Ho Chi Minh City is a booming, still-developing metropolis. It is a unique vortex of ceaseless street noise, electric colors, tempting scents and aromas, mysterious cuisine, inviting smiles, and a dizzying current of clamorous excitement that extends hurriedly and endlessly in every direction. To truly navigate and discover the depths of wonder this city has to offer, the author has compiled a collection of experiences, favorites, and recommendations gathered after more than ten visits to the city over twelve years, including multiple-month stays, and made them available to you. This comprehensive and thorough travel volume to Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon, takes a unique perspective on the city’s troubled history, unique culture, fascinating people, unforgettable cuisine (national and regional), top attractions, and other items of significant tourist and business traveler interest. Features include a hand-selected set of restaurants (Vietnamese and international), a deep dive into the exciting local and national culinary scenes, a nightlife and entertainment review, recommended hotels for all budgets, a detailed walking tour of the heart of the city, transportation options, local tour offerings, temple information, current economic snapshots, an introduction to the language, nearby destinations of interest, and much more. Also included is a well-researched historical summary and timeline of the city from its Khmer, Cham, and Chinese-influenced beginnings, to the French colonial age and its effects, the Japanese occupation, the Cold War period leading up to and including the Vietnam War, the communist era, the city’s modern challenges, and a forward-looking path among other Asian cities. In addition, there is specific pragmatic information useful for planning your trip and while visiting the energetic and enigmatic city. This includes obtaining a visa in advance of arriving, currency information, expected weather, health considerations, and technology communication recommendations such as available mobile device services and alternatives. This primer on the city is ideal for either a quick trip or an extended stay, including up-to-date maps for hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and coffee shops (Vietnam is the #2 producer of coffee in the world). Reading this book will provide you with an enriching foundation of knowledge to maximize the enjoyment of your visit to this aging city on the brink of modernity. There is much to learn about this exotic corner of the world. New travelers will find many intense and enlightening experiences to discover and enjoy. Those that are returning will undoubtedly discover much that is new and captivating.