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Discover important sites from the Vietnam war, Ho đưa ra Minh’s monuments, museums, and of course, the fascinating Cu bỏ ra Tunnels are a must.
Aside from the historical story of the city, You’ll never be left looking for things to do in Saigon. There is a modern side to the city worth exploring, & of course, local street food in Vietnam doesn’t get much better than in Ho chi Minh.
Let’s look at some of the best things in Ho đưa ra Minh City.
Don’t Forget to lớn Get Your Vietnam Visa Before You GoYou must have a visa lớn enter Vietnam. Previously you had khổng lồ apply for an “approval letter” & then queue on arrival and pay an additional USD$25 for a “visa on arrival”.
The process has been simplified & citizens from over 40 countries can now apply for their visa online. You can apply for your Vietnam Visa here but make sure you allow at least three business days before your departure date for processing.
Where lớn Stay in Ho chi Minh
District 1 is the best area for visitors to lớn Ho đưa ra Minh thành phố to stay in. District 1 is where you will find most of Ho bỏ ra Minh City’s attractions và tours. Also, more often than not, tour companies will require you to lớn meet in District 1.
Here are our top recommended places to stay in Ho chi Minh District 1 to lớn suit all budgets.
Address: phường Q. 1, 34 Nguyễn An Ninh, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Check rates & availabilityhere for Thanh Thu Hotel.
Address: street, 55 Thủ Khoa Huân, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Check rates and availabilityhere forRosa khách sạn & Spa.
Address: 132-134 Dong Khoi St., District 1, Ho bỏ ra Minh City, Vietnam
Check rates và availability here forHotel Continental Saigon.Room rates are much more reasonable than you would expect.
Best Things To bởi vì In Ho đưa ra Minh City
Tour the War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum is the most visited place in Ho bỏ ra Minh city and a must on any trip lớn Vietnam. More than half a million people a year come to lớn learn how a history of war has shaped Vietnam.
The museum was conceived by the Vietnamese Government in 1975 as an exhibition house to expose the real & exaggerated war crimes of the United States and the Puppet Government.
Following a tradition of similar exhibitions exposing war crimes of the French và Americans operating in Vietnam as early as 1954; the museum’s inception which was politically driven, showcased propaganda highlighting the horror of war.
Over the years, thanks khổng lồ diplomatic trade off’s, the museum has undergone a few name changes. One thing remains, the horrors of war leave many visitors visibly moved.
Aside from the usual displays of military hardware, the museum has graphic images of the casualties of war prominently displayed as well as documentaries covering the long term effects of agent orange.
Some of the exhibits in The War Remnants Museum may not be for the squeamish. However, it is an important và stark look at the wars that have shaped Vietnam and the long term effects on all who fought in them. Allow at least a half-day for this museum.
Open Hours:Daily 7:30 am – 5.00 pm. The ticket window closes between 11.45 am – 12.00 pm. Last entry is at 4.30 pm.
Entry Fee:VND 40,000, (~ US$1.75 )
Tip for Visiting The War Remnants Museum
Morning is the best time to visit as many tours to the Cu chi tunnels finish at the museum so it can get busy in the afternoon.
Shopping & Street Food at Ben Thanh Market
One of the oldest surviving structures in Saigon, the Ben Thanh Market is the shopping & street food mecca of District 1.
The market is one of Ho đưa ra Minh’s liveliest areas. Bursting at the seams with traders hawking fresh produce và day to lớn day items to locals as well as an equal abundance of souvenirs.
You will find everything from local handicrafts lớn great value knock off items such as sneakers, T-shirts, luggage, & activewear.
Be prepared khổng lồ bargain regardless of any fixed price signs you see. Vendors are up for it and set prices high to lớn accommodate. Just remember, you will always agree on the best price when the bartering stays friendly.
Head lớn the market in the afternoon when the market restaurants start to xuất hiện inside. It is an excellent spot for a late lunch và a cold drink while watching the daily market trading.
Ben Thanh Night MarketOnce the market closes, the perimeter of Ben Thanh becomes a vibrant scene of street food stalls & restaurants. Find a tiny plastic chair & enjoy a cold beer & some authentic Vietnamese street food. The outside market is mở cửa until around midnight.
Be very mindful of your personal belongings in the market. It is hectic, & distractions are everywhere – The perfect combination for pickpockets.
Stay Safe in Vietnam: We’ve got you covered with great Travel Safety Tips & the Best Anti-theft Travel Gear so you can relax while you travel.
Vietnamese Street Food Tour Recommendation
Enjoy Saigon’s famous street food on an evening street food and market tour. Sample a myriad of local dishes & delicacies at some of Ho chi Minh’s best local eateries. Tour lasts 3.5 hrs and includes all food, beer, coffee, and local guide. Prices start at VND 758,000 pp (~$USD 32). Get full Saigon street food tour details here.
Visit Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica
Constructed between 1863-1880 during the French colonial occupation of Vietnam, the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Vietnam.
Modelled on the design of the original Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, all the materials were shipped from France for the cathedral construction. The original church of Saigon was constructed from timber in 1863 which was quickly devastated by termites.
The current red brick structure was the result of a thiết kế competition won by French religious architect Jules Bourard. The winning idea was simply khổng lồ build a smaller version of the Notre Dame in Paris.
The religious centre for more than 6 million of Vietnam’s Catholics and pilgrims, the Saigon cathedral also attracts a daily trade of tourists as well as savvy locals with makeshift shops around the cathedral’s perimeter.
The Saigon Cathedral is currently undergoing a massive restoration that began in 2017 and is expected to remain closed to lớn tourists until at least the middle of 2020. So, much like the original Notre Dame in Paris, the cathedral may currently only be viewed from the exterior grounds.
The church does, however, still hold mass every Sunday at 9.30 in both Vietnamese & English.
Ho đưa ra Minh đô thị Book Street
Stretching 100 meters from Notre Dame Cathedral khổng lồ Hai bố Trung street is Ho đưa ra Minh’s Book Street.
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is not just a place for book lovers; it is a place for book publishers from all over Vietnam to gather. Many come khổng lồ share và promote their new works.
There is a dedicated book cafe as well as specific shops for newspapers, magazines, stationery, a second-hand book exchange, & book exhibition area.
There are more than đôi mươi unique book stores in the street, bringing together authors & book lovers. The street aims to lớn offer a space where you can take a stroll away from the traffic of Saigon và enjoy a coffee & a good book in a sidewalk cafe.
Book street is in Nguyen Van Binh, District 1, Ho bỏ ra Minh City.
Discover the Charm of Historic Hoi An: One of the most charming towns in Vietnam, Hoi An should not be missed.
Take a Dinner Cruise on the Saigon River
Take a Bonsai River Cruise for a different view of Ho bỏ ra Minh đô thị as you float past some of Saigon’s most historic monuments. Onboard the traditional 19th century long boat you can enjoy dinner và a relaxing evening away from the hectic pace of the city on Ho chi Minh’s premier river cruise.
You can pre-book dinner và cruise tickets here.
Tour Reunification Palace
During the Vietnam War, the Reunification Palace was the residence of the president of South Vietnam và the site of a dramatic finish khổng lồ the Vietnam war. One of the most famous monuments of the Vietnam War, a không tính phí guided tour of the palace is a great way to glean an understanding of the culture và history of Ho bỏ ra Minh City và South Vietnam.
Opening Hours: 7:30 am–11.00 am |1.00 pm –4.00 pm
Entry Fee: VND 40,000 (approx. US$ 2). Không tính tiền tour guides can be arranged as you arrive.
Visit the Central Post Office
The Saigon Central Post Office is another iconic attraction in Ho chi Minh city. Constructed from 1886-1891 in the classic Gothic, Renaissance và French colonial design many mistakenly credit Gustave Eiffel for the building.
Designed by French architect Alfred Foulhoux, the bright yellow building trimmed in trắng with elegant green shutters transports visitors lớn Europe.
The magnificent colonial interior has domed ceilings supported by ornate metal arches, (possibly the mistaken liên kết to Eiffel), oil paintings, polished timber phone booths & original wooden countertops.
Two painted maps dating back lớn 1892 depict the postal route between southern Vietnam và Cambodia & the other, Saigon city và surroundings.
A large portrait of the father of modern Vietnam, Ho bỏ ra Minh at the kết thúc of the great hall is the only reminder that you are in Vietnam.
Pham dở người Lao Street Nightlife (Backpacker Street)
The hub of Vietnam’s nightlife in Ho chi Minh city for most travellers is Pham ngốc Lao Street.
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Located on the western side of District 1, Pham ngây ngô Lao Street is a hot spot for backpackers. It is not surprising this is where you will find a myriad of hostels, affordable hotels, cafes, pubs, rooftop bars và western-style restaurants.
Although, thanks lớn its proximity lớn some of Ho bỏ ra Minh’s most popular attractions, Pham lẩn thẩn Lao Street attracts an eclectic phối of people beyond just the budget traveller.
Around Pham ngây ngô Lao Street is also where you will find loads of tour company offices và kiosks & no end of souvenir & artisan shops attracting travellers of all kinds.
Even if you don’t fancy the nightlife of Pham lẩn thẩn Lao Street; spend an evening sampling the street food Ho đưa ra Minh is famous for, enjoy an icy cold beer roadside while people-watching, or, shop for some chất lượng Vietnamese souvenirs.
Phuoc An Hoi quan tiền Pagoda
Dating back khổng lồ 1902 Phuoc An Hoi quan liêu Pagoda is one of the most beautifully ornate temples in Ho bỏ ra Minh City. Adorned with elaborate wood carvings, brass ritual ornaments, bright lanterns & spiral incense coils hanging from the ceiling; the temple is worth a visit if you are in the Cholon or Chinatown area.
Inside the temple is a lifesize figure of the sacred horse quan tiền Cong. Devotees make offerings to lớn the horse, stroke its mane và ring the bell around its neck before departing on a journey.
Coffee at the Tao Dan Park Bird Cafe
Vietnam is world-famous for its coffee, so not surprisingly, it also has a thriving cafe culture. Tao Dan Park has a unique cafe culture that is well worth experiencing.
The 10-hectare park is Ho bỏ ra Minh City’s most attractive green space & a gorgeous reprieve from the constant honking and hustle of the motorbike congested city.
Not surprisingly, the tranquil và shady park attracts thousands of locals daily. Come early morning lớn see groups gather for tai đưa ra or even a spot of badminton.
The biggest attraction at Tao Dan Park is the daily gathering of older Vietnamese men who bring ornate cages with songbirds to lớn what is now known as the bird cafe.
Join the men for some freshly brewed Vietnamese coffee while they socialise over coffee, và more importantly, socialise their birds.
The point of the daily meeting is not just to lớn meet with friends & show off their prized birds, but also for the birds to learn new songs from one another.
Eat Pho
Want lớn eat lượt thích a local in Ho chi Minh, then head lớn the nearest street stall for a bowl of Pho (pronounced “fuh”), a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup.
Noodles are added to a clear stock soup with finely shredded meat according to preference. Finish with fresh chilli, basil, lime, & bean shoots lớn your own taste và this sweet, spicy, salty, comforting soup usually becomes a favourite of all visitors to Vietnam.
Eat the Original Vietnamese Banh ngươi Sandwich
The humble Banh mi is steeped in French Colonial history và Vietnamese ingenuity. The Banh mày sandwich as we know it today originated in the streets of Saigon in the late 1950s when Vietnam split into two countries.
The Vietnamese had always eaten the French baguette as the French had dictated – with butter as an accompaniment lớn assorted cold cuts and cheese. Mr and Mrs Le, a clever couple who fled the north were the first lớn put the ingredients inside the bread lớn make a “to go” style sandwich khổng lồ suit the busy Saigon lifestyle.
The simple airy baguette with shredded vegetables, cilantro, chilli, cucumber, & your choice of meat or pate has become a street food staple of Vietnam celebrated around the world.
The family of Mr và Mrs Le still run a Banh Mi siêu thị called Banh mi Hoa Ma in District 3. Read more about the history of the Banh mày sandwich.
Vietnamese cooking classes
The food in Vietnam is one of the most exciting aspects of the country & what draws many to visit.
If you have time & want to do something different; a Vietnamese cooking class is a great way khổng lồ experience another side of Ho bỏ ra Minh.
Most Ho bỏ ra Minh cooking classes include a local market tour. You will be guided through the market, selecting local fresh ingredients. A fantastic way lớn get a better understanding of both the dish you will learn khổng lồ cook và local life in Saigon.
Farm to Table Vietnamese Cooking Class Recommendation
Spend a morning or afternoon on a farm to lớn table cooking class. Vietnamese cuisine has long been considered one of the healthiest in the world. Learn about and harvest herbs, spices và vegetables from the medicine garden under the guidance of a pharmacist and chef. Discover different varieties of mushrooms & learn about rice cultivation. Once you have gathered your ingredients, a local chef will guide you through the preparation of healthy & delicious Vietnamese dishes. Prices start at VND 1,421,200 (~USD$60) pp. Includes Lunch, cooking class, guide, drink, transport. Get full tour details here.
Visit the Vietnam History Museum
Just inside the gates of the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is the beautiful 1929 French colonial building that houses the Vietnam History Museum.
The museum explores the pre-war eras of Vietnam. The collection of artefacts covers the evolution of Vietnamese cultures, from the Bronze Age civilisation in 2000 BC, the Funan civilisation in the 1st lớn 6th centuries AD, to lớn the Cham, Khmer và Vietnamese.
The museum includes a beautiful collection of Buddha statues, priceless relics from Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, & some stunning Chinese styled mother of pearl inlays. You will even find the perfectly preserved mummy of a woman who died in 1869, her body toàn thân excavated from Xom Cai in District 5.
The museum is a breath of fresh air for those who have had their fill of colonial và war history and the botanic gardens a nice reprieve from the tourist mill.
Open Hours:Daily 8:00 am – 11:30 am | 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Entry Fee:VND 15,000, (~ US$0.65 ). Cảnh báo -photos are only allowed inside with the purchase of a VND 30,000 camera ticket.
Giac Lam Pagoda
Built in 1744, Giac Lam Pagoda is the oldest temple in Ho đưa ra Minh. A pretty garden with a largeBodhi Treeforms the Giac Lam Pagoda which means ‘Feel the Woods Temple’.
The Bodhi Tree was a gift from a Sri Lankan monk who visited the temple in 1953. Surrounded by walls in the middle of the urban sprawl, the pagoda grounds are a delightful escape from the chaos of Ho bỏ ra Minh City.
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Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag
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Related: A Complete Guide khổng lồ The Best Crossbody Bags for Travel
Day Trips From Ho chi Minh
Cu chi Tunnels
Cu chi is 60 km from Ho bỏ ra Minh city. The scenic landscape of rice fields & water buffalo are a stark contrast to lớn the sheer devastation that took place in what was called a “Free Target Zone” during the Vietnam War.
Few places are more symbolic of Vietnamese determination & tenacity than Cu Chi. A 220 km subterranean network of tunnels, underground storage facilities, hospitals, & command centres honeycomb their way from just outside Ho đưa ra Minh thành phố to the Cambodian border. The tunnel systems enabled the Viet Cong lớn counter the growing American military effort.
It is not surprising the Cu đưa ra tunnels are one of the most popular things to bởi in Ho bỏ ra Minh for visitors & an important site for Vietnamese. It is also a fun thing khổng lồ if visiting Ho đưa ra Minh đô thị with teenagers.
While some of the tunnel network is multiple stories deep, much of it is very small, narrow and dark so not recommended for the claustrophobic.
Cu bỏ ra Tunnels Tours
Half-day Cu đưa ra Tour
Take a morning or afternoon tour of the Cu bỏ ra Tunnels with a professional guide. The tour lasts approx 6 hrs, includes transport & even offers the opportunity lớn fire an AK-47. Prices start at VND 331,600 pp (~ USD$14 pp). Get half-day Cu chi tour details here.
VIP Cu chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta Tour
Combine a Cu bỏ ra Tunnels tour with a cruise down the Mekong Delta & a traditional Vietnamese lunch. The tour lasts approx 11 hrs, includes professional guides, VIP or limousine style transfers, all entry fees, boat cruise, lunch, & snacks. Prices start at VND 1,326,200 pp (~ USD$56 pp). Get Cu bỏ ra Tunnels & Mekong Delta tour details here.
Explore the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta covers over 39,000 square kilometres of waterways và is one of the most densely populated areas in Vietnam. Starting in the Himalayas, the Mekong travels through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and finally, Vietnam.
Responsible for more than half of Vietnam’s rice cultivation and fishery, the river is vital to Vietnam’s economy and day khổng lồ day life.
Life in the delta region revolves around the river. Discover the incredible variety of food and livestock grown in the region.
Visit the famous floating markets & villages that dot the banks of the Mekong. It is along the mighty Mekong where you can learn so much about Vietnamese culture.
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Massive residue-free shower substitute bamboo toàn thân wipes
Flushable, individually wrapped wipes for travel
Mekong Delta Tour Recommendations
1 Day Mekong Delta TourExperience the narrow canals, stilt houses & fishing villages of the Mekong. Visit the Vinh Trang pagoda and see the giant Buddha statue. Cruise along the Tien River & stop for lunch in an Orchid Garden.
Includes transfers, boat trip, lunch, snacks & guide. Prices start at VND 686,900 pp (~ USD$ 29). Get full 1 day Mekong tour details here.
2 Day Mekong Delta và Cai Rang Floating Market TourVisit Vinh Trang pagoda, the biggest pagoda in Mekong Delta. Take a boat trip along the Mekong from My Tho khổng lồ see the fishing villages và experience life on the Delta. Spend the night in Can Tho before visiting the biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta – Cai Rang plus much more.
Tour includes transfers, Motorboat trips, small rowboat trip, Guide. All entrance fees, Most meals, and hotel stay in 3 or 5-star hotel. Prices start at VND 1,857,000 (~USD$ 80). See full 2 day Mekong tour details here.
3-Day 2-Night Mekong Delta with Phnom Penh Exit, CambodiaTake a 3 day Mekong Delta tour from Ho chi Minh thành phố finishing in Phnom Penh Cambodia. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, the Cai Rang Floating Market, Tra Su Cajuput Forest and so much more.
Tour includes All transfers, guide, Mekong Delta boat trip, Entrance fees, most meals & snacks, 2 nights accommodation, boat ticket khổng lồ Phnom Penh from Chau Doc. Prices start from VND 2,960,800 (~USD$ 125). See here for full 3 days/ 2 night Mekong tour details.
Visit Cao dai Temple
One hundred kilometres northwest of Ho đưa ra Minh City, close lớn the Cambodian border, is the Cao dai Temple.
The incredibly ornate and colourful temple was finished in 1955 following the Japanese occupation of Indochina when the Cao dai Army formed.Caodaists believe all religions ultimately seek khổng lồ promote tolerance throughout the world.
The basis of Caodaism is to lớn strive for world peace and harmony with beliefs steeped in several world religions. They honour Jesus Christ, Buddha, Muhammad và Confucius.
Prayer time is a highlight of visiting the temple. Thanks lớn the long flowing robes worn, it is a vivid display of colour accompanied by singing & music. Lay followers wear white, priests yellow, xanh or red, và bishops have the Divine Eye embroidered on their headpieces.
Add a Visit to Cao dẻo Temple Onto a Cu bỏ ra Tunnels TourVisit the Cao dai Temple as part of a Cu chi Tunnels tour. Attend the midday ceremony and learn about the Cao dẻo sect. After lunch, visit the subterranean world of the Cu chi Tunnels. It is a full-day tour an includes entrance fees, transfers, guides, and lunch. Prices start at VND 592,200 pp (~ USD$ 25 pp). Get full Cao dai Temple & Cu chi Tunnels Tour details here.
Plan More of Your Vietnam Itinerary
Want khổng lồ see more of Vietnam? Include some of Vietnam’s most beautiful & scenic destinations in your itinerary.
