Ho Chi Minh City travel guide
Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
The number one thing to do in Ho Chi Minh City is the War Remnants Museum — a sobering, essential account of the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective. Follow it with the Independence Palace and the colonial Central Post Office, then decompress over street food around Ben Thanh Market.
What to do in Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon works best in contrasts: sobering history in the morning, colonial grandeur at noon, and the neon chaos of Nguyen Hue and Bui Vien after dark.
The best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
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War Remnants Museum · Museum
Essential, unflinching account of the American War — allow time to process
Area: District 3 · Time needed: 2 hours · Cost: ₫40,000
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Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office · Colonial landmark
Saigon’s 1880s French quarter showpieces (post office interior is stunning)
Area: District 1 · Time needed: 1 hour · Cost: Free
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Ben Thanh Market · Market
The city’s 1914 market icon — souvenirs outside, serious food court inside
Area: District 1 · Time needed: 1–2 hours · Cost: Free
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Independence Palace · Historic site
The 1960s modernist palace where the war ended, preserved in amber
Area: District 1 · Time needed: 1.5 hours · Cost: ₫40,000
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Nguyen Hue walking street · Promenade
The city’s evening promenade under the Café Apartment’s glowing balconies
Area: District 1 · Time needed: 1 hour · Cost: Free
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Cu Chi Tunnels · Day trip
Crawl sections of the 250km wartime tunnel network
Area: Cu Chi (60km) · Time needed: Half day · Cost: ₫110,000 + tour
Also in vietnam
best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City — FAQs
What is the number one thing to do in Ho Chi Minh City?
The number one thing to do in Ho Chi Minh City is the War Remnants Museum — a sobering, essential account of the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective. Follow it with the Independence Palace and the colonial Central Post Office, then decompress over street food around Ben Thanh Market.
Is Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi better?
Hanoi is better for atmosphere, history and the Old Quarter; Ho Chi Minh City is better for energy, nightlife and southern food. First-time visitors to Vietnam should see both — they feel like different countries. If choosing one, Hanoi edges it for culture, Saigon for buzz.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.