Most visitors to Việt Nam spend just one or at most two days in Hồ Chí Minh City, perhaps simply using it as a base to explore the Củ Chi Tunnels before heading off to see the myriad other attractions this fascinating country has to offer. Invariably depicted as the country’s “dynamic economic powerhouse,” it is rarely considered as a cultural centre in its own right, a shortcoming no doubt reinforced by the frightening rate at which the city’s remaining old buildings continue to be demolished and replaced by gleaming new tower blocks.
Yet there is another side to the southern capital. If you look hard enough you can still find what’s left of the elegant architectural heritage which once won the city the title “Pearl of the Orient.” This book seeks to identify that heritage and enable visitors to experience it through a series of walking tours.
Since there is a great deal to see and do in Hồ Chí Minh City, all of the walking tours in this book are relatively lengthy. Furthermore, many of the tours take you to a selection of museums, temples, pagodas, communal houses and other intriguing destinations which may each demand a visit of 30 minutes or more. Thus, unless you have a half day or even a whole day to devote to each walking tour, you might first wish to use each one as a means of finding your bearings and getting to know the main sights of the city, perhaps just visiting one or two attractions as you walk and saving the remainder for subsequent visits.
For first-time visitors to Việt Nam, here are a few words of advice about walking in the city.
Since the climate in Hồ Chí Minh City is hot and humid, taking with you an adequate supply of bottled water is essential. If you happen to run out, no problem – mineral water may be purchased cheaply on most city streets. Don’t forget that the sun’s rays can be intense, so when walking around the city for any length of time it is essential that you wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat and/or other protective clothing to prevent sunburn.
For some visitors the biggest challenge is simply crossing the roads. This can be a daunting experience for the uninitiated, especially on busy streets where the traffic never seems to stop. But remember that most city traffic moves relatively slowly, and provided you also move forward slowly and steadily, making no sudden changes of direction, the traffic will flow smoothly around you and you will reach the other side safe and sound. Remember, too, that you must repeatedly look both ways while crossing – even (or perhaps especially) on roads designated as one-way streets!!
But don’t let this put you off! Despite the various challenges, there is a lot to see and do and walking around Hồ Chí Minh City can be a very rewarding experience.
The book concludes with details of other key attractions located outside the city centre which can only be reached by motorised transport.
Ngôn ngữ: tiếng Anh
Khổ sách: 14 x 20,5cm
Số trang: 440 trang