The absolutely stunning cream and yellow colonial building of Ho Chi Minh City Hall is one of the landmarks you should not miss! The ornate facade with delicate details, columns and bell tower are even further enhanced at night with bright lighting at the background of the dark sky.

Pham Ngu Lao aka Backpacker's District is the place to shop cheap, from clothing and DVDs to travel tickets and accommodation. Pham Ngu Lao is where locals hang out and tourists explore so it is always happening, always noisy and always fun! Beware of skims but don't miss out on the fun. Just hang out at the street bars, cafes and restaurants, shop and enjoy!

Another architectural reminder of colonial French influence is the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral. Built in the late 1800s with materials brought from France, the cathedral is still kept in perfect condition and continues to serve mass.

The gorgeous French colonial building of Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office was designed by the famous architect, Gustave Eiffel, and built in the late 1800s. Its marvelous colonnade and intricate marble floors along with the masterfully done maps and wooden fixtures will take you to a different time and place... but the overarching portrait of Ho Chi Minh, hanging high and central to the entire space will remind you that you are in Vietnam. Beautiful old phone booths, stamps and glue pots, well preserved and even functioning antiques, will make the experience even more amazing.

This small piece of Southern India is one of the most honored temples in Ho Chi Minh not only by the small number of Hindus but also by the Vietnamese and Chinese population. Built in the 19th century to honor the Hindu Goddess of strength, Mariamman, this colorful temple is believed to have mysterious powers to bring good luck to its visitors. Many of the Hindu gods and goddesses, such as Shiva and Kali, also have shrines in the temple and the amazing towers are ornamented with many sculptures of Hindu gods in bright colors. Offerings of offerings of joss sticks, jasmine, lilies and gladioli are often brought for the gods.

Jade Emperor Pagoda is one of the most important temples in Ho Chi Minh. Originally built as a Taoist temple, it welcomes Buddhist and provides a spiritual atmosphere where the most powerful gods have their shrines and accept the faithful. Masterfully done is the depiction of haven and hell while the dim surroundings add to the charm and mystery of the pagoda.

The 68 story Bitexco Tower is the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam. This ultra-modern city highlight features a signature round helicopter deck, making its facade more intriguing. Head up to the 52nd floor and grab some drinks and tapas at the high-end skydeck, Alto. Admire the 360 bird-eye views of Ho Chi Minh and the surrounding area which are especially picturesque at sunset.

The honeycombed underground of Cu Chi is legendary for its role in the American - Vietnamese War. This maze of tunnels spreads all over the area from Ho Chi Minh to the Cambodian border and comprises of astonishing 250km of passages, adapted for life and fight underground. Numerous living areas, command centers, weapons storage, even a factory helped the Vietnamese combat their enemies using the element of surprise and quick unseen movement. Nowadays, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a major historic site, visited by thousands each year.

The gruesome reality of the American - Vietnamese War which lasted for 30 years is displayed at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh. War equipment, weapons, machinery, tanks and bombs are shown but the most disturbing pieces are the "tiger cages" used for political prisoners and the French guillotine among other torture tools. Looking at the pictures of "Agent Orange" victims, adults and children sprayed by chemical weapons or born with birth defects from the aftermath, gives one a live image of the cruel war.

This is the place which all visitors to Ho Chi Minh City have to see! Time-stamped by the historic events of 1975 when the Communist North Vietnam took over South Vietnam ending the Vietnam War. The dramatic events of that day were wildly publicized around the world but the most impactful image was from the Reunification Palace: A tank getting through the front gates of the palace and a soldier putting the South Vietnam flag on the balcony. This same tank is still on display at the front lawn. Today, the palace maintains the look it had in 1975 and is still in use for official functions.