City guide
Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide: Saigon energy — scooters, sky bars and the south’s bold flavours
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam’s largest city and commercial capital, home to about 9 million people. It is known for the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office, the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, rooftop bars, and southern-style street food like banh mi and hu tieu.
Ho Chi Minh City at a glance
| Timezone | ICT (UTC+7) |
|---|---|
| Currency | Vietnamese Dong (VND) |
| Languages | Vietnamese |
| Population | 9 million |
| Coordinates | 10.8231, 106.6297 |
Why visit Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City — still Saigon to everyone who lives there — is Vietnam’s engine: eight million people, ten million scooters, French-colonial landmarks beside glass towers, and a street-food scene that never sleeps. It’s brasher and hotter than Hanoi, and utterly addictive.
When to visit Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon is tropical: always hot, with a dry season (Dec–Apr) and a wet season of heavy but brief afternoon storms (May–Nov). February and March are the sweet spot.
Wet-season rain usually arrives as a 30–60 minute afternoon deluge — plan indoor sights for 2–4pm and you’ll barely notice it. Read the full month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City.
Also in vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City travel questions
What is the best month to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
January to March are the best months to visit Ho Chi Minh City — dry season with 26–32°C days and low humidity by Saigon standards. The wet season (May–November) brings short afternoon downpours but far fewer tourists and the year’s cheapest hotels.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.