Compass City Guides: Ho Chi Minh City

Vibrant and naturally stunning, Vietnam is filled with culture and history. With about 90.5 million inhabitants (2014), Vietnam’s older generation has lived through several invasions and occupations. While Westerners may associate the country with the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975, Vietnam’s economic growth has been fast, with a series of economic reforms from the government. With its warm hospitality, cheap food and growing GDP, plenty of foreigners are flocking to the country for opportunity and ease of life.
 
While the official language in Vietnam is Vietnamese, many educated Vietnamese speak French as a second language, following France’s colonial rule. English is also growing in popularity as a second language. Vietnamese food could be good enough as a reason to visit, with Southern cuisine known to be spicier than its northern counterpart. Fish sauce is widely used in many Vietnamese dishes, and pho, a clear broth soup with beef or chicken served with rice noodles, is Vietnam’s national dish.
 
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest city and the economic centre of Vietnam. Located on the Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh houses some of the country’s most historical sites, like the Reunification Palace, Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnants Museum. Due to France’s colonial influence, coffee, baguettes and pastries are abundant. Seafood is plentiful in Vietnam and affordable as well.
 
Motorbikes are a common way to get around, and renting or buying a bike is easy in cities. Vietnam has 21 airports, with three serving international flights.
 
Compass has one location in Vietnam, located in the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City.