7 Things To Do in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the biggest city in Vietnam. Renamed in 1976 to honour the revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, many people still call it by its former name. Walking around the city you will surely notice the French architecture, a reminder of the city’s time as part of French Indochina. Being a huge economic hub for Vietnam, it was honestly my least favourite place in Vietnam just because of how busy and messy it felt compared to the rest of the places I visited in Vietnam(just my personal opinion). Nonetheless, I still believe it’s worth going to even if it’s just for a couple of days as it does have plenty to offer.
How to get to Ho Chi Minh City?
Having the best connected airport in Vietnam, it makes the perfect place to either start or end your trip. If you don’t plan on flying into Ho Chi Minh City, you can easily book a train/bus online.
Getting around the city
The main ride-sharing app used in Vietnam is Grab and the prices are really good. It works the same way as other major ride-sharing apps such as Uber or Bolt (both of these are unavailable in Vietnam).
Note: I found the prices on Grab were way more expensive here than in other cities in Vietnam, but still affordable.
Top Things To Do
1. Tan Dinh Church
The Tan Dinh Church is a Roman Catholic church dating back to the 19th century. Also known as “The Pink Church” it’s pretty easy to spot due to its vibrant colour.
It originally had a more traditional colour scheme (white, light grey), but was painted pink during its renovation in the 1950s. I never expected to see a pink catholic church, but there’s something so beautiful about Gothic architecture mixed with pink.
Tip: For a nice shot of the church go to one of the cafes/restaurants across the street
2. War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum offers a sobering look at the Vietnam War. The exhibitions include personal stories, military equipment, and photographs (some of them very graphic). I feel like it’s an important museum to visit especially if you’re visiting from the west to get a full understanding of how the war impacted Vietnam.
Info: the entrance fee is 40,000 VND (~US$ 1.60).
3. Ben Thanh Market
No visit is complete without exploring the famous Ban Thanh Market. Here you will find everything from local handicrafts and souvenirs to aromatic spices and delicious street food. It’s also a popular meeting/drop-off point for different tours so you’ll probably end up visiting the market more than once.
Good restaurant find: for some delicious traditional Vietnamese cuisine try Bep Me In near the market.
4. Buu Dien
Also known as the Saigon Central Post Office, Buu Dien is a stunning example of French colonial architecture in Ho Chi Minh City. Here you can admire the beautiful interior details and the antique clock that still works today (installed in 1891).
A fun thing to do: Buy a postcard and mail it to yourself or someone close to you, you are in a post office after all.
5. Notre Damme Basilica
The Notre Dame Basilica is a symbol of Ho Chi Minh City’s French colonial heritage. It is an active place of worship and a popular tourist attraction, providing a window into the historical and cultural layers of Ho Chi Minh City. Currently, it’s undergoing extensive restoration work (since 2020) so access to the interior might be restricted. I wasn’t able to see the interior (January 2024) and the exterior was covered in construction scaffolding. However, since it is located next to the Saigon Post Office, you can easily check if the interior is open while you’re there.
6. Enjoy a night out on the party strip
Ho Chi Minh City has a great nightlife. The party strip is centred around Bui Vien Street in the District 1 area. Here you can find a wide range of entertainment options, from dance clubs with international DJs to relaxed bars with live music.
7. Tour to Cu Chi Tunnel
One of the highlights of my trip was the Cu Chi Tunnels tour. Located just outside of the city, the tunnels had a big importance during the Vietnam War. They served as hideouts, living quarters, and supply routes for Vietnamese soldiers. During the tour, you get to crawl through these narrow tunnels and see live demonstrations of the traps used during the war.
The tour also includes a stop at the shooting range where you can shoot different guns used by the soldiers, under the supervision of trained instructors. The shooting range is not included in the tour price and you will have to pay separately. Prices typically include the rental of the weapon and a set number of bullets. Prices can vary but expect to pay between $10 – $40 per person.
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