As the heart of Southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is a must-visit destination for foreign tourists. Arriving in Saigon, you will not only see the historical sites from the French Colonial time but also the outstanding beauty of the modern world.
Where To Go and What To Do in Ho Chi Minh City?
War Remnants Museum
A collection of memories of the Vietnam War or as the Vietnamese people prefer to call: American War. War Remnants Museum offers a perspective of the Vietnam side of the war which lasted decades.
The museum is not for the faint-hearted. Besides the display of old tanks, planes and war machines, the indoor exhibition takes you on a journey of the sufferings of Vietnamese people through photographs and written documentation. They might not be able to change your opinion about the war that has been but it can move you to tears. Nevertheless, the War Remnants Museum is one of the most important sites for all visitors to visit.
Address: 28 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3
Open hours: 7.30 am – 12.00 pm and 1.30 pm – 5 pm, daily
Admission: 15,000 VND per person
Fito Museum
If you want something more traditional and less tense, it is advised to visit the Fito Museum or Museums of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine & Pharmacy. Here, you will explore the Vietnamese medicine and medical methods from thousand years ago.
These are two museums relating to traditional Vietnamese medicine and pharmacy. Coming to the museum of traditional Vietnamese medicine, tourists will contemplate various tools and equipment used in the past like ceramic teapots, wine jars to keep the medicine, knives and so on. Other than that, it will be a fantastic exploration of traditional medical ingredients and well-known names in Vietnamese medicine.
On the other hand, the museum of traditional Vietnamese pharmacy will offer a different view of medicine in the past. Reaching room 1 to witness hundreds of paintings and watch a short film about the art of treatment in Vietnam. Afterward, you can visit the medical plant's shop to touch and see the raw ingredients up-close. A lot of tools for producing drugs are available around the museum allowing tourists to understand deeply about the medicine in the country.
Artinus 3D Art Museum
Ho Chi Minh City packs with the traditional, rich history of the country, however, Artinus 3D Art Museum is definitely a wonderful location to spend fun time with friends and family.
The 3D pictures present an outstanding opportunity for photographers around the world to show their imagination. Even though it is not about the local traditions and cultures, you still can enjoy the one-of-a-kind paintings on walls, floors with different themes to choose from. Although solo travelers may not have the best time here, you can ask the staff to take pictures for you and still have something interesting to post on facebook.
The Independence Palace
Considered as the most historic landmark of Vietnamese history, Reunification Palace marked the end of the American War. On the noon of 30th April 1975, Saigon’s Palais Norodom was claimed by North Vietnamese and since then it changed its name as known as today.
Time seems to be frozen here, in the secret rooms, Ngo Dinh Diem’s command bunker, even the grand reception halls. The history of Vietnam will float before your eyes as you wandering through the palace. Especially how the war has ended.
Reunification Palace is also known for its architecture – another work of the French. Although the palace has undergone a lot of restoration, its main architecture remains.
Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Thanh, District 1
Open hours: 7.30 am – 11.00 am and 1.00pm – 4.00 pm daily
Admission: 30,000 VND per person
Saigon Opera House
Saigon Opera House, also known as Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, is often considered to be a smaller version of its counterpart in Hanoi. Built by architect Eugène Ferret, tourists will contemplate the signature theater of French Colonial time.
This building is extremely well-preserved by the Vietnamese government especially on the occasion of the 300th anniversary in 1998. As a result, a number of sculptures, decorations, inscriptions are perfectly intact and in good condition until today. New lighting and sound system have been installed, so if you are interested, feel free to participate in a concert held in Saigon Opera House to contemplate the impressive interior.
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
Located on busy streets in District 1, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral has special meaning in the heart of the local. It is not only a relic of the past but also one of the most significant religious symbol in Vietnam.
All the materials were imported from France, including tiles and bricks, though some of them have been replaced after being damaged by war. Visiting the church and you will be able to see the unique Our Lady of Peace Statue which made in Rome and said to shed the tear in 2005. Otherwise, tourists are also fascinated by the two bell towers in which 6 bells presenting 6 notes in music (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si). While only 3 bells are being rung on Sunday, during Christmas, all the bells will be rung created beautiful sounds marking the magical event in the city.
Ben Thanh Market
Shopping is certainly a must-do activity in Ho Chi Minh City and nowhere is better than Ben Thanh Market in terms of local products. Those who seek cheap and authentic goods in the region will be strongly advised to reach this destination.
Clothes, textiles, handicrafts accessories are offered around the market with reasonable prices. Moreover, the fragment of tropical fruits, flowers, and dried coffee are really appealing to customers from other countries. After some time strolling in Ben Thanh, you can enjoy the best kinds of Vietnamese street foods such as Banh Beo, Banh Cuon, Banh Beo and watch the lively life of local people. This is obviously a wonderful place to experience the traditional market in Vietnam.
Ba Thien Hau Pagoda
A long time ago, Chinese people settled on several streets in Vietnam and lived there for a hundred years. Today, their magnificent legacy and buildings left in Vietnam and Ba Thien Hau Temple are one of the finest examples.
The architecture of the pagoda was heavily influenced by Chinese culture with various unique cultures, carving, and artifacts. The sacred altar of Thien Hau or Chinese sea goddess Mazu is filled with incense burning in the peaceful ground of the temple year-round. You may also contemplate the local people praying and donating for the pagoda before taking pictures of wonderful arts on the roofs and walls.
Central Post Office
Our final place on the list is Central Post Office in the city which considered to be the landmark in Saigon. This is not just a simple post office, but a magnificent building featuring a combination of French architecture and Asian decorations.
Despite built more than 100 years ago, the post office is incredibly new and beautiful showing great preservation from the people. The best part about Central Post Office is the interior in which a large picture of Ho Chi Minh at the end of the hall. Other highlights include two painted map, one called “Saigon et ses environs 1892” - Saigon and its surroundings 1892 and another is “Lignes telegraphiques du Sud Vietnam et Cambodge 1892” - Telegraphic lines of Southern Vietnam and Cambodia 1892. This will be a great chance to learn about the geographic and history of Southern Vietnam in the 19th century.
What To Eat and Drink in Ho Chi Minh City?
You are spoiled for choice in Saigon, which offers the country's largest variety of Vietnamese and international food. Due to the variety of culture, cuisine in Saigon is quite diverse. This is a place where you do not need to go far to enjoy dishes.
If you want to enjoy rice cake with forest leaves in Tay Ninh, you can go to Hoang Ty rice cake store on Cao Thang Street, Phan Dang Luu Street, etc. If you want to enjoy the central dishes, you can visit a chain of Hue dish restaurants. For Mekong Delta dishes, you should taste sizzling cake MuoiXiem, etc.
There are two categories of beer places in Saigon. You have the regular local bottled beers and Bia Hoi which you can find easily. One unique phenomenon with Vietnam is all the local microbreweries that serve Czech or German-style beers.
Furthermore, Vietnam is the world’s second-largest exporter of coffee behind Brazil, and coffee is very popular among the Vietnamese. Ho Chi Minh City’s a paradise for coffee-loving visitors. Don’t ever miss tasting Bao Long Coffee – many travelers have fallen in love with it.
When To Visit Ho Chi Minh City?
In Ho Chi Minh, the subequatorial climate prevails, so it is possible to come here on holiday all year round. The average annual temperature does not drop below 28 Celsius degree, even at 22 Celsius degree in winter. The hottest months are April and May when in the afternoon the column of the mercury column reaches more than 35 Celsius degree.
Choosing the time to travel to Ho Chi Minh City, remember that the rainy season here lasts from May to November. In the rest of the time, there is practically no rainfall in Ho Chi Minh City. This period is considered optimal for visiting the city.