Should I say Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City?

Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate the reunification of the North and South at the end of the Vietnam War. Although Ho Chi Minh City has been the official name of the city since 1976, the old name "Saigon" is still used daily by many Vietnamese, especially in the south.

Where to eat in Saigon?

Although not as famous as Hanoi or central Vietnam, the cuisine of Saigon and South Vietnam has something to delight the most discerning palate. For some time now, good restaurants have been popping up all over the city, from the chic to the trendy, from the traditional to the street food . Here are some popular restaurants to try in Ho Chi Minh City: Quan An Ngon is often crowded every night with foreigners and well-dressed locals. It is located in one of the best places in Saigon, right next to the Reunification Palace. It is the perfect place to enjoy legendary Vietnamese dishes such as fresh spring rolls, Hue noodles and black pepper crabs… Located in one of the best locations in the city with a certain charm of decoration, Lemongrass is a gourmet restaurant serving delicious Vietnamese dishes presented in a French style by a meticulous service. This three-storey restaurant is certainly one of the best restaurants in Saigon. You will be spoilt for choice: meat, fish and vegetarian dishes a la carte.

What is the currency used in Vietnam?

The official currency of Vietnam is the dong ( đồng ) , abbreviated VND . Here are some conversions that you might find useful: €10 = đồng 252,237 $10 = đồng 235,899 £10 = đồng 284,309

What is the population of Saigon?

In 2022, the current population of Saigon is 13,648,914.

Anything I should know before travelling to Saigon?

You can check our guide on the Weather of Vietnam, to check what to pack for your visit depending on the time of the year. Additionally you'll always be better prepared by knowing a little bit of Vietnamese before going. We have a list of the most useful phrases for travellers here, but you can also take a few classes with us on Flexi Classes .

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