Walking Around Ho Chi Minh City – Day 1, Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam

Here’s the first in a series of my suggested routes for walking around Ho Chi Minh City; Vietnam’s largest and most populous city and capital of South Vietnam.

Immerse yourself in the bustling energy, vibrant culture, rich history, and extraordinary attractions of this crazy metropolis, formerly known as Saigon.

From the peaceful Tao Dan Park and historical Reunification Palace to the lively Ben Thanh Night Market, the variety of sights, sounds, tastes, and smells reveal a vivid portrait of Vietnamese daily life.

I’ve walked this route several times. Every time I do this walking tour, by myself or with visiting family and friends, Ho Chi Minh City continues to delight, amaze, and astound me. It is truly one of my favorite cities in the world.

- Provide you with plenty of opportunities to soak up the unique mix of chaos and tranquility that is modern-day Saigon.

According to Google Maps, this Ho Chi Minh sightseeing tour covers approximately 4 to 5 kilometers (2.5 to 3 miles ), and the actual walking time is just over an hour. But that would be at a breakneck pace! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).