Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide: Top 15 Things to Do
Saigon moves fast — vibrant, loud, and endlessly fascinating. Here are the top 15 things to do in Ho Chi Minh City for first-time and returning visitors.
Ho Chi Minh City — still widely known as Saigon — is Vietnam's largest city and its commercial heartbeat. It's louder, faster, and more chaotic than Hanoi, but equally fascinating. History and modernity collide on every street corner.
Top Historical Attractions
🏛️ War Remnants Museum — One of the most powerful war museums in the world. Sobering but essential. Open 07:30–12:00, 13:30–17:00 daily. Entry: 40,000 VND.
🏰 Reunification Palace — The former presidential palace where the Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975. Still preserved exactly as it was that day.
⛪ Notre-Dame Cathedral — A twin-towered red-brick cathedral built by the French in 1880, currently under restoration.
📮 Saigon Central Post Office — Designed by Gustave Eiffel, this grand colonial building is still a functioning post office — and a beautiful photo stop.
Markets & Shopping
🛒 Ben Thanh Market — The iconic covered market in the city center. Souvenirs, clothes, and street food. Bargain hard — starting prices are often 2–3x the fair price.
🌙 Ben Thanh Night Market — Surrounding streets transform into an outdoor night market after 18:00. Cheaper and more atmospheric than the indoor market.
🏬 Saigon Centre & Vincom — Modern air-conditioned malls for international brands and Vietnamese fashion.
Day Trips from Saigon
🕳️ Cu Chi Tunnels — The legendary 250km tunnel network used by Viet Cong guerrillas. Book the morning tour (07:30) to beat the heat and crowds. ~40 km northwest of the city.
🛶 Mekong Delta — A day trip to Ben Tre or My Tho takes you into a world of floating markets, river life, and coconut candy factories. ~70 km southwest.
🏝️ Can Gio Mangrove Forest — UNESCO Biosphere Reserve just 50 km from the city. Boat trips through mangroves, monkey sightings, and a WWII-era ruins.
Practical Tips
🌡️ Best time: December–April (dry season, 30–33°C)
🚗 Grab is essential — traffic is intense and metered taxis are sometimes unreliable.
💱 ATMs are everywhere in District 1 — Vietcombank and Techcombank have the lowest fees.
🌆 District 1 is the main tourist hub. Stay here for easy access to attractions, food, and nightlife.
Frequently asked about Ho Chi Minh City
Quick answers to help you plan with confidence.
Two full days for the city highlights (War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame/Central Post Office area, Bitexco or Landmark 81 views, street food). Add a third day for Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta.
Main tourist areas are generally fine, but watch for bag snatching on motorbikes. Keep bags away from the street side, use Grab at night if unsure, and avoid flashing valuables.
Cu Chi suits history and half-day trips. The Mekong Delta is better for river life, boats, and orchards (full day). With enough time, do both on separate days.
Grab or metered taxis (Vinasun/Mai Linh) usually take 30–50 minutes. Expect roughly 120,000–170,000 VND depending on traffic—confirm the app fare or meter.
Excellent—from street stalls to modern Vietnamese restaurants. Try com tam, pho, fresh seafood, and coffee culture. Districts 1 and 3 are easiest for first-time food hopping.
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