Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the largest city in Vietnam, it covers an area of over 2,000 square km and has a population of around 5 million. The city is located between the Mekong Delta and South Vietnam, 50km inland from the South China Sea. In the earlier part of its history it was an outpost of the Angkorian Empire, before Vietnamese settled it. In 1859 Saigon was captured by French troops who had sailed up the Saigon River and attacked the city. It later became the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina.

Notre Dame Cathedral is situated in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, in Paris Square. the construction of the cathedral started in 1877 and completed in 1880, under the management of French engineer, Baurad. The cost of construction totaled 2.5 million francs.

The Cuchi Tunnels are located about 30 km northwests of Ho Chi Minh City. The district of Cu Chi was the base from where the NLF (National Liberation Front) started the Tet Offensive in 1968. The tunnel network consists of more than 200km of interlinked tunnels. The tunnels were located about 3m to 4m underground, enough to escape damage from bombs. The network even contained sleeping quarters, hospitals and meeting rooms.

My Tho, a capital of Tien Giang Province, is an inland port in the Mekong River Delta which is two-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City. It is a transportation and commercial center for a rich agricultural region and has some manufacturing industries. It is also noted for its exuberant orchards and immense rice fields. My Tho was controlled by the Cambodians until it was annexed by the Annamese in the late 17th century. It was under French rule from 1862 to 1954.

Cruise on Mekong River is the amusing activity in My Tho. Attractions in My Tho are orchards and rice fields on Phoenix Island, Thoi Son Island, Vinh Trang Pagoda and Dong Tan Snake Farm.