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Impressive sights in Ho Chi Minh City
What are the best sights to see in Ho Chi Minh City? In a city so large and diverse, you'll be amazed at the fun things to do and see. The streetscape of Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, consists of the chaotic traffic we know from Hanoi, but is complemented by a mix of authentic and modern construction. In the largest city of Vietnam you will find beautiful stores, vibrant nightlife, delicious hotspots and interesting museums where you can learn more about the country's prominent history. In this article, we share the best sights and fun to do's in Ho Chi Minh City!
Discover the most beautiful sights in Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city. With streets full of honking scooters and cars, it may take a little getting used to when you first arrive, but trust us, you'll get used to it. Make your way through the crowds in search of cool sights like the colonial buildings and museums.
Admire French colonial buildings
You will find some magnificent colonial buildings in the city center. One of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh City is the Saigon Central Post Office. This typical French colonial post office was once one of the busiest post offices in Vietnam. Even though this is no longer the case, you can still send packages and cards there (nice place to send a card to the home front). The building attracts many visitors daily, this is partly because of the large portrait of Ho Chi Minh that hangs inside the building.Â
Across from the Saigon post office is Notre Dame. An imposing cathedral that dates back to 1883 and was built by the French. There is a mass every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the cathedral that you can attend.
By the way, these sights are all close to the Nguyen Hue Walking Street. This is where thousands of people gather in the evening for a nice chat or game. It is a wonderful place to be at night. You overlook iconic colonial buildings as well as the latest high-rise buildings from here.
Visit the War Remnants Museum
The city of Saigon played a crucial role during the Vietnam War. Its fierce history is better documented in no place than the War Remnants Museum. A visit to this museum is therefore both impressive and heartbreaking at the same time.Â
Outside the museum you will find the repository of a number of tanks, helicopters and guns. Inside, photos with personal stories and informative explanations can be found scattered over several floors. The atrocities that took place during the Vietnam War are unprecedented.Â
Visit the Independence Palace
The Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City is where the Vietnam War came to an end in 1975 when a North Vietnamese army tank drilled its way through the gate. Today, it is a museum and so you can visit the palace. The interior of the palace is the same as it looked in 1975. Be sure to take a look at the bomb shelter and the communications room from which the army was controlled.
A day trip to the Cu Chi tunnels
The tunnel system, the Cu Chi tunnels, from which the Vietcong attacked the Americans and South Vietnamese, are known worldwide. You can see for yourself on a day trip to the Cu Chi tunnels how the Vietcong survived here. These included spaces created for sick beds and schools. The tunnels have been made wider in some places so tourists can experience for themselves what it looks like underground.
Mekong Delta: a day trip or multi-day stay
Close to the city you will find the Mekong Delta, a large lake area with branches that flow into the South China Sea. From Ho Chi Minh, several day trips are organized to the Mekong Delta where you sail down the river in a traditional Vietnamese boat and visit local tribes in the area. They are standard tours, but it gives you an insight into the daily life of the locals.Â
If you have longer time, we can definitely recommend staying at least 1 night in this region. Take a bike ride through the area for a truly authentic experience. A particularly nice place for this is Nguyen Shack Mekong Can Tho.
Fun hotspots in Ho Chi Minh City
Did you already know that Ho Chi Minh City is considered the culinary capital of the country? You'll find authentic Vietnamese cuisine with a mix of regional and international influences. For typical local and Western food, look for a restaurant in the city center. For Chinese bites, Cholon is the place to be. But if your preference is for a simple and quick bite, your best bet is to browse around the stalls at Ben-Thanh Market. Still fancy a drink and dance afterwards? Then take a look at Bui Vien Street!
Two hot spots in Ho Chi Minh City where we ate traditionally are Bep me In and Quan An Ngon. Bep me In is a cozy restaurant where they serve Vietnamese dishes traditional but with a modern twist. The restaurant is located next to the famous Ben Thanh market, making it an ideal combination. At Quan An Ngon you will find delicious Vietnamese dishes as well as other familiar Asian dishes. The restaurant is well regarded and the atmosphere is top notch.
With several impressive high-rise buildings in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, it is definitely recommended to visit a rooftop bar once. We are at EON Heli Bar (in Bitexco) with fantastic views of the city. Other well-known rooftop bars are Saigon Saigon and Glow Skybar Saigon.Â
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is an incredibly large city, so we totally understand that it can be hard to decide where to stay. Fortunately, we can get you started on finding a nice place to stay in a cozy neighborhood in Saigon.Â
The city is divided into 24 districts and the district where it is best to look for a hotel is District 1. The Hideout is the accommodation where we stayed in Ho Chi Minh. This is a nice hostel with comfortable beds, and because of its location in District 1 close to famous sights and nice restaurants and bars. Also handy to know is that many day tours, for example those to the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi tunnels, only have a pick-up and drop-off service for District 1. Check here for The best hotel deals in District 1.
Our favorite accommodations in Ho Chi Minh City
Transportation to, from and in Ho Chi Minh City
In case you are following our itinerary through Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is your final destination, but of course this city can also be your starting point for a tour of the country. There are several flight routes from Schiphol Airport to get to Ho Chi Minh City. The cheapest providers are often Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways, but KLM may also have interesting deals. For attractive flight deals, you should check out Skyscanner.Â
When you stay in District 1, you will not use much public transportation in the city. Many attractions in Ho Chi Minh City can be reached on foot. If you want to use a cab, we can recommend Mai Linh Taxi or Vinasun cab. A good alternative is Grab, the Asian version of Uber.
Travel on from Ho Chi Minh City to the neighboring country Cambodia? Then we can recommend you to fly, often the cheapest with AirAsia, or to book a bus trip including visa service. This can often be arranged at the hotel or hostel where you are staying.
What is the best travel time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
Located in southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh has a very different climate compared to other destinations in the country. Thus, the best time to visit this city is from December through March. The months have little to no rain and the humidity is the lowest. In the month of February, the city is brightly decorated in connection with the TET festival.
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Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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