Ho Chi Minh overview

Ho Chi Minh is the main base for travellers to Vietnam. It lies right in the humid south at the opposite end of the country to capital, Hanoi, and is also the gateway and largest city. Ho Chi Minh appears somewhat friendlier and more relaxed than the capital and despite being a crowded, polluted, hodgepodge of a city and not as well-turned out as the capital; there is plenty to shout about. It has a fine collection of inner-city districts to kick-back in, along with cheap guesthouses, important landmarks harking back to the days of the war, and is also the main gateway to the nearby Mekong Delta. There are also beaches nearby at Vung Tau and you can fly to Ho Chi Minh direct from outside of Asia.