The top attractions in Ho Chi Minh City vary greatly depending on the traveler’s preferences, as the city offers a wide range of experiences. Whether you’re interested in enjoying delicious street food and cold beers or indulging in luxurious spa treatments and fine dining, this popular destination in Southeast Asia has something for everyone.
Discover the rich history and exciting modern developments of Saigon with our curated list of 11 fun things to do in Ho Chi Minh in 2024.
1. Start the day with a Vietnamese coffee
Ho Chi Minh City is bustling with energy, and to keep up with all it has to offer, you’ll need some energy too. Kickstart your day with a different type of Vietnamese coffee, guaranteed to fuel you up for the adventures ahead. The secret lies in the thick layer of condensed milk. Stir it into the strong, drip-filtered coffee to sweeten it just the way you like it.
2. Explore Cho Lon, Ho Chi Minh’s Chinatown
Cholon Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh Chinatown, has been a hub for the Chinese-Vietnamese community since the late 1770s. Similar to other Chinatowns around the globe, Cholon is where the majority of people of Chinese descent live and engage in trade.
Cholon is a vibrant blend of old and new, featuring temples, traditional shops, and markets alongside trendy stores and cafes. The architecture reflects a mix of Chinese tradition and French influence, creating a unique fusion. For tourists seeking to explore the traditional side of Ho Chi Minh City, Chinatown is a must-visit destination.
3. Explore Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market, located in District 1, is a top tourist attraction in Saigon. It’s the most renowned market in Ho Chi Minh City and offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in local Vietnamese culture. As one of the oldest surviving structures in Saigon, it holds significant historical importance and serves as a key symbol of the city.
Despite its popularity, Ben Thanh Market can get quite crowded, but it’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re in Ho Chi Minh City for the first time. With over 1,500 stalls, the market offers a wide array of items including lacquerware, textiles, crafts, bags, spices, and shoes.
If you find yourself hungry while exploring the market, consider visiting the Ben Thanh Street Food Market, located just a block away from Ben Thanh Market. This trendy food hall offers a variety of delicious options to satisfy your cravings.
4. Try local street food
Eating street food might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those willing to try, it’s one of the best experiences in Ho Chi Minh City. Street food often surpasses restaurant quality, comes at a lower price, and adds a lot of fun to your dining experience. However, it’s important to be selective and choose wisely – look for places with a fast turnover, where the ingredients are obviously fresh.
5. Have Vietnamese coffee at the Cafe Apartment
Vietnam boasts a vibrant cafe culture, offering great coffee across the country. However, Ho Chi Minh City stands out with its unique and trendy apartment block cafes.
The trend was popularized by the Cafe Apartments on 42 Nguyen Hue Street. These cafes are situated in old, and sometimes partially abandoned, buildings that have been creatively transformed to host some of the most interesting cafes and boutiques.
5. Watch a traditional water puppet performance
After a long day of sightseeing, one of the best activities in Ho Chi Minh City is to relax at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre. The performances unfold on a stage surrounded by water, with singers and musicians seated on each side.
Even if you don’t speak Vietnamese, you can still enjoy the beautifully crafted wooden puppets and their creative movements. The shows last around 50 minutes, and there are multiple performances each evening.
6. Walk along Pham Ngu Lao Street
Known among backpackers as “the backpacker area,” the bustling streets around Pham Ngu Lao offer the majority of the city’s budget accommodation options.
The area also boasts a wide variety of dining options, ranging from trendy restaurants offering international cuisine to street-side stalls serving dishes displayed in tubs and shelves. If you’ve visited Bangkok’s Khaosan Road, you may notice a similar vibe, especially in the evenings when Bui Vien Street fills up with both locals and tourists enjoying cheap beer while seated on small chairs.
7. Cruising the Saigon River
The Saigon River runs through the heart of the city, offering a fantastic view of the skyline from the opposite side. Cruising along the river is one of the top activities in Ho Chi Minh City. There are various cruise options available, ranging from short day trips to longer evening dinner cruises. Key highlights of the river include Saigon Harbour, Nha Rong Wharf, and Thu Thiem Bridge.
8. Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels
One of the best experiences in Ho Chi Minh City is taking a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels are part of a war museum that provides insight into the Vietnam War. You can crawl through the narrow tunnels to understand how the Viet Cong lived during the war. Additionally, you’ll see various traps they used, learn about their underground lifestyle, and view abandoned military vehicles. If interested, you can also participate in shooting activities at the shooting range.
9. Take a day trip to the Mekong Delta
In addition to visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, taking a tour of the Mekong Delta is one of the most popular day trips from Ho Chi Minh City. Referred to as Vietnam’s “rice bowl,” the Mekong Delta is a fertile agricultural region that contributes to over a third of the country’s annual food crop.
10. Take a cooking class
Food tours offer a wonderful way to sample local cuisine, but for a deeper understanding of Vietnamese food, nothing beats taking a cooking class. It’s like getting a behind-the-scenes look at the cuisine.
11. Enjoy the view from Saigon Skydeck
The Saigon Skydeck is undeniably one of the premier attractions in Saigon. Situated on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower, it provides breathtaking 360° panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City.
The Bitexco Financial Tower is a distinctive lotus-shaped skyscraper located in District 1, which was previously hailed as Vietnam’s tallest building. Tickets to the observation deck can be bought at the gate or in advance through platforms like Klook.