Welcome to amazing Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly known as Saigon, where Pho soup and… Banh Mi baguettes reign on the tables.

Where the sea of scooters never ends, and the city itself is an amazing mix between old and new. And where old often means colonial French-style buildings.

A city where in addition to little street food stalls you will also find incredibly modern restaurants and large shopping centers.

Ho Chi Minh City is the fastest growing city in Asia, you can see and hear the changes everywhere. This largest city in Vietnam has a lot to offer its potential visitors – from tradition to modernity.

In this post, you’ll learn why Ho Chi Minh City can’t be missing from your Vietnam travel itinerary.

The old Saigon is amazing! It’s a wonderful combination of tradition and modernity, which we totally didn’t expect to see in Vietnam. Although we read a little about Ho Chi Minh City before arriving, what we found on the spot incredibly surprised us! Of course, very positively!

Ho Chi Minh City has the energy we needed.

It is so modern that some cities even in Europe, do not compare. And at the same time traditional, so you are sure to see also this face of Ho Chi Minh City.

#1 Opera House

Located in the heart of District One in Ho Chi Minh City, the opera house opened in 1900.

Built in a distinctive French style, it is a perfect place to start a tour of the city.

In addition to admiring the opera house from the outside, go to one of the performances played in the opera house, which is also a theater.

Buy tickets to the opera house in Ho Chi Minh City  and enjoy an unforgettable experience.

#2 Hotel Continental Saigon

Located right next to the opera house, the Hotel Continental Saigon is another gem of French architecture in Ho Chi Minh City.

Although accommodation at this hotel is not among the cheapest, it is worth at least seeing the building from the outside.

The hotel was built in 1880 at the time when France was colonizing Vietnam.

#3 City Hall

Built between 1902 and 1908, the City Hall building is officially called the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Head Office.

Unfortunately, the building cannot be toured from the inside. But this is not a problem, as built in French colonial style City Hall looks beautiful from the outside and is the perfect place to take some unforgettable photos. Both during the day and after dark, when the building is beautifully illuminated.

#4 Ho Chi Minh Monument

Opposite City Hall, in the middle of a small park full of flowering trees, is a monument to Communist leader Ho Chi Minh. In honor of whom the city changed its name in 1976 from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City.

#5 Nguyen Hue – Walking Street

Popular among locals, as well as tourists, Walking Street is a wide and long street where, especially on days off, many people choose to take a walk, or a short rest on the surrounding benches.

Locals are happy to buy balloons or cotton candy for children from street vendors. Some of them even decides to have a wedding photo session here.

It is here that a “countdown” is held to celebrate the new year. And also some concerts and performances.

Also on this street there is an amazing residential building, which has been transformed into small restaurants, nail studios, or cafes.

#6 River Walk Ho Chi Minh City

Across the street from the Majestic Hotel is the River Walk, from where you can admire not only the river, but also Ba Son Bridge and Landmark 81.

#7 Landmark 81

It is the tallest building in Vietnam, and the second tallest building in Southeast Asia. Measuring 461.2 meters, the 81-story building is located in the heart of a high-end urban area called Vinhomes Central Park.

Unfortunately, only residents of Landmark 81 have access to the park. However, the building itself offers restaurants and a bar, as well as an observation deck called Skyview. It is the tallest observation deck in Vietnam and offers incredible views of the western banks of Saigon River and more!

Buy your Skyview tickets  at least one day in advance.

#8 Ba Son Bridge

Connecting District 1 with Thu Duc City, originally known as Thu Thiem 2 Bridge, is a bridge that crosses the Saigon River.

Opened fairly recently, in 2022, the bridge is a new landmark on the map of Ho Chi Minh City.

The 1’465-meter-long bridge, with a 113-meter-high tower, includes 6 lanes for traffic. Interestingly, however, those who are not motorists can also cross the bridge on foot.

#9 Ben Thanh Market

Located in the cenrtum of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh, the market is the largest market in the city. It is visited daily by about 10’000 people, both tourists and locals.

At the place, in addition to countless souvenirs, you can also buy such products as fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices, meat, fresh fish, fabrics and many more.

For those looking for something to eat, Ben Thanh offers a food market, with local delicacies. Here you will meet more locals than tourists, sitting on small chairs, at mini tables.

#10 Book Street

For those who love to read books, this street will be a dream come true. It is full of charming bookstores, cafes and small craft stalls.

The books sold on this street are both new and used, often also in English.

However, if you prefer to learn about your future instead of reading books, there are also several cards reading stands on site.

The whole street has a cool vibe and you can buy here handmade candles with crystals, scented soaps, or hand-painted paintings from photos.

It’s all very charming place, and the sellers are incredibly nice.

#11 Central Post Office

Right next to Book Street is the Central Post Office, whose building was built between 1886 and 1891, in Gothic, Renaissance and French influence styles.

Today the building is a tourist attraction and can be visited, all days of the week except Sunday.

#12 Bui Vien – Walking Street

Bui Vien is also called walking street and begins to come alive just after dusk. When tourists, tired of sightseeing, visit Bui Vien for a beer or a drink, accompanied by incredibly loud music and dazzling lights.

If you are looking for a place where you and other tourists can party, this relatively short street is for you.

#13 Vincon

For anyone who loves shopping, Ho Chi Minh City has a multi-story shopping mall with major European brands and more.

Inside, you will not only find numerous stores selling clothes, shoes, cosmetics, but there are also several cafes and restaurants.

On the top floor there is a cinema that also plays movies in English.

#14 Ho Chi Minh City Coffee Shops

Try a sweet Vietnamese coffee in one of the many cafes. Or a tasty coffee with egg, which is loved not only by Vietnamese but also by visitors.

#15 Cholon

Located in District 5, Cholon is a local China Town. Tourists don’t come here, so you can definitely feel the local vibe. Cholon has a street market with local delicacies, as well as several temples that you can visit while walking around this district.

#16 Quan Am Pagoda

This amazing Chinese-style temple is practically all painted red, as the Chinese believe that the color red brings good luck.

Built in the 19th century, the temple is a Buddhist temple. But unlike Buddhist temples in Thailand for example, you don’t have to take off your shoes here.

In the temple you will meet only locals, observe their traditions and customs with respect. Remember to dress appropriately!

The smell of incense sticks is everywhere. It is incredibly warm from the burning candles, and in the small pond on the left side of the temple you can admire the incredible amount of orange and white koi fish.

#17 Thien Hau Pagoda

This is the second temple worth visiting during your tour of the Cholon district. Right near the ceiling, in the first room you can admire small delicately fashioned porcelain figurines.

In the second room, one of the walls is full of pink papers with the names of people who made donations to the temple.

The incense sticks with intentions and prayers hang from the ceiling. They are burning, so every now and then ashes fall from them to the ground. You can buy them on the spot, write out intentions, and one of the temple’s employees will help you in hanging them by the ceiling.

Both rooms smell of incense sticks, which are also stuck in large cauldrons in front of the altars, there are so many of them that a temple employee has to take them out every now and then.

Ho Chi Minh City has Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which is only 8 km from the city center. There is also a domestic terminal at the same location if you are traveling from another city in Vietnam. Check your  flight connections to Ho Chi Minh City. 

If you’re traveling from countries bordering Vietnam and don’t mind a few hours spent on a bus, check out bus connections to Ho Chi Minh City . Which are definitely cheaper, quite fast and well organized. And a bus guide will help you when crossing the border.

On the same page you will find domestic connections in Vietnam from other cities like Hanoi or Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, and although most travelers are concentrated in the French part of the city, where everything is within walking distance, sometimes you will need to get somewhere further, like to Cholon in District five.

At such a time you will need the Grab app to travel around in Ho Chi Minh City , The rides, although not always fast due to traffic, are pleasant.

If you’re traveling in pairs, the cheapest way is to order car, but if you’re traveling solo you can also order a motorcycle through the app.

Most of the tourist attractions are located in District 1, so base your choice of accommodation on its location.

District 1 is an ideal location, but most often the hotels are less budget friendly. If you want a good location and a good price District 2 will also be a good option. Check your accommodation options in Ho Chi Minh City .

• Sen – vegan | Vietnamese food at a super price
• Veggie Saigon | Delicious vegetarian Banh Mi sandwiches
• Viet Kitchen | A slightly more expensive option for special occasions
• Be An Vegetarian | Amazing vegetarian dishes
• Workshop Coffee | Delicious breakfasts and a place to work
• Pizza Company | Tthe best pizza in Asia
• Soumaki | Tasty bowls at good prices
• Shamballa | A more expensive option for vegetarian foodies

In Ho Chi Mih City you will experience only two seasons: wet and dry. And since the city, as well as the whole of Vietnam, has a tropical climate, it’s warm here all year round.

The best months to visit Ho Chi Minh City are between December and April, when the dry season prevails. Rainfall is rare then and you can enjoy nice weather every day. The wet season begins in May and lasts until October.

Depending on the country you’re coming from different Visa requirements apply. Most of the countries will require an eVisa or can travel visa free for up to 15 days. Check your Vietnam visa requirements before your travel.

In case you need to apply for a Vietnam eVisa , keep in mind that it can take up to a week to get it and it costs $25.

As in every country there are different mobile operators, so it is no different in Vietnam. When we buy a Sim card in a new country, we always look at the most important criteria for us. Coverage and internet credit for a fair price.

After some research and our trip across Vietnam, we can recommend Vinaphone without hesitation.

Remember that at registration it is necessary to show your passport!

The prices are per person, except for the accommodation and Taxi, which we rent for 2 people.

Accommodation: $18 – $25 / night

Restaurant: $3 – $20 / meal

Snack: $1 – $3 / meal

Pleasure: $1.50 – $7 / event

Taxi: $1 – $2.50 / ride