses, clothes, bags…Prices of fashion items here fluctuate quite large, mainly exports, so you need to bargain quite strongly when visiting this shopping mall. It is not difficult for you to find your favorite item when you come to Saigon Square.
Starlight Bridge
If you are a lover of light and romance, do not miss it without saving the moment at this special bridge. The bridge of Starlight is located horizontally, connecting the banks of the poetic Semi-Moon Lake. At first glance, this bridge is no different from other common bridges, but the real magic comes when the darkness falls. Now I can see the beauty as its name suggests. On the floor and bottom of the bridge are designed countless lights that shine like the night sky. The rainbow light effect and sprinkler system that has been put on both sides of the bridge create a continuously changing, entrancing effect. After walking around and taking a delightful photo, visitors can rest at a certain snack shop and admire the splendid beauty of this bridge.
Independence Palace
Also known as the Reunification Palace, is an architectural work in the history of the nation, that used to be the workplace of the government apparatus of the Republic of Vietnam during the resistance war against the United States to save the country. After liberation, the Independence Palace was classified as a special national monument. Today, on every important anniversary of the Vietnamese nation such as April 30, 2/9 thousands of people come here to visit as well as to review the history of the nation as well as remember the heroes who fell for independence.
Read more: 17 places to visit in Saigon (Vietnam): Have you visited all? (Part 2)
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