After living in Da Nang, I moved to Ho Chi Minh City, where I’ve since lived in five different districts. With a population of around 10 million, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city. Each district is packed with activity, yet the city is very spread out — sprawling is the best way to put it.
I’ve been exploring HCMC by motorbike on and off now for almost seven years. It’s a night and day difference when you can get out independently and explore. Looking for new coffee shops, wandering down mysterious alleys, and looking for new city viewpoints are still a part of my daily routine.
If you’re planning a trip to HCMC, you’ll need to know the best time to visit and how to get around. If you have questions about things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, join my free travel planning Facebook group, where I’ll personally answer them.
The first several items below are all part of my one-day HCMC itinerary. I also have a sample three-day HCMC itinerary.
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
A lot of first-time visitors to Ho Chi Minh City ask me about the best districts to stay in. I usually recommend District 1 or 3 because of their convenience and proximity to the city’s attractions. I’ve written a separate guide to the best areas to stay in HCMC, in which I cover those districts plus others.
I’ve also got guides to hotels in HCMC, including District 1 and District 3. If you have a set budget in mind, here’s my article on budget hotels, and this one covers luxury hotels. You’ll also need to know how to get from HCMC airport to District 1.
I personally use Agoda and Booking for hotels in Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. I recommend comparing hotel prices between the two, as sometimes there are discounts and flash deals.
The Independence Palace
The Independence Palace (official website) is one of the most popular attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. The other is the nearby War Remnants Museum. More on that next.
The palace was the site of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese army tank crashed through the gates, leading to South Vietnam’s surrender. You can read more about Independence Palace’s history here.
I filmed this video in the palace courtyard during a recent trip.
With a ticket, you are free to wander the grounds and in and out of the palace as you want. There are tanks and aircraft on display, though not as many as at the War Remnants Museum.
There are six floors to discover in the palace, including a bunker. There are elevators and bathrooms scattered about the palace.
War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum (official website) is in District 3, less than a 10-minute walk from the Independence Palace. I have been to this museum a few times, and it starts to get crowded as the day rolls on. A lot of tours drop guests off throughout the day, so I suggest getting here early.
I filmed this video inside the museum courtyard.
The museum’s subject matter likely isn’t for everyone. I have been to this museum a few times, and a visit here can be very emotional. Certain museum exhibits, like Agent Orange Effects and War Crimes, are graphic but avoidable. They’re in separate rooms, so you can skip these if you like.
The museum’s outdoor yard has many aircraft and vehicles, including planes, tanks, and helicopters. There are also some artillery weapons and cannons – about 10 different items in all. There’s an outdoor coffee shop on the grounds as well.
Here’s my article covering more museums in HCMC.
Saigon Central Post Office
The Saigon Central Post Office was built in the late 19th century when Vietnam was part of a French colony called French Indochina. It was constructed between 1886 and 1891 and has been continuously operating for over 130 years. The post office is free to visit.
They sell tons of unique postcards inside, and you can purchase one and mail it home from inside the post office. This is actually a popular activity, and you’ll see many tourists browsing through postcards and mailing them off.
It’s also a great place to buy souvenirs, as everything is fairly priced, and there’s no need to haggle.
The post office is directly across from the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon. Unfortunately, most of the building is currently covered in scaffolding, as it’s been under renovation for the last few years. The estimated completion was extended to 2027.
Ho Chi Minh City Book Street
Ho Chi Minh City Book Street is next to the Saigon Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s a small, shade-covered, foot-traffic-only street lined with dozens of small bookshops and cafes. I visited here again the other day to buy some books by Thich Nhat Hanh.
I filmed this video while walking through Book Street.
If you are in the area checking out the cathedral or the post office, you’ll want to wander down here since it’s right next door. It’s free to visit and is a good spot to get a coffee and sit in the shade for a bit.
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Nguyen Hue Street is a long, two-sided street that’s split by a pedestrian-only walking area. The street runs from Ton Duc Thang Street at the Saigon River all the way up to the Ho Chi Minh Statue (up next).
The area often hosts events, performances, art shows, or cultural exhibitions. One of the most famous sights on Nguyen Hue is the Cafe Apartments.
After I visited the Saigon Skydeck recently, I walked along Nguyen Hue Street and filmed the window washers outside the Bitexco Financial Tower.
Ho Chi Minh Statue and People’s Committee Building
The Ho Chi Minh Statue is at the head of Nguyen Hue Street. The statue with the backdrop of the French colonial People’s Committee Building behind it is awesome. This is a great spot for photos or videos, either during the day or at sunset.
I filmed this video in front of the statue and building. I suggest visiting during the day for quieter photo opportunities.
Here is the People’s Committee Building at sunset.
At night, the People’s Committee Building is lit up, making for another great photo.
Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is one of those attractions you should check out and walk through just for the experience.
There is a ton of stuff for sale if you’re looking to buy souvenirs. But, if you are interested in something, negotiate on the price because everything is marked way up. Otherwise, I recommend buying souvenirs at the Saigon Central Post Office, where there’s no haggling and items are priced fairly.
The market and area immediately outside can be crowded and chaotic. You need to be aware of your purse, wallet, and cell phone because snatching and pickpocketing, although rare, do happen.
So when you take out your phone for a photo, even inside the market, be aware of what’s happening around you. I go into more detail in my articles on tips for visiting Ho Chi Minh City and tourist safety in Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts is a five-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market. The museum is an easygoing place to visit. I find the grounds peaceful, with many people sitting and reading quietly, as well as local students working on projects.
The 30.000 VND ticket grants access to the grounds and three different buildings. There are lots of little rooms with paintings and sculptures to check out.
Once you’re inside the grounds, you can freely wander in and out of the three buildings. The first building is the biggest and has three floors. All three buildings are a bit worn, but not in a bad way; it suits the experience.
Saigon Skydeck
The Saigon Skydeck is an observation area on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower in downtown District 1. The Bitexco building is just off Nguyen Hue Street. You’ll notice this building by its helipad sticking out on the 52nd floor.
Here’s a video I filmed as I rode the elevator up to the 49th floor and started walking around the Skydeck.
This is one of the more expensive entry tickets in Ho Chi Minh City. Tickets are 240.000 VND (adults), 160.000 VND (children ages 4-12, seniors 65 and older, and disabled persons, and FREE for children under 4 years old.
I personally consider this a bonus activity and not a must-see stop in HCMC. So, if you decide to skip it, don’t worry about it. But if you are looking for something different or want to get out of the sun and into the air conditioning, it’s a great way to spend 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Rent a Motorbike and Explore Saigon
Exploring Saigon on a motorbike has long been one of my favorite activities. It’s an event by itself but can also be used to visit the city’s attractions more easily.
Simply roaming around District 1 and District 3 without a specific destination is fun. But if you want to venture further out, crossing the bridges over the Saigon River between districts is a fun and freeing experience.
A motorbike rental shop in Saigon that I highly recommend is DC Motorbikes. They have two locations: Thao Dien (District 2) and Phu My Hung (District 7).
Their bikes will be more expensive but are newer and in great condition.
Landmark 81 and Vinhomes Central Park
Landmark 81 is in Binh Thanh District and is the tallest building in Vietnam, the second tallest in Southeast Asia, and the 17th tallest worldwide. It has 81 floors and is 1,513 feet tall.
I filmed this video of Landmark 81 and Vinhomes Central Park. The park is one of my favorites in HCMC. I visit regularly to walk or run. It’s free to visit.
The skyscraper has a mall, shops, a supermarket, a small ice skating rink, and a food court on the lower levels. On the upper levels, there are private apartments, restaurants, cafes, and an observation area.
It’s also home to the Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection (Agoda / Booking). The luxury hotel has some of the best views in Ho Chi Minh City.
At night, the skyscraper is fully covered by LED lights.
If you plan on visiting different areas of HCMC, you should be using the Grab app to get around. You can download it here. It’s one of my recommended apps for traveling in Vietnam.
Vietnamese Egg Coffee
Egg coffee is definitely worth trying while you’re visiting HCMC. It has become one of my favorite kinds of coffee. I have it several times per week, usually at Little HaNoi Egg Coffee. See their HCMC locations here.
Egg coffee is a strong, dark coffee topped with whipped, sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks. I didn’t understand it at first, either, but it’s actually pretty good. It doesn’t taste “eggy” at all, and the concoction mixes together really well.
Little HaNoi also serves food, and I often get breakfast or brunch here.
Japanese Ramen in Japan Town
Japan Town is a small area in District 1, known for its high concentration of Japanese restaurants and bars. I have scoured the area and tried about a dozen or more different ramen restaurants here.
Some places make their own noodles in-house. You can select noodle stiffness and flavor strength. Some noodles are chewy and thicker than others. And then there’s the broth, which can come in different styles. You can read about different types of Japanese ramen here.
Some of my favorite ramen places in District 1 are Ramen Danbo (Japan Town), Daiichi Ramen (Japan Town), and Miso Chikura (District 1).
Get to practicing with those chopsticks.
A Bowl of Pho
There are a lot of places to get great pho in Ho Chi Minh City. I’ve recently been going back and forth between Pho Cao Van and Pho Phu Vuong.
Pho Cao Van has been open since 1947. They have beef and chicken pho. Pho Phu Vuong only does beef pho.
Some other good pho spots to try: Pho Viet Nam (District 1), Pho Hoa Pasteur (District 3), Pho Thin by SOL (District 2), Pho Le (District 5), and Pho Dinh 3 (District 7).
For more suggestions, join my free Ho Chi Minh City travel planning group.
Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine
The Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine is a neat little museum in District 10. It’s not in or near any touristy areas. The museum blends into its neighborhood and can easily be overlooked. I drove right by when I visited.
I consider this museum more of an unusual thing to do, something a bit different, and definitely not a must-visit.
There are 5 floors, 16 rooms, and over 3,000 items inside. A lot of really cool-looking things, like vials, strange devices, artwork, and goopy things in jars.
Here’s a video I filmed wandering around the museum and of the goopy jars.
The building is very cool – a lot of old, dark wood. There are numerous great photo opportunities inside (you’ll likely see a lot of photoshoots going on). When I visited, there was a Vietnamese couple having professional wedding photos taken. Afterward, I was offered free hot tea.
An adult ticket for the museum is 180.000 VND, and for children, students, or the elderly, it’s 90.000 VND. You can pay with cash or a card.
To get here, you’ll want to use the Grab app to order a GrabBike or GrabCar.
Bui Vien Walking Street
Bui Vien is often cited as a nightlife hotspot in Ho Chi Minh City. The area has long been known as a popular place for backpackers and partiers.
At night, it gets seedy, crowded, and very loud. Personally, I find it to be too chaotic, an overall tourist trap, and far from authentic Vietnam.
The other areas I recommend for a more wholesome nightlife experience are Nguyen Hue Street and Dong Khoi Street in District 1, Pham Viet Chanh Street in Binh Thanh, and Xuan Thuy Street in Thao Dien. The experiences in these areas will be of much higher quality.
Having said that, Bui Vien is worth checking out so you can tick it off your list of areas to see in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s much quieter during the day, as most of the bars and karaoke places are closed.
History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
The History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City is in District 1, right next to the Saigon Zoo. There are a couple of coffee shops right when you enter the gates and another one further inside the museum.
Here’s a video I filmed from inside the museum’s courtyard.
Like the Southern Women’s Museum (up next), this museum is much quieter than the War Remnants Museum. It’s great if you want a more laid-back experience.
There is a lot to wander through, split over a couple of floors. I counted about 18 different rooms and exhibits. The museum is in a building that surrounds a courtyard. The grounds and architecture of the buildings are pretty interesting themselves.
Like most museums in Ho Chi Minh City, there is no air conditioning. But it surprisingly wasn’t too hot, as there were fans around and it was open and airy.
Southern Women’s Museum
The Southern Women’s Museum is a free museum located in District 3. The museum opened in 1985 and aims to educate visitors on the role played by southern Vietnamese women in shaping the region’s history and culture.
Since the museum is free to visit, it’s definitely worth popping in and checking it out. It’s a 10-minute walk from the War Remnants Museum and about 12 minutes from the Tan Dinh Church (pink church) in District 3.
I filmed this video while walking around the museum.
When I visited the museum, it was extremely quiet. The buildings on the grounds are pretty big, but only some space is reserved for the museum’s exhibits. I was the only person (no staff or visitors) in some of the exhibits.
On display are photographs, videos, handwritten letters, tools, other artifacts, clothing items like ao dais, and more.
The building is somewhat open and airy. There are fans, but I didn’t notice any air conditioning. The museum has bathrooms.
