FEAR NOT... there is a love for Saigon or HCMC as it is known that will transcend any and all of the challenges it has had to endure due to the Pandemic. It is and will remain a vibrant city with districts offering up a plethora of things to do, and places to explore. We see it as a city embracing change while at the same time keeping its rich culture.

This is the ultimate guide to the best districts to explore.  We go way beyond your basic guidebook list of places to see, and experiences to have; like a visit to the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Cu Chi tunnels.

Together with my guest Samantha Coomber we explore the new, old, and developing districts of the city. We made sure that everything we covered would be there when you get to visit, so there is NO Expiry date on the information we share.

In passionate detail, Samantha offers up those districts and close neighborhoods that are rich in culture, street food, markets, cafes and pagodas. And for those looking for something very diverse, she tells us about gondolas, sunset cruises and speedboats that buzz you down the river and make you feel like you are in a James Bond movie.

Samantha Coomber comes to the program with a library of knowledge as a British-Australian who has lived in Vietnam on and off for 12 years.
She is well known in the industry for the countless publications she has written for and contributed to as a Guide Book writer, eg the first edition Insight Guides Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City smart guide (2009) – covering the  HCMC / southern Vietnam sections.

In addition, she has written for many global publications such as  Wall Street Journal Asia, National Geographic Traveler, Conde Nast Traveller UK & India, and many more.

Samantha has literally watched Vietnam / HCMC grow-up and develop over two decades. You will hear in her voice that she “walks the talk”  with insider knowledge and personal experiences that few can match. 
Here is a recently published Vietnamese newspaper article about her enduring 23-year-love affair with HCMC  https://e.vnexpress.net/news/perspectives/what-makes-ho-chi-minh-city-enduringly-endearing-4197484.html

Check out Samantha’s blog, The Jaded Empress Chronicles, about life in HCMC then and now! https://thejadedempress.blogspot.com/ 

In addition, you can find out more about her career highlights and contact her directly at - https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthacoomber/

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