With war tourism being one of its biggest draws, it does not come as a surprise that Ho Chi Minh’s Museum that is stacked with war remnants, and war-themed historical park that draws its ideas from an underground guerrilla troop base that existed back in the day, are on every tourists checklist on their trip to South Vietnam.

While Vietnamese cuisine is known for its trademark noodles, in the south you will find that rice takes its place above noodles. Owing to its large coastline, seafood is a dominant part of the cuisine. Every meal will be accompanied by a platter that contains hot pepper, bean threads, cucumber, mint, basil, coriander and other herbs.

Saigon may have some of the craziest traffic that you will find in South Vietnam, but the pulsating traffic is what keeps the city’s heart beating in a way. You will find both souvenirs and clothing at the various discount malls in Saigon, and once you’ve had enough of that you can eat your heart’s fill at one of its many gourmet restaurants.