Saigon is Vietnam’s largest and most energetic city, a place of movement, commerce, history and reinvention. Officially known as Ho Chi Minh City, it’s still widely called Saigon, especially when referring to the central districts and the city’s old southern character.
This is the natural counterpoint to Hanoi. Where Hanoi feels older, more traditional and more reflective, Saigon is warmer, faster and more outward-looking. French colonial buildings, modern towers, busy markets, rooftop bars, old apartment blocks, hidden temples and endless streams of scooters all sit side by side.
Most first-time visits focus on District 1, where many of the main sights are close together. Dong Khoi Street, the Saigon Opera House, Saigon Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum all help tell the story of the city, from French Indochina to the Vietnam War and the rapid growth of modern Vietnam.
Saigon is also a superb food city. Travellers can enjoy classic southern dishes, strong Vietnamese coffee, market snacks, street-side grills and some of the country’s most creative contemporary dining. An evening street food tour, ideally by scooter with experienced local drivers, is one of the best ways to feel the rhythm of the city.
There are rewarding quieter moments too. The Jade Emperor Pagoda is atmospheric and incense-filled, while neighbourhoods such as Thao Dien offer riverside cafes, boutiques and a more relaxed expatriate-local mix. The city is also the main base for visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta, both of which work well as day trips or deeper add-ons.
Saigon is busy, humid and sometimes overwhelming, but it’s also full of life and confidence. With the right pacing, a central hotel and a good local guide, it becomes one of Vietnam’s most fascinating and enjoyable city stays.
Mekong River Delta is one of the most distinctive regions in Vietnam, a vast, fertile landscape of rivers, canals, islands, rice fields, fruit orchards and river towns in the far south of the country. Formed by the many branches of the Mekong River as it spreads towards the sea, the Delta has long been one of Vietnam’s most important agricultural regions and is often described as the country’s “rice bowl”.
Life here is shaped by water. Boats carry fruit, vegetables, building materials and daily supplies, while houses, markets, workshops and farms are often linked as much by river as by road. Even where modern transport has changed daily routines, the river remains central to the identity and rhythm of the region.
For travellers, the Mekong River Delta offers a very different experience from Vietnam’s cities. Instead of high-rise skylines and busy boulevards, the appeal lies in small waterways shaded by palms, floating markets, cottage industries, village lanes, local temples and quiet moments on the river.
Highlights may include Ben Tre, known for coconut groves and traditional workshops, Can Tho and Cai Rang Floating Market, the fruit orchards around My Tho, and the quieter upper Delta areas near the Cambodian border.
The Delta is best explored slowly, either on a day trip from Saigon, an overnight stay, or as part of a river cruise between Vietnam and Cambodia. It’s a rewarding region for travellers who enjoy local life, gentle scenery and a closer understanding of how deeply the Mekong has shaped southern Vietnam.
Con Dao is one of Vietnam’s most distinctive island destinations, lying off the south coast in the Con Dao Archipelago. It feels very different from the busier beach resorts of Phu Quoc or Nha Trang, with a quieter atmosphere, protected marine life, forested hills and a powerful historical story.
The main island, Con Son, is small, scenic and easy to explore, with quiet roads, old colonial buildings, fishing villages, beaches and a dramatic backdrop of green mountains. Much of the archipelago is protected as Con Dao National Park, which includes both land and marine areas, helping to preserve coral reefs, nesting turtles, forest trails and coastal scenery.
Con Dao’s beaches are among the most peaceful in Vietnam. Dam Trau Beach is one of the most attractive, with soft sand, clear water and a lovely setting near the airport, while smaller coves around the island can feel wonderfully secluded. The sea is generally at its best during the drier months, and snorkelling, diving and boat trips can be included depending on season and conditions.
The island also has a sombre history. During French colonial rule and later during the Vietnam War, Con Dao was used as a prison island. The Con Dao Prison Complex, Tiger Cages and Hang Duong Cemetery are moving places to visit, offering important context and a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s modern history.
Con Dao suits travellers who want nature, quiet beaches and a sense of space rather than nightlife or heavy resort development. Accommodation ranges from simple local hotels to high-end resorts, with the best options making the most of the island’s natural setting.
It works especially well as a restful finish to a Vietnam itinerary, particularly after time in Saigon or the Mekong Delta. Con Dao isn’t the easiest island to reach, but that’s part of why it remains so special.
