Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by locals) is Vietnam at its most dynamic. A river of motorbikes flows through streets lined with French colonial buildings and gleaming skyscrapers. The city pulses with energy - from the dawn tai chi in parks to the late-night pho stalls. It's chaotic, exhilarating, and endlessly fascinating, with some of the world's best street food around every corner.
Top Attractions
War Remnants Museum
Vietnam's most-visited museum presents the American War (as they call it) from the Vietnamese perspective. The exhibits on Agent Orange and the My Lai massacre are deeply disturbing but essential for understanding Vietnam's history. Outside, captured US military vehicles and aircraft are displayed.
Visitor Information
- Admission: 40,000 VND (~$1.60)
- Hours: 7:30am-12pm, 1:30pm-5pm daily
- Duration: Allow 2-3 hours
- Note: Content is graphic and emotionally intense
Cu Chi Tunnels
The 250km network of tunnels housed Viet Cong soldiers during the war, complete with hospitals, living quarters, and weapons factories. You can crawl through widened sections (original tunnels were much narrower). The day trip includes demonstrations of wartime ingenuity and optional AK-47 shooting range.
Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office
These neighboring French colonial landmarks showcase Saigon's elegant past. Notre-Dame (1880) was built with materials imported from France. The Central Post Office (1891), designed by Gustave Eiffel's company, features stunning vaulted ceilings and still functions as a working post office.
Ben Thanh Market
This 100-year-old market is Saigon's most iconic landmark. Inside, vendors sell everything from silks to souvenirs. The food court offers excellent Vietnamese dishes. At night, the surrounding streets transform into a vibrant night market. Bargaining is expected - start at 50% of asking price.
Reunification Palace
This 1960s modernist building was South Vietnam's presidential palace. On April 30, 1975, a North Vietnamese tank crashed through its gates, ending the war. The interior remains frozen in time with retro furnishings, war rooms, and the president's private quarters. The basement war room is fascinating.
Mekong Delta Day Trip
"Vietnam's rice bowl" lies 2 hours from Saigon. Boat trips explore floating markets where vendors sell from sampans, visit fruit orchards and bee farms, and cruise narrow canals through jungle vegetation. Cai Be and Cai Rang are the largest floating markets.
Ho Chi Minh City Food Guide
Saigon's street food is legendary. The city wakes to the sound of sizzling woks and bubbling pho pots. Every sidewalk becomes a restaurant with tiny plastic stools. Southern Vietnamese cuisine is sweeter than the north, with more fresh herbs and tropical influences.
Must-Try Dishes
Pho
Rice noodles in aromatic beef broth with herbs and chili. Breakfast of champions. 35,000-60,000 VND ($1.50-2.50).
Try: Pho Hoa Pasteur or Pho Le
Banh Mi
The world's best sandwich - crusty baguette with pate, meat, pickled vegetables, and herbs. 20,000-40,000 VND.
Try: Banh Mi Huynh Hoa or any street cart
Com Tam
Broken rice with grilled pork, egg, and pickles. Saigon's signature lunch dish. 35,000-50,000 VND.
Try: Com Tam Ba Ghien or Com Tam Moc
Banh Xeo
Crispy turmeric crepe filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. Wrap in lettuce with herbs. 40,000-70,000 VND.
Try: Banh Xeo 46A or Banh Xeo An La Ghien
Goi Cuon
Fresh spring rolls with shrimp, pork, vermicelli, and herbs. Dipped in peanut sauce. 25,000-40,000 VND.
Try: Any local restaurant or street stall
Ca Phe Sua Da
Vietnamese iced coffee - strong drip coffee over condensed milk. Addictively sweet. 20,000-40,000 VND.
Try: The Workshop, Trung Nguyen, or any cafe
Practical Information
Getting Around
- Grab: Southeast Asia's Uber - essential app for taxis and bikes
- Xe Om: Motorbike taxis - cheap and fast but negotiate price
- Walking: District 1 is walkable but crossing streets requires courage
- Tip: Walk steadily when crossing - bikes will flow around you
Budget Guide (Per Day)
- Budget: 500,000-800,000 VND ($20-35) - hostels, street food
- Mid-range: 1,500,000-2,500,000 VND ($60-100) - hotels, restaurants
- Luxury: 4,000,000+ VND ($170+) - 5-star hotels, fine dining
Best Time to Visit
- Dec-Apr: Dry season, best weather
- May-Nov: Rainy season (afternoon showers), fewer tourists
- Jan-Feb: Tet (Lunar New Year) - festive but many closures
- Year-round: Warm (25-35°C) with high humidity
Interactive Map
Explore Ho Chi Minh City's top attractions on the map. Click markers for details and directions.
Key Attractions on Map
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