Things to Do and See in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City – still widely known as Saigon – is Vietnam's largest and most energetic city. It's where old and new collide: French colonial facades next to glass towers, incense-filled temples beside rooftop bars, and some of the best street food in the country. It's the usual gateway to southern Vietnam and a natural base for trips to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. Here's what to do and see in Ho Chi Minh City.

War history: War Remnants Museum & Reunification Palace

To understand modern Vietnam, start with its history. The War Remnants Museum lays out the human cost of the war through powerful photographs, artefacts and testimonies – confronting, but eye-opening. Nearby, the Reunification Palace (Independence Palace) is frozen in 1975, the day a tank crashed through its gates to end the war; its 1960s interiors and underground command bunker are fascinating.

French colonial architecture

Saigon's colonial heart is compact and walkable. The twin-towered Notre-Dame Cathedral (built with materials shipped from France) faces the beautiful Central Post Office, whose grand vaulted hall is often attributed to the Gustave Eiffel workshop. Add the elegant Opera House and People's Committee building nearby, and you have a great short walking route through the city's belle-époque past.

Markets, shopping and street life

Ben Thanh Market is the classic Saigon market – souvenirs, textiles, coffee, fruit and street food under one roof, with plenty of friendly bargaining. From there, Dong Khoi Street leads through the smart end of town with boutiques, galleries and cafés. For a local buzz, the surrounding District 1 streets are made for wandering.

Saigon's coffee culture

Vietnam is one of the world's biggest coffee producers, and Saigon is a coffee lover's playground. Try the famous iced coffee with condensed milk (cà phê sữa đá), the silky egg coffee (cà phê trứng) or coconut coffee (cà phê cốt dừa). The retro Café Apartment on Nguyen Hue – a whole block of independent cafés stacked in an old residential tower – is a must for the atmosphere alone.

Views from above and nightlife

Saigon's skyline is spectacular after dark. Head up the Saigon Skydeck on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower, or the newer Landmark 81 (the tallest building in Vietnam), for a 360° panorama. Then choose a rooftop bar for a sundowner, or dive into the neon chaos of Bui Vien Walking Street for the city's liveliest nightlife.

Best day trips from Saigon

Two of Vietnam's top experiences are within easy reach. The Cu Chi Tunnels – the vast underground network used during the war – are about 1.5 hours away and can be crawled through in parts. And the lush Mekong Delta, with its floating markets and coconut-lined canals, makes a perfect day or overnight trip. See our guides to the Mekong Delta and browse our Vietnam tour packages that combine Saigon with both.

Best time to visit

Saigon is hot and tropical year-round. The dry season (December to April) is the most comfortable time to explore on foot. From May to November expect short, heavy afternoon downpours that usually pass quickly – mornings are still fine for sightseeing.

Getting there

Tan Son Nhat International Airport sits just a few kilometres from the centre, with flights from across Asia and beyond. After a long flight, the airport's Fast Track service can save you a long wait at immigration during peak hours.

Plan Saigon into your Vietnam trip

Saigon is the ideal start or finish to a Vietnam journey – and we'll pair it with the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta or a full north-to-south route at your own pace. As a local agency based right here in the city, we'll build it around exactly what you want to see.