Why do international visitors like Ho Chi Minh City?

Jensen Heintze, an architect working in Berlin (Germany), has been to Vietnam three times. He said he always feels like he has not fully explored the beauty, culture, architecture, cuisine and people of Vietnam.

In which he gave many compliments to Ho Chi Minh City.

There are many countries and cultures concentrated in Ho Chi Minh City.

Jensen returned 3 times because he wanted to learn all about the cultural diversity in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: Instagram of the character

Many foreign neighborhoods are located in Ho Chi Minh City such as the Western neighborhood in Bui Vien, Thao Dien; the Chinese neighborhood in District 5, District 11; the Korean neighborhood in District 7, Tan Binh District; the Japanese, Indian, Muslim neighborhoods in District 1. Recently, the cuisine and culture of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Mexico, Türkiye, etc. have also appeared more.

Talking to Tuoi Tre Online , Jensen said: "I was very surprised because when you get lost in one of these neighborhoods, you feel like you are in those countries. From the signs, language, accent, food, houses, temples, costumes... all create a separate space, combining modernity and youthfulness but still preserving the characteristics and traditions of that country right here on this land."

A corner of Nguyen Hue walking street - the place that most clearly shows the vitality and youthfulness of the people in Ho Chi Minh City with many events, festivals and exhibitions - Photo: MINH HUYEN

While walking around Chinatown, Jensen enjoyed traditional dishes such as dumplings, egg tarts, black tea, dim sum, steamed buns, etc. at traditional restaurants run by Vietnamese of Chinese descent for many generations. People spoke Vietnamese mixed with Cantonese, which was very interesting.

Ngoc Hoang Pagoda (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), a typical Chinese architectural work, has received much attention from international tourists, especially when it welcomed US President Barack Obama.

Buu Long Pagoda (Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City) bears the mark of Thai architecture

He was taken to visit the colorful 2-storey Hao Si Phuong apartment complex, Cho Lon area and the assembly halls with typical Chinese architecture. The young architect was deeply impressed, helping him to have more creative ideas for his own work.

Diverse costs, suitable for everyone

New York, Paris, Milan, Dubai, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore… are all expensive and most tourists must have a decent amount of savings to spend on their trip, from accommodation, travel, food and shopping.

"In some cities in Southeast Asia, including Ho Chi Minh City, travel costs are very reasonable and diverse for tourist segments. You can spend on budget or luxury, there are corresponding travel services, but still ensure excitement and create many complete experiences," commented Midori Sasaki, a Japanese tourist.

Midori returned to Ho Chi Minh City for the second time at the end of 2023 to extend her journey of discovery. The first time was in 2018, when Midori chose a homestay in the city center to experience a typical day of a local, enjoying home-cooked meals at the host's house to save costs.

The second time, when the economy was more stable, Midori booked 2 nights at a 5-star hotel to enjoy more luxurious services and booked tours to visit the works in the inner city, listening to the tour guide's presentation at each destination such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace, City Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, Nha Rong Wharf and some famous museums.

The tour also allowed her to enjoy many delicious dishes from street food stalls, street vendors to high-class restaurants on the top floors of hotels.

International tourists enjoy Vietnamese coffee at a shop in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City.

"I can enjoy a cup of iced milk coffee to go for less than $1 like many locals do. I also found specialty coffee shops with prices ranging from $4 to $6 at super nice cafes. Similarly, meals, clothes and souvenirs... from cheap to expensive can all be found in Ho Chi Minh City. As long as you are determined to go, you can spend any amount of money to visit this beautiful, modern and vibrant city," Midori shared.

Cuisine without borders

If Jensen loves the diversity in culture and architecture, Tan Dao, a Singaporean tourist, returned to Ho Chi Minh City because of its rich cuisine.

"Food ingredients in Singapore are quite limited due to the terrain and climate. Therefore, the dishes in Vietnam, especially vegetables, fruits and street snacks, fascinated me throughout the journey, especially fish sauce hotpot and grilled rice paper - Vietnamese pizza," Tan told Tuoi Tre Online .

Fish sauce hotpot, a typical dish of the people of the Mekong Delta with many kinds of vegetables, is loved by international tourists.

Grilled rice paper is also known as Vietnamese pizza.

He shared this experience with his friends. The second time he returned, Tan brought his friends to Ho Chi Minh City to verify.

Bryan Adams, an English teacher in District 1, is also a fan of tropical cuisine. He brought his parents to Ho Chi Minh City for the second time because of his passion for food and the warm climate.

"Cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City has no borders, the more you explore, the more delicious restaurants you will find. My parents love and can eat almost all local dishes, including fish sauce and durian.

The weather in Canada is very cold and not good for the elderly. So I took my parents to travel to Ho Chi Minh City in 2018 and 2023 to enjoy the tropical climate. And they could not escape the enchanting power of cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City," Bryan recalled.

Ho Chi Minh City is a popular tourist destination for international visitors. In your opinion, what advantages will make visitors want to come back again? Please share with Tuoi Tre Online at email tto@tuoitre.com.vn.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khach-quoc-te-thich-tp-hcm-vi-dieu-gi-20240312233645652.htm