Top 10 things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Being the economic center of the country, the old Saigon seems to display every day a boundless energy. This feverish metropolis, always in perpetual mutation, successfully marries the memories of its colonial history with futuristic achievements. A destination out of the ordinary that it is unthinkable not to discover during your stay in South Vietnam. To see, to do, we explain everything!

1. Visit one of its many markets

The city is full of markets; each neighborhood has its own. Among them, the two most interesting markets that should not be missed are Ben Thanh Market and Binh Tay Market. Ben Thanh Market is located in District 1, where most tourist activity is concentrated. A centuries-old market, built during the colonial period, where you can buy souvenirs, groceries, clothes, and even on-site snacks. Also worth a visit is the Binh Tay Market in Cholon, Vietnam's largest Chinatown.  Vibrant, electric, and full of fragrance and color, this market has a way of awakening the senses. Binh Tay Market is a fascinating immersion in Saigon's popular shopping scene.

>> Read more: Ben Thanh and Binh Tay, the emblematic markets of Ho Chi Minh City

2. Explore Chinatown (Cholon)

A city within a city, a real anthill, Cholon, or Saigon's Chinatown, was the former opium den and dance hall district of the colonial era. This once “naughty” neighborhood is now today the major shopping center of Ho Chi Minh City. Here, you can sniff out the unique atmosphere, stroll along the traditional stalls decorated with Chinese ideograms, sample a few Chinese specialties, and discover the superb pagodas drowned in the smoke of the incense that burns continuously.

3. Visit the Vietnam War Museum

The War Remnants Museumin Ho Chi Minh City is a must-visit if you want to understand Vietnam and its contemporary history. It's a heart-rending visit, but it's also an opportunity to appreciate the harshness of a conflict and to better understand the values of peace.

4. Admire the architecture from the French colonial era

Although the city has been modernized enormously, Saigon still boasts a magnificent colonial architectural heritage. As you stroll through the city, particularly in District 1, you can admire some of the city's most emblematic colonial buildings, including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Hotel Majestic Saigon, the Opera House, and the Museum of Fine Arts. In the evening, you can take advantage of the city's lighting, which makes them stand out particularly well.

5. Go to Landmark 81 Tower

Saigon in all its modernity with this elegant tower proudly soaring into the sky. With a height of 461.2 meters for 81 floors, Landmark 81 is Saigon's tallest building and the city's emblematic landmark, symbolizing Vietnam's modernization and economic development. You can visit the tower and climb to the 49th floor for a breathtaking city view.

6. Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels

Located about sixty kilometers northwest of Saigon, the Cu Chi tunnels are an incredible and ingenious system of tunnels spanning over 250 kilometers on several levels. Originally created by the Viet Minh under French Indochina, the Cu Chi tunnels sheltered thousands of Viet Cong guerrillas during the Vietnam War against the Americans. This is one of the best half- or full-day tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and makes an excellent history lesson.

>> Read more: Cu Chi Tunnels - Top most attractive underground works in the world

7. Explore Caodaism

Another excursion from Ho Chi Minh City, which combines very well with the Cu Chi tunnels, is a visit to the Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh. This unique religious edifice, with picturesque decorations and vibrant color blends, is the seat of the Cao Dai religion. You can attend one of the daily Masses, an impressive spectacle as white-clad followers worship in a stunning architectural setting, harmoniously combining the architectural styles of Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam.

8. Taste Ho Chi Minh City's culinary staples

Certainly less famous than the cuisines of Hanoi or the Center of Vietnam, the cuisine of Saigonand the South of Vietnam has something to delight the most delicate palates. Especially since for some time now, good restaurants have been springing up all over the city, from the chicest to the trendiest, from the most traditional to the most street food. This culinary ebullience is sure to propel Ho Chi Minh City into the ranks of Southeast Asia's must-visit gastronomic destinations.

9. Visit the Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)

The tank smashing through the gate of the Reunification Palace on April 30, 1975, marks the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War. A  place steeped in history that is also a magnificent example of the combination of modern and traditional oriental architecture. Located in District 1, it's a perfect match for the city's other tourist attractions.

>> Read more: Sai Gon and the Reunification palace

10. Have a drink on a rooftop bar

Go up in one of the many rooftop bars and enjoy an unforgettable view of Ho Chi Minh City at night when it shines brightly. There's always something for everyone, from the retro atmosphere of the Majestic or Rex terraces to the trendy Chill Sky Bar on the roof terrace of the AB Tower.

Hope the list is useful to you. All the best on your Saigon trip!

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