Sites in HCMC

It is easily possible to walk to all of the major sites in the centre of HCMC, and the lonely planet guide maps are clear and easy to follow. Just be aware that in 32 degrees heat and nearly 100% Humidity you are going to sweat a lot!! In order to remain comfortable take on lots of water and where necessary rest in the many coffee shops (I found coffee bean to be a great haunt).
The Reunification Palace (15,000d / 75p) is a wonderful monument to modernist architecture from the 1970’s and is full of unique furnishings from the time of conflict. It is well worth a visit as there are free guided tours around the palace which give a great insight into the history of events that unfolded around Saigon at the time and the impact on the palace itself. The war rooms and basement are particularly interesting with their ‘modern’ communication devises and small relics museum including flag raised over the palace, earphones of tank commander and images from the time… There is also a short video on how the war progressed and was eventually won by the Vietnamese.
Outside the building are the two tanks which rolled onto the grounds in 1975 leading to the surrender of the South and on the roof is an American Helicopter.

The war relics museum is also a must see when in HCMC (It was free to get into as there was no power today but normally it will cost you 15,000d), it houses a wide range of American and Vietnamese weaponry and armour and three floors of photos from journalists and military cameramen posted to the battlefields - be aware than some of the pictures are quite disturbing depicting the horrors of war including malformed bodies and casualties) It is once again a moving experience and demonstrates the horrors of modern warfare and its impact on people and the environment.