Originally Posted by
katie23
Hi Crocman, I was there for 2 weeks (Christmas to New Year) in 2005. During New Year's eve, I think there were some festivities in the Park before the Independence Palace (or Reunification Palace). It was the seat of gov't of the old South Vietnamese republic. Then when Saigon fell (or when Vietnam was unified - it depends on how you look at it), the North ppl turned it into a museum. My mom and I didn't go to the city center during NY eve, but we heard some firecrackers from my aunt's house, where we stayed.
My mom (who's Viet) said that Jan. 1 is not really a big deal for them, since their "real" NY celebration is during the lunar new year or Tet. They celebrate more during Tet - lots of food, family visits, etc. However due to Western influences, they now also somehow celebrate the Jan. 1 NY (that was in 2005, when the celebration was just so-so).
Is it your first time in Saigon? If yes, then the Palace and the War Remnants Museum are interesting places to visit, if you like history (or the North version of it). The Cu Chi tunnels was also a cool place to visit. For shopping, there are many malls, but if your wife wants the local flavor, then go to Ben Thanh market.
I visited my aunt in Saigon again this year. It was an interesting visit since it was a few days before the 40th anniversary of the Reunification, so there were lots of banners and propaganda. Along the road going to the Palace, there were papier-mache tanks and whatnot to celebrate the North's victory.
IIRC there's a Starbucks at Rex Hotel and nearby is a McD. I remember that they weren't there 10 years ago.
Sorry for the ramble. I did a pic thread and it's unfinished since I got busy. If you want, check it out.