With Ho Chi Minh City’s dry season (December through April) fast approaching, so is the peak travel season for this unique southeast Asian destination. Whether your passengers are visiting for business or a holiday season escape, if you have time on the ground to explore the culture you will be delighted.

Sharing the same peninsula as Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore; Vietnam spans the coastline from the South China Sea to the Gulf of Thailand. Ho Chi Minh City (Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh), formerly named “Saigon,” is located in the southern portion of Vietnam and is the largest city in the country. In-flight catering through the Air Culinaire Worldwide Network is available for private aviation traffic operating from Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (SGN / VVTS), which is the top airport in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese philosophy of food is balance. This includes all five taste senses, that align with elements of the earth and internal organs. To further this theme of balance, dishes typically have five colors and are aimed at stimulating all five sense of the human body. Additionally, you will notice a balance of hot and cold that symbolize the balance of yin and yang. Vietnamese cuisine has been growing in popularity from countries as close as Japan and Australia to as far-flung as Canada and the United States. Try to find a major city in the United States without a popular spot to get pho or congee!

Cuisine is just one part of the culture in Ho Chi Minh City. When you have had your fill, it is time to relax or go out and experience the people, landscape and history. If you enjoy guided tours, there are dozens of options available with modes of transportation ranging from bicycles to kayaks. IF you enjoy architecture, you will be able to visit building – like the Central Post Office and Norte Dame Cathedral – that showcase French design from colonial times or more expected Asian-influenced design found in sites like Chua Vinh Nghiem or Emperor Jade Pagoda. The city is home to many museums including the top-rated War Remnants Museum, Museum of Vietnamese History and Ho Chi Minh City Museum, amongst several art galleries and fine arts museums.

Have you been to Ho Chi Minh City? Add your experiences for fellow business aviation professionals in the comments.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this article or in-flight catering in Ho Chi Minh City, contact weborders@airculinaire.com.