Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's undisputedly commercial headquarters with a keen sense of its own importance as Vietnam emerges from years of austerity to claim a place in the "Asian Tiger" economic slugfest. Located on the Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon as it is still called by all, is Vietnam's major port and largest city, and still survives in wide downtown avenues flanked by pristine colonials. Thousands of expatriates and Vietnamese immigrants couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. They’ve long since fallen for the hidden charms of one of Southeast Asia’s most hectic, and eclectic, cities.