Local Interest
The famous red bricks of Notre Dame Cathedral ( 1880 ) shine even at night
The splendid facade of the Saigon Opera House ( 1897 ) is illuminated throughout the night
Onto the grand Le Duan boulevard , trees and street lamps lead the way to an icon of Saigon : Notre Dame Cathedral . Sitting in the middle of Paris Commune Plaza , the red bricks shine in the night and , even at this time , there are people taking photos of themselves in front of the grand facade . Across the plaza , , the yellow ochre walls of the famous post office glow in the dark ( albeit next to a brand new McDonald ’ s outlet !). Turn down Dong Khoi Street , Saigon ’ s avenue of chic boutiques and five-star hotels . This glamorous street has been stamped with a double monument to modern Vietnamese consumerism : two Vincom shopping centres , one on either side . Halfway down Dong Khoi , the splendidly handsome ( and beautifully lit ) combination of the Continental Hotel and the Opera House can ’ t fail to catch your eye . Then the fancy hotels and fine dining restaurants close in , ending with the elaborate facade of the Majestic Hotel at the riverfront .
The Bitexco Financial Tower bears down on Saigon ’ s new and ever-popular Walking Stree
The elaborate facade of the Hôtel de Ville City Hall ( 1908 ) is beautiful lit at night
Double back on yourself , heading north-west on Nguyen Hue , Saigon ’ s new Walking Street . Opened in April 2015 , the pedestrian walkway has proved a hit with foreign visitors and locals alike . Presided over by two of the city ’ s new and old architectural icons – the soaring Bitexco Financial Tower to the south , and the wedding cake edifice of the Hôtel de Ville City Hall to the north – the Walking Street attracts a young crowd ( yes , even in the small hours ) brandishing rollerblades , hoverboards , acoustic guitars and snacks . Turn left past the Hôtel de Ville and weave back up to Le Duan boulevard . Head all the way up this wide , empty street . Turn right onto Nguyen Binh Khiem , a pretty , tree-lined avenue with the Botanical Gardens on one side and beautiful , old French school buildings on the other . Join the multiple lanes of Nguyen Huu Canh Street all the way back to the start of the Midnight Loop at Lovers ’ Bridge , just in time to greet the dawn .
20 The MAG Vung Tau