Visiting Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as it’s also still known, is a chance to experience modern Vietnam in all its glory. Whether you’re wandering through markets amid a cacophony of trading calls or learning about Vietnam’s past in one of the museums, there’s plenty to do in HCMC for every type of traveller. Welcome to yet another city where urban modernity and traditional Far-East culture coexist.
Here’s what we got up to when we were in HCMC for two days.
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
How to get from Phnom Penh to Vietnam?
After a culture heavy week in Cambodia, we booked a boat to take us along the Mekong River from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Our ticket for the two day boat trip included a stay in a floating hotel, but a storm was brewing and the muddy Mekong was looking ominous so we got off the boat at Chau Doc and waited around for a bus. After a six hour ride to HCMC, we spent the night in a shared dorm. Trust me, you do not want to be fifty floors up in the midst of a thunder and lightening show.
Breakfast on the hotel’s rooftop patio wasn’t too bad though.
Things to do in HCMC in daytime
A lot of the things to do in HCMC are related to history. Going to Vietnam without taking the time to learn about its past is inexcusable. From the hotel we walked to the Vietnam War Remnants Museum and Ho Chi Minh City Museum, which were seriously eye-opening. Learning about the brutality of the US towards the Vietnamese and the long term effects of Orange Agent was sickening, though I think the models of deformed babies were unnecessary – the museums seriously doesn’t gloss over the gory details, making the experience all the more intense. The War Remnants Museum gives Westeners a chance to learn the full extent of Vietnamese suffering. I now know we’re somewhat shielded from this at home.
In between museums, we were caught in a torrential downpour and dodged through Saigon’s crazy traffic to duck in to a coffee shop. Hours and multiple shots of espresso later, the pavements were dry and I was buzzing. Did you know Vietnam is the world’s largest coffee exporter?
We also went to the Reunification Palace, which once served as the political office of the President of South Vietnam. Now, it commemorates the 1975 fall of Saigon. Surrounded by Royal Palm trees, the 1960s architecture of this government building and the eerie mood that accompanies a walk through its deserted halls make it a must for people wishing to learn about Vietnamese history.
After the Palace, you can head towards the 18th Century Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Central Post Office, which are both located in the French Quarter, and onwards to the City Hall building in the centre of the city.
For 360 aerial views of the city, go to Saigon Skydeck in Bitexco Financial Tower, which pierces the skyline at 860 feet. The observation tower even has a restaurant, so go at sunset and grab dinner there.
There are plenty of markets in HCMC, which offer an unforgettable glimpse into local life in Saigon. Cho Ben Thanh, located in District 1 opposite from the bus station, is probably the best known among tourists. Go at night, when you can buy bowls of steaming pho cooked by haggard Vietnamese old ladies. The other, Cho Lon, is a huge Chinese market.
One of the most popular things to do in Saigon is see the Cu Chi tunnels, a complex maze of tunnels used by the Viet Cong in its military campaign against American forces. We didn’t really fancy that.
Book tours and activities in HCMC (Saigon) on Expedia
Things to do in HCMC at night
We went to the main backpacker street, Phạm Ngũ Lão, for a meal and sat on plastic chairs on the pavement outside the many bars, congratulating ourselves on losing weight (we had been off the drink for a few days). The street corner bars are great spots for people watching and marvelling at the ridiculous road wars in Vietnam. We got scammed by the cutest five year old Vietnamese girl – hope our families liked the tacky bracelets we bought from her.
Nightfall is also a good time to try a dinner river cruise or explore Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City’s sprawling Chinatown district. You can browse the tiny alleys and curious stalls, and see the 19th-century Thien Hau Pagoda.
Beyond Saigon (HCMC)
From Saigon you can visit the sacred Cao Dai Temple, the world’s main church for Caodaism. This is located in the city of Tay Ninh and has unique architecture and a domed ceiling decorated with an image of the galaxy.
Find accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City
Next stop Mui Ne!
Melissa says
Lovely post! Vietnam is on my list and this makes me want to visit sooner rather than later! (And those cute 5 year olds will get you every time! Why do you think the Girl Scouts do so well with cookies 😉 )
Dannielle Lily says
Haha! Good point Melissa! Her mum was watching proudly from nearby 🙂
Ryan Biddulph says
Nice review Dannielle. The HCM museums remind me of Cambodian museums. No sanitizing. And yep, this is why we in the West – especially the USAers – are shielded from some horrific stuff our government did. Thanks for the share 🙂
Ryan
Dannielle Lily says
Me too, but I think it’s important that we do learn about it from the perspective of those who suffered so greatly. Thanks for stopping by and for the recent blog help!
Pola (Jetting Around) says
I almost went to Vietnam last year, but India happened instead. If I do, coffee would be my first stop (didn’t know they were the biggest explorer, good trivia), followed by street food.
Dannielle Lily says
I didn’t know until I went there either. Haha, I love that India happened instead – maybe India will ‘happen’ to me sometime soon… 🙂
Gabor Kovacs says
We missed out on Vietnam when we traveled around South East Asia. Maybe next time, I will find this little guide useful then! Thanks for sharing!
Dannielle Lily says
Thanks for your comment!
Lies says
Great post. I wish I had been able to visit Vietnam while travelling through Asia. Hopefully next time!
Dannielle Lily says
Hope you get the chance!
Rose says
Vietnam is so high on the list, however I’ve never had the time to visit it. Great advice on what to see and do!
Dannielle Lily says
Rose, I incorporated it in to a trip around Thailand and Cambodia – if you’re in that area of SE Asia, it’s a must!
kami says
Vietnam is still on my bucket list but it surely sounds like a wonderful destination, I really hope to go there sooner than later!
Dannielle Lily says
You definitely should!
Karilyn says
Vietnam has been on my to do list forever! I keep putting it off because i tell myself I need at least 3 weeks to visit – and who in america ever gets 3 weeks off in a row?! I need to get there. Your post has made that even more clear.
Dannielle Lily says
I managed to fit HCMC, Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Hanoi AND Halong Bay into just under two weeks – it’s not impossible, you just have to keep moving!
Revati says
Hahaha I love how the title is just so tempting every single time Vietnam crops up! It’s totally on our list and your post just pushed it a couple of notches higher!
Dannielle Lily says
Haha, I didn’t even have to think about it 🙂 Unoriginal but too tempting!
christine says
I am thinking of going in October! 🙂
melody pittman says
I hope to visit Vietnam some day but for now I will just read all the posts and continue to compile lists of all the many things I want to do in these faraway amazing lands. 😉 Nice post.
Nic from Roaming Renegades says
HCMC is somewhere we will be definitely visiting next year whilst travelling through asia but I have to admit it wasn’t the place I was most looking forward to in Vietnam. But reading this I think it has much more to offer than I maybe realised and learning about the war from an alternative perspective is very important too.
alison abbott says
I’ve wanted to say “Good morning Viet Nam” in the country ever since I heard Robin Williams utter the phrase. I hope I will get there soon!
Emme says
Cool post! It is sad to learn about the horrors inflicted on the people of a nation, especially when the damage was caused by one’s own country, but it is very important to learn and observe anyway, rather than shielding oneself. The history of a place and its people is what make the culture of each area so unique! Thanks for sharing. – Emme @ Green Global Travel
Dannielle Lily says
Thanks for your comment Emme. I think it’s good that the museums educate tourists from other countries about history from the ‘other side’s’ perspective.