Planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City? You’ve come to the right place!
Check out this handy list of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City to cover the usual sights and learn how to craft a perfect plan!
Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City often doesn’t get as much attention as Hanoi, but it has its unique charm.
Despite being underrated, there are some seriously cool things to do in Ho Chi Minh that deserve a spot on your bucket list.
More on that below!
Read More: A Guide To Saigon: Getting Around | Activities | Safety & More
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
Sitting smack dab in the city core, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral has stood the test of time since it was first erected in the late 1880s.
Often referred to as Saigon Notre-Dame – or formally, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica, the cathedral is one of the first buildings that came around to establish the French protectorate in Vietnam, part of the French Cochinchine.
Serving religious purposes for the French legion in the far-east land, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral was once a small wooden shrine on Ngo Duc Ke Street before the French Admiral Bonard decided to build a larger cathedral.
Construction began on March 28, 1863, and in just two years, the cathedral was finished. By 1895, the French added two bell towers, each with six small bronze bells.
Today, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral proudly makes a statement at the bustling Paris Commune Square, featuring a statue of Our Lady of Peace at its center. It’s a popular spot for visitors to enjoy coffee, take photos, and watch pigeons. On weekend mornings, it’s lively with young people chatting and relaxing.
Central Post Office
Teaming up with Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral next door, the Central Post Office appeared in 1886, just three decades after the cathedral was built, making it one of the first post offices to be established in French Cochinchine.
Celebrating a beautiful mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and French influences, Saigon Post Office is an Insta-worthy spot. Once inside, you’ll be hooked with two massive old maps hanging on the left and right wings. One displayed the first postal system going across French Cochinchine while the other one depicts the old Saigon and its surrounding area.
Independence Palace
Also called the Reunification Palace, this famous spot in Vietnam was built where an old house for a French leader once stood.
Commonly known as the White House of Saigon, the palace once served as the seat of the French governors, Japanese officials, and later, the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. This big, strong, and angular building played a key role in Vietnam’s history.
April 30th, 1975 marked the end of the civil war and officially led to the Fall of Saigon when a tank from the North Vietnamese army broke through the gates.
Visiting the palace feels like going back in time. You get to see fancy rooms used for parties and official meetings, and even explore tunnels and old bunkers in the basement.
War Remnants Museum
If you can only visit one museum in Ho Chi Minh City, make it the War Remnants!
With proximity to the Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum is the city’s most popular museum and one of the world’s most well-known war museums. Once inside, you’ll find exhibits from the infamous Vietnam War, including real helicopters and tanks, each with its own fascinating story.
There are three stories to explore, with galleries ranging in various topics such as the Indochina War, Orange Agent, major events, global support, and post-war recovery. You can easily spend two hours there, and a guided tour will make your visit a lot more worth seeing.
Saigon Opera House
The City Theater is a cool spot in Ho Chi Minh City. People also call it the Saigon Opera House. It’s a nice 500-seat theater where they do ballets, concerts, and other artsy shows.
The house hosts my favorite show – the A O Show! Tickets are sold out fast, especially in the front rows. Plus, they tour around the country and only two to three shows a week are available so plan accordingly!
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
The newly opened walking street of Nguyen Hue is big and wide. With Ho Chi Minh City Hall station at one head and the Saigon River at the end, Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a bustling hub of life where street performers and small musicians entertain.
Along the street, you’ll find colorful fountains, shops, restaurants, and cafes. This street is like the heart of the city – when something is happening, it usually goes down here.
Head to 42 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, choose a restaurant or cafe on the upper floors for a street view and chill with a drink. Head into a small alley on the left side of the building for a lift ride up. It costs VND 3,000 each time you want a ride. A local guy will collect your cash before you enter. Some cafes offer to refund you this amount when you check out.
Ben Thanh Market
Going shopping?
Well, Ben Thanh Market keeps you in the know!
It’s a touristy place, I know! But for me, this iconic shopping symbol still makes a great start to browse your favorite keepsakes. From quirky T-shirt designs to branded coffee and local nuts, you name it! These are a few to be named out of 1,500 kiosks.
It’s super famous and a great way to soak up local Vietnamese vibes. This market is one of the oldest buildings in Saigon and a big symbol of the city.
Since Ben Thanh Market is popular, it can get pretty busy, but don’t let that stop you. And if you’re feeling hungry while you’re there, there’s a cool food spot called Ben Thanh Street Food Market just a short walk away. It’s like a trendy food hall with lots of tasty options. And trust me, this food court will have you in awe. A hearty, steaming hot bowl of noodle soup here over lunchtime won’t cost you an arm and a leg!
Pham Ngu Lao Area
Now we’re talking endless parties and sleepless nights with narrow roads conquered by tour buses lining up along a city park, cigarette vendors, rental motorbike shops, juice merchants, and tiny alleyways filled with Airbnbs.
Seem chaotic?
Rest assured! That is the beauty of this notorious party area. Commonly known as the backpacker areas, the Pham Ngu Lao area is named after a road and also a ward where it’s located.
Bùi Viện Walking Street proudly sits at the heart of this busy area, really busy and a bit overrated.
Tan Dinh Pink Church
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen this notorious pink church on my Insta feed.
If you say “pink church,” everyone knows which one you’re talking about. But not many know that the place, officially named Tan Dinh Church, is one of Saigon’s oldest and most significant Roman Catholic spots.
The history of Tan Dinh Church goes back to 1874 when Father Donatien Éveillard established a Catholic mission here. The church had undergone a few renovations before it took over this Hello-Kitty pink coat in 1957.
Check out a namesake market just across the road from the Tan Dinh Church. This is surely one of the best places to get your street food fix. It’s much more local than Ben Thanh Market.
Hop On A Day Trip From Ho Chi Minh City
Cu Chi Tunnels
If the War Remnants Museum gives you a heads-up about the Vietnam War, then a day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels will have you in awe at how life for the Viet Cong once was. Cu Chi Tunnels, named after a rural district north of Ho Chi Minh City, served as a key combat spot where the Vietnamese guerillas were stationed to attack Saigon – the capital city of the Republic of Vietnam.
The tour takes you through the Cu Chi jungle, offering insights into the life of the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.
The intricate tunnel system built by the Viet Cong was fascinating to see. One of the highlights was crawling through the tight Cu Chi Tunnels.
Mekong Delta
Occupying the entire tip of Southern Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is a massive lush wetland dubbed the “rice bowl of Vietnam”. Right here. 23.75 million metric tons are used to supply the entire country and exported to other parts of the world.
But that’s not the only thing the Mekong Delta is proud of! Setting sail on a canoe ride on a thriving tropical island, exploring the ancient Buddhist temples, munching on incredible regional bites, and venturing out to the bustling fish farms make your day trips to the Mekong Delta a lot more enjoyable.
Final Words:
Big and dynamic, Ho Chi Minh City is a young city with a beautiful mix of the old and the new. The strategic location has turned HCMC into a special area, with key access to the Pacific Ocean and an immense network of rivers that connect the Mekong Delta.
Despite its chaotic side, HCMC is worth spending a week if your time budget allows. The insane traffic may hold you back in doubt – but trust me, you’ll have a whale of a time conquering this city at your own pace!