Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, is the largest and most chaotic city in Vietnam. It is the business and financial center of Vietnam, with a prominent history that goes back hundreds of years. It is a city with a billion things at the same time. The city has a lot to offer: beautiful shops, fantastic nightlife, good museums and delicious food. You can read all about it in this Ho Chi Minh City travel guide.

5 reasons to visit Ho Chi Minh CIty

1. Learn more about the Vietnam War at the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels
2. Feel the energy of the city from a rooftop bar
3. Enjoy the most wonderful local dishes in the striking restaurants and street stalls
4. Take advantage of the convenient location of the city to discover the Mekong Delta
5. Explore the markets and off the beaten track lanes behind a motorcycle

What is in this Ho Chi Minh City travel guide

Practical information

Best time to visit

• February: Hardly any rain, the least humidity and a city full of flowers for the Tet parties.
• March: Little rain and humidity.
• December: December is cooler than normal for HCMC and relatively dry.

10 best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

With streets full of French colonial buildings and a constant buzz, Ho Chi Minh City has rewarding sights for temple and museum visitors, market lovers, history junkies, architecture fans, park enthusiasts or just anyone who wants to see Vietnam’s most economically vibrant city in action.

1. Cu Chi Tunnels

The best thing to do in Ho Chi Minh City is making a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels are part of a war museum, where you can learn more about the Vietnam War. Crawl through the cramped tunnels to get a sense of how the Viet Cong lived during the war. In addition, you can see many different traps that she used, how they lived underground and view abandoned military vehicles. Optionally, it is also possible to shoot with different guns on the shooting range.

2. War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum is arguably the best and most impressive museum in Vietnam; something you really shouldn’t skip. In this war museum you will learn more about the horrific Vietnam War. Outside the museum are a number of abandoned military vehicles, such as a tank, jet, helicopter and rocket launchers. Inside you can see more war objects and graphic photos of the brutal war.

3. French colonial buildings

Just like Hanoi and a number of other cities in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City has a lot of architecture dating back to the French colonial era. Since the center has now developed into a modern metropolis, it is a unique sight to see centuries-old buildings between towering skyscrapers.

The old Saigon Central Post office is definitely worth a visit. The building is still in use, so you can send a postcard to your friends and family at home from here. Opposite this building is the impressive Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral from 1863.

The colonial building Saigon Opera House is also still in use. It is a unique experience to attend a show here. Close to this you will also find the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the former town hall.

4. Street food tour on the back of a motorbike

The food in Vietnam is sacred and their proudest possession to the people. In every street you will find a place to eat, whether it is a luxury restaurant or a simple street stall with some plastic stools. Because people from all over the country have migrated to Saigon for economic reasons, you will also find dishes here from every hat in the country.

The best way is with a street food tour. Just like a street food tour in Hanoi, here you will try different dishes, see places in the city that you would otherwise never see and you get a truly unique insight into local life. If you dare, go on a street food tour on the back of a motorbike of a local guide. This gives an extra unique experience to the already cool activity.

By sitting on the back of the bike and eating at local stalls, you really become a part of the local culture. It is an experience you will never forget.

5. Nightlife

The best nightlife in Vietnam can be found in Ho Chi Minh City. It is the largest city in the country with the most entertainment and the most diverse.

The most famous place to find nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City is Bui Vien Street, the backpacker street of Ho Chi Minh City or perhaps the backpacker street of Vietnam. It’s the equalevant of Khao San Road in Bangkok – but better. This street is full of bars and clubs. You can also have a drink on one of the many plastic chairs on the street.

If you are looking for a place with a few more classes, come and have a cocktail at one of the many rooftop bars in Ho Chi Minh City. You will also find many different bars and clubs spread throughout the city; whether you like jazz or EDM, there is something for everyone.

6. Reunification Palace

This palace was the Vietnamese general’s base until his death in 1963. It became world famous in 1975 when a North Vietnamese army tank passed through the main gate, ending the Vietnam War. Nowadays you can visit this palace in the form of a museum. It is quite unique to see that everything still looks as it was 40 years ago, including an air raid shelter and a communication room from which troops were directed.

7. Bitexco Financial Tower

Bitexco used to be the tallest building in the city until Landmark 81 was built in 2018, which is now also the tallest building in Southeast Asia. Yet Bitexco is still the most beautiful skyscraper in the city, right in the center. It is in the shape of a lotus flower and has a helicopter platform on the side.

At 262 meters high you will find a sky deck that you can visit with a great view over the city and river.

8. Nguyen Hue Walking Street

For one of the best spots in the city for the social and dating life in the city, head to Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Thousands of people mingle here every night and enjoy a cool evening in the center. It is surrounded by impressive architecture of the colonial building such as Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the Opera House and you find the beautiful Cafe Apartments building here, where each apartment is a different cafe with unique decor. It looks great from the outside on the street. In addition, these old buildings are surrounded by the newest skyscrapers.

9. Markets

Just like any other city in Vietnam, you will find many different markets in Ho Chi Minh City. Here you can observe the daily life of the local inhabitants. The further from the center, the more local and authentic the markets are. Most markets sell everyday products such as meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, household products and clothing. But there are also specialized markets, such as a motorbike market, flower market and pet market. The two best-known markets are Ben Thanh Market and Binh Tay Market.

10. Saigon River

The Saigon River flows right through the city. When you are on the other side of the river opposite the center you have a great view of the city skyline. There are also several boat trips that you can do on the river.

For example, you can visit the Mekong Delta by speedboat starting from this river. It takes you quickly to the delta, but above all it is a much nicer way than by road. You can also watch the sunset by speedboat tour, where you will also drink a cocktail at a luxury restaurant. For more romance or just fun, you can take a Saigon River dinner cruise. Delicious food while overlooking the beautiful city skyline.

Best hotels & hostels in Ho Chi Minh City

Where to stay

District 1 – The city is huge with many different neighborhoods. However, it is always advisable to find your accommodation in district 1, this is the center of the city.  From here you are close to the sights, many restaurants and places to go out. In addition, day tours guarantee a pick-up service from district one. Due to its popularity, District 1 offers a range of accommodation options, ranging from five-star hotels along chic Dong Khoi Street to budget hostels in Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien Street.

Best hotels & hostels in Ho Chi Minh City