Urban Harmony: The French-Vietnamese Blend of Ho Chi Minh City
Landing in Ho Chi Minh City to the tune of "Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh" playing on the aircraft’s sound system immediately set a festive tone. My anticipation for Vietnam's largest city was sky-high, and it absolutely delivered! The city was developed during French colonial rule, and the past is visible everywhere: grand, triple-story trees lining boulevards, elegant Colonial-era churches, and stately Indochine-style public buildings. It's a masterclass in urban planning, where French aesthetics seamlessly merge with Vietnamese creativity in everything from charming signage to powerful wartime propaganda posters.
Ho Chi Minh City truly embodies a cosmopolitan spirit. Chợ Lớn (Chinatown), though facing challenges, still whispers tales of a vibrant past through its colorful, dilapidated facades and lantern markets. Japan Town was another intriguing highlight, with exquisite Japanese restaurants, imported goods, dimly lit, intimate whiskey bars, and even glimpses of the city's red-light district.
Our choice to stay in District 3 was pure genius. Perfectly central and less touristy than District 1, it's a hub for hip locals, brimming with great dining, coffee, and shopping. Right across from our apartment, we discovered Mr. Bee’s coffee shop. We reluctantly tried their salted cream iced coffee and were instantly hooked, returning daily and leaving with a year's supply of roasted coffee beans.
Travel Gallery
Capturing the essence of this incredible city through photographs from my travels.
