Reunification Palace

"It was towards this building - then known as Independence Palace or the Presidential Palace - that the first Communist tanks in Saigon rushed on the morning of 30 April 1975. After crashing through the wrought-iron gates in a dramatic scene recorded by photo-journalist Neil Davis and shown around the world, a soldier ran into the building and up the stairs to unfurl a Viet Cong flag from the 4th-floor balcony. In an ornate 2nd-floor reception chamber, General Minh, who had become head of state only 43 hours before, waited with his improvised cabinet. 'I have been waiting since early this morning to transfer power to you', Minh said to the VC officer who entered the room. "There is no question of your transferring power', replied the officer, 'you cannot give up what you do not have." Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Notre Dame Cathedral

" Built between 1877 and 1883, Notre Dame Cathedral, set in the heart of town facing down Dong Khoi St neo-Romanesque form and two 40-metre-high sq towers, tipped with iron spires, dominate the city’s skyline. In front of the cathedral (in the centre of the square bounded by the CFO) is a statue of the Virgin Mary. If the front gates are locked try the door on the side of the building that faces Reunification Palace. Unusually, this cathedral has no stained-glass windows. The glass was a casualty of fighting during WWII. A number of foreign travelers worship here, and the priests are allowed to add a short sermon in French or English to their longer presentations in Vietnamese. The 9.30 am Sunday mass might be the best one for foreigners to attend." Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Brodard

The Brodard Café (= 223966), also known as Nha Hang Dong Khoi, is an oldie but goodie. Despite ongoing renovations, the decor is still vintage 1960s. This place is known for French food. Brodard is at 131 Dong Khoi St (corner of Nguyen Thiep St). Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

BS Hotel

The Bong Sen Hotel (= 291516; fax 299744; 134 rooms) is affectionately called 'the BS' by travellers. It's at 117-119 Dong Khoi St and offers air-con singles/ twins for US$27/36 to US$190, plus 10% surcharge. Formerly called the Miramar Hotel, the Bong Sen is also signposted as the Lotus Hotel, which is a translation of its Vietnamese name. There is a restaurant on the 8th floor. Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Augustin

Augustin, 10 Nguyen Thiep St, just off Dong Khoi St, is a small, good-quality French bistro. There are all the traditional favourites, from onion soup on. Entrees range from $2.50 to $4, main courses from $3.50 to $7 (for the top-end seafood dishes). Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Kem

Ice Cream The best ice cream (kem) in Ho Chi Minh City is served at the two shops called Kem Bach Dang, which are on Le Loi Blvd on either side of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St. Kem Bach Dang 1 is at 26 Le Loi Blvd and the other is at No 28. Both are under the same management and serve ice cream, hot and cold drinks and cakes for very reasonable prices. A US$1.50 speciality is ice cream served in a baby coconut with candied fruit on top (kem trai dua). Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Caravelle Hotel (Khach San Doc Lap; tel 293704; fax 299902; 112 rooms, 19-23 Lam Son Square. Singles / twins US$51/63 to US$180 Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Liberty Restaurant

The Liberty Restaurant (a 299820), 80 Dong Khoi St, is a joint-venture with Ben Thanh Tourist (Saigon District 1 municipal government). It has a small but cheap and excellent Vietnamese menu, plus expensive Chinese and Western food. There is live music upstairs in the evening provided by a Vietnamese band. Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Maxim's

Maxim's Dinner Theatre @15 Dong Khoi St is very much what the name implies: a restaurant with live musical performances. The menu includes Chinese and French food. If you look Western they give you the French menu, but ask for the Chinese menu which is cheaper and more interesting. There is a very dark nightclub upstairs (free entry) with a live band playing 60s tunes. Maxim's is open from 11 am to 11 pm, but expect it to be empty until around dinnertime. Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Saigon Zoo

Zoo & Botanical Gardens The 200 and botanical gardens (Thao Cam Vien) are a pleasant place for a relaxing stroll under giant tropical trees which thrive amidst the lakes, lawns and flower beds. Unfortunately, the zoo facilities are run-down, and the elephants in particular look like they'd be better off dead (many are close to it now). The other animals - which include crocodiles and big cats - seem to have it somewhat better. The botanical gardens, founded in 1864, were one of the first projects undertaken by the French after they established Cochinchina as a colony. They were once one of the finest such gardens in Asia, but this is certainly no longer true. The emphasis now is on the fun fair, with kiddie rides, fun house, miniature train, house of mirrors, etc. A rather gruesome form of amusement exists near the entrance to the zoo. There is a ride here where the animals on which people sit are real! There are stuffed bears, deer and large cats, following each other around the revolving platform. Some of them are looking a little tatty, but this no doubt creates employment for local taxidermists. Atleast these animals are dead (hopefully). The main gate of the zoo is on Nguyen Binh Khiem St at the intersection of Le Duan Blvd. There is another entrance on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St near the bridge over Thi Nghe Channel. The History Museum is next to the main gate. There are occasional water puppet shows performed on a small island in one of the lakes - a small group can arrange a special showing. Also just inside the main gate is the Temple of King Hung Vuong. The Hung kings are said to have been the first rulers of the Vietnamese nation, having established their rule in the Red River region before being invaded by the Chinese. The limited food sold here is generally expensive and not too good. Just outside the main gate (along Nguyen Binh Khiem St) there are numerous food stalls selling excellent rice dishes, soup and drinks at reasonable prices. Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Mogambo Cafe

Mogambo Café (= 251311), 20 Thi Sach St (at Hai Ba Trung Blvd), is noted for its Polynesian decor. This place is a pub, café and guest house. Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Hien and Bob's Place

Hien & Bob's Place (= 230661), 43 Hai Ba Trung (at Dong Du St), District 1, advertises the coldest beer in town and American-style sandwiches. The interesting thing about this place is that Bob Shibley first came to Vietnam in 1969 as an American soldier. He is the first US veteran to have returned to open up a pub. Hien is his Vietnamese wife. Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

VSOP Club

VSOP Club (= 290520) at 56 Mac Thi Buoi. This place touts its 'tropical cocktails' and 'famous cognacs'. Other refreshments on offer include brandy, coffee, cakes and sandwiches. Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Hard Rock Cafe

At 24 Mac Thi Buoi St is the legendary Hard Rock Café. The music here is mellower than the name suggests, but it's certainly a popular spot. Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Gartenstadt

Gartenstadt (= 223623) at 34 Dong Khoi St is run by a German woman and a Swiss cook who dish up non-Vietnamese delicacies such as Pils vom Fass and Nürnberger Bratwürste. Figure on US$5 or more for a complete meal. Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition

Buffalo Blues

Buffalo Blues (= 222874), 72 Nguyen Du St, District 1, is a jazz bar with live music, billiards, darts and backgam-mon. It boasts the city's longest happy hour (2 to 8 pm and dishes up fine meals. 72 Nguyen Du St, at the cathedral or northern end of Dong Khoi St, is a refuge for homesick expats. It's a bar/restaurant with good-quality live music, decent counter meals (including excellent shepherd's pie) and English beer on tap. Robert Storey in Lonely Planet City Guide 1995 / Ho Chi Minh City/ First Edition