Whether you call it Ho Chi Minh City of Saigon depends largely on where you’re from in Vietnam. Convention is to refer to the city with the same name as those you are talking to. From the relative peace of Hoi An back to a big city.
Right from the start, Saigon (we’ll use the name Saigon as most of our guides were from South Vietnam and used the name) feels very different from Hanoi. More modern, less ‘otherworldly’ and while it’s very busy there’s not equivalent of Hanoi old town here.
After the short flight from Hoi An we arrive in Saigon starving, luckily there’s a food market just down the road!
Saigon Food Market
Saigon Food Market
Saigon Food Market
Saigon Food Market
Saigon Food Market