Ho Chi Minh City: which types it suits

Ho Chi Minh City runs at the fastest clip in Vietnam. In District 1, motorbikes pour past the Nguyen Hue walking street, Ben Thanh Market and an old apartment block turned entirely into cafés, while rooftop bars up on the high-rises take in the whole glittering spread. This is less a city for soaking in atmosphere than one for stacking up experiences quickly: eating, walking, meeting people, then doing it again after dark.

It suits travellers who recharge in crowds and follow whichever street catches their eye rather than a plan. Bui Vien's nights and the sidewalk food stalls make mixing with anyone easy, and branching out to the markets and temples of Cholon in District 5 or the neighbourhood cafés of District 3 adds real depth. If you want solitude or precise travel times, however, rush-hour traffic and rainy-season afternoon downpours will get in the way fairly often.