Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is a sprawling urban mass, larger than Hanoi, the nation’s capital, but somehow less cohesive and certainly with a far shorter history.
Best Things to Do & See in Ho Chi Minh City:
1. Visiting Traditional Markets
Despite the vibrant city with modern shopping malls and commercial centers, tradition markets still reserve themselves a vital part in the lifestyle of Ho Chi Minh City. Strolling around the markets will help you buy interesting things on one side and learn more about their history as well as the culture of Vietnamese on another side.
Binh Tay Market
Constructed by the French in the late 19th century, the market is the melting pot of cultures from Vietnam and China serving the locals and visitors with a wide range of fresh ripe fruits, vegetables, foods together with delicate handicrafts, lacquerware, and textiles. Besides, plenty of food stalls in Binh Tay Market are a great chance for you to experience Vietnamese-Chinese cuisine. The location far from the city center makes the prices in the market quite reasonable.
Operation time: 8 am – 5 pm daily
Address: No. 57A Thap Muoi St, District 6
Ben Thanh Market
Considered as one of the most important trading centers of the city, everything from clothes, souvenirs to dried foods, spices, tea, and coffee can be found in Ben Thanh market. Moreover, in the evening, roads are closed; vehicles are banned; Ben Thanh night market and walking streets were opened with various types of foods and drink as well as touristy shops. As its location at the heart of Saigon, prices in the market are a little bit higher than usual but can be acceptable.
Address: Le Loi St, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
2. Learning More about the Past
Saigon used to be the capital of the Republic of Vietnam in the period of the Vietnam War. After the reunification in 1975, the government decided to maintain the constructions of the old regime, war relics, and build historical museums as the reminders for next generations of the sacrifice of previous ones, the cruelty of wars, the wish of peace and freedom of Vietnamese people, and the attractions in Ho Chi Minh tours.
War Remnants Museum
War Remnants Museum is absolutely not a fun destination to visit during Ho Chi Minh City Tours. For years, it has documented everything about the Vietnam War – the goriest and most brutal war in Vietnamese history. Graphic photographs and military vehicles and equipment are displayed inside the War Remnants Museum. Every helicopter, rocket, tank, photo, and tools used by both the US and Vietnamese troops tell you stories of soldiers, campaigns, tears, and blood.
The museum has another name “Museum of American War Crimes” because it has preserved tiger cases (prisoner rooms), guillotines, or torturing devices which are used by American and Republic of Vietnam government for their POW and the innocents. In addition, you can see grisly photographs which the Vietnamese become the victims of Agent Orange. Nearly 5 million people were exposed by this pesticide and half a million children were born with birth defects.
Operation time: 7.30 am to 12.00 pm & 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm daily
Address: No. 28 Vo Van Tan St, District 3
Reunification Palace
The palace was the working and living places of presidents of the Republic of Vietnam from Ngo Dinh Diem to Duong Van Minh. The first owner of the building, Ngo Dinh Diem, named it Reunification because he wished to conquer all Vietnam with the help of the United States. However, the Palace witnessed his death in 1963 and then the destruction of South Vietnam government in 1975. Today, it becomes the historical museum as well as the proud mark of Vietnamese people.
Reunification Palace was built to mainly serve the war with rooms to plan for the wars, a telecommunication center and a rooftop for a helicopter to land off. Moreover, you can see the tank crashing the main gate of the palace in the Ho Chi Minh campaign on April 30th, 1975 – the last day of the Vietnam War.
Operation time: 8 am to 11 am & 1 pm to 4 pm daily
Address: No. 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Cu Chi Tunnels
It was the defense and transportation system excavated underground by the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Visiting Cu Chi tunnels, visitors will be told about the underground life of Vietnamese soldiers in the enemy’s capital and its unbelievable existence which surprises all American and South Vietnam government.
Address: Cu Chi District, 70km northwest from the city center
3. Exploring the Architecture of Ho Chi Minh City
The diverse cultures bring for Saigon unique and magnificent architecture. It is such a great mistake to pay a visit to Ho Chi Minh City without spending time sightseeing in well-known constructions around the city.
Saigon Cathedral of Notre Dame
Visitors will definitely misunderstand whether they are staying in Paris or Saigon when first seeing the Cathedral. Built-in the late 19th century by French, Saigon Cathedral of Notre Dame has the neo-Romanesque characteristics including facades made of Marseille red bricks, windows of stained glass, 6 bells in two towers had been ringing up to now, and a peaceful garden among the hustling and bustling city. Besides the famous Saigon’s attraction for tourists, the Cathedral is also a religious institution for the locals.
Operation time: 8 am to 5 pm daily
Address: No. 1 Cong Xa Paris, District 1
Jade Emperor Pagoda
If you only have time to visit a pagoda in your Ho Chi Minh City tour, make it this one. In the 20th century, a community of Cantonese migrating from Guangzhou built this pagoda for worshipping Taoism and Buddhism.
Setting foot inside the pagoda, the loudness, and vibrancy of Saigon drifts away, only leaves a sense of calm and solemnness. Halls of worshipping Heaven God, the goddess of fertility Kim Hua and mercy Guan Yin are crowded with offerings, candles, and joss sticks.
Operation time: 8 am to 5 pm daily
Address: No.73 Mai Thi Luu St, District 3
Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office
Considered as one of the grandest post offices in Southeast-Asia, Saigon Central Post Office was first designed by Gustave Eiffel (the designer of Eiffel tower) and then redesigned by two architects Villedieu and Foulhuox. In general, the construction is the perfect combination of classic Western architecture and unique Eastern décor.
Tourists visit the Saigon Central Post Office view the unique architecture of this post office on one side and immerse themselves in a world of ancient, from the mailbox to the call counters on another side. They can also rest on the benches polished wooden varnish, which are nearly a hundred years old. Inside the post office, time runs slowly because, in any corners, visitors can also catch a glimpse of old Saigon. Additionally, you should buy a nice postcard, write on it the wonderful marks of your Ho Chi Minh City tour then send it to your friends and family. It will be much more interesting than making a phone call or using a social network.
Operation time: 7 am to 7 pm daily
Address: No. 2 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 (near Saigon Cathedral of Notre Dame)
Saigon Opera House
The last construction in the triangle French architecture in Ho Chi Minh City is Saigon Opera House. Designed by French architects in 1900, the Opera House has a European style with a gigantic iron gate, magnificent crystal candelabrum, glossy granite floor together with delicate stone adornments and statues. Experience the luxury life in European in the 17th century with brilliant performances of immortalized operas and plays in the space of a Palais Garnier in Vietnam will leave you unforgettable memories in your Ho Chi Minh City tours.
Address: No. 7 Cong Truong Lam Son, District 1
Landmark 81
These classic and historical constructions above may make you misunderstood Ho Chi Minh City. It has classic constructions and historical places but is still a modern city with Landmark 81 as the representative. The tower is the pride of Vietnam which is designed and constructed by Vietnamese people. Inspired by the image of rising bamboo, Landmark 81 aims to spread a new Vietnam of development and prosperity to the world.
The height of 461m helps the building be the tallest skyscraper in Southeast Asia and the top 14 tallest towers in the world. Comprising of the state-of-the-art hotel, restaurants, commercial center and a breathtaking panoramic view of Saigon, visiting Landmark 81 is absolutely a must in your Ho Chi Minh City tours.
Address: Vinhomes Central Park, Ward 22, Binh Thanh District
Enjoy the Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City of hustle and bustle at daytime absolutely changes into the new form of an energetic and exciting city after the sunset. Do not waste any minutes on your trip by enjoying a non-stop night in Saigon.
Rooftop Bar
You are in search of luxury space, favorable cocktails, exciting music, and dance, then rooftop bars will be worth your expectation. Soaking up the panoramic view of a non-sleeping city with tiny vehicles flowing in the streets and dreaming Saigon River light up by the lights from nearby buildings, you will completely impressed by a garish city among a mysterious dark.
Chill Sky Bar (AB Tower Saigon, 76A Le Lai Street, District 1)
EON Heli Bar (Bitexco Financial Tower, 2 Hai Trieu Street, District 1)
Street Food
Your non-stop night needs supplying by hot foods and cool drinks and street foods is a perfect choice. This type of food here always guarantees 3 criteria: deliciousness, nutrition, and cheapness. What you need to do is find yourself a plastic stool, order your dishes and wait for a minute, they will be served immediately. Street foods such as Pho, Banh mi, Com tam (Broken rice) are chosen as one of the best foods you must try in the world. Never let your stomach be hungry as well as never miss a valuable chance to taste wonderful delicacies in Ho Chi Minh City.
Top 6 Best Dishes to Taste in Ho Chi Minh City:
1. Banh Mi (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich)
One of the most popular dishes in Ho Chi Minh City is “ banh mi ”. Walking around the city you will see dozens of carts with signs selling banh mi. In Vietnamese “ banh mi” actually just means bread but it also refers to any type of the Vietnamese baguette sandwich. The basic sandwich includes a crusty baguette which is sliced in half and stuffed with layers of pork, luncheon meats, shredded cured pork skin, pate, mayonnaise, Vietnamese radish and carrot pickles, a handful of sliced cucumbers, and sprigs of coriander. The perfect combination of those ingredients makes banh mi such a glorious sandwich.
Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
Address: No. 26 Le Thi Rieng St, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Banh Mi Ms. Diep
Address: No. 238 Vo Thanh Trang St, Ward 11, Tan Binh District
2. Ca Kho To (Braised Fish In Clay Pot)
“Ca kho to” - fragrant braised catfish carefully caramelized in a clay pot with a hint of fish sauce is one of the most common dishes in Ho Chi Minh city. It is available at both Vietnamese sit-down restaurants and “com binh dan”- street food buffets. For Vietnamese, this comfort dish offers the flavors of home in each bite. To make this savory fish dish, locals have to cut catfish into steak sliced pieces and braises it in a thick and rich gravy made from soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, shallots, and garlic, among a few other light spices and seasonings for several hours.
Cuc Gach Quan restaurant - Address: No. 10 Dang Tan St, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1
3. Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Vegetable Rolls)
Goi Cuon is a perfect choice for a hot summer day because of its fresh and pure flavor. It is a harmonious combination of pork slices, shrimps, basil, vermicelli noodles, lettuce, and spring onion. All of them are rolled in a piece of rice paper. Dip the rolls into bean paste or a mix of freshly ground chili and hoisin-based dipping sauce topped with crushed peanuts…awesome!
Address: No. 48 Ngo Duc Ke St, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
4. Bo La Lot (Grilled Beef In Piper Lolot)
If you are a lover of stew, grilled beef in piper lolot is the best choice for you. Bo La Lot is little-minced beef roll which is lightly spiced and seasoned before being covered by piper lolot. After that, they are grilled over charcoal. This dish is served with rice paper, a mountain of green vegetables and herbs, and dipping sauce. In some restaurants, when you taste this dish you also got a plate of mỡ chài, another type of Vietnamese sausage, that is so tasty.
Suggestion: Ms. Lien - Bo La Lot
Address: No. 32 Vo Van Tan St, District 3
5. Oc (Vietnamese Shellfish)
A night of relaxing on a small chair in a roadside stall, sipping cold beers and slurping down snails and shells is one of the most interesting ways to enjoy Saigon. There are typically tons of different raw snails to choose from, as well as other shells like blood cockles, clams, and shrimp and crab as well. You also can choose a method for the snails you would like to eat like grilled, sautéed, coated in salt and chili, steamed, curried, and so on. Make sure that you do not skip grilled mussels with scallion oil and peanuts, blood cockles sautéed in tamarind sauce and clams steamed with lemongrass! They are so tasty! Oc A Soi restaurant is a local hangout spot for this tasty delicacy.
Address: No. 237 - 239 Nguyen Thuong Hien St, Ward 4, District 3
6. Com Tam (Broken Rice Topped With A Grilled Pork Chop)
Available at any small street food stalls and market throughout the Ho Chi Minh City, “Com tam suon nuong” is known as a southern favorite. The most basic version of this special dish includes the broken rice and grilled pork chop served with fish sauce, cucumber pickles, green onion oil, chilies to garnish. You can order a lot of extra things such as a fried egg, Vietnamese meatloaf, pigskin, extra pork, more sausage, etc.
Com Tam Ba Ghien is absolutely the most famous place to eat Vietnamese broken rice and grilled pork in all of Saigon. Make sure that as soon as you approach the restaurant – a sweet porky smoky aroma of this dish will immediately make your taste buds begin to water.
Address: No. 84 Dang Van Ngu St, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District