Ho Chi Minh City (aka HCMC) is located in the southern region of Vietnam, and is the largest city in the country. It has a population of almost 9 million people, and sees roughly 18 million tourists per year.
Ho Chi Minh City has a rich history that dates back to the Khymer empire, when it was a port city called Prey Nokor. The Vietnamese people gained control of the region over time, and renamed it Gia Dinh, only to have it changed once again to Sài Gòn during French occupation. Saigon was changed to Ho Chi Minh City in 1976.
Its current name is the result of the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces capturing Saigon in 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War. On Reunification Day in 1976, the city was named after their communist leader, Ho Chi Minh, as a reminder of their victory.
Today, Ho Chi Minh City is a thriving metropolis that doesn’t discount its past, but is looking toward the future. When visiting HCMC, tourists will have ample opportunity to learn about its historic past while soaking up the culture and busy vibe of this great city.
What To Do In Ho Chi Minh City
Whether you’re staying for a few days, or a few weeks, there’s a ton of stuff you can do and see in Ho Chi Minh City.
Here’s my top 10:
1. Independence Palace
Independence Palace (also referred to as Reunification Palace), is the ex-Presidential palace in HCMC. It was here that North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops ended the Vietnam War by storming the gates and taking over the palace on April 30, 1975. This day is known as The Fall of Saigon. Independence Palace doesn’t see much use today, but it is open to the general public. Inside you’ll find a government building that’s been left untouched: opulent state rooms, meeting rooms, the President’s formal office, and living quarters can all be explored. The palace also has a helipad on the roof, it’s own theatre, and underground bunkers. This is one of the most popular sites in Ho Chi Minh City, and shouldn’t be missed.
Map It: Independence Palace – 135 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Cost: Admission to Independence Palace is 40,000 ₫ (Vietnamese Dong) ($1.75 USD). A combo ticket for the palace plus an additional exhibit “From Norodom Palace to Independence Palace” is 65,000 ₫ ($2.85 USD).
2. War Remnants Museum
A reminder of the horrors of both The First Indochina War and The Vietnam War, the War Remnants Museum is an important stop when in HCMC. The museum aims to educate about foreign occupation, and has several different theme rooms with all kinds of war-related paraphernalia. Military equipment is also on display, with aircrafts, tanks, boats, bombs, and various weapons that you can get up close to. It should be noted that there are graphic depictions of war in the museum, especially in the Requiem (war photography) and Agent Orange exhibitions. While it’s not always easy to look at it, it’s an eye-opening and powerful experience that all tourists should visit when in town.
Map It: War Remnants Museum – 28 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 6, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Cost: Admission to the War Remnants Museum is 40,000 ₫ ($1.75 USD).
3. The Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is an area of south Vietnam that’s comprised of 13 provinces. It’s here you’ll be able to explore wetlands, landscapes, orchards, floating markets, and of course, temples. The Mekong Delta is roughly 90 minutes from HCMC, and because it’s such a large area, you can spend anywhere from 1 to 4 days taking it all in. I’d recommend going with a tour to make things easy for you. There are various itineraries to choose from, and a simple one day tour can include stops at the floating market, a coconut candy factory, and a trip down the Mekong Delta River on a boat with locals. If you prefer some exercise, you can go on a tour with activities such as bicycling through the villages and rice fields. Also, bring small cash so you can tip the locals (which is always appreciated).
Map It: Mekong Delta River
Cost: Tours vary in price depending on where you’re going and if it’s a single or multi-day affair. The starting price is around VND 450,000 ($20 USD) for a single day tour in a large group. I’d recommend finding an operator in the city rather than booking online, as you’ll get a cheaper rate this way.
4. Ben Thanh Market
This traditional market is conveniently located in the middle of HCMC. It’s one of the oldest markets in town and started as an informal wet market in the early 17th century. The market’s original location structure was destroyed in a fire, and in 1912 it was moved into the building it currently occupies. It’s open daily from 6am to 6pm, at which time it turns into a night market until 10pm. A wide variety of products are sold here – from fresh foods to cosmetics, textiles to footwear, jewelry and souvenirs. You can also find food vendors providing shoppers with popular street dishes like buon thit nuong and bun bo hue if you feel like grabbing a bite.
Map It: Ben Thanh Market – Đ. Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Cost: Entrance is free and you’ll find cheaper prices the further inside the market you go. Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate pricing (although outer perimeter stalls are mainly fixed).
5. Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
In downtown HCMC you’ll find Notre Dame Cathedral. Built between 1863 and 1880, it was originally named the Church of Saigon and was built as a place of worship for French colonialists following France’s colonization of Vietnam. All building materials were imported from France, and it features two bell towers at a height of 190 feet. In 1959, it adopted its current moniker, and the church’s resemblance to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris make it a popular photography spot for tourists. Fun fact: In 2005, witnesses claimed the Virgin Mary statue in front of the cathedral cried a single tear!
Map It: Notre Dame Cathedral Basicilia of Saigon – 01 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Cost: Entrance to the church is free, however, it isn’t accessible when services are taking place.
6. Củ Chi Tunnels
Image courtesy of Civitatis
Arguably one of the coolest things to do while in HCMC is visit the Củ Chi Tunnels. These are a large network of tunnels located in the Củ Chi district of HCMC, about 90 minutes from the downtown core. During the Vietnam War, the tunnels were used by the Viet Cong as they made their way from north Vietnam into the south. The Củ Chi Tunnels were used as supply routes and provided a place to hide from American and South Vietnamese troops. During intense bombings, Viet Cong fighters lived in the tunnels for days at a time, so they created living quarters, hospitals, and weapons caches inside them. The Củ Chi Tunnels are part of an even larger network of tunnels that run throughout the entire country of Vietnam.
Map It: Củ Chi Tunnels – Đ. Tỉnh Lộ 15, Phú Hiệp, Củ Chi, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 733814, Vietnam
Cost: There are various tours that can take you to the tunnels, which will range in price depending if you go with a large group, a small group, or a private tour. Ticket price for the tunnels is 110,000 ₫ (roughly $5 USD).
7. Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street
In a city that’s renowned for the ridiculous amount of motorbikes on the road, Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a nice respite where you can relax outdoors. It’s a large open space measuring 900 meters long by 60 meters wide, and runs from the People’s Committee Building all the way south to the Saigon River. While the street sees action nightly, traffic surrounding it is blocked on Saturday and Sunday evenings to provide additional space for pedestrians. On either side of the street are various hotels, restaurants, and food vendors, with a large fountain and a commemorative statue of Ho Chi Minh himself capping off the square. It’s a nice spot to relax at the end of the day, mingle with the locals, or people watch.
Map It: Nguyen Hue Walking Street – 22 Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Cost: Free!
8. Visit Patisseries
Image courtesy of Facebook
While this isn’t a traditional attraction in HCMC, good patisseries are hard to come by, and due to the French influence in the country, the patisseries here are second to none. What makes them even more special is they’re considerably cheaper than the ones in France, or any other Western country for that matter. I highly recommend Une Journée À Paris for their french breakfast, and Sugar Bakery for desserts. Pro tip: Sugar Bakery discounts their food near the end of the day.
Map It: Une Journée À Paris – 17 Đ. Trần Quốc Toản, Phường 8, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Sugar Bakery – 100 Mạc Thị Bưởi, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Cost: Price will vary depending on what you order, but plan to spend anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000 ₫ ($5 to $10 USD) at these places.
9. Bui Vien Street
If you like action, you’ll want to head over to Bui Vien Street, which is located in the backpackers area of the city. It’s basically a long road with a mixture of bars, restaurants, cars, motorbikes, and shops and definitely caters to the party crowd. Not thinking, I headed over on Halloween and the street was rammed with people. While I can appreciate it for what it is, it definitely wasn’t my scene, but it was worth walking through just to experience the insanity. Food and drink here is relatively cheap, which is a big selling point to help bring in the tourists.
Map It: Bui Vien Walking Street – Bùi Viện, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Cost: A meal on Bui Vien ranges between 100,000 to 200,000 ₫ ($5 to $10 USD) with beer between 10,000 and 80,000 ₫ ($0.50 to $3.50 USD).
10. Saigon Skydeck
The Bitexco Financial Tower contains 68 floors and rises 861 feet, making it the second tallest building in HCMC. It resembles an upright surfboard and is designed with a helipad jutting out of its south side. Inside the tower you can find Saigon Skydeck, which is an enclosed observation deck providing 360 degree views of the city on the 49th floor. The tower also includes a shopping center (Icon68), food court, and multi-screen cinema.
Map It: Saigon Skydeck – 36 Hồ Tùng Mậu, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Cost: Admission costs 200,000 ₫ (8.75 USD) for adults, and 130,000 ₫ ($5.75 USD) for children under 12, seniors over 65, and people with disabilities.
What Else Is There?
If you’re still looking for things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, I’d suggest you check out any of the following:
Saigon Opera House: A historic, 500-seat, French-style opera house built in 1897 and restored in 1995.
Thich Quang Duc Monument: The site of the infamous “Burning Monk” who lit himself on fire to protest the persecution of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government. See then and now photos on my Instagram.
Saigon Central Post Office: Located across the street from the Notre Dame Cathedral, the post office was built in the late 19th century with Gothic, Renaissance, and French design influences.
Tao Dan Park: A serene, 10-hectare park in the middle of the city with temples, statues, large trees, and walking paths.
Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre: Vietnamese water puppetry dates back to the 11th century, and is a great way to learn more about the history and culture of Vietnam.
Thien Hau Temple: Located in Cho Lon (Chinatown), this Chinese-style pagoda was built in 1760 and dedicated to Chinese goddess of the sea, Mazu.
My Two Cents: Should You Visit Ho Chi Minh City?
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend visiting Ho Chi Minh City, as I really enjoyed my time there. It’s a city in transformation, blending modern life with a ton of old-school charm, providing lots of options for tourists. The most fascinating aspects for me were related to the Vietnam War, but it’s also an easily walkable city where you can interact with locals at food stalls and markets, relax in a cafe, take a stroll along the Saigon River, kick back in one of its many parks, or enjoy the nightlife.
Other notable features? The city isn’t very expensive, has excellent food options, plenty of photography opportunities, and the weather stays warm all year long.
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