Visiting Ho Chi Minh City may feel like you are traveling back in time. This impressive Vietnam city is lined with centuries-old pagodas, antique buildings, and traditional markets bustling with everyday life. However, the other part of Ho Chi Minh city screams glitz and glam with its sumptuous skyscrapers and brilliant city lights. The unique blend between the old and new makes Ho Chi Minh City – or Saigon – special. For that reason, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the must-visit destinations in Vietnam. To help you get the best out of the city, we have a list of the 15 best things to do in Ho Chi Minh. Get ready for an exciting and touching adventure in this historical city!
What to Do in Ho Chi Minh City – The Best Ideas
- See the Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Marvel at the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
- Experience the Locals’ Everyday Life at Ben Than Market
- Wander Around the Chinatown District (Cholon)
- Visit War Remnants Museum
- Explore Vietnam History Museum
- See the Reunification Palace
- Uncover the History of Cu Chi Tunnels
- Travel Like a Local to Mekong Delta
- Start the Day at Tao Dan Park
- Indulge in Vietnam’s Coffee Culture
- Spoil your Tastebuds with Vietnamese Cuisine
- Try Out Some Snails on Vinh Khan Street
- Book a Cooking Class
- Enjoy the City Lights from Bitexco Financial Tower
1. See the Jade Emperor Pagoda
Get a glance at Vietnam’s vibrant culture in this beautiful red pagoda. The Jade Emperor Pagoda is a Taoist pagoda that is located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. The century-old pagoda was built as a main temple for the supreme Taoist god, which is the Jade Emperor. You can see the statue of the deity, as well as other fascinating ornaments like carvings and statues.
The pagoda is always full of people praying and burning incense. So, make sure to be respectful and avoid making loud noises during your visit. Thus, you can still visit a few spots in this pagoda and adore its astonishing architecture.
2. Marvel at the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
This magnificent cathedral stands out in the middle of the city with its gaudy exterior and opulent architecture. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral will remind you of the original Notre Dame Cathedral in France. The cathedral was built by the French during the colonial period in Vietnam. It was designed by Jules Bourard, a French architect, to build a smaller version of Paris’ Notre Dame.
Now, the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most outstanding tourist attractions in Vietnam. It has enticing architecture that looks good both in real life and on camera. The interior of the cathedral is elegant, with baroque-style arches and impressive stained glass windows. Therefore, visiting the cathedral is one of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.
3. Experience the Locals’ Everyday Life at Ben Than Market
Set your eyes on the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City in Ben Than Market. It is the busiest market in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as one of the city’s main attractions. The market is lined with over 200 stalls, selling miscellaneous items from agriculture products to handcrafted souvenirs. Thus, Ben Than Market is the best way to see the locals’ everyday life and experience their beautiful culture.
Besides its authentic experience, Ben Than Market attracts travelers due to its affordable price. You can find high-quality souvenirs, crafts, or textiles at a fair price in the market. Moreover, you can also haggle to get a lower price. This haggling experience doubles the fun during your visit to Ben Than Market!
4. Wander Around the Chinatown District (Cholon)
One of the top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City is to visit Chinatown District or Cholon. The busy district is home to an impressive Chinese culture, displayed through its buildings, colors, and many more. Cholon Chinatown is lined with antique buildings, beautiful pagodas, and bustling markets. Thus, it is a great place to learn about Chinese culture and immerse in everyday life of the locals.
Make sure to get your camera ready because Cholon features lots of Insta-worthy places. The vintage buildings and antique shops look gorgeous in pictures. Also, the small temples and pagodas emphasize the authentic vibes of this Chinatown. Moreover, make sure to sample some Chinese food in this district. From duck noodles to dumplings, everything tastes delightful in Cholon.
5. Visit War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum is always on the list of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. It is the most prominent museum in Ho Chi Minh City, even Vietnam, as it displays the remnants of the Vietnam War. So, if you want to learn more about Vietnam War and its heartbreaking facts, you must visit the museum.
You will only need a few hours to explore every corner of the museum, but it will be a heart-wrenching experience. War Remnants Museum features lots of old war instruments, such as armored vehicles, weapons, and artillery pieces. Moreover, War Remnants Museum also displays pictures from the war and intimidating artifacts used for the prisoners. Therefore, the museum acts as a memorial of the gruesome impact of war and a reminder for us to support peace. Furthermore, you can visit the official website of the War Remnants Museum for further information.
6. Explore Vietnam History Museum
Traveling is the best opportunity to learn about a nation’s culture. Then, to learn about the history of Vietnam, you can visit this beautiful museum in Saigon. Vietnam History Museum is nestled inside Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens and stands out among the well-manicured gardens. Like its name, the museum displays Vietnam’s antique artifacts and historical objects.
From the outside, the Vietnam History Museum looks magnificent, with traditional Vietnamese architecture and bright yellow walls. However, the interior and collections of the museum will amaze you even more. There are numerous artifacts from around 2000 BC, which once belonged to the Cham, Khmer, and Vietnam dynasties. You can see beautiful jewelry, artistic statues, interesting relics, and even a mummy. After a visit to the colonial and wartime museum, Vietnam History Museum will be a breath of fresh air.
To learn more about Vietnam History Museum, you can visit their official website here.
7. See the Reunification or Independence Palace
Discover more about Vietnam’s history in this elegant palace. Reunification Palace is a famous landmark in Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City. It was built in the 1960s as the workplace of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. Now, the sumptuous landmark functions as a museum, as a lot of Vietnam’s important historical events happened in the palace.
You can explore the interior of the palace, where you can find interesting rooms such as the president’s living quarters, war rooms, and a telecommunication center. You can also find rooms where you can learn about the palace and its history in multiple languages, like English and French. Therefore, it is a great place to learn about history and one of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.
8. Uncover the History of Cu Chi Tunnels
Travel back in time and discover a devastating history at this legendary spot. Cu Chi Tunnels is a maze of tunnels that lie underground in Saigon. It was established during the Vietnam War, functioning as the hiding place of local Vietnamese. The tiny, cramped tunnels will remind us of the devastating events of the war that happened a few decades ago.
To explore the tunnels, you have to duck and crawl. They are very small and dark, with several intersections and chambers. After exploring the tunnels, you can also try the unique experience of trying meals eaten by the soldiers during the war or seeing command centers. Before exploring Cu Chi Tunnels, you can access more information on their official website.
9. Travel Like a Local to Mekong Delta
What to do in Ho Chi Minh City if you want to travel like a local? The answer will be exploring Mekong Delta! This renowned delta flows in the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, which is perfect for a day trip. Get ready for an authentic adventure as you arrive in the enticing river delta.
Exploring Mekong Delta means sailing through an enormous delta with dense vegetation, stumbling upon floating rivers, and stopping by local villages. It is one of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City if you dream about a local experience. Then, we recommend you go on a traditional canoe tour to explore like a local. Put on nón lá, a traditional Vietnamese straw hat, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey.
10. Start the Day at Tao Dan Park
Here is an inspiration for the morning person! If you want to start the morning with a relaxing walk or good coffee, head to Tao Dan Park. It is a green space that is nestled between the bustling District 1. The lovely park is already busy in the morning, with people doing morning activities like jogging, doing tai-chi, or drinking a cup of coffee. Moreover, you can stumble upon artistic Buddha pagodas and beautiful monuments in the park.
One of the interesting things you can do in Tao Dan Park is drink coffee with tons of birds singing. Tao Dan Park is the meeting point for bird lovers all over Saigon. For that reason, you can find a cafe with tons of songbirds. So, have a cup of Vietnam drip and listen to the birds chirping, as well as immerse in the pleasant atmosphere the park has.
11. Indulge in Vietnam’s Coffee Culture
Do you know what the best thing about Vietnam is? It is their coffee. As one of the world’s largest coffee producers, coffee is an important part of Vietnamese culture. Thus, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the world’s best cities for coffee. You can find all kinds of delicious coffee, from the classic Vietnam drip to crafted lattes.
Coffee shops scatter all over Ho Chi Minh City. It is easy to find a place to get a cup of warm coffee, along with a comfortable space and relaxing atmosphere. The coffee shops also welcome you to finish your work as they usually have a fast internet connection and a nice working space. So, if you are working remotely and want to take a workation to Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City can be your spot!
Best Cafes in Ho Chi Minh City: Barista Collective, The Coffee House, Padma de Fleur, and Du Mien Garden Cafe
12. Spoil your Tastebuds with Vietnamese Cuisine
One of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City is go on food tours. Of course, who could deny hearty Vietnamese cuisine? From warm soups like Pho and savory fritters, everything in a Vietnamese restaurant will surprise your taste buds. Thus, flavors in Saigon are usually bolder and stronger, leaving positive impressions on anyone who samples them.
Taking a street food tour or restaurant-hopping in Ho Chi Minh City is highly recommended. There are lots of restaurants that will blow your mind with their insanely delicious menu. Moreover, you don’t need to worry about food if you are traveling to Vietnam on a budget. Street food and local restaurants in District 1 have affordable but undeniably amazing food. Then, what dishes should you try in Saigon? You can order some bò kho (Vietnamese beef stew), bánh canh cua (seafood noodles), and Gỏi cuốn (spring rolls).
13. Try Out Snails at Vinh Khan Street
Although eating snails might sound extreme, snails are one of the best delicacies in Vietnam. This unique cuisine is featured in Netflix Street Food: Asia and is known for its delightful taste. If you are looking for different things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, trying snails should be one on your list.
You can find the best snail dishes on Vinh Khan Street. This street in District 4 is known as ‘The Street Food Street.’ It is cramped with food stalls and restaurants selling different kinds of snacks and treats. You can also easily find seafood restaurants on this street, selling full-course seafood. Thus, you can find delicious snails either in street food stalls or seafood restaurants. Get ready to be surprised at how flavorful they taste!
14. Book a Cooking Class
You might feel Southern Vietnam cuisine is so delicious that you want to have it at home. Then, why not take a cooking class? It is one of the awesome things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. Besides discovering how bánh canh cua is made, you can also learn a new skill.
There are lots of cooking classes you can choose from in the city. You can even book one in your hotel or a restaurant. Thus, you can also find authentic classes that show you how the food is processed from farm to table. They usually use locally-sourced ingredients and teach the traditional way of cooking. Thus, it would be a great experience if you are into community or sustainable tourism!
15. Enjoy the City View from Bitexco Financial Tower
Head to the metropolitan side of Ho Chi Minh City and get ready to be blown away by its luscious city lights. You can get a panoramic view of Ho Chi Minh City from Bitexco Financial Tower. On the 49th floor of this 262 meters-tall building, there is an observation deck that is open to the public. The deck allows you to get a 360-degree view of the charming town. At night, it looks more gorgeous with the twinkling city lights.
Besides the observation deck, you can also check out the sky bar in Bitexco Financial Tower. The EON Helibar is located on the 52nd floor of the building, serving many kinds of sumptuous drinks. Thus, the drinks in the bar are at a fair price with the stunning view it offers. So, to end the day awesomely, go to Bitexco Financial Tower and have some drinks! Also, get more information about Bitexco Financial Tower here.
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