Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam with a population of over five and half million people. This is a fascinating city full of contrasts. Modern high rise hotels look down on traditional markets and street stalls. We stayed at the Madame Cuc Hotel No 127 and were very pleased with this hotel which is inexpensive and close to the main city center. Ho Chi Minh Province covers an enormous area of over 2000 sq km and includes both rural and municipal populations. The city is undergoing great change as Vietnam develops. The hotels would have foreigners believe that there are bag snatchers on every corner but I felt quite safe and was not hassled in any disconcerting way. Over the past few years the Vietnamese have come to realise the value of tourism and their openness and friendliness has emerged. There are lots of nice restaurants and always something of interesting happening on the streets.

REGION: South East Asia > Vietnam > Ho Chi Minh City