Technically it should now be referred to by it's new legal identity of Ho Chi Minh City, but with respect to the former Vietnamese leader it does lack a certain ring to it. The old name Saigon conjures a much more romantic and saleable image It was in 1998 with the celebration of city's 300th Anniversary that the old name became more fashionable.

The French thought it was the Paris of the Orient. Sir Noel Coward didn't share their enthusiasum "It is a well arranged little town and it has several cafes and a municipal opera house, but it is not very like Paris".

The Saigon of today has the old of the cathedral and the post office standing along side mirrored glass high rise office blocks and is rapidly evolving into a modern city. The sad price of the development is the authorities decision to ban cyclos from Sector 1 District claiming that they look ugly to the tourist. I personally think that they are the perfect way for a tourist to see the city and I will mourn their passing.

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