Activities in Vietnam

Head here for faithful copies of Western styles.

This stunning example of grand French colonial architecture is still in remarkably good shape considering the fate of so many similar relics here. Whi

The gallery showcases the leading edge of contemporary Vietnamese art

Saigon’s main public market sells everything from dried spices and live chickens to cheap clothing and plasticware. And while it may be chaotic and cr

Skip the car and carbon emissions by biking through Vietnam. Cycle past banana plantations and villages, with stops at rice-paper craft shops and drag

Owner-tastemaker Catherine Denoual’s shop in the towering Saigon Centre mall, features delicately embroidered sateen bed linens in rich chocolates, go

If time allows, consider a half-day excursion northwest of the city to these fascinating, albeit touristy, sights. A network of hidden passageways and

Years as agent: 13. Other specialties: Southeast Asia, North Africa, custom luxury itineraries, cruises. Consulting fee: From $100.

An Indian monk arrived during the third century in what is now the Ha Tay Province, and established the Dau Pagoda that has become one of Vietnam's ol

Years as agent: 34. Consulting fee: Varies.

Saigon’s largest selection of English-language books, travel guides, and magazines is also a good bet for postcards, maps, and hard-to-find internatio

Peeling ocher walls, sun-bleached curtains, musty corridors, a fountain full of pond scum: Saigon’s oldest art museum is atmosphere incarnate, like Mi

Irony comes to Ho Chi Minh City at this perfectly named boutique that trades in Socialist-themed ephemera: Communist Party T-shirts, Uncle Ho coffee m

The white-on-white Modernist building that houses Gaya makes a dramatic first impression (yes, those are giant fountain-pen nibs on the façade). Insid

Tucked away in the landmark Eden Mall, right off busy Dong Khoi Street, this centrally located sleek salon and spa is a favorite of well-heeled Saigon

For a full-on immersion into the city’s food scene, take a market tour with Tracey Lister, the Australian expat who runs the center.

Along with the Archbishop’s Residence, this ranks as perhaps the most graceful and visually arresting colonial building in Saigon, full of rococo flou

Whimsical, flamboyant handbags.

Offers private custom tours with in-country offices, guides, vehicles, and 24/7 emergency support. The tour company also arranges intimate access to t