Indeed you will always remember Ho Chi Minh City after visiting the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi tunnels. These are must do visits to get to know the history and culture of the Vietnamese people. But Ho Chi Minh City also have fewer heavy sites to visit and offers a unique blend of cultural heritage, architectural wonders and modern influences. Ho Chi Minh City formerly known as Saigon dates back to a small Khmer fishing village known as Prey Nokor. Ho Chi Minh City grew due to its strategic location along the Saigon River. Under the French colonial rule in the mid-19th century, architectural buildings and infrastructure were brought in. Saigon was the former capital and renamed to Ho Chi Minh City in 1976 to honor the Communist leader after the reunification of Vietnam; but many locals still call it Saigon!
How to Travel to Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City can be visited year-round, but the best time is during the dry season from December to April. The city is well connected by an international airport, public buses and taxis. I flew from Da Nang, Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City with Vietnam Airlines, please book here. This was the fastest way to get from Central Vietnam to the South of Vietnam. If you have more time, of course the train or bus could be an option too; 12GoAsia affiliate link!
Download the Grab App in advance to book your taxi from the airport to your accommodation
My trip in my trip I have visited Ho Chi Minh City twice, ones from Hoi An and the other time from Phu Quoc. From Ho Chi Minh City I traveled via a Mekong Delta Tour directly to Phu Quoc instead of going back to Ho Chi Minh City, otherwise I would have visited the city tree times! Clever right? More below or in the Mekong Delta Blog.
Accommodation Suggestions for Ho Chi Minh City
As I stayed two times in Ho Chi Minh City, I booked two different hotels: M Village Hotel Tao Dan Park, near Tao Dan Park and Silverland Ben Thanh in the center next to the famous Ben Thanh Market. I would recommend each hotel as its own advantages.
M Village Hotel is not located in District 1, this means no pickup or drop of from the main tour operators in Ho Chi Minh City. Advantage is that the price of the accommodation is in general a bit cheaper than in District 1 and 3. To be honest the location was very nice, close to the green park and in a trendy neighborhood of Ho Chi Minh City, with a lot of cool coffee shops and restaurants nearby in walking distance. In fact the trendy Every Half Coffee Roasters is located underneath the hotel. The room was newly renovated and they are still working to increase the upgrade of the hotel.
Silverland Ben Thanh is an unique hotel, it has won several awards for styling and the service is beyond! Entrance drinks, very comfortable rooms with a cleaning toilet! The room included a high tea, including fresh waffles, and was served at the restaurant on the 11th floor with a stunning view. The location is perfect in District 1, next to the famous market, which was perfect for my final shopping before heading to the airport.
The hotels in Ho Chi Minh City are a lot more expensive than the rest of Vietnam
Check the top floor of the Silverland Ben Thanh hotel by night for an amazing view over Ho Chi Minh City!
Sights to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City
During my three days in Ho Chi Minh City I walked a lot through this vibrant city. It was the TET Holiday, so the streets were decorated and even shows were putting on the streets and parks. Here are some suggestions for visiting this lively modern city!
1. Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
Located in the heart of District 1, the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica is an example of the French colonial influences. The Cathedral was constructed between 1877 and 1883, its neo-Romanesque architecture have twin bell towers that are 60 meters high. The cathedral’s has red bricks and looks like the Notre Dame in Paris. The Catholic Cathedral has been under construction since 2017 and will last probably 10 years, so indeed during my trip the church was in covered in scaffolding.
Do you see the resemblance of the one in Paris and the red bricks?
2. Saigon Central Post Office
Adjacent to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office is an architectural masterpiece, built between 1886 and 1891. It’s grand entry and eclectic interior reflect a harmonious blend of Renaissance and French styles. The interior is just as impressive, with high ceilings, a giant portrait of Ho Chi Minh, and beautifully tiled floors. This historic post office is fully operational!
Did you know that tourists can send postcards and letters to their loved ones from this post office; nice souvenir right!
3. Tao Dan Park
My M Village Hotel was located close to the Tao Dan Park. The park is a green oasis in the middle of the urban buildings of Ho Chi Minh City. The biggest park in the city covers over 10 hectares and is a popular spot for locals and tourists; offering a tranquil environment ideal for leisurely strolls, tai chi sessions or simply meditation. The park has many sculptures, a small temple and an interesting collection of native flora with tropical trees. Visitors in the early morning can see locals practicing traditional exercises and engaging in cultural activities, perfect to see the daily life of the Vietnamese in the city.
During my visit, the park was full with TET celebrations and amusement
4. Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is one of the oldest and most iconic markets in Vietnam. The market opened as the “Halles Centrale” in 1914, with a striking clock tower on the south entrance. The Ben Thanh Market and his surroundings are located in the busiest parts of Ho Chi Minh City. The market offers a variety of goods; from fresh produce and local delicacies to textiles, souvenirs and handicrafts. It’s a perfect spot to buy your final souvenirs for your flight back home.
Try and buy the dried mango and ginger, perfect to bring home and hold on to the holiday vibe!
5. Saigon Opera House
The Saigon Opera House, built in 1897, is a stunning example of French Colonial architecture. Officially known as the Municipal Theater the Saigon Opera House is located at the intersection of Dong Khoi Street and Le Loi Boulevard. This grand building is a cultural landmark is hosting performances ranging from traditional Vietnamese plays to symphonies and ballets. Even if you don’t catch a show, the building itself is worth admiring both inside and out.
6. Ho Chi Minh City Hall
The Ho Chi Minh City Hall, originally called the Hôtel de Ville, is also a magnificent example of French architecture. Completed in 1908, it remains an administrative center and is not open to the public. Its stunning appearance is a hot spot to shoot your favorite photo for both locals and tourists. Although it was difficult to take a good picture, due to the busy traffic and a lot of people.
7. Bitexco Financial Tower
For a panoramic view of the city, a visit to the Bitexco Financial Tower’s Skydeck is necessary. The 262-meter-tall structure offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of Ho Chi Minh City, and its unique helipad design is a modern architectural marvel. You will spot this Bitexco Tower from every point in the city. My hotel already had a nice rooftop view and my lack of time made me not go to this Skydeck.
From the Pizza 4P’s Saigon Centre you have a nice view on this amazing building!
History and War Sights in and around Ho Chi Minh City
When in Vietnam you must learn more about the culture and history. The county has undergone so many wars which has impacted the local people. I booked a half day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels and visited the War Remnants Museum afterwards. Emotional day to be honest.
1. Cu Chi Tunnels Morning Tour
After pick up at my M Village Hotel it was about 1.5 hours’ drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The guide gave us sufficient background to be prepared at the location. This tour is very popular and I understand why.
You can book a morning (750k VND) or afternoon tour, or even a full day.
You will get a remarkable insight into Vietnam’s wartime history. The extensive network of underground tunnels were built by the Viet Minh during the war against the French. And became critical during the Vietnam War, serving as living quarters, supply routes, and strategic bases for the Viet Cong. The tour give you a great insight in the strategies and ways of surviving in the tunnels. We had the chance to navigate in a section of the tunnels ourselves, what I didn’t do! I was too claustrophobic in the even made wider tunnels. The various traps and explanations of the way of working made an impact.
I had my doubts on the possibility to shoot with a AK 47 rifle at the shooting range in the park. You could already hear the shooting all the time we walked in the tunnel area. It really felt like a war zone. I was uncomfortable holding a rifle and shoot at the range and did not shoot, but many tourists did.
For 60k per bullet you can shoot at the range yourselves, you get a noise covering headset and a guide will help you to shoot in the designated area
At the end of the tour we got some tea and snacks to eat. Nice to try and chill bit, very impressive and this already made an impact on me to see all this in real eyes instead of the movies and tv.
So if you are in Vietnam don’t skip this part of history
On the way back of the Cu Chi Tunnels, we stopped at an art factory where a lot of disabled people are working on Vietnamese lacquer eggshell paintings. This ancient lacquer technique is shown in the factory. The painting is made by wood, eggshells and other shells, different colors with several layers of lacquer. After the factory we entered a huge art gallery where you can buy and support the locals by buying a piece of art. The choice is huge!
I bought a small colorful painting as a souvenir and support the community and disabled workers
The tour had a free drop off in Ho Chi Minh City and I choose the War Remnants Museum to make my history day complete.
2. War Remnants Museum
This Remnants Museum is an essential visit when you are in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s educational and very poignant, offering an impressive insight of the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective. In the museum you learn to understand the context of the war with the USA (1955 -1975) and the devastating impact on the Vietnamese people. The museum shows exhibits, including photographs, military equipment and impressive personal stories, all very well displayed but also very confronting.
Entrance fee of the Museum is 40k VND
I really got emotional when walking the three-story building and I was not the only one. It was silent and full of respect with locals and tourists in the museum.
Bring a napkin, in case you can’t hold your tears like me
Outside the museum you fill find some US airplanes and tankers used in the war. Outside you can also visit a reconstruction of the jails and chambers with the torture methods used back in the days. Awful to see and to read, knowing that at the same time some wars are still going on. This is a powerful reminder of importance: Peace Please!!!
Where to Eat and Drink in Ho Chi Minh City
I love my coffees, so Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City is perfect for many hip and trendy coffee cafes. Vietnam is the second-largest coffee exporter globally and Ho Chi Minh City is at the heart of this coffee culture. Sample a traditional Vietnamese iced coffee or try a rich creamy egg coffee that’s you have to try! Check the Eggyolk Coffee Café near the Ben Thanh Market, perfect for a break before or after your shopping. Original style interior!
The culinary options in Ho Chi Minh City are huge! I could give you some recommendation but it is all up to you to discover the street food or high-end Vietnamese restaurants and everything in between. Around the corner of my M Village Hotel I found a remarkable designed building, the rating of the restaurant was good, so I tried it! Downstairs you have a shop where you can buy several nice souvenirs and upstairs you have two different kinds of restaurants, one is vegetarian and the other original Vietnamese. I went to the original restaurant Hum Restaurant. It was so good, that I went back on my last day in Ho Chi Minh City! The Hum Café, Healthy Veggies Delights, was rated the Best of the Best in 2023 by Tripadvisor.
I if you have enough Vietnamese food, you can always go to the popular Pizza 4P’s. This is a very good pizza restaurant; I went to the one in the Saigon Centre. The big bonus was the nice view from the garden rooftop. But I was surprised by the quality of pizza’s here, they were really good with a great selection of toppings. So check this out on your trip, the chain has many restaurants all over Vietnam.
The Cocoa Project is a must go if you are keen of chocolate. I was appealed to the building as well, plants and gardens in front of the café. The white chocolate Matcha was delicious and the two bonbons I bought as well! So check it out, in this lovely neighborhood of Ho Chi Minh City.
My Takeaways of Ho Chi Minh City
I liked Ho Chi Minh City more than I expected to be honest! It is a busy modern city with historical sites with French influences, with traditional markets and green parks. It has a good mix! Whether you are interested in Vietnam’s history, culture, shopping or culinary experiences; Ho Chi Minh City has it all!