Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Thanh market has long been viewed as a symbol of the country’s largest economic hub. The market, a destination for many tourists, possesses the most ancient architecture, which is praised as one of the most attractive tourist sites in the megacity. Constructed by the Brossard et Maupin Construction Company in 1912, it was earlier called New market or Saigon market to distinguish it from Old market. After 1957, it was renamed Ben Thanh market. The famous market has four entrances and four sections, a roof clock tower, and overlooks four main streets of District 1. In 1985, the market underwent major renovations to both its exterior and interior design, though the overall architecture remains with its trademark clock tower in front. According to architectural experts, Ben Thanh market is considered a historical monument, as it bears the unique traits of a 100-year-old market without feeling irrelevant or looking out of place in the … [Read more...] about Bản in : Ben Thanh market – a symbol of Ho Chi Minh City
Sightseeing ho chi minh city
Ho Chi Minh city named among Top holiday destinations in 2017
Ho Chi Minh city has been listed among the 19 cheapest holiday destinations on earth in 2017 by Airport transfer website Hoppa. The website ranked the southern Vietnam city at 14th, as each traveller needs an average of USD65.76 a day,including USD67.79 for hotel for two, USD18.95 for meal for two, USD18.72 for a bottle of wine, USD3.92 for taxi, USD2.65 for a cup of coffee, USD6.45 for a cocktail and USD0.62 for a pint of beer. The average cost of a one night stay per person was analysed in 84 places around the globe to produce the ranking. Accordingly, the website calculated the split cost of a hotel room, a meal for two with a shared bottle of wine, a shared 3km taxi journey, as well as a coffee, a cocktail, and a beer each. In addition, Hoppa also based on other features like the cost of a sightseeing bus tour and key attractions, although they are not included in this ranking. Other low-cost destinations named on the list are Sofia (Bulgaria), Cairo (Egypt), Cartagena … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh city named among Top holiday destinations in 2017
Illicit pedicab drivers boldly ‘mug’ foreign tourists in Ho Chi Minh City
A group of pedicab drivers illegally operating in downtown Ho Chi Minh City have been found fleecing foreign travelers in a bold manner just like "mugging," a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper investigation has found. The group comprises about 10 members, who mainly search for foreign guests around Ben Thanh Market in District 1 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Each of them covers his pedicab number plate with a piece of cloth to avoid being identified after overcharging cases. Such pedicabs, operating without a license, are usually called "xích lô dù" by locals. Every morning, "xích lô dù" usually target foreigners at the four gates of the market, and on the sections of Le Lai and Le Loi Streets near the Quach Thi Trang Roundabout. Whenever they face any adverse reactions from their guests, they flee to streets nearby, including Nguyen Duy Ninh and Ham Nghi.Grasping cash from the wallet On June 23, upon seeing a foreign woman walking in front of the east gate of Ben Thanh Market, Hung, one of … [Read more...] about Illicit pedicab drivers boldly ‘mug’ foreign tourists in Ho Chi Minh City
Foreign tourists giving Ho Chi Minh City a miss
Ho Chi Minh City is losing its status as a tourism hub in the country, with many foreign visitors choosing to bypass it and fly directly to more attractive, safer spots. Figures from the city tourism department show that there were 3.8 million foreign arrivals last year 2012, or just 56 percent of all visitors to Vietnam, down from more than 60 percent in the past. Many hotels have been reporting poor business since last year, saying one reason for this is that visitors to other destinations in Vietnam, who earlier used to stay in the city at least on their first and last days in the country, no longer do so. Travel industry insiders admit that visitors have probably realized that the city is not an attractive enough destination to offset its poor infrastructure and lack of security. Robert Tan, a Singaporean working in the Vietnamese tourism industry, said Ho Chi Minh City is losing its position as the country's tourism hub when it was the arrival and departure point for almost all … [Read more...] about Foreign tourists giving Ho Chi Minh City a miss
Hoisting London Olympic flag in Ho Chi Minh City
In Ho Chi Minh City, on February 11, weight-lifter Thach Kim Tuan and some Vietnam’s Paralympic athletes have attended a flag hoisting ceremony to mark the 200-day countdown to the world's major sporting events, 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. According to British Consul General Douglas Barnes, London is the first city in the world that hosts the largest sport event – the Olympic – for three times, including Olympic 1908, 1948 and 2012. “Via Paralympic, we hope everyone to share the best feelings, emotions and point of views on people with disabilities, creating a more open society. Modern radio system and automatic speaking machines installed for 8,250 double-decker buses in London to support them. Furthermore, the quality of infrastructure in the West Bank of London – one of the most favorite sightseeing sites - has been invested 4 million British pounds to welcome visitors”, said Mr Douglas Barnes. The hosting of the upcoming Olympics … [Read more...] about Hoisting London Olympic flag in Ho Chi Minh City