On the opposite side of the Virgin Mary square from the cathedral entrance runs Dong Khoi Street, the city's main shopping, hotel and dining street. Just a few blocks down from the cathedral is the Municipal Theater.
The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City
Built by the French and finished in 1900, the theater was originally intended to be an opera house. After the partition of Vietnam, the building was transformed into South Vietnam's National Assembly in 1955. It has now been restored as a theater with performances of Vietnamese theater and modern pop acts scheduled regularly.
Along the streets behind the theater you will find several shops selling model sailing ships. They aren't sold at other tourist shops around town. You'll only find them in these few cluttered shops.