Ho Chi MinhTravel Guide

Also known as District 1, Ho Chi Minh's City Centre is the place to be for dining, shopping, and sightseeing. Here you'll find must-see landmarks such as the Central Post Office, Jade Emperor Pagoda, and the Notre-Dame Basilica. You'll also find a wide range of accommodation here, from five-star hotels to budget-friendly hostels.

The largest Chinatown in Vietnam, Cholon is one of the best places to stay in Ho Chi Minh if you're looking for budget-friendly accommodation. It's also close to Buddhist temples and the Binh Tay Market, the largest in Vietnam. Hire a cyclo (a bicycle with passenger seating in front) to take you around the area to check out the architecture and the authentic Chinese eateries.

Staying near the Ben Thanh Market allows you easy access to local handicrafts, affordable clothes, yummy food, and Vietnamese art. The market is one of the oldest landmarks in Ho Chi Minh and it opens early and stays open until late. Stay in a budget-friendly hostel or a more luxurious hotel nearby.

The oldest and widest street in Ho Chi Minh, Nguyen Hue Boulevard has played a significant role in the country's history. During the Vietnam War, foreign correspondents stayed in the hotels along this street. On one end of the street, you'll find the City Hall and on the other, Saigon River. Along this pedestrian-friendly area, there are a lot of bars, cafes, and interesting buildings to check out.

If you want to experience the bustling nightlife of Ho Chi Minh, stay at Pham Ngu Lao. This area is made up of two parallel streets and is known as the backpacker district of the city. If you stay at one of the many budget-friendly hotels nearby, you'll find street food vendors selling delicious eats at all hours.

Originally called rue Catinat, Dong Khoi Street underwent many name changes. However, its beautiful French Colonial buildings remain. If you stay here, you'll be within walking distance of designer boutiques, art galleries, and vibrant cafes. If you stroll along the Dong Khoi, you'll find yourself near the Opera House and other Ho Chi Minh attractions.

Take a day trip to visit the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's agricultural heartland. You'll explore the region by boat and see what everyday life is like for the farmers who produce rice and tropical fruit. Plus, you can enjoy fresh Vietnamese food at a local restaurant or from a boat-rowing vendor.

From the outside, the Reunification Palace looks like a time capsule from the ‘60s and ‘70s. However, it's actually an important Ho Chi Minh landmark. This was where the presidents of South Vietnam lived until the end of the Vietnam War, and where the North and South reunited into one Vietnam. It's a must-see for anyone interested in history.

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is better known as the Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral. This red Romanesque building was built by the French in the mid-1800s, and is one place you should definitely have on your itinerary when you visit Ho Chi Minh. Worshippers attend mass regularly and some locals believe that a statue of Mary here shed tears in 2005.

One of the most beautiful places in Ho Chi Minh is also one of its most functional. Constructed in the late 1800s, the Central Post Office was designed by Gustave Eiffel (who also engineered his namesake tower in Paris). It's still being used as a post office today, so be sure to send a letter or a postcard from here during your visit.

Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese Communist revolutionary leader who played a key role in the country's history. Because of this, they renamed the city (previously Saigon) after him in 1975. You can find out more about him by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Museum; it's located inside Dragon Wharf, the former customs house that combines French and Vietnamese styles.

Apart from its struggles for independence, Vietnam has a rich history that can be traced back to the prehistoric period. You can learn more about this by going to the Museum of Vietnamese History; find it inside the grounds of the Botanic Gardens. Go on a guided tour to find out more about the cultural evolution of Vietnam.

Did you know that Vietnam has a medical tradition that spans thousands of years? You can learn more about this in the Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, also known as the FITO Museum. It houses ingredients, scrolls, and other artefacts that practitioners used to cure illnesses and promote the wellbeing of their patients.

An underground system of more 120km, the Cu Chi Tunnels were originally used by Vietnamese soldiers during their various wars. Today, they form part of a war museum that gives visitors a glimpse of what life was like for soldiers. You can crawl around sections of the tunnels, taste the food that the fighters would have eaten, and even fire an M16 rifle.

Built in 1909 by the Chinese community, the Jade Emperor Pagoda is one of the most important shrines in Ho Chi Minh, and a must-visit if you want to learn more about Taoism. The Jade Emperor is a major figure in Taoist theology, and this spectacular temple built in his honour is beautifully decorated with statues and elaborate carvings. The locals still use it to this day.

Before you leave Ho Chi Minh, be sure to pay a visit to Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda. Here, locals make offerings to a life-sized figure of a sacred horse before departing on a journey. This small Taoist temple has intricate ornamentation and is also home to brass ritual items and weapons.

Vietnam's struggle for independence and unification has not been without bloodshed. The War Remnants Museum is a sobering reminder of the country's wars with the French and the Americans. There are weapons, photographs, dioramas, and other artefacts such as a guillotine. The museum has been running since 1975 and is one of the most visited museums in the country.

To see great examples of Vietnamese arts and culture, visit the Fine Arts Museum. It's housed in a French Colonial mansion that once belonged to the richest man in Saigon. The museum's collection includes oil, silk, and lacquer paintings as well as ceramics and sculptures. Relics from the 7th to 17th centuries are also exhibited in this museum.

The HCMC museum is dedicated to Ho Chi Minh City, housed in an elegant, Neoclassical building built in 1885 and formerly known as the Gia Long Palace. It takes visitors on a journey of the city's history through archaeological relics, old city maps, and ceramics. The Vietnamese revolution against the French as well as images from the Vietnam War are also displayed on the upper floor of the museum.

If you want to see contemporary Vietnamese art, the San Art gallery is for you. This not-for-profit organisation was initiated by artists to exchange knowledge and showcase their work. You can see musical pieces, poetry, and installations as well as contemporary visual art. They also have an excellent reading room with a wide selection of art books.

Plan to wake up early one day to hit Ho Chi Minh's lively food markets: Binh Tay in Chinatown, Ben Thanh in District 1, and Binh Dien Seafood Market in District 8. Stop by stalls selling pho and goi cuon (traditional spring rolls) for a hearty breakfast. Then, shop for fresh produce and fashion items with less of a crowd. Afterwards, enjoy Ho Chi Minh's street food from the hawkers at the food court.

For a budget-friendly night out, enjoy Vietnam's incredibly cheap bia hoi draft beer while sitting on plastic chairs in front of a local bar. For a more upscale experience, head to the roof decks of Ho Chi Minh's famous hotels for cocktails. Hit the clubs for live music and then enjoy barbecued meat at a street food stall afterwards.

Delicious as it may be, Ho Chi Minh dining isn't limited to Vietnamese cuisine. There are Indian, Italian, Chinese, and Thai eateries all over the city. Be sure to visit Pham Ngu Lao Street as it caters to all kinds of tastes. Indulge your senses at District 1, where you'll find several excellent French fine-dining restaurants.

Vietnamese coffee is an obsession among its people. It's usually made by pouring hot water over rough ground beans inside a metal drip filter (a Phin filter). This creates a strong brew that's often sweetened with condensed milk. You can enjoy it hot or iced from cafes or Ho Chi Minh street food vendors.

Ho Chi Minh markets have something for everyone, whether you're looking for affordable souvenirs to take home to loved ones, artwork for your home, or a little present for yourself. Check out Ben Thanh Market in District 1, Binh Tay Market in Chinatown, and An Dong Market in District 5. Refuel with food from the Vietnamese hawker stalls when you feel you need a break.

Saigon Square Shopping Mall is actually made up of two buildings located a couple of kilometres apart. Both are indoor markets with similar stallholders selling a variety of goods – pick up everything from chocolates to clothing and much more. You'll need to practise your bargaining skills to get these goods at really affordable prices!

Wondering what else to buy in Ho Chi Minh? Well, you can head over to Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Street to find fresh produce and cheap electronics. It has plenty of bakeries and street food stalls selling fresh sugar cane juice and snacks that will prepare you for another round of exploring the city.

If you're looking for the latest in Ho Chi Minh fashion, head to Vincom Centre. Spanning two buildings, it's the largest shopping centre in the city. The first building is a French colonial building that houses high-end boutiques as well as electronic home decor stores, and the second is a more modern skyscraper with its first five floors housing eateries as well as local and international brands.

Nguyen Trai Street connects District 1 to Chinatown, making it quite busy. However, this doesn't deter many of the locals from their shopping quests. The street is lined with kerb-side vendors as well as fancier boutiques. You'll find clothes, footwear, bags, and jewellery at very affordable prices. Come at around 7pm with cash on hand and expect to haggle with the friendly vendors.

If you need to get to your destination quickly, then hire a Ho Chi Minh taxi. Though be sure to get in vehicles from legitimate companies with working meters. You can also ride motorbike taxis (xe om) but you must agree on the price with the driver before getting on.

Bicycle hire is fairly rare and hard to find in Ho Chi Minh – this mightn't be the destination for you if you're desperate to explore Vietnam on two wheels. If you're determined to get some bike time into your holiday, your best bet is to head to Pham Ngu Lao and ask the locals where to find a renter.

Apart from taxis, you can also take Ho Chi Minh public transport. If you're not in a rush, travel short distances on the traditional cyclo, a bicycle with passenger seats on the front. You can also take the green and white buses around the city for a reasonable fare.

Walking in Ho Chi Minh can seem like a challenge, especially when it comes to crossing the busy, often chaotic roads. Don't be daunted, though; walking is a good way to get to different landmarks. As long as you cross with commitment and consistent steps, the traffic will flow around you. You can also join groups of locals at busy intersections when crossing.

Come to Tao Dan Park one morning to see the locals practising tai chi, hula-hooping, or dancing. You can join in their exercises or simply enjoy a stroll. You'll find lots of picturesque spots, such as a sculpture garden and miniature recreations of buildings, so don't forget to bring your camera! If you're feeling the heat, grab an iced Vietnamese coffee from a vendor along the way.

Just a stone's throw away from Saigon River, Me Linh Square is a good place to stop and rest if you're in that part of Ho Chi Minh. Since 1875, this green space has seen the rise and fall of many statues. Today, its place of honour is home to Tran Hung Dao, a national hero of Vietnam.