|
Welcome to Saigon-Chi Minh city, discover the best of Vietnam’s biggest city. The ultimate guide to Ho Chi Minh city’s tourist attractions, updated information, and great tips to make your trips to the fullest. As a local, travel expert has been living and working in Ho Chi Minh city, I am happy to show you the greatest parts of this fascinating city has to offer. If you’re not able to visit just yet, plan ahead to make the most of your wish lists. By Xuan Le at tourwithxuan.com INTRODUCTION Most tourists to Vietnam spend mostly couples of days in Ho Chi Minh city, perhaps primarily for business trips, or use it as a base to discover Cu Chi tunnels, and rustic villages in the Mekong Delta before heading off to explore another part of this amazing country has to offer. Although Hanoi is the capital city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City in the south functions as Vietnam’s leading economic and financial hub. The city has risen since the devastation of the war period. We can still see well-preserved colonial buildings and war relics in the city. On the other hand, high-rise and modern buildings are making their presence felt. Whereas the city is chaotic with endless slow-moving traffic, the hustle and bustle do not affect the unique friendliness of the people. Since 2025, when Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces were officially merged into Ho Chi Minh city, the city has become a megacity.  WHEN TO GO The best time to visit the city is during the cooler dry season, roughly between November and April while the rainy season runs from May through October. Most days dawn clear, and blue sky and the afternoon rain showers in a short time. During the Christmas season, downtown areas are full of outstanding lights and odd decorations. But if you are lucky enough to visit the city one week before the Tet holiday or lunar new year, you will have an interesting time experiencing amazing flower displays and pop-up flower markets in all city parks selling colorful trees and bonsais. TOP REASONS TO VISIT The ambience: people eating, drinking, laughing, kids playing, and someone selling something appear on every street corner. The noise from traffic, honking from scooters and the smell from street food create a chaotic but unforgettable scene for those who visit. The food: abundant, delicious and healthy. Saigonese are the ultimate foodies, dedicating most of their free time to discussing where and what to eat. The people: Saigonese are known for their warmth and hospitality. They often go out of their way to assist tourists whatever it's providing directions, recommendations, or simple engaging in friendly conservation. The architecture: Vietnam's former French rulers left behind wide, well-planned streets, parks, and amazing colonial buildings. Old Saigon is, unfortunately, vanishing quite a bit, but some well-maintained besides the modern skyscrapers. The history: under Chinese and French influences, the city has numerous evidence through the temples, the colonial architecture, the food and languages. The coffee: Coffee culture is strong in the modern Ho Chi Minh city. On every street corner you will catch the locals and tourists sipping a glass of coffee while watching the world go by. GETTING HERE Ho Chi Minh city is widely considered as a major gateway to Vietnam due to its strategic location in Southeast Asia and its well-developed infrastructure. It is the country’s largest city and a vital economic and transport hub, with the busiest international airport and a significant port system. AIR TRAVEL: Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN) is the largest entry point for international and domestic arrivals. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8xyUeihjZSpMsYFy7 Distance to city center: around 8 km. Travel duration: 30-40 minutes. Taxi fare: 150,000 VND - 190,000 VND. Where to book: Vinasun or Mai Linh taxi, and Xanh SM or Grab. BUS TRAVEL: Moc Bai border gate in Tay Ninh province has become popularity for both domestic and international travelers. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z9gXjY5iWinuvLLt5 Distance to city center: 72 km. Travel duration: 2.5 - 3 hours by bus. Bus tickets from Ho Chi Minh city to Phnom Penh: from 20 to 32 USD/person/way. It takes around 6-7 hours. Where to book: vexere.com CRUISE TRAVEL Ho Chi Minh City is also popular with cruise passengers due to its rich cultural attractions, historical sites, bustling markets, and vibrant street life. PHU MY PORT for mostly huge ocean cruises. Location: Cảng Tân Cảng - Cái Mép, Tân Phước, Tân Thành, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu. https://maps.app.goo.gl/BosNNMzULpTyWejN9. Distance to city center: 62 km. Travel duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes. HIEP PHUOC PORT for mid-sized luxurious cruises. Location: Lô A9, Khu A, KCN Hiệp Phước, Long Thới, Nhà Bè, TP.HCM. https://maps.app.goo.gl/eMAoTkasna7AbiXF9 Distance to city center: 18 km. Travel duration: 45 minutes. NHA RONG PORT for small-luxurious cruises Location: 05 Đ. Nguyễn Tất Thành, Phường 12, Quận 4, TP.HCM. https://maps.app.goo.gl/LGW4qupAQzVo3VGW9. Distance to city center: 2 km. Travel duration: 10 minutes.  TOP ATTRACTIONS & HIDDEN GEMS CU CHI TUNNELS Tickets: 125,000 VND/person and free for a kid below 1.3 meters. Spend time: 2 hours. Hours: daily from 7am to 5pm. Shopping: mostly souvenirs. Address: Củ Chi, Ho Chi Minh City. Distance: approx. 60km from city center. Added values: Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh) are part of a massive and elaborate tunnel system mostly used during the Vietnam War. This place offers a reliable stronghold for Viet Cong soldiers during the wars against the French and mainly the US soldiers. It comprises more than 200km of underground tunnels with booby traps and trapdoors, living areas, kitchens, storage facilities, hospitals, and command centers. Nearby attractions or hidden gems: Ben Duoc tunnels (20 minutes away), Cao Dai temple (75 minutes away). WAR REMNANT MUSEUM Tickets: 40,000 VND/person. Spend time: one to two hours. Hours: daily from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Shopping: mostly souvenirs. Address: Phường 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Added values: Founded on September 4, 1975, The War Remnants Museum is endowed with 9 permanent thematic exhibitions and various special collections. All year round, a wide range of activities are organized, including conferences, meetings with war witnesses, temporary and itinerant exhibitions. With nearly one million domestic and international visitors per year, The War Remnants Museum is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most enticing cultural and tourist sites. Nearby attractions or hidden gems: Independent Palace (5 minutes’ walk), Saigon Central Post Office (10 minutes’ walk), Ho Chi Minh city museum (8 minutes’ walk), Ben Thanh market (15 minutes’ walk). INDEPENDENCE PALACE Tickets: 40,000 VND/person. Spend time: an hour. Hours: daily from 8am to 3:30pm. Shopping: mostly souvenirs. Address: Đường Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Quận 1, TP.HCM. Added values: this historical landmark was designed by architect Ngô Viết Thụ and was the home and workplace of the president of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). It was the site of the Fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975 that ended the Vietnam War, when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. Nearby attractions or hidden gems: Notre-Dame Cathedral (5 minutes’ walk), Saigon post office (5 minutes’ walk), Saigon book street (5 minutes’ walk), war remnant museum (7 minutes’ walk). JADE EMPEREROR PAGODA Tickets: free. Spend time: 30 -40 minutes. Hours: daily from 7am to 6pm. Address: 73 Mai Thị Lựu, Đa Kao, Quận 1, TP.HCM. Added values: built-in 1909, Jade Emperor Pagoda is a must-visit spot in Ho Chi Minh City. With its ancient Chinese architecture and sacred atmosphere, the temple offers a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural life of the local Chinese-Vietnamese community. Nearby attractions or hidden gems: museum of Vietnamese history (15 minutes away), Saigon Zoo and botanical garden (15 minutes away), war remnant museum (20 minutes away). CAN GIO UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE Tickets: check the package price at their official website, http://vamsat.vn/bang-gia-dich-vu/ Spend time: 3-4 hours. Hours: daily from 7:30am to 5pm. Address: Xã Lý Nhơn, huyện Cần Giờ, TP.HCM Distance: approx. 45km from city center. Added values: Vam Sat-Can Gio is located within the Can Gio Mangrove Forest, a UNESCO-recognized World Network of Biosphere Reserves in Ho Chi Minh City. Known as the “Green Lung of Ho Chi Minh City” and one of the world’s most sustainable ecological sites, it’s a popular eco-tourism destination offering a retreat from the city and opportunities for wildlife spotting. Nearby attractions or hidden gems: monkey island (20 minutes away), Sac forest war base (35 minutes away). AN AUTHENTIC FRUIT MARKET IN CHINATOWN Tickets: free. Spend time: 30-40 minutes. Hours: daily from 6am to 6pm. Shopping: tropical fruit. Address: Đường Trang Tử, Quận 5, TP.HCM. Distance: approx. 7km from city center. Added values: this fascinating market is popular among the locals. Most outdoor shops are always selling fresh tropical fruits from Vietnam’s southern regions. The best fruit to buy there is red-dragon fruit, mango, passion fruit, longan, mangosteen, pomelo and the likes. Nearby attractions or hidden gems: Binh Tay – wholesale market (3 minutes away), Thien Hau temple (15 minutes away). SAIGON SECRET WEAPON BUNKER Tickets: free. Spend time: 30-40 minutes. Hours: daily from 8am to 6pm. Address: 287/70 đường Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, Phường 5, Quận 3, TP.HCM. Added values: this historical bunker was built in the war by VC soldiers, preparing for the Tet Offensive in 1968. It offers a great opportunity to explore a significant part of Vietnam’s history. Nearby attractions or hidden gems: Thich Quang Duc monument (5 minutes away), Ban Co market (10 minutes away), Ho Thi Ky flower market and evening street food (15 minutes away). FITO MUSEUM – Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine Tickets: 180,000 VND/person. Spend time: an hour. Hours: daily from 8:30am to 5pm. Address: 41 Hoàng Dư Khương, Phường 12, Quận 10, TP.HCM. Distance: approx. 4km from city center. Added values: this museum showcases the history of traditional Vietnamese medicine might be plain, but inside it’s a fabulous carved wooden wonderland with an authentic antique interior. The collection of nearly 3,000 items ranges from stone ages to the 19th century including ancient texts, bronze kettles, and a range of cutting and storing utensils. Nearby attractions or hidden gems: Vietnam national pagoda (4 minutes away), Ho Thi Ky flower street (8 minutes away) and Secret weapon bunker (12 minutes away).  WHERE TO EAT CUC GACH QUAN Find them: 10 Đặng Tất, Phường Tân Định, Quận 1, TP.HCM. Hours: daily 9am – 11:30pm. Do not miss: soft craps with garlic. Price: 300,000 – 500,000 VND/person. Website: http://cucgachquan.com/ Top tip: their menu is thick with 100 pages, so the staff’s recommendations are always the best. NHA HANG NGON Find them: 160 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, TP.HCM. Hours: daily 7am-10:30pm. Do not miss: bún thịt nướng, stir-fried noodles. Price: 150,000 – 400,000 VND/person. Website: https://www.nhahangngon.com.vn/ Top tip: their ground floor is always cooler than up floor. HUM SIGNATURE – VEGGIES DELIGHTS Find them: 32 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 6, Quận 3, TP.HCM. Hours: daily 10am-10pm Do not miss: pomelo salad, and pineapple rice. Price: 400,000-1,000,000 VND/person. Website: https://hum-dining.vn/en/hum-signature-en/ Top tip: you need to reserve in advance, and the restaurant is just next to the war remnant museum. HOA TUC Find them: 74/7 Hai Bà Trưng, phường Sài Gòn, Quận 1, TP.HCM. Hours: daily 11am – 10pm. Do not miss: spring rolls, and stir-fried noodles. Price: 300,000 – 600,000 VND/person. Website: https://hoatuc.com/ Top tip: booking a table in advance is a must. This restaurant also offers a good cooking class. PHO-MIEN GA KY DONG Find them: 14/5Bis Đ. Kỳ Đồng, Phường 9, Quận 3, TP.HCM. Hours: daily 5:30am-10:30pm. Do not miss: chicken banana salad and noodles soup. Price: 55,000 – 120,000 VND/person. Top tip: most loved by locals and recommended by Michelin. Vegetarian soup is not available. It’s located in a small alleyway, so you need to walk 50 meters to reach the restaurant. PHO LE Find them: 415 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường 7, Quận 5, TP.HCM. Hours: daily 6am-11:30pm. Do not miss: mixed beef noodle soup. Price: 90,000 – 120,000 VND/person. Top tip: no vegetarian soup is available. BANH MI BUI THI XUAN Find them: 122E Bùi Thị Xuân, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, TP.HCM. Hours: daily 5:30am – 11:30pm Do not miss: mixed bánh mì sandwich. Price: 40,000 VND each. Top tip: only local cash is accepted. BUN BO THANH VAN Find them: Lô J, Chung cư, Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, Quận 3, TP.HCM. Hours: daily 6am – 11am. Do not miss: mixed beef noodle soup. Price: 45,000 – 60,000 VND/person Top tip: only in the mornings. BEN NGHE STREET FOOD MARKET Find them: 134 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, TP.HCM Hours: daily 9am-11:30pm. Do not miss: rice pancakes, seafood noodles. Price: 100,000 – 200,000 VND/person. Top tip: it’s quite busy during dinner time. It’s better to find a good table first before looking for food.  PRO TIPS FOR PERFECT TRIPS
USING LOCAL CURRENCY (VND) Vietnam Dong (VND) is an official currency in Vietnam since May 1978. While corn is not available, paper notes are widely used by locals. The smallest note is 500 VND while the biggest one is 500,000 VND. Recently, the exchange rate was as follows: 1,000 VND = 0.038 USD 2,000 VND = 0.076 USD 5,000 VND = 0.19 USD 10,000 VND = 0.38 USD 20,000 VND = 0.76 USD 50,000 VND = 1.9 USD 100,000 VND = 3.8 USD 200,000 VND = 7.6 USD 500,000 VND = 19 USD Source: xe.com CROSSING THE ROADS It seems to be the biggest challenge for foreign visitors, especially on busy streets where the traffic never seems to stop. Move forward slowly and steadily. Making no sudden change of direction. The traffic flows smoothly around you. When crossing, you must look at both ways carefully and don’t forget to raise and wave your hands to make sure that drivers get attention. You might find it much easier if you cross together with a group of locals. AVOIDING TAXI SCAMS Most popular tourists’ attractions in Ho Chi Minh city including war remnant museum, independent palace, Ben Thanh market are full of taxi scammed drivers so you must prioritize using verified and reputable taxis or apps for re-book rides. Xanh SM and Grab are so far the best ride. They both offer different kinds of transportation including city car (4-seaters), SUV (7-seaters) and moped or scooters. For me, Xanh SM not only offer convenient and exceptional service but also provides the green living messages as 100% of their vehicles is electricity made in Vietnam. Download Xanh SM app: https://www.xanhsm.com/la-EN/download Download Grab app: https://www.grab.com/vn/en/transport/taxi/ Vinasun and Mai Linh taxis are also a wise choice which offer affordable fares, especially in rush hours or rainy days (1km = 14,000 VND-19,000 VND depending on distance and sizes of cars). Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
0 Comments
|
