Ho Chi Minh City is a very busy city. Traffic can be hard to navigate here. Motorbikes are everywhere, and as a pedestrian, crossing the street can be scary. Wait for a break in the traffic before crossing the road but then don’t slow down or adjust your gait. Just make a beeline to the other side so the drivers can weave around you.

Places to see in Ho Chi Minh City

Notre Dame Cathedral

The Notre Dame Cathedral is a beautiful red brick building built between 1877 and 1883 by the French. At nearly 190 feet tall, the two towers in the front of the cathedral rise above visitors and the illuminated statue of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral still functions as a religious site and a major tourist destination especially after gaining international recognition for a supposed sighting of a teardrop falling from the Virgin Mary statue in 2005. At the time of visit the cathedral was closed for refurbishment.

Cu Chi Tunnels

Here you can crawl through the extensive network of narrow tunnels used by the Viet Cong in the 1960s to fight American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Tours involve a walk-through of the tunnels (over 100 meters of tunnels are open to visitors) which give you a sense of how the Vietnamese were able to defend their country for so long against a stronger force. It’s a sobering experience and not one for anyone too claustrophobic. Tours cost around VND 350,000 (GB£11). The transfer takes roughly two hours from the Central Post Office where I booked the tour.

Saigon Skydeck

For a 360 degree panorama of the city head to the Saigon Skydeck one of the tallest buildings in Vietnam. The observation deck is on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower and offers amazing views. Admission costs VND 200,000 (GB£6.30) and includes a bottle of water. Just check the weather forecast ahead of time. You can also go at night to see the city lit up. Open daily from 0900-2130.

Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office

Take a stroll through the historic centre of Saigon stopping at Central Post Office. The building retains its grand facade from the French occupation and is still fully operational. Check out the gift store and pick up that essential holiday souvenirs. It additionally tends to be the main hub were excursions can be booked or catch the hop on/hop off city bus.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum

At one point or another, this city museum has been a Governor’s Palace, a committee building, and a Revolutionary Museum. Today, you’ll find a collection of weaponry and memorabilia from the country’s revolutionary struggle as well as captured American fighter planes and tanks from the Vietnam War. Admission costs VND30,000 (GB£1.00)

Ben Than Market

Though this market in District 1 is crowded and rife with pickpockets it’s the ideal place to pick up some handicrafts, bargain souvenirs, and try some traditional (and inexpensive) Vietnamese food. It’s the largest market in Vietnam so get lost in the chaos and enjoy it all. Don’t be afraid to barter the price since you will be given the “tourist price” on items. Just keep your wallet secure and out of reach as you wander.

War Remnants Museum

This museum focuses on the Vietnam War that killed between 1,500,000-3,500,000 people. The museum’s best exhibit is the collection of bombs, tanks, planes, and war machinery including an American F-5A fighter jet at the front entrance. The entrance fee is VND40,000 (GB££1.35)

The war remnants museum houses many exhibitions that detail some of the key moments and atrocities of the Vietnam-America war. A trip here will help you learn more about what happened on the ground during the war, though it is a sobering experience. Outside there are a series of tanks and fighter jets.

22 Gia Long Street

Some of you that are familiar with the Vietnam war may recognise this address. It became famous around the globe by Hugh van Es’s iconic image of a helicopter evacuation of Saigon in April 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War, in which an American helicopter landed on the rooftop of the Pittman apartments to evacuate people as the Northern Vietnamese army invaded Saigon.

Opera House

The Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City is one of the best examples of French colonial architecture in southern Vietnam. It was built in 1897 for the opera but now hosts lots of different performances, including ballet, a bamboo circus performance, and Vietnamese traditional dances and plays. Check the website or stop by the front gate to see what’s on during your visit.

Ho Chi Minh City Hall

You’ll notice a collection of colonial style buildings in Ho Chi Minh that would look more at home in Paris than the heart of Asia. No prizes for guessing they were built during French rule. Outside the city hall stands a statue of Ho Chi Minh. It’s a beautiful building but comes more handsome of an evening.

Ho Chi Minh Independence Palace

Also known as the Independence Palace, this is the site of the end of the Vietnam War. A North Vietnamese tank burst through the gate in 1975 and held the palace, lived in by the President of the South, hostage whilst the American diplomats escaped by helicopter. The palace is preserved exactly as it was that day making it a must for your Ho Chi Minh itinerary.

Book Street Saigon

Located at Đ. Nguyễn Văn Bình, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, is a quirky, busy pedestrian street lined on both sides with independent cafes, book shops and craft stalls.

The Tân Định Pink Church

Have you ever seen a bright pink church before? I stumbled across this beauty while foraging for food. It’s another leftover from the colonial era, built in 1880 but not painted pink until 1949. Apparently, it’s pink inside too, though sadly it was closed when I went to visit.

Places to eat and drink

When it comes to cuisine you won’t be short of finding somewhere to stop and refuel. Restaurants cater for all pallets but why travel to Ho Chi Minh to have burger and chips when Vietnamese food is rich in flavour. Here are some spots I visited:

Ben Nghe Street Food Market – facebook.com/streetfoodmarketbennghe?mibextid=kFxxJD

Located near Independence Palace this open air street food market sells everything from full rice meals to sandwiches and beverages. It does become busy but wonder the various food stands.

The Refinery – therefinerysaigon.com

Dressed like a French Parisian restaurant, located at 74 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, near Ho Chi Minh town hall, offers delicious food and tapas with refreshing drinks. For me, the best food here was the Charcuterie board. the restaurant is in a court yard so look for the arched entrance off the main street.

Arabica Cafe Apartments

Located near the Tulip roundabout off City Hall you’ll discover this quirky apartment block that has been converted into several floors of independent cafe restaurants. From the outside you’ll enter through a small doorway aligned with mopeds being fixed but at the rear is a spiral staircase; there is no lift. I stopped here twice for the obligatory photograph and Vietnamese egg coffee..mmm.

Propaganda Bistro – propagandabistros.com

Located near Notre Dam cathedral, Propaganda serves traditional Vietnamese food in a very quirky environment. Try the Pho. A traditional Vietnamese broth made with vegetables, meat and rice noodles.

My Banh Mi – mybanhmivn.com

Located near to the Old Post Office you can find tasty sandwiches filled with salad and meat called ‘Banh Mi’. Manh Mi is the traditional sandwich found all over Vietnam and are pennies to buy. This cafe is a little expense for a Banh Mi, in Vietnamese terms, but to a western wallet it’s still insanely cheap.

Final Word

I wasn’t too sure what to expect of Ho Chi Minh City. I’d been to Hanoi in the north before and that was very traditional. Saigon is very much more liberal and very western although still holds onto its traditions. I stayed for five days and there is plenty to see and do without becoming bored. It’s steeped in history, albeit mostly relating to the Vietnamese war.

Give Ho Chi Minh City a go. It’s extremely cheap and the people super friendly.

If you wish to read about Hanoi click here.

Menu: Hanoi | Asia | Destinations | Homepage