Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam's commercial headquarters -- brash and busy -- with a keen sense of its own importance as Vietnam emerges from years of austerity to claim a place in the "Asian Tiger" economic slugfest.

Located on the Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's major port and largest city, with an estimated population of over eight million people, most of whom cruise the town's clogged arteries on an estimated three million motorbikes. Despite the rapid development of the last decade, there are still many charming remnants from the French colonial era here and some of the finest buildings include the restored Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post and Telegraph Office. 

Sai Gon is also a great place from which to explore some interesting places nearby, including the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Cao Dai Temple at Tay Ninh and the Mekong Delta region.