Lenght of stay:

For the most enjoyable stay, we recommend you can learn a lot about the Vietnam War and enjoy the vibrant nightlife in this city. Two or three days here would be very relaxing. You can extend your stay in the Mekong Delta by taking a 2-day excursion there.

Money changers/ATMs

Money exchanges and gold dealers at Ben Thanh Market area where both locals and tourists go to change their money.

Occasions and celebrations close to home

Tet New Year is on the first day of the first lunar month. People are either partying in the city or going back home. There is a big flower show in Nguyen Hue.

interesting Activities:

You may think of the Saigon Cyclo Challenge is held in the middle of March and features both professional and amateur cyclists. The money raised goes to local charities that help poor children, join this!

Best time to travel
February has the least amount of precipitation and humidity, and the city is filled with flowers for Tet parties.
March has a little more rain and humidity.

November to the End of December is cooler than average and relatively dry in HCMC.

4. Motorbike-mounted street food tour
The food in Vietnam is revered and the people’s greatest source of pride. You can find a place to eat on almost every street, whether it’s a five-star restaurant or a simple stall with plastic stools. Due to the economic migration of people from all over the country to Saigon, you will find dishes from every region of Vietnam

The optimal method is a street food tour. Similar to a street food tour in Hanoi, you will sample a variety of dishes, visit parts of the city you would otherwise never see, and gain a truly unique perspective on local life. If you dare, embark on a street food tour on the back of Asia Travel Mates’s local guide’s motorcycle. This adds an additional unique element to an already cool activity.

By riding on the back of a bicycle and eating at local stalls, you truly immerse yourself in the culture of the area. It is an experience that cannot be forgotten.

Interested in this one-of-a-kind experience? Check out our street food tours, on which you have the option of riding on the back of the bike. Additionally, we offer vegan street food tour options.

The nighttime

Bui Vien Street, 
Ho Chi Minh City has the best nightlife in all of Vietnam. It is the largest, most entertaining, and most diverse city in the nation.

The most well-known location for nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City is Bui Vien Street, the backpacker street of Ho Chi Minh City and possibly of Vietnam. It is comparable to Khao San Road in Bangkok but superior. This street is lined with bars and nightclubs. You can also enjoy a beverage on one of the numerous plastic chairs that line both sides of the whole street.

Relaxed Sky Bar Saigon
If you are looking for a place with a bit more class, visit one of Ho Chi Minh City’s many rooftop bars for a cocktail. There are also numerous bars and clubs located throughout the city; whether you prefer jazz or EDM, there is something for everyone.

6. Reunification Palace
In 1975, when the North Vietnamese army tank passed through the main gate, ending the Vietnam War, it gained worldwide notoriety. As a museum, this palace is now open to the public. It is quite remarkable to observe that nothing has changed in forty years, including an air raid shelter and a communication room where troops were directed.

7. Bitexco Financial Building

Bitexco was the tallest building in the city prior to the construction of Landmark 81 in 2018, which is now the tallest building in Southeast Asia. Still, Bitexco is the most beautiful skyscraper in the city, located in the heart of the city. It is shaped like a lotus flower and has a helicopter landing pad on one side. At 262 meters in height, there is a sky deck with a breathtaking view of the city and river.

8. Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Nguyen Hue Walking Street is one of the best locations for socializing and dating in the city. Every night, thousands of people congregate here and enjoy a cool evening in the center. It is surrounded by colonial buildings with impressive architecture, such as the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the Opera House, and here you will find the beautiful Cafe Apartments building, where each apartment is a unique cafe with its own decor. It appears to be in excellent condition from the street. In addition, these historic structures are surrounded by modern skyscrapers.

9. Ben Thanh Market

In Ho Chi Minh City, as in every other city in Vietnam, you will find a variety of markets. Here, you can observe the daily activities of the locals. The further away from the city center the markets are, the more local and genuine they are. The majority of markets sell common items such as meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, household items, and clothing. There are also specialized markets, such as those for motorbikes, flowers, and pets. Ben Thanh Market and Binh Tay Market are the two most renowned markets.

Saigon River 10.

The river Saigon flows directly through the city. When you are on the opposite bank of the river from the city’s core, you have a magnificent view of the city’s skyline. There are also numerous boat trips available on the river.

For instance, the Mekong Delta can be reached by speedboat from this river. It gets you to the delta quickly, but it is also a much more pleasant journey than driving. You can also view the sunset from a speedboat while sipping a cocktail at a luxury restaurant. For more romance or just fun, you can take a Saigon River dinner cruise. While overlooking the beautiful city skyline, dine on delectable food.

10 top travel activities in Ho Chi Minh City

With streets lined with French colonial architecture and a constant buzz, Ho Chi Minh City offers rewarding sights for temple and museum-goers, market enthusiasts, history buffs, architecture buffs, park enthusiasts, and anyone else who wants to see Vietnam’s most economically dynamic city in action.

1. Cu Chi Tunnels
The tunnels are part of a museum about the Vietnam War, where you can learn more about it. Learn how the Viet Cong lived during the war by crawling through the cramped tunnels. In addition, you can view a variety of creative traps, how the tunnels and guerillas lived underground, and abandoned military vehicles. On the shooting range, it is also possible to shoot with a variety of firearms.

The tunnels can be visited in a half-day excursion, according to this recommendation. Join our Luxury Cu Chi Tunnel Daily Set Departure, where you will be picked up in a limo and depart with only 06 people in 1 group.

2. War Remnants Museum
To truly know about Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnam past War, a visit to the War Remnants Museum is a must. The museum is a memorial to the victims of the Vietnam Past War through displays of memorabilia number of abandoned military vehicles, including a tank, jet, helicopter, and rocket launchers, are parked outside the museum.  and Inside, there are additional war artifacts and graphic photographs of the brutal conflict.

You should not miss the War Remnants Museum, which is arguably the best and most impressive museum in Vietnam. You will learn more about the horrific Vietnam War at this museum. 

3. French Colonial Buildings

Saigon Cathedral and  Central Post Office

Ho Chi Minh City, like Hanoi and a number of other Vietnamese cities, has an abundance of colonial-era French architecture. As the city center has evolved into a modern metropolis, it is a rare sight to see centuries-old structures surrounded by skyscrapers.

Notre Dame Cathedral
A miniature version of Notre Dame Cathedral, both of which are representative of the city’s distinctive past, is conveniently located within walking distance of one another.
The renowned architect Gustave Eiffel commissioned his business to design and build the Cathedral in the neoclassical style. Those interested in seeing Vietnamese culture and society might visit the park close to Notre Dame.

Saigon Central Post Office is highly recommended. Since the structure is still in use, you should send a postcard to your friends and family back home. This building is opposite the 1863 Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, which is an impressive structure.

Saigon Opera House, a colonial structure, is also still in use. It is a singular experience to attend a performance here. The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the former town hall, is located nearby.

4. The Independence Palace
Begin your day with a trip to the Reunification Palace, a museum that houses an impressive collection of artwork and historical artifacts. This building served as the South Vietnamese government’s headquarters during the war, and it was here that the North Army reach this point and accepted the South’s resignation, effectively ending the war.

5. The Emperor’s Jade Pagoda, or Chùa Phuoc Hai

Emperor Jade Pagoda is widely considered to be among the finest in all of Vietnam. Various deities, including Emperor Jade himself, have been meticulously carved onto the walls.

The District 1
The city is quite large and contains a wide variety of distinct neighborhoods. Having said that, it is always recommended that you find your accommodation in district 1, as this is the geographic center of the city. You will be close to the attractions, as well as a large number of restaurants and other places to go out. Additionally, day tours ensure that a pick-up service will be provided from district one. As a result of its popularity, District 1 provides a diverse selection of places to stay, from five-star hotels along the trendy Dong Khoi Street to low-cost hostels on Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien Street.

Ho Chi Minh City’s finest hotels and budget-friendly hostels

Budget hotels & hostels
Hangout Hostel HCM
The Covert Location
Vietnam Inn Saigon
This is the Like Hostel and Cafe.
Long Hostel

Mid-range hotel
A&Em Art Hotel
Hammock Hotel is located in Ben Thanh.
Triip Boutique Ben Thanh Hotel
C Central Hotel
The Cititel Parkview Hotel in Saigon

Five-star hotel and luxury resort
Grand Hotel Saigon
Orchid Tower Suites at the Sedona Suites
Muong Thanh Saigon Centre Hotel
Rex Hotel Saigon
Novotel Saigon Centre Hotel

Top-Notch Luxury
Park Hayate
Le Man

The directions to get there
Flights to the city of Ho Chi Minh
The continually expanding network of domestic flights from Vietnam connects Ho Chi Minh City with every other major city in the country, which is great news for tourists who have a limited amount of time in the country. The prices are affordable, and flying to destinations like Hanoi, Hue, Nha Trang, and Da Lat will save you a significant amount of time.

Transportation to Ho Chi Minh City via Bus

Bus travel is the most cost-effective method for getting to or from Ho Chi Minh City from any other city in Vietnam. The bus ride to Dalat takes approximately 7 hours and costs between $11 and $15, while the trip to Nha Trang takes 22 hours and costs between $10 and $20. You can purchase bus tickets at any travel agency in the city center, as well as at the front desk of your hotel or youth hostel. There are also buses that travel to Mui Ne and the Mekong Delta; however, it is frequently more practical for visitors to the Mekong to explore this region on a tour.

There are trains that go to Ho Chi Minh City.

The Saigon Train Station is the departure point for trains heading to northern Vietnam. It takes approximately 6.5 hours and costs between $14 and $32 to get to Nha Trang by train.

How to navigate the area

Most of the attractions can be reached on foot because they are located close to the city center. Exploring the city on foot is a highly recommended activity.

Check with virtually any hotel, tourist café, or travel agency in order to make arrangements for car and motorcycle rentals. Remember that the rental also includes a driver, as it is against the law for non-Vietnamese citizens to operate a motor vehicle in Vietnam unless they have a license issued by the country.

Taxi – Meter-equipped taxis make their way through the city streets. The first kilometer will cost you approximately 12,000 dong, and you can anticipate paying approximately 25,000 dong (one dollar) to get from Dong Khoi to Pham Ngu Lao. Use Mai Linh Taxi and Vinasun Taxi. Grab is an even more impressive alternative (similar to Uber).