The city mixes old and new in a way that keeps things interesting, from historic landmarks to buzzing cafés and hidden local corners. To help you make the most of it, here are the 13 best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, a mix of classics and local picks that show off the city at its best.
1. Cu Chi Tunnel (Khu di tích lịch sử Địa đạo Củ Chi)
The Cu Chi Tunnels are an easy half-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, taking around 2 hours to reach the site. This vast underground network was used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War as a strategic base for communication, supply routes, and shelter. Exploring the tunnels gives you a sense of the harsh conditions soldiers endured and the impressive ingenuity behind their construction. It’s one of the most important historical experiences you can have when visiting Saigon.
Here is the tour we did, and couldn’t recommend it more.
2. War Remnants Museum (Bảo tàng Chứng tích Chiến tranh)
The War Remnants Museum is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most powerful and emotional stops, offering a stark and unfiltered look at the Vietnam War through photographs, personal accounts, and preserved military equipment. Each floor highlights a different perspective, from the impact on civilians to international anti-war movements, making the visit both informative and deeply moving. It’s a heavy experience, but an essential one if you want to understand the country’s modern history and the resilience of the Vietnamese people.
3. Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập)
The Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, is a landmark frozen in time that offers a fascinating look into Vietnam’s political past. Walking through its preserved meeting rooms, underground bunkers, and 1960s interiors feels like stepping back into the moment Saigon fell in 1975. It’s one of the city’s most significant historic sites and an easy way to grasp how the Vietnam War came to an end right here in this very building.
After visiting the palace, take a short walk to Tao Dan Park right behind it. It’s one of the nicest green spaces in the city, where locals gather to exercise, chat, or relax.
4. Ben Thanh Market (Chợ Bến Thành)
Ben Thanh Market is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most iconic landmarks and a classic stop for anyone wanting a taste of local life. Inside this bustling maze, you’ll find everything from fresh produce and Vietnamese snacks to souvenirs, handicrafts, clothes, and coffee beans. It’s busy, noisy, and a little chaotic, but that’s exactly what makes it fun. It’s a great place to wander, bargain for some souvenirs, take pics and soak up the energy of everyday Saigon.
5. Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon (Nhà thờ Đức Bà Sài Gòn)
Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon stands as one of the city’s most recognisable symbols, built by French colonists in the late nineteenth century using materials imported entirely from France. Its red-brick façade, twin bell towers, and peaceful square create a striking contrast with the rush of modern Saigon all around it. When we went, the exterior was under renovation and the interior itself is quite sober in terms of decoration, but it still remains a beautiful spot to admire from the outside and a reminder of the city’s strong architectural heritage and lasting French influence.
By the way, don’t forget to check out our 19 must-try restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, we include our absolute favourite spots.
6. Saigon Central Post Office (Bưu điện trung tâm Sài Gòn)
Saigon Central Post Office is another classic reminder of the city’s French colonial past. The building’s bright yellow façade, arched windows and detailed colonial touches make it instantly eye-catching. Step inside and you’ll find elegant old-world details, from patterned tiles to antique phone booths, alongside a huge portrait of Ho Chi Minh watching over the main hall. It’s still a functioning post office, so while tourists snap photos, locals line up to mail letters or handle paperwork, which gives the place a nice authentic feel.
Since the post office is still operating today, don’t forget to send a souvenir letter to your loved ones back home.
7. Ho Chi Minh City Book Street (Đường sách Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh)
Ho Chi Minh City Book Street is a short pedestrian lane filled with bookshops, cafés and shaded seating areas right next to the Post Office. It’s a relaxed spot to stroll, browse through Vietnamese and international titles, and enjoy a break from the city’s traffic. The atmosphere is calm and creative, making it a pleasant place to wander or settle down with a drink and a good read.
8. Saigon Opera House (Nhà hát Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh)
The Saigon Opera House is one of the city’s most elegant colonial landmarks built in 1897, its architecture reflects strong French influences with ornate carvings, grand arches and a beautifully balanced façade. You can admire it from the outside at any time, but if you want to see the interior, the only way in is by attending a performance, which often includes traditional Vietnamese shows and contemporary dance productions.
Right next to the Opera House, you can see the nearby Statue of Ho Chi Minh and the People’s Committee of Hô Chí Minh City right behind it. The area opens into a wide pedestrian plaza that’s perfect for photos, especially with the grand architecture and lively street atmosphere all around.
9. The Cafe Apartments
The Cafe Apartments on Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street is one of the most unique spots in the city. This old nine-story apartment block has been transformed into a stack of tiny cafés and boutiques, each with its own personality, from cozy tea rooms to quirky themed coffee shops. It’s fun to wander floor by floor, pick a balcony café you like, and enjoy a drink while looking out over the busy pedestrian boulevard below.
Don’t wait in line for the elevator when you enter, but instead, walk up the stairs so you can take the time to choose your favourite cafe and check out the different floors.
If you like quirky cafes, there are 2 in Hanoi that we totally recommend, the Note Cafe and Giao Mùa Coffee.
10. Bui Vien Walking Street (Phố đi bộ Bùi Viện)
Bui Vien Walking Street is the city’s nightlife hub, loud, bright and always buzzing. Bars, clubs, and neon signs line both sides of the road, and the whole area turns into one big outdoor party every night. It’s not the most traditional corner of the city, but it’s a classic Saigon experience if you’re looking for drinks, music and a lively atmosphere that keeps going late into the night.
11. Tân Định Parish Church (Nhà Thờ Giáo Xứ Tân Định) a.k.a Pink Church
Tân Định Parish Church also known as the Pink Church, is easily one of the most eye-catching sights in the city thanks to its bright pink façade that stands out from everything around it. Built in the late 19th century, the church blends Romanesque and Gothic touches, giving it a charming, slightly whimsical look that draws plenty of visitors. You can’t always enter depending on the day, but even just stopping by to admire the exterior is worth the detour, especially if you enjoy unique architecture and great photo spots.
For an elevated view of the church, go on the balcony on the second floor of the convenience store GS25 right in front of the church.
By the way, Da Nang also has its own pink church worth checking out.
12. Landmark 81
Landmark 81 towers over the city as Vietnam’s tallest building and one of the defining features of the modern skyline. Inside, you’ll find a mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment like ice-skating, along with an observation deck at the top that gives you sweeping views across Ho Chi Minh City. Whether you come for the panoramas, to browse the mall, or just to see the building up close, it’s an easy and impressive addition to your itinerary.
Instead of paying the pricey ticket for the observation deck, go have a drink for sunset at Blank Lounge Landmark – Highest Cafe & Bar Lounge in Vietnam for an amazing view from the 76th floor. Same view but instead of paying for just the ticket, buy yourself a nice cocktail for the same price.
If you don’t feel like going all the way to Landmark 81 for a panoramic view and prefer to stay closer to the centre, you can check out the Bitexco Financial Tower. It also has an observation deck which is cheaper, though not as high. The experience isn’t quite as impressive as Landmark 81 or the high-floor bar option we recommend, but it’s still a convenient spot for a quick look over the city.
13. Shopping
Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is a mix of sleek international malls and fresh, creative local talent. Sure, you have the big shopping centres if you want something familiar, but if you’re after pieces that feel more unique and genuinely Vietnamese, it’s worth exploring the city’s local designers. Their boutiques offer impressive quality, bold styles and prices that are hard to beat. Below is our list of the spots we personally loved and think you should definitely check out if you want something a bit different from the usual mall experience.
Malls:
Local Vietnamese Designers:
If you have more time, we recommend you to visit:
Ben Nghe Street Food: Ben Nghe Street Food is one of the easiest places in the city to dive straight into Saigon’s everyday food culture without overthinking where to go. It’s a compact, lively complex filled with vendors serving all the comforting staples you’d expect, but it’s not limited to Vietnamese flavours. You’ll also find a mix of Asian street food influences, from Thai dishes to popular Korean snacks, which makes it a fun stop if you want variety without going too far.
Saigon Riverfront Park (Công Viên Bờ Sông Sài Gòn Tp Thủ Đức): Saigon Riverfront Park is a calm, breezy spot that gives you a completely different angle of the city. As the sun sets, the skyline starts to glow and the reflections over the water create a really peaceful vibe, especially compared to the busy streets just a few minutes away. It’s an easy place to unwind, watch the boats drift by and enjoy one of the best sunset views over the city centre.
Mekong Delta cruise: A day trip to the Mekong Delta is one of the easiest ways to swap Ho Chi Minh City’s constant buzz for something calmer. Most cruises take you through narrow canals lined with palm trees, small riverside villages and floating local workshops where you can see how everyday products are made. It’s touristy, of course, but still a nice change of pace and a chance to understand a different side of southern Vietnam. If you have a full day to spare, it’s a simple and relaxed escape from the city.
Here is the tour we recommend for a fun and easy day.
Want to be the first to hear about our latest adventures, hidden gems, and favorite eats around the world?
Just drop your name and email below-we’d love to have you along for the ride!