Named after the father of post-war Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and bustling commercial center. While Hanoi is undoubtedly the cultural capital of the nation, Ho Chi Minh City (known as Saigon to locals) offers a wide range of cultural sites, recreational areas, intriguing museums and artistic locales, and some remarkable natural attractions.

Populated by over 9 million, Ho Chi Minh City is remarkably large and seems to be constantly running at full steam. Motorcycles are everywhere, each seeming vying for the best spot in traffic, the quickest path through every intersection, and swarming through mobs of cars, bikes, and pedestrians. Something as simple as crossing the street becomes a great challenge without the proper technique. Don’t fret, just walk as if there was nothing coming, and the traffic will move around you. Sounds like a suicidal walk, but believe me, you’ll adjust to it after a while.

What to see:

Start with a half-day trip to Reunification Palace, the heart of South Vietnam’s political system in the 1960s. The building has been left largely untouched since being recaptured by Vietnamese communist forces in the 1970s, and features interesting (some would say tacky) decor and furniture. Be sure to watch the semi-factual documentary providing insight into the Fall of Saigon and Vietnamese reunification. Also, step out onto the lawn and take a look at a replica model of the last tank into Saigon.

Just a couple of blocks from the Reunification Palace, the American War Museum is an interesting location for history buffs or anyone wanting their Vietnamese propaganda fix. The photo exhibitions are moving and reflective, however there’s a fairly obvious bias in the presentation of everything. Step outside the main museum building and take a look at some of the UH-1 helicopters, American fighter planes, and other military vehicles and aircraft on display.

If you want to get out of the city heat, it’s easy to book tours exploring the Mekong Delta, the world’s tenth largest river and a major water source for southern Vietnam. Just an hour from the city, this remarkable river houses its own commercial ecosystem, with merchant boats sailing up and down the region offering wares, services and information. Organized tours are available at almost every tour agent in Saigon, and are generally inexpensive.

If you’re not feeling worn out by the War Museums, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a remarkable history experience. Book a tour and experience the life of South Vietnam’s covert communist guerrilla army, who lived and fought through this intricate series of tunnels and man-made caves. With day-trip tours available for under $10, they’re the perfect way to spend a hot day out of the city. If you’re a shooting fan, a shooting range is often open at the tunnels, serving up a menu featuring AK-47s, M16s, WWII era machine guns and more.

Where to stay:

Most of Ho Chi Minh City’s tourist infrastructure is within the central city itself, particularly in an area known as Pham Ngu Lao, the cities major backpacker and budget accommodation area. With rooms available from just $5, some of the most inexpensive and simple accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City is located in this area. However, with low prices can come low quality rooms, sometimes in areas that are exposed to massive amounts of noise and endless light from the many neon signs outside the hotels.

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle, walk towards the main roads in the area and away from the tourist zones. You’ll find rooms available at lower prices, but completely free from the endless noise and constant barrage of offers in the tourist areas. This method may take more time than simply walking down a major street and asking about rooms, but you’ll undoubtedly save some cash, spare yourself the hassle of a night without sleep, and end up getting more interaction with the locals than you would in Pham Ngu Lao st. itself.

For more upscale travelers, almost all international hotel chains have branches in Ho Chi Minh City. In the area around Ben Thanh market you’ll find rooms from around $30-40, each offering large bedrooms, hot water bathrooms, air conditioning and occasionally free internet access. Further towards the city center, luxury chains become more apparent, with rooms available from $150 for 5-star luxury hotels.

How to get around:

Navigating Ho Chi Minh City can be a mystery for foreign travelers, with the city’s maze of endless streets and constant barrage of motorcycles certainly not helping with navigation. Thankfully, there are more than a few ways to get around the city, particularly the city center itself. From air-con taxis to motorcycle men, you’ll have no trouble finding your way between the major attractions and commercial areas.

Taxis will be your major transport method to and from the airport. Don’t worry — there are hundreds of taxis available, making pricing a non-issue for anyone savvy with negotiation. Don’t take any taxi driver’s first offer as the final price. Negotiate and work out a fare that suits both of you. Generally speaking, you can get at least 50% taken off the original fare price if you’re ready to negotiate, and even more from the many motorcycle taxis that are seemingly everywhere in the city center.

However, the easiest way to get around is by using meter-taxis. There are several competing taxi companies in Ho Chi Minh City, with prices very similar between the major brands. If your driver insists on a set price, ask for the meter first and then haggle if he refuses. If you can’t get a good deal on the price, simply leave politely and find another taxi. There are thousands of taxis around, so if one can’t offer a fair price you’ll likely have no trouble finding another.

Costs, Customs and Extras:

Ho Chi Minh City is relatively expensive by Vietnamese standards, but very inexpensive for anyone visiting from the west. For budget travelers, a per-day spend of $30 will cover basic necessities, meals, accommodation and transport. Of course, the more you want the more you’ll need to spend, and if you’re planning on high-class accommodation make sure you allow at least $120 to spend per day. The longer you spend in the city the more you’ll learn about local prices and customs, so longer stays will undoubtedly lead to greater rewards, cheaper prices, and a more intense and rewarding cultural experience.