Ho Chi Minh City sits regally on a giant bend along the Saigon River. It is located next to a broad plain that stretches west across Cambodia with the rich Mekong Delta at her feet. Known as Saigon until the end of the Vietnam War, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochin-china, and later of the former state of from 1954 to 1975. In 1975, Saigon was merged with the surrounding province of Gia Định and renamed Ho Chi Minh City (although the name Saigon is still frequently used).
If Hanoi is the political capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh is the nation’s economic hub, where nothing can stop the dynamic movement of nearly 8 million people, and an impressive economic growth (expected GDP growth rate of 2010 at 11.5%, at USD21.5billion and GDP per capita of nearly USD3000).
According to a recent report of the Party City’s Committee for the year 2010, the service sector, which accounts for 54% of GDP, is expected to expand 11.9% year-on-year, while the manufacturing-construction sector, holding a 44.8% share in the city’s GDP, grows by some 11.3%. Agriculture, making up a mere 1.2% of GDP, is expected to increase by 5.2%. Tourism as a major service industry also grows strongly, expected to generate revenue of VND41 trillion this year, up 17% year-on-year.
Ho Chi Minh City – the Vietnam’s largest city
- Area: 2,095 km2
- Population: 7,162,864 (April, 2009)
- The most important economic center in Vietnam.
- Key economy sectors: seafood processing, agriculture, construction, tourism, finance, industry and trading.
 BEN THANH MARKET
All tourists should pay at least one visit to this market, the most famous in HCM City. To describe the busy state, a Vietnamese composer says, "Life is as busy as Ben Thanh Market." The market gains its fame not only for being one of the oldest in town, but also for its prime location. Developed by France's Brossard & Mopin Co., Ben Thanh was constructed between 1912-1914. The market has four main gates: east, west, north and south, of which the south gate is most well known for its clock tower, one of the symbols of Saigon. In the center of the market are booths selling food, fabrics, cosmetics, dried fish, coffee, tea, handicrafts, porcelain and glassware, to name just a few.
 REUNIFICATION PALACE
Designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu as a blend of traditional ritual and modern architecture, the Reunification Palace was built in 1963 in place of the Norodom Palace, an earlier colonial structure which was destroyed in a bombing raid. It served as the presidential palace of South Việt Nam until reunification in 1975. The building now functions as a museum, offering tours of the former state rooms, presidential office and library, living quarters of the president's family and underground war rooms.
 WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM
The War Remnants Museum, formerly known as Saigon’s Exhibition House of American War Crimes, was established in September 1975 in Ho Chi Minh City. It contains countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting some of the less heroic activities carried out by the US army in Vietnam. Displays illustrate the killing of civilians, the spreading of toxic defoliant, the torturing of prisoners and the effects of the war in the north. Planes, tanks, bombs and helicopters are also on display.
 NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL
The twin towers of Notre Dame Cathedral have been a familiar landmark in Ho Chi Minh City since the 1880s. In front of the cathedral in a small garden is a delicate statue of the Virgin Mary. The interior of the cathedral is rather plain, unlike most French cathedrals, with no stained glass, but it is a cool escape from the heat outside.
Emergency phone numbers
- Police: 113
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Fire Brigade: 114
- Ambulance: 115
Displaying good manners and treating people you meet with respect will take you a long way no matter where you are doing business. However, in Vietnam it is nonetheless worth being aware of certain particular characteristics.
Attire: Business attire generally consists of a suit and tie for men and suit or dress for women. During the hotter months, formal dress for men is a shirt and tie. Open collar shirts and slacks may be worn to more informal meetings, depending on the situation.
The trend in southern Vietnam is to be more casual: suit jackets are worn only on very formal occasions and at first meetings.
Consensus: Decision-making by consensus is a strong element of Vietnamese social and political behaviour. As a result, business decisions may take longer than you expect.
Face: As in many other Asian countries, Vietnamese place a great deal of importance on saving face. It is especially important never to cause a Vietnamese to lose face in front of others.
Meetings: If you are meeting with several Vietnamese business people at once, they will tend to sit on the opposite side of the table from you and/or your delegation. Note that the most important person is likely to be seated in the middle of the group, and may not enter the room until everyone else is present.
Names: The surname/family name of the Vietnamese is the first name listed, followed by the middle name and then the first name. However, Vietnamese are usually addressed by their “first name” (the one coming last) rather than their family name.
Smile: Many foreigners misunderstand the meaning of the smile to Vietnamese. While Vietnamese smile for all the same reasons as people of other nationalities, a smile can also convey nervousness, irritation or a simple lack of understanding.
(Source: Travel and Investment of Vietnam: facts and figures, published by Viettrade)
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