Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is a vivacious place filled with a spirited culture, towering skyscrapers and the relentless sound of buzzing scooters. Marked by its tumultuous past, HCMC embraces both its history and looks toward an exciting future.
The result is an exotic blend of diversified architecture, unique customs and engaging sights. Naturally, there is a long list of Things To Do in Ho Chi Minh City!
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What To Do in Ho Chi Minh City District 1
Ho Chi Minh City is massive and boisterous. It’s sheer size can be intimidating and the traffic can be terrifying.
Therefore, we believe every HCMC visit should commence in District 1, as it’s home to some of the absolute best things to do in Saigon, Vietnam.
A City with 2 Names: Saigon vs Ho Chi Minh City
Visitors will quickly notice that the name Saigon is still prominently used. Perhaps out of habit or because the full name is quite a mouthful, both locals and tourists refer to the city by both. Additionally, Saigon is typically used to refer to just District 1.
Things To Do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Our Must-Do in Ho Chi Minh City List includes a wide range of activities – from free things to ticketed sights along with Saigon nightlife.
Use our guide to plan your trip and also take a look at our detailed HCMC Itinerary for planning all of your stay.
Save, Pin or Bookmark HCMC Travel Guide for your Vietnam Vacation!
#1 Soar To Saigon Skydeck
When the Bitexco Financial Tower was built in 2010, it ranked as the tallest building in the country – standing at an impressive 861 feet.
The modern structure is visible from several places around the city, but you can do more than just look at it.
Visiting the 49th floor Skydeck, which offers stunning panoramic views, is one of the top things to do in Saigon. Buy your Skip-the-Line Ticket!
In addition to the Skydeck, visitors can also enjoy the views from the 52nd Floor Eon Heli Bar. The drinks are not cheap, but the views are stellar!
#2 Hop On a Saigon River Cruise
A Ho Chi Minh Cruise on the Saigon River is a sensational way to see the city skyline. A popular Ho Chi Minh Boat Tour includes a buffet dinner (with optional open bar) for a 2-hour evening cruise. Get the details!
A budget option for a Ho Chi Minh City river cruise is the inexpensive Saigon Waterbus. Although it is more of a river ferry, it’s a useful way to get out on the water and see more of the city for cheap.
The ferry transports passengers up the meandering Saigon River, making several stops along the way in other Ho Chi Minh Districts.
A cool way to wile away a hot afternoon, visitors can snag a seat in the air con and float up and down the river in a couple of hours…for less than a couple of dollars.
#3 Take a HCMC Walking Tour
The best sights are in District 1 Ho Chi Minh City – and they are easy to reach on foot. From top attractions to local scenes, walking tours are an ideal way to get acquainted with the city.
Visitors can join a private tour or use our self-guided Walking Tour of Ho Chi Minh City. We include the top places to visit with step-by-step directions and a useful District 1 Map, too!
#4 Mail a Postcard from HCMC Central Post Office
Going to the post office might seem like a mundane chore, but it is one of the top Ho Chi Minh City things to do!
An exemplary structure built by the French, the HCMC Post Office features a bright yellow façade with white trim and dark green shutters.
Inside, relics from the past – like the old wooden phone booths and telegraph route maps – reveal the historic importance of the post office.
Today, the post office continues to function as it was originally intended. For a memorable souvenir, visitors can buy a postcard and send it to themselves!
#5 Eat Saigon Food
There is no doubt that eating the local fare is a must-do in Saigon. Vietnamese food is renowned as one of the best cuisines in the world – and in HCMC there is a distinguished culinary scene.
Classic Vietnamese dishes, like Pho and Banh Mi, are readily available from street vendors, while home-style cooking is often served in restaurants.
If you are wondering what to do in Ho Chi Minh City for food, we’ve got you covered! Use our Saigon Food Guide to discover our top picks for the best restaurants…then eat your way through the city!
#6 Take a Walk in Tao Dan Park
Wondering what to do in Saigon for a breath of fresh air? Escape the polluted city streets for a refreshing stroll in one of the urban green spaces.
Tao Dan Park, located behind the Presidential Palace, is our favorite spot. The 24-acre oasis is lush with shade trees and colorful gardens.
Mornings here are particularly popular. It’s when locals practice Tai Chi on the lawns and exercise on the paths. Go ahead and join them!
#7 Tour Independence Palace (Reunification Hall)
Once the home to high-ranking government officials, Independence Palace is an iconic sight with an intriguing story.
The first residence on the site was the Norodom Palace. Built in the 1800s, it was completely destroyed in a 1962 presidential assassination attempt.
The new, modern palace was built in the 1960s and served as the residence of the last president of South Vietnam.
Touring the Presidential Palace – or Reunification Palace, as it is now called – is a must-do in Ho Chi Minh City. A ticket is required to enter, but guests are free to tour the space on their own.
Rooms and artifacts are labeled in English, but audio guides are available for detailed information. When planning your visit, keep in mind that the palace closes for lunch from 11am until 1pm.
#8 Shop at Ben Thanh Market
Markets in Vietnam are messy, boisterous and mind-boggling – which is exactly why we love them! In Saigon, the Ben Thanh ranks as the largest and most famous market.
Within the depths of the landmark hall, there are about 3,000 vendors hawking a mishmash of products to the more than 15,000 daily shoppers.
#9 Experience an Authentic Vietnamese Market
For a truly authentic HCMC experience, visitors should step inside one of the markets that serves the local residents. Even those not interested in shopping should just go to observe the fascinating scene.
Thai Binh is a buzzing market overflowing with clothing, home goods, fresh fish and butchered meats. The on-site street vendors concoct delicious local specialties for hungry shoppers.
In the northeast section of Saigon District 1, Cho Tan Dinh is an older city market known for selling amazing food and textiles. Visitors craving a real-life experience should make the effort to seek out this classic bazaar.
#10 Check Out Ho Chi Minh City Churches
Although only 7% of the Vietnamese population is Christian, several ornate churches dot the landscape.
Missionaries spread the Christian faith in Vietnam during the 16th century, but it was under French colonization that many stunning churches were built.
The most famous is the red-brick, double-spired Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral that stands in aptly named Paris Square.
In front is the Our Lady of Peace statue, which is said to have miraculously shed a tear in 2005. Since then, believers and visitors have looked upon her face, hoping to witness a similar event.
While not nearly as famous, Huyen Si is another beautiful church that sees far fewer tourists. The quaint structure has a single bell tower and features the Mountain of Our Lady. This grotto is decorated with plaques of prayers and signs of gratitude.
#11 Walk Bui Vien Street
Long attracting budget backpackers, Bui Vien is a hotbed of bars, clubs, restaurants, hostels, tour touters, roving vendors and slick scammers.
During the day, the street is relatively quiet, but by night it transforms into a raucous party of neon lights and thumping music.
Walking Bui Vien Street is one of the fun things to do in Ho Chi Minh City both day and night. Just be aware that after dark the infamous street shows its seedy side. Keep valuables – like phones, wallets and cameras – hidden away.
#12 Find Local Life in Saigon Alleyways
Tucked away in hidden HCMC alleys and along dead-end lanes is a completely different scene. One that is both charming and captivating. In these spaces, it is possible to get a glimpse of local life.
These little peaceful pockets are scattered throughout Saigon. Our favorite ones are between Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao. Venture down the narrow passageways and let your curiosity lead the way.
#13 Sip Cocktails at a Saigon Rooftop Bar
Drinking rooftop cocktails is one of the most popular activities Ho Chi Minh. Visitors to Vietnam have been doing it for decades!
Ranging from classy cocktail lounges to open-air beer gardens, there is a rooftop bar in HCMC for every vibe.
The poshest places for a rooftop drink are at the age-old establishments near Nguyen Hue Walking Street. These include the Rex Hotel Garden Bar and Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar at the Caravelle Hotel.
For a more relaxed crowd, the View Rooftop Bar at Duc Vuong Hotel on Bui Vien Street promotes a chill vibe and pretty fantastic views – especially at sunset!
It’s important to note that elevated bars come with elevated prices. Expect to pay more – a lot more – for rooftop drinks.
That said, most places offer happy hour specials that can make boozy beverages a little more affordable for budget travelers and day drinkers.
#14 Peek Inside Ho Chi Minh City Temples
To really get a sense of the culture and people of Vietnam, visit a temple. There are several scattered throughout the city – and we suggest popping into any that you come across. However, the Ngoc Hoang Pagoda – or Jade Emperor Pagoda – is a Saigon must-see temple.
The small Taoist temple sits on the far east end of HCMC District 1. It is the most famous Taoist temple in the city – partly due to US President Obama’s visit in 2016.
Built in 1909, the colorful Ngoc Hoang Pagoda features a turtle pond, intricate details and dozens of ancient papier-mâché statues.
#15 Drink Local Saigon Craft Beer
Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City isn’t limited to chic rooftop bars and unruly Bui Vien Street. In fact, after a day of sightseeing, we love to explore the burgeoning craft beer scene.
In Saigon District 1, there are several brewery taprooms serving Vietnamese craft beer to please the palates of beer aficionados. Read about our favorite spots in our Saigon Craft Beer Guide!
More Ho Chi Minh City Things To See
Although there are 24 Ho Chi Minh City districts, the sights on our above list are all located in District 1. However, on the north side of D1 is District 3, which is home to a few more top HCMC things to do.
Thich Quang Duc Monument
One of the most poignant monuments, the Thich Quang Duc Monument is a Ho Chi Minh City must-see.
It’s dedicated to Thich Quang Duc – a monk who burned himself to death in 1963 in protest of the ill treatment of Vietnamese Buddhists.
The Pink Tan Dinh Church
The cotton-candy Tan Dinh Church – or Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – was built by the French in the 1870s.
The Romanesque style building features Gothic pillars and bell tower and has been painted pink – inside and out – since the 1950s.
Unfortunately, we had trouble finding current opening times, so we missed the interior, but the street view is still quite a sight!
Vietnam War Remnants Museum
This is an intense place to learn about the Vietnam War. Or as the Vietnamese call it, the American War.
Featuring military equipment and photographs, visitors are taken through a timeline of events of the country’s tragic wartime history.
A word of caution, the story of war is told from a largely different historical perceptive than many of us are familiar with.
Vietnamese Coffee at Turtle Lake
Turtle Lake is neither a lake nor does it have turtles – but it’s still one of the fun areas to go in Ho Chi Minh City!
At the center of the roundabout is a stark concrete fountain that was built in 1967. Ringing the traffic circle are numerous cafes.
Cong Ca Phe is our top pick. We suggest ordering their signature drink – an iced coconut coffee – and finding a seat by the window where you can enjoy the view.
HCMC Travel Tips
Now that you know what to see, we are offering some honest advice for your vacation to Ho Chi Minh City.
Where To Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
We had a wonderful stay at the Boholand Hostel and Cafe. The boutique hotel (not really a hostel at all) is ideally located on a quiet lane in District 1.
The air-conditioned rooms are well-decorated and modern. Plus, there’s a rooftop lounge for guests to enjoy. UPDATE: CLOSED! Have a look at the Grand Hotel Saigon.
Vietnam Travel Visa
A visa for Vietnam is required for entry into the country. Getting a Vietnam Visa used to be a real hassle – complete with scams.
However, the country now allows visitors to obtain an e-Visa, which is incredibly easy. Check with your country of citizenship for how to apply and current prices.
Travel Camera for Vietnam Photos
Vietnam is incredibly photogenic! Rather than using your phone to capture the sights, we recommend upgrading to an actual camera. We travel with a Canon Rebel fitted with a 18-135mm lens.
Anti-Theft Bag for Vietnam
Unfortunately, theft is common in some Vietnam cities. We keep our valuables tucked away in zippered compartments of our cross-body day bags.
I carry a Timbuk2 Messenger Bag, which isn’t designed for travel, but is perfect for deterring pickpockets. Additionally, Travelon features a full line of excellent anti-theft bags for travelers.
Vietnam Travel Insurance
Trip insurance may be helpful in a variety of situations – from cancelled flights to lost luggage to illness or injury abroad. Consider coverage or get a quote at World Nomads.
Planning a Trip to Vietnam
As you begin to make your trip plans for Vietnam, you will want to make sure you stay on top of all the details. We recommend using our Printable Travel Planner to stay organized throughout your vacation planning process!
Start planning your trip to Vietnam! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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