Tourist Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City draw tourists to the city in large numbers every year. There are various Tourist Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City which throw light on the cultural and historical aspects of Vietnam.
City Zoo- The zoo is worth a visit if you happen to be in the Ho Chi Minh City. Larger animals such as elephants, camels and hippos can be found here along with smaller creatures. The reptile houses and aviaries have a good array of snakes and birds that can only be seen in remote areas. The sprawling gardens of the zoo are a particularly pleasant aspect of the zoo.
Ben Thanh Market- Ben Thanh is the city's main market. The market has a wide variety of shops. Clothes, shoes and fabric can be found in the shops in the front row, before giving over to kitchenware, cooked food, fresh vegetables and a somewhat alarming display of seafood and meat. There is plenty for the visitor to buy in the market.
Cha Tam Church - The church was built at the beginning of the last century. It was here, that President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother sought sanctuary from a coup. They were finally rescued by troops in a personnel carrier. The same troops went on to stab and kill them on their way back into the center of Saigon. The church is worth a short stop on the way to Cholon Market.
Con Dao Island - This small island on the southern coast of Vietnam is a former prison that held captives during the French colonial period. On a visit to the islands one can vist the original prison buildings. Apart from the historic landmarks diving and snorkeling are also popular activities.
Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City- This museum comprises of tunnels that are modified to accommodate the tourists. One needs to crawl through this museum to see the various weapons and artifacts used during that time in war. At the Museum at Cu Chi, there are some pretty horrific means of defense like the poison spikes put in the pits.
Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City - Tay Ninh is situated 95 kilometers north-west of Ho Chi Minh City. It is the original home of the Cao Dai religious sect. It is from here that Cao Daoism has spread its influence onto the surrounding provinces.
Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City- This is also called the rice stock of Vietnam. Here, one can find the simple people, who would not care much about the luxury life of the city. A walk in My Tho or Vinh Long or Can Tho enables one discovers the daily life of the Vietnamese on the river and arroyos. Once here one can also taste the sweet and fresh coconut juice and smell the particular fragrance of the rice paddies.
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