“Which one is better? Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi?”
A tough one. Here is a wrap-up of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City so you can decide for yourself whether it is attractive enough to visit.
Why travel to Ho Chi Minh?
Many flights from other Asian countries are cheaper to Ho Chi Minh City. Weather-wise, unlike Hanoi, HCMC doesn’t have a cold season, but it does have a rainy period, which you might want to avoid (starts in May, the wettest month is September). February is the driest, and April is the hottest month.
Ho Chi Minh City is more modern compared to Hanoi. Although, you can still find districts that will bring you back in time, with street vendors who use old carts and set their grills right on the ground.
If you plan to delve into traditional architecture in HCMC, look for the narrow and long buildings, so-called “tube houses” that stand out next to the modern skyscrapers. The reason behind their peculiar structure is that during the French colonialism era, the tax for the houses was set according to the front facade. Hence, to cut expenses, residents gamed the system and built slim houses with the hope of paying less.
Now, let us take you to see the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City!
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
Food tips for Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam is one of the Asian countries where your senses are active 24/7 and will absolutely be overwhelmed by distinct smells, flavors, and busy streets filled with perpetually honking scooters.
What makes the Vietnamese food scene so special are the fresh herbs used practically in all of their dishes, light rice flour, the non-fatty broth of the soups, and much less fried stuff compared to Malay or Filipino cuisine.
Grab your breakfast bowl on the street
You won’t have any problem finding good food in Ho Chi Minh City, as there is an abundance of street food. Simply start in your neighborhood. Street food vendors wake up early, and so should you.
Squeeze your knees up to your chin, grab a bowl of fresh phở soup, rice crepes banh cuon, or a bánh mì sandwich, and start a small talk with a street vendor.
For lunch, head to local restaurants as many street food vendors will return back home to prepare the food for the evening food extravaganza.
Not sure where to start? Read this detailed list of Vietnamese street food dishes our friend Jodi from Legal Nomads put together. Being a devoted foodie and excellent travel writer, you’ll start drooling when you read her post.
Or get inspired by this exhaustive list of the places where you can eat street food in Ho Chi Minh city that will help you navigate through the city.
Join one of the local tours in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Unique Mekong Delta & Cai Rang Floating Market 2-Day Tour
- Ho Chi Minh City:Water Puppet Show & Traditional Performance
- Twilight Tour by Motorbike: See Saigon with Tiger Eyes
Get lunch in Little Tokyo
It would be hard to get tired of Vietnamese food, but if it happens, you might want to get a ramen or sushi. It won’t be as delicious as the one in a side alley in Tokyo or Osaka, but it’s worth a try.
Little Tokyo in the Bình Thanh District is a real hidden gem with good Japanese (and Vietnamese) restaurants. If you visit it during the day, many small bars might be closed, so you won’t be able to experience the streets with paper lamps lit up. Still, it’s a pretty place to stroll around and have some good tempura, sushi, and sake.
Location: the streets of Le Thanh Ton – Thai Van Lung – Ngo Van Nam in District 1.
Get inspired by more articles about Vietnam:
- Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City: Best Hotels and Neighborhoods
- Tam Coc: A Day Trip From Hanoi, Vietnam
- Where to go in Vietnam: Must-See Places for Your Vietnam Itinerary
- My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam: Tips on How to Visit It
- How to Visit Halong Bay from Hanoi, Vietnam
Get a caffeine boost
Not a coffee drinker? well, wait for some Vietnamese coffee, like Cà phê sữa đá, traditional iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk. It’s highly addictive, refreshing, and will re-charge you with superpowers to continue venturing through the streets of Ho Chi Minh.
The new cafés in Ho Chi Minh City are sprouting in every district. You’ll find anything from simple shops with low plastic stools on the sidewalks or fancy air conditioned places with a wide range of specialty coffees, teas, and desserts.
Our most favorite ones are The Workshop in District 1, a couple of small cafés at the popular Cafe Apartment at the 42 Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and a few lovely coffee shops with Vietnamese names in the Thao Dien neighborhood (District 2).
For more tips, read this incredibly extensive guide to the best cafes in Ho Chi Minh from James Clark.
Sample draft beers
It’s no secret that local beers in Asia are nothing to write home about, and tourists would rather pay extra for well-known foreign brands or go for local rum. Not in Vietnam though.
Head to the Xuan Thuy Street in Thao Dien neighborhood in the evening and you’ll see that the rumors about booming Vietnamese draft beer scene are true.
Try out BiaCraft (Thao Dien neighborhood, District 2). The other places we liked a lot were Pasteur Street Brewing, HEM Taproom, and Heart of Darkness Brewery.
For more tips, read this comprehensive guide from Jane and Stephen: 15 Amazing Places to Drink Craft Beer in Saigon.
Join one of the local tours in Ho Chi Minh City:
Cultural tips
See a local worship at the Emperor Jade Pagoda
From outside, the temple might look like any other. But once you step inside, it’s like walking in a fantasy world full of rituals and religious devotion. You can visit the place on your own (free entrance), but we highly recommend going there with a local guide (try to avoid a big group tour).
Visit a green paradise
Air pollution in HCMC can become quite overwhelming if you’re spending a longer time there. You can quickly fix this by visiting the countryside, and you won’t even need to travel far. The green paradise is only a few miles from the busy city center.
It’s a park with a lake and a small kind-of museum display showcasing life in the Mekong River. The place is very popular among locals, especially during the weekend when they hang out with their friends and families.
We can’t reveal the name and address of the place, as we’d like to keep it away from mass tourism, hopefully you understand. And maybe you will be lucky enough to get there with the help of a local, like us.
Send a letter from the iconic Post Office
Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office from the late 19th century is one of the major landmarks of the city. It’s also the biggest post office in the country.
And if you want to learn more about the French colonialism era, this is a place to be. The interior is impressive, don’t miss out on this one. The entrance is free.
Join one of the local tours in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Farm-To-Table Healthy Cooking Class: Half-Day Tour
- Ho Chi Minh City: War Remnants Museum & Ben Thanh Market
- Ho Chi Minh: Full-Day Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Tour
Count the Buddhas at the unique Chua Van Phat
You might not succeed at finishing the count, but pay a visit to this extraordinary place. The Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas has a truly sublime interior, and we again recommend going there with a guide to learn more about the temple who can also bring you to the sections where you wouldn’t dare to enter by yourself.
Read more articles about Vietnam:
- Things to Do and Best Hotels in Hue, Vietnam
- Tam Coc: A Day Trip From Hanoi, Vietnam
- Hoi An Motorbike Tour with Vespa Adventures
- Best Hikes in the World: Asia
Hunt some of the most awe-inspiring graffiti
Finding cool murals in Ho Chi Minh City might be a big challenge. Not only because they are very hard to locate (double names of the streets, alleys, and walls with no names), but mainly because HCMC is rapidly changing its urban visual.
Thus, when you hear about some awesome street art from someone who visited the city a few years ago, the artwork he or she is talking about might be overpainted, or the whole walls demolished because of new hotels, office spaces, and entertainment centers.
Read this sad story of the famous 3A Station. Fortunately, some amazing works have survived the urban changes. Look for some strong messages against rhino poaching scattered throughout the city, mainly in District 1 and 3.
Where to go shopping in Ho Chi Minh City
Bình Tây Market (Ben Thanh Market)
It’s pulsing with the energy of busy vendors, locals shopping, and making their way in tiny alleys filled with tons of various goods.
This market certainly has character, with minimum tourists, which means: 1. the place feels very genuine and 2. you’ll get local prices here compared to some more tourist-oriented markets.
Best views of the city
Are you looking for a spot where you can capture the mighty city from above? Here are some suggestions for the places you are going to love.
Bitexco Tower
Bitexco Tower is well-known for the Heineken beer tour that will give you a 360 view. Do not expect too much from the tour. It’s rather commercial, you’re quite rushed to go through different sections, and you can get equally good views from the bar (Eon51) where you actually finish the tour and get free beers (meaning they’re included in the price of the tour).
Best rooftop bars
A few other great viewpoints are from the rooftop bars like The View Rooftop Bar, Breeze Sky Bar, Chill Skybar (beautiful in the evening!).
Thu Thiem Bridge
The best time to go there is at sunset. You’ll be able to see not only the Saigon’s skyline but also watch how the city is developing. Really a great spot!
Pack and travel:
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- Best Walking Shoes For Women
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- Vivobarefoot Stealth II: A Detailed Review
- Tep Wireless Review: a Portable WiFi Hotspot For Travelers
Hope this list of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City has helped you to get an idea of what to expect and will make it easier to plan your travels in Vietnam!
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