Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: travel guide
As the country's largest metropolis, it is a fast-paced economic and cultural hub. It features iconic French colonial landmarks like the Notre-Dame Cathedral and modern skyscrapers, alongside historical sites like the War Remnants Museum.
- Country
- Vietnam
- Currency
- VND
- Time zone
- Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh
- Nearest airport
- SGN
Top places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City
War Remnants Museum
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry VND 40,000
The most visited museum in Vietnam — a raw record of the Vietnam War including napalm, Agent Orange and My Lai Massacre documentation. Captured US military hardware in the courtyard. Extremely powerful; not suitable for young children.…
Cu Chi Tunnels
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry VND 125,000
An extraordinary 250 km underground tunnel network dug by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Visitors can crawl through widened sections, see defused booby traps and fire an AK-47 on the shooting range. 70 km northwest of HCMC; half-day…
Ben Thanh Market
Market · 4.1 rating · about 1 h
Saigon's most famous market — a 1914 French colonial hall. Inside: food stalls, fabric, clothing and souvenirs. The night market outside (18:00–24:00) features seafood BBQ. Bargaining expected — prices 30–50% negotiable.
Reunification Palace
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry VND 40,000
The former South Vietnamese Presidential Palace where the Vietnam War ended on 30 April 1975 when a North Vietnamese tank crashed through the gates. Remarkably preserved with 1960s furniture, war rooms, bunkers and rooftop helipad.
Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon
Church · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h
The iconic twin-spired Catholic cathedral built by the French 1863–1880 using materials imported entirely from France. Currently under renovation (completion ~2027) but exterior and plaza remain accessible.
Saigon Central Post Office
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h
A stunning French colonial building designed by Gustave Eiffel's firm, completed 1891. The vaulted iron-and-glass interior still functions as a working post office. Underrated highlight — beautiful and free.
Jade Emperor Pagoda
Temple · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
Built by the Cantonese community ~1909, this atmospheric Taoist-Buddhist pagoda is the most compelling religious site in HCMC. Incense clouds fill the dark interior; extraordinary gilded carvings cover every surface. One of Obama's stops…
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 1 h
Broad pedestrian boulevard from City Hall to the river, lively with crowds and the Cafe Apartments.
Landmark 81 SkyView
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · entry VND 300,000
Observation decks on floors 79-81 of Vietnam's tallest skyscraper above the Saigon River.
Bitexco Financial Tower — Saigon Skydeck
Viewpoint · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · entry VND 240,000
49th-floor observation deck in the helipad-topped Bitexco tower with 360° views over Saigon and the river.
Ho Chi Minh City Hall
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.3 h
Ornate 1908 French-colonial People's Committee building, beautifully floodlit at night.
Saigon Opera House
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h
1897 French-colonial municipal theatre hosting the AO Show and classical performances.
Things to do
- Mekong Delta Day Trip from HCMC Outdoor · 8 h · from VND 496,000 per person
- Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Tour Heritage · 4 h · from VND 331,000 per person
- HCMC Street Food Night Tour by Motorbike Food · 3 h · from VND 413,000 per person
- Bitexco Saigon Skydeck Ticket Sightseeing · 1 h · from VND 179,000 per person
- Saigon City Highlights Half-Day Tour Cultural · 4 h · from VND 413,000 per person
- Saigon Vespa Night Food Adventure Adventure · 4 h · from VND 965,000 per person
- Cai Be Floating Market & Mekong Cruise Nature · 10 h · from VND 772,000 per person
- Saigon River Dinner Cruise Cultural · 2.5 h · from VND 551,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Saigon Street Food & French Quarter Walking Tour 5 h · from VND 496,000
- Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Combo Day Tour 11 h · from VND 689,000
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
- District 1 — City Centre about VND 2,000 per night
The nerve centre of Saigon — Dong Khoi Street, Ben Thanh Market, rooftop bars and the War Remnants Museum all within walking distance. Full range of accommodation from backpacker hostels to 5-star hotels. Noisiest but…
- Thao Dien / District 2 about VND 3,500 per night
HCMC's most liveable neighbourhood — a quiet riverside enclave of villa-lined streets, international schools, craft breweries and upscale dining. 10 minutes from D1 by taxi but worlds apart in feel. Best for families…
- Bui Vien / Pham Ngu Lao — Backpacker District about VND 500 per night
The legendary backpacker street — budget guesthouses, 24-hour beer clubs, travel agencies and street food. Not for light sleepers, but unbeatable value and energy for budget travellers.
Hotels
- Park Hyatt Saigon 5-star · VND 10,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 per night
- The Reverie Saigon 5-star · VND 12,000,000 to VND 60,000,000 per night
- Hotel des Arts Saigon - MGallery 5-star · VND 3,000,000 to VND 6,000,000 per night
- Vinpearl Luxury Landmark 81 5-star · VND 3,500,000 to VND 8,000,000 per night
- Silverland Yen Hotel 4-star · VND 1,400,000 to VND 2,700,000 per night
- Silverland Jolie Hotel & Spa 4-star · VND 1,400,000 to VND 2,600,000 per night
Where to eat
- Banh Mi Huynh Hoa Vietnamese · about VND 40,000 per person
- Nha Hang Ngon Vietnamese · about VND 250,000 per person
- Cuc Gach Quan Vietnamese · about VND 400,000 per person
- Quan Bui Garden Vietnamese · about VND 450,000 per person
- The Deck Saigon Vietnamese, Fusion · about VND 800,000 per person
- Pho Hoa Pasteur Vietnamese, Pho · about VND 90,000 per person
- Pho Le Vietnamese, Pho · about VND 85,000 per person
- Banh Mi Hong Hoa Vietnamese · about VND 40,000 per person
Getting around
- Motorbike Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Motorbike Bag Snatching
Bui Vien St, Ben Thanh Market, D1 streets
A motorbike with two riders swoops past and the passenger grabs your bag, phone, or camera from your shoulder or hand. Can cause injury if you resist.
How to avoid it: Carry bags on the inside (away from traffic), use crossbody straps. Do not use your phone on the street. Be extra vigilant at night.
Cyclo & Tuk-Tuk Overcharging
Around Ben Thanh Market & D1
Drivers agree a price then conveniently "misunderstand" the currency or claim it was per hour. Arguments and intimidation follow.
How to avoid it: Always confirm currency and total price before starting. Use Grab — it shows fixed prices upfront.
Fake Goods & Gem Scam
Ben Thanh Market & tourist streets
Vendors sell counterfeit electronics, watches, branded goods, or "genuine gemstones" at bargain prices — all worthless fakes.
How to avoid it: Assume anything cheap is fake. Buy from reputable shops with receipts. Never buy gemstones or electronics from street stalls.
Best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City
- May 35°C · WMO World Weather Information Service (source: Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration), 1991-2020 normal for May: 202.0 mm, 13.0 days with >=0.1mm rain (station Ho Chi Minh City).
- Jun 34°C · WMO WWIS/VNMHA 1991-2020 normal for June: 224.0 mm, 16.0 days with >=0.1mm rain (station Ho Chi Minh City).
- Jul 33°C · WMO WWIS/VNMHA 1991-2020 normal for July: 231.0 mm, 19.0 days with >=0.1mm rain (station Ho Chi Minh City).
- Aug 33°C · WMO WWIS/VNMHA 1991-2020 normal for August: 219.0 mm, 17.0 days with >=0.1mm rain (station Ho Chi Minh City).
- Sep 33°C · WMO WWIS/VNMHA 1991-2020 normal for September: 273.0 mm, 18.0 days with >=0.1mm rain (station Ho Chi Minh City).
- Oct 32°C · WMO WWIS/VNMHA 1991-2020 normal for October: 240.0 mm, 16.0 days with >=0.1mm rain (station Ho Chi Minh City).