Strolling Through the Heart of Ho Chi Minh City After Lunar New Year

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is still filled with the joyous mood of the Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Snake, and although the city is still embellished, some streets are quieter than they usually are.

There are not that many people walking around in the center of the city, especially along Pasteur Street, that is a historic route named after the well-known French scientist Louis Pasteur. Even though the streets may appear to be deserted, the noises of motorcycles and cars may be heard in the distance. Most Vietnamese people, especially about 11 AM, prefer not to walk too much. This is different from visitors, who tend to walk more.

I am still walking along Pasteur Street. The Pasteur Institute is a well-known medical research organization that has been generating life-saving vaccines for decades.

People have returned to work, although the pace is still slower than it normally is. During my journey, I come across a street trader who graciously displays a little knife that he has for sale. It is interesting to note that, even though yesterday was the day devoted to the God of Fortune, he does not appear to pay much regard to the ritual.

As I go on, I come across souvenir stalls, where visitors may purchase modest keepsakes of their experience in the city. A tall hotel across the street serves as a reminder of the city’s combination of modern and traditional elements.

I soon arrive at the entrance of the new metro system, which is a major advancement for Ho Chi Minh City. One of its freshly built routes connects the city center to the suburban district of Thu Duc, which is a significant advancement in public transportation. The entrance to the station is overly contemporary.

As I proceed, I get to Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, which is a well-known place for pedestrians in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. The crowd is feeling a bit too hot because the sun is shining so brightly. As the temperature cools down later in the day, it is possible that more people will come here. The well-known City Hall rises proudly to my left, with the equally famous Rex Hotel located close.

The streets are still filled with bright flowers, especially yellow ones, which are a sign of good luck and success during the Lunar New Year.

The city is not as busy as it usually is, but the celebratory feeling is still strong. Ho Chi Minh City is an interesting site to visit because of the mix of old and new things, including as ancient streets, modern metro stations, and vivid flower displays.