Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) Vietnam

Cu Chi is 65 km (1.5 hour drive) northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. The tunnel network of Cu Chi became legendary in the war for facilitating the local guerrillas to gain victory over the American troops. 

Ho Chi Minh City still called Saigon by the locals is the biggest city and the economic center of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City spreads its way on the banks of the Saigon River and has always been busy with trade since its formation. The areas more interesting to the travellers include the riverside, the city center and China Town.

Saigon started its history in 1698 when Lord Nguyen of Dang Trong (southern Vietnam) sent Nguyen Huu Canh to Dong Nai to set up the administration system under Lord Nguyen rule. Nguyen Huu Canh set up Gia Dinh Province with two districts: Phuoc Long (Bien Hoa) and Tan Binh (Saigon).

The Independence Palace (also called the Reunification Palace) was built from 1868 and completed in 1871 by the French after they had conquered the six provinces in  the South of Vietnam (Cocochine). The Palace had been meant to be the Residence of the Governor of South Vietnam and it was called Norodom Palace (after the King of Cambodia).

The Cu Chi Tunnels were a system of tunnels 65km northwest of Saigon. The complex system of tunnels, which at the height stretched over 250km, allowed guerrilla fighers to launch sudden attacks on the US troops and ARVN troops and to withdraw safely.