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If you’re a Bangkok first-timer, this is your invitation to explore a city teeming with life, flavour and history.
Touch down in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and you’ll instantly understand why the city finds itself at the top of many travellers’ ‘must-visit’ bucket lists. From floating marketplaces to vibrant nightlife, urban coffee culture, endless street food stalls and hosting a wealth of historical significance, this tropical city combines the best of luxury and backpacker lifestyles.
Must-see sights
The War Remnants Museum is one of the oldest and most visited places in Ho Chi Minh City, detailing captivating stories of Vietnam’s war efforts and the impact it left on the country. The museum gives visitors insight into this defining chapter in Vietnam’s history, showcasing war artefacts, documents, harrowing photography, and short films as well as displaying US armoured vehicles, artillery pieces, bombs and infantry weapons.
Diving deeper into the country's historical significance and the government's rise and decline, the Independence Palace is a major landmark in Saigon. Explore the century-long history of the building and its 1960s architecture surrounded by royal palms that once served as the seat of the French colonial government. Equally as extravagant as the exterior, the hundreds of rooms inside the building are furnished with luxurious decorations from model boats to horse tails and elephants’ feet with the first lady’s closet closer to the size of a house than a wardrobe. There’s even a cinema room, a rooftop nightclub and a helipad. Head down to the basement to find the fascinating telecommunications centre, war room and warren of tunnels, ancient radio transmitters and videos that detail stories of the past.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Saigon is another lingering landmark of French colonisation. Constructed between 1877 and 1880, the cathedral is one of only four in Vietnam and has a breathtaking collection of stained-glass windows depicting Saints and stories from the Bible. Please be aware the cathedral is currently under construction but does open for Mass.
Located just across the road from the cathedral, sporting French architecture is the Saigon Central Post Office. Built between 1886 – 1891, the post office is both one of the oldest and yet most iconic buildings in the city. Still running as a post office, many visitors write and mail themselves a postcard to receive and reminisce on their return home.
Eager to take your exploration to the next level (49 levels to be exact)? At 262m the Bitexco Financial Tower is the tallest building in HCMC with its exterior design concept mimicking the shape of Vietnam’s national flower, a lotus bud. Travel to the Skydeck and take in the 360-degree views of the city below.
Take a day trip
Enter the watery world of the Mekong Delta, a network of tributaries in southwest Vietnam. Found between Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia, the Mekong Delta supports a thriving economy along the canals, home to the famous floating markets. With more than half of the country’s rice and fish coming from the delta region, the Mekong Delta is home to a thriving agricultural economy from fruit to flowers, livestock, and lush rice paddy fields.
Book a tour or hire a local guide to navigate the delta's maze of canals, and visit the markets while floating by farmlands, homesteads, and sipping from freshly cut coconuts. Many of the day tours from HCMC also explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground tunnel system dug during the Vietnam War as a way for soldiers to move around undetected.
Approximately two hours from HCMC is Cao Dai Temple. Discover more about the religion of Caodaism and explore the bright and bold architecture of the temple building – a combination of Neo-Gothic, Baroque and Oriental design decorated with sculptures of sacred animals including dragon-wrapped pillars, seven-headed cobras, and ceilings of sky blue.
For those itching for sandy beaches and sparkling coastlines, spending a day at one of Vung Tau’s four beaches is a must. Visit the Giant Jesus (larger than the one in Rio), head to the Imperial Hotel beach club, or simply relax poolside taking in the views.
Embrace the culture
Book lovers will want to stroll book street, stretching 100m from Hai Ba Trung Street to Notre Dame Cathedral, overflowing with books of all genres.
The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre showcases ancient Vietnamese art through traditional puppetry performances accompanied by live music and is a great way to immerse yourself in the city’s culture.
With Buddhism being the primary religion in Vietnam, visiting at least one of the pagoda temples is a must. The Giac Lam Pagoda is considered to be one of Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest temples built in 1744 and is surrounded by peaceful gardens and a large native fig tree, sacred to Buddhists. Built in 1909, the Jade Emperor Pagoda reflects ancient Chinese architecture and is filled with statues of both Buddhist and Taoist lore.
Hosting a harmonious combination of Asian and European architecture, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts is one of the city’s largest museums. Awaken your inner artist and spend an afternoon perusing the many collections, paintings, pottery sculptures, and weaponry displayed across the sixteen showrooms.
Follow your stomach
One of the tastiest ways to dive into the culture of Vietnam is stomach first. Savour the authentic flavours of Vietnam’s much-loved Pho - noodle soup, banh mi - baguette sandwich, and Goi Cuon -fresh spring rolls.
Treat your taste buds to the diversity of dishes served by an abundance of street food vendors at the Ben Thanh and Binh Tay Market and expand your palate and try some of the local delicacies like sea snails, sweet desserts, and spicy green papaya salad.
Coffee lovers will be pleased to discover that following Brazil, Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee exporter. Find a vibrant coffee culture across the city with some cafes open from as early as 4am and as late as 10pm.
In addition to the standard black, espresso, or milk coffee, Vietnam also has many popular caffeine alternatives to try. The classic Vietnamese iced coffee puts a twist on the usual cold blend by combining coffee with condensed milk and serving it over ice. Egg coffee is quickly gaining popularity where milk is replaced with whipped egg yolk, sweetened with condensed milk and served cold. Another refreshing favourite is the Vietnamese coconut coffee an icy blend of espresso, condensed milk and coconut cream.
Shop 'til you drop
Beat the heat and head indoors to the Vincom Center, Ho Chi Minh City’s biggest shopping mall. With more than 250 shops the centre is split across the street into two separate buildings, Vincom Center A, a French-styled period building and Vincom Center B, a modern, glass-fronted skyscraper. Find everything from luxury brands to international franchises, restaurants and cafes.
If you’re after a fashion fix, Saigon Square is a double-story wholesale fashion mall and a must-visit for bargain hunters. While many of the items have price tags, many of the stalls expect some haggling before settling for a price you’re comfortable with.
For art lovers, the Dong Khoi Street art galleries range from amateur artists to some of the world’s leading modern art, making for the perfect gift or memento to hang in your home after your trip.
Where to stay
Experience Ho Chi Minh City from the lens of a local and opt for Homestay accommodation. This affordable option will secure a room hosted by local families, gifting invaluable insight and knowledge into the best of the region.
For those who prefer accommodation that oozes luxury and great design, there are plenty of boutique hotel options to choose. From modern amenities to art deco designs and a vibrant foodie and art culture the Fusion Suites Saigon, Park Hyatt Saigon and The Reverie Saigon all embody extravagance.
For all-inclusive resort accommodation that’ll have you lounging by the pool, sipping on cocktails and booking for a rejuvenating facial or massage the An Lam Saigon River Residence, HAAN Resort & Golf and Silverland Jolie Hotel & Spa are a few of the best.
Alternatively, you don’t need to go all out on price to experience the best accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City, there’s plenty of affordable options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Tips for first time visitors
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