Ho Chi Minh City

Overview

With the city’s back turned on a broad plain that stretches west across Cambodia, and with the rich Mekong Delta at its feet, Ho Chi Minh City sits regally on a giant bend in the Sài Gon River.

Ho Chi Minh City at night

Deemed a microcosm of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is a melting pot of culture and an extravaganza of culinary delights. While it is relatively young compared to Hanoi and Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, endowed with a rich and colorful history as well as staple yet delicious food, continues to thrive as one of Vietnam’s most visited destinations. This city can be described as an amalgam of a fast-paced life and a rich heritage.

Ho Chi Minh City has emerged as a quintessential cosmopolitan hub with the construction of many mega-malls, entertainment complexes, and an enhanced public transport system. Travelers can now include a variety of attractions on their itineraries, in addition to the traditional tourist spots like the Notre Dame Cathedral or the Central Post Office. The city offers many dining and accommodation options, ranging from budget hostels to luxury hotels, ensuring that a trip to Ho Chi Minh City will exceed expectations for any rising Southeast Asian hub while fulfilling dreams of an exotic tropical paradise.

Best time to visit

Ho Chi Minh City has a humid tropical climate with hot conditions and distinct wet and dry periods throughout the year. The monsoon season, characterized by sunny mornings followed by afternoon and evening rain, lasts from late April to November. To avoid getting drenched, it is advisable to visit this city from December to early April. However, the best time to visit is considered to be from December to February when the weather is cooler and various festivals take place, especially Tet (Lunar New Year).

Iconic View of Saigon 

How to get there

Ho Chi Minh City is one of the aviation hubs of Southeast Asia with numerous flights landing and taking off at the busy Tan Son Nhat Airport, making it a highly accessible destination. Upon arrival, you can take a bus to the city center for just VND 40,000 (approximately USD 1.70). The journey may last from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic conditions.

Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City

For domestic travelers, there are numerous ways to reach this city. Have you considered the North-South train line? It may be worth trying if you’re willing to spend about 24 hours aboard and enjoy stunning landscapes during the journey. Moreover, Ho Chi Minh City is connected to the Eastern provinces and the Mekong Delta through two separate expressway systems, making it easily accessible by car.

Places to stay

There is a wide range of accommodation options available.

One can easily find themselves enveloped in the luxurious atmosphere of a five-star hotel or resting on a bunk bed in a budget hostel. For a decent budget lodging, options around Bui Vien Street, known as the backpacking center of the city, are very accommodating, with rates as low as USD 10 per night.

Bui Vien Street

For those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, serviced apartments at reasonable prices can easily be found on platforms like Airbnb. Moving up the budget scale, travelers who are not price-sensitive will find many choices. Several four- to five-star hotels are operated by global corporations such as Marriott International, AccorHotels, and Hyatt around the city center. For example, Park Hyatt Saigon, managed by the exclusive Park Hyatt brand, stands out as Ho Chi Minh City’s top hotel. Known for its outstanding service and high-quality food, this hotel has a long history of catering to business guests and diplomats. Other excellent options, if you wish to earn points with your Marriott Bonvoy or ALL membership cards, include the Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers or the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.

Major Attractions

The Notre Dame Cathedral

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City

This world-renowned church is considered an iconic symbol of Ho Chi Minh City. Despite the fast-paced urbanization of this city, the cathedral endures as the heart of the community. It is not only significant to the Catholic population but is also cherished by all residents due to its cultural and historical importance as well as its architectural beauty. Currently, the cathedral is under restoration, and access is limited outside of mass times.

The Central Post Office

Saigon Central Post Office

Located next to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, built in the late 19th century, is another must-visit attraction. Probably the grandest post office in Southeast Asia, it continues to function as a post office while serving as a top tourist spot depicting the city’s history. In this digital age of email and mobile phones, sending handwritten postcards from this post office might delight your loved ones. So, be sure to send some beautiful postcards to family and friends while you’re here.

The War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum

Whenever the word “Vietnam” arises in conversation, the Vietnam War often comes to mind due to its devastating impact. This museum preserves numerous documents and artifacts from Vietnam's wars, primarily focusing on the Vietnam War (1954-1975). Visitors should prepare themselves for photos and exhibits that portray the harsh realities of war.

The Museum of Vietnamese History

The Museum of Vietnamese History

While the War Remnants Museum offers insight into modern conflicts, the Museum of Vietnamese History, located in the Botanic Garden, educates visitors about the pre-modern history and culture of Vietnam. It encompasses various aspects of Vietnamese heritage, from religion to daily life, and features numerous artifacts of historical and cultural significance.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City

A visit to Ho Chi Minh City would be incomplete without a trip to Ben Thanh Market, which holds worldwide renown. Though it’s not a traditional wet market frequented by locals, its cultural and historical significance make it worth visiting, even if you don’t plan to make a purchase.

Tan Dinh Church

Tan Dinh Church

As the Notre Dame Cathedral undergoes major restoration, Tan Dinh Church—often referred to as the pink church due to its distinctive color—serves as an attractive alternative. This Gothic-style church bears a striking resemblance to Notre Dame, gaining popularity among Korean tourists on social media as a must-visit site. The advantage of Tan Dinh Church is its relative peace and proximity to the city center.

Binh Tay Market

Binh Tay Market

Did you know that Ho Chi Minh City has a vibrant Chinatown that originated from the former city of Cho Lon? This area encompasses up to five districts, including Districts 5, 6, 10, 11, and parts of District 8. Binh Tay Market serves as the center of Chinatown, and here you can encounter locals conversing in Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Shopping here promises to be a fascinating experience!

Ha Ton Quyen Dimsum Road

Photo: @quangip

While in Chinatown, trying dim sum on Ha Ton Quyen Road is highly recommended. The dim sum available here merges Hong Kong-style dishes with Vietnamese flavors. With numerous eateries lining the street, choosing one may prove challenging, but since the quality is generally consistent, feel free to drop by any restaurant to sample their offerings.

Food to try

Ho Chi Minh City is a culinary paradise, offering a diverse range of foods. One can easily encounter a roadside vendor selling delicious hu tieu bo vien (rice noodles with beef balls) or hu tieu suon (rice noodles with pork ribs) for around VND 40,000 (approximately USD 1.70). You can find these small vendors along Co Bang and Co Giang streets, adjacent to the backpacker center of Bui Vien.

Hu Tieu - Photo: @chaulita_hibou

If you seek a higher international culinary experience, Thao Dien (District 2) features several small to medium eateries where you can enjoy international cuisine, such as beefsteak at El Gaucho Steakhouse or ramen at Ramen Danbo. For fine dining, La Villa (Thao Dien, District 2), Square One, and Opera restaurants (Park Hyatt Saigon, District 1) provide an upscale dining experience.