Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, is one of the major cities in Vietnam, a convergence of many cultures, with diverse tourism products, a “city that never sleeps” with vibrant entertainment activities day and night.  

General information about Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest city by population and the economic and entertainment hub, one of the two important cultural and educational centers in Vietnam. After merging the two provinces of Vung Tau and Binh Duong into Ho Chi Minh City in 2025, the total area of ​​the city is 6,773 km² with a population of more than 14 million people, the most populous in Vietnam.

The city currently possesses all forms of tourism, such as: urban and industrial tourism (of the old Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong); sea and island tourism – resort (old Ba Ria – Vung Tau), tourism combined with conferences, seminars (MICE), cultural, historical, ecological, spiritual, health tourism (such as Independence Palace, museums in Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao prison, Truc Lam Zen Monastery, ceramic villages, fruit gardens) …

What’s the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?

Ho Chi Minh City is located in the tropical monsoon region near the equator. The general characteristics of the weather here are high temperatures year-round, with two distinct rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season is from May to November, and the dry season is from December to April. The average temperature is about 27 degrees Celsius, the highest is over 40 degrees Celsius, but most of the time the sun is not harsh, the humidity is low, and it is cool in the evening.

Con Dao Island (photo source: collected).

The heat is not as severe as in the North, so visitors can visit the city year-round. If traveling during the rainy season, you should prepare an umbrella to avoid sudden showers.

How to get there and turn around?

As a major city, Ho Chi Minh City is well connected, with a full range of transportation options, including air, rail, ships, and cars. Domestic airlines operate direct flights to Tan Son Nhat Airport from many cities daily. Ho Chi Minh City is the place with the highest frequency of departures and arrivals in the country.

To get to Ho Chi Minh City center

Tan Son Nhat Airport is located about 5 km from the center. Currently, the traditional taxi fare from Tan Son Nhat Airport to the center is about 250,000 VND. Visitors can book a technology car at half the price (not during rush hour).

By train, the fastest Thong Nhat train connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is currently 30 hours, stopping at major stations such as Vinh, Dong Hoi, Hue, Da Nang, and Nha Trang. Travelers should book tickets at reputable agents or directly through dsvn.vn, choose departure and arrival stations, seat type, or sleeper according to their needs. Train ticket prices vary by compartment and seat type.

Inside a soft-seat air-conditioned cabin.

The main bus stations in Ho Chi Minh City include the new Eastern Bus Station (serving routes to the Eastern, Northern, Central Highlands, and some Central regions), Western Bus Station (serving routes to the Southwestern region), and An Suong Bus Station (serving routes to the Northwestern, Northeastern, and some Central regions). Passengers can book tickets directly at the counter, or through the websites of bus companies or reliable agents such as vexere.com; traveloka.com… 

Getting around in Ho Chi Minh City

Getting around the city is convenient, with multiple modes of transportation. Renting a motorbike is one of the most popular options. Most accommodations offer motorbike rentals, or you can find a rental address online, which is popular in the central area. The daily rental price varies by motorbike type, ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 VND. Some places require guests to deposit 1 to 4 million VND, while others accept only personal identification documents.

Cyclo – a means of transport loved by many tourists.

In addition, traveling by a technology vehicle (car or motorbike) in Ho Chi Minh City is also a convenient option. However, if you move continuously, it will be expensive.

Public transport is a cost-effective option for saving money. Visitors can choose buses or public bicycles (within the central area). Public bicycles opened in December 2021. Parking points are located on the sidewalks of many streets in Ben Thanh Ward, near bus stops, bus shelters, parks, tourist attractions… with prices of 5,000 VND for 30 minutes and 10,000 VND for 60 minutes.

However, if you’re traveling with a group or need to stop at multiple locations, booking a private car in Ho Chi Minh with a driver is the best option.

To Vung Tau ward areas

From Ho Chi Minh City center, tourists can go to the Eastern bus station to buy tickets directly or call to book in advance through the online system. Prices range from 100,000 to 200,000 VND per ticket, depending on type of bus you choose. Some of the popular bus companies to Vung Tau, such as Kumho, Toan Thang, Phuong Trang, Thien Phu, Hoa Mai…

Greenlines speedboat from the City center to Vung Tau.

Another popular way is a speedboat, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Bach Dang wharf. Ticket prices cost from 300,000 VND per adult with Greenlines and Pacific Express speedboats. 

Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City

Accommodation services in Ho Chi Minh City are diverse, with a system of hotels, homestays, and serviced apartments that meet the needs of tourists. You can find rooms priced from a few hundred thousand to tens of millions of VND per night.

There are many 5-star hotels priced at around 3-7 million VND, such as Park Hyatt Saigon, Hotel Majestic Saigon, Hotel des Arts Saigon, Pullman Saigon Centre, Hotel Nikko Saigon, Norfolk Mansion, La Vela Saigon…

photo source (booking)

In the mid-range segment of 1-2 million VND, tourists can consider hotels such as Wink Hotel Saigon Centre, La Memoria Hotel, The Hammock Hotel Ben Thanh, Millennium Boutique Hotel, The Odys Boutique Hotel….

Serviced apartments have full amenities like regular apartments, but are beautifully decorated to suit travel needs. Some addresses that tourists can refer to include Ariosa, The Bloom, City Oasis, S Home, M Village Boutique. Serviced apartments are priced from 800,000 VND to 2 million VND.

photo source (booking).

In Vung Tau ward, you should rent a room in the Back Beach and Front Beach areas to have more options and convenient travel. Room rates range from 100,000 VND to several tens of millions of VND, depending on the type of hotel, motel, homestay, or resort. Some high-end hotels include Pullman Vung Tau, The Imperial Vung Tau, InterContinental Grand Ho Tram, Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort, Holiday Inn Resort Ho Tram Beach… 

A view from a hotel in Vung Tau ward (source: booking).

If choosing the Thu Dau Mot area as a weekend getaway, visitors from Ho Chi Minh City can spend the night at An Lam Retreats Saigon River located on the banks of the Saigon River. From the center of Ho Chi Minh City, a river trip only takes about 30 minutes. Room rates for one night here start from 3 million VND. 

An Lam retreats (photo source: booking).

Tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City

Historical and cultural relics 

On the bustling streets of Saigon, it is not difficult for you to encounter architectural works with a hundred years of nostalgic beauty. Below are the most beautiful places that you can refer to

Independence Palace

If you are looking for a day trip to Saigon that highlights the nation’s culture and history, the Independence Palace is highly recommended. Originally called the Norodom Palace and the Palace of the Indochina Governor General. It was built in 1868 and inaugurated in 1873. After 1954, Ngo Dinh Diem, president of South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam), and his family lived and worked in the Norodom Palace. In 1963, this palace was heavily damaged by bombs. President Diem ordered the remains destroyed and the construction of a new palace to be called the Doc Lap Palace or Independence Palace. The new palace was built on a 120,000m² area and covered 4,500m². It included a basement, three main floors, two mezzanies, one terrace, and one upper floor. There are 95 rooms in the palace, each decorated for its intended function. The palace also features two exhibition rooms, a 33-room guest house, and a range of entertainment services.

After the liberation on April 30, 1975, the Independence Palace became the headquarters of the city’s military administration committee. The political consultation on national unification was held here, which was renamed the Thong Nhat Conference Hall.

The palace is both ancient and modern, and has long been a symbol of the city. On weekends or major holidays such as April 30, the Independence Palace is often crowded with visitors. Tickets to visit the Main Building and the Gallery “From Norodom Palace to Independence Palace 1868 – 1966” cost 15,000-65,000 VND. If you visit only the main building, the ticket price is 10,000-40,000 VND.

• Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward.
• Opening hours: 7:30 – 11:00 and 13:00 – 16:00 every day.

Saigon Central Post Office

The Saigon Central Post Office was built from 1886 to 1891 and has become one of the typical architectural works in Ho Chi Minh City. The project was designed by two French architects Alfred Foulhoux and Henri Auguste Vildieu. After more than 100 years of existence, this is currently the largest post office in Vietnam that still retains its original design. A portrait of Mercury surrounded by a laurel wreath in the middle, the god symbolizing human communication put in the middle.

The design of the space inside the post office was influenced by the architectural style of Western European churches. The arch structure appears densely in the motifs. The dome design and meticulously calculated lighting system have created a spacious and airy space for the building. 

The post office is reminiscent of the image of the Orsay train station in Paris, located alongside the Notre Dame Cathedral to form a special architectural cluster of the city.

• Address: 02 Cong Xa Paris, Sai Gon Ward.
• Visiting time: 7 am to 19 pm (Monday to Friday), 8 am to 18 pm on weekends.
• Admission: free.

Ho Chi Minh City Opera House

This project was carried out in 1898 and completed in 1900 under the creativity of three talented architects Félix Olivier, Eugène Ferret and Ernest Guichard, and has become a luxurious entertainment space of the city. It was inspired by two famous buildings in France, the Garnier Palace and the Petit Palais. A characteristic feature of the opera house is its arched windows with high railings, imbued with the classic inspiration of French beauty. The building’s interior decoration materials are also extremely impressive, such as shiny granite combined with crystal chandeliers and materials brought from France. In particular, the opera house is the only building in the city that was roofed with Ardoise tiles.

The architectural space of the Opera house is also impressive highlight. Currently, the opera house has a total area of up to 3,200 m² and a capacity of up to 1,800 seats. In here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy classic musicals and dances; immortal opera music by legends such as Mozart, Bahc, and Beethoven; and especially the A O Show – an inspiring combination of bamboo circus, acrobatics, contemporary dance and traditional Vietnamese music.

• Visiting time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday) and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday).
• Address: 7 Lam Son Square, Sai Gon Ward. 

Bach Dinh (White Villa)

In 1898, Governor-General of Indochina Paul Doumer built Bach Dinh (Villa Blanche) on the foundation of Phuoc Thang fortress, which had fired on French warships nearly 50 years ago. Bach Dinh has European architecture from the late 19th century, overlooking Front Beach, surrounded by a small forest with many types of trees, especially porcelain.

Currently, Bach Dinh serves as a museum, displaying items such as pottery from the Kangxi Emperor period recovered from an ancient shipwreck in the Hon Cau – Con Dao Island, cannons, and many valuable artifacts.

Other found through archaeological excavations in Ba Ria – Vung Tau … to Bach Dinh, visitors can enjoy the fresh air of the sea, the beautiful beauty of Bach Dinh mixed in nature, plants, and trees. and enjoy first-hand, typical and rare antiques.

Location: No. 6 Tran Phu Street, Vung Tau ward.

Vung Tau lighthouse

The Vung Tau lighthouse, built by the French in 1862 to guide and signal ships passing by, stands at an elevation of 149m above sea level. By 1913, the French rebuilt this lighthouse, moving the lighthouse’s height from 149m to 170m. Vung Tau lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Vung Tau lighthouse is considered a symbol of Vung Tau Ward (used to be Vung Tau City). The lighthouse architecture is a cylindrical tower 18 m high, 3 m in diameter, and painted white.

Inside the lighthouse, there are stairs leading to near the top of the lighthouse and a balcony for sightseeing, as well as Can Gio Port and Ba Ria beach. 

Location: Located on the top of the Small Mountain, Vung Tau ward

Cu Chi Tunnels

Referring to the historical sites in Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels are impossible to miss. Currently, the tunnel is one of the city’s most popular attractions, known for its history and drawing large numbers of visitors each day. This tourist site was formerly a defence system and a Vietnamese army resistance base.

Cu Chi played an essential role during the two resistance wars. It was an underground village with a network of tunnels totaling more than 250km. The main tunnel is 60-70cm wide and 80 to 90cm high. The tunnels are approximately 3 to 10m below ground and are designed to sustain the weight of 50-ton tanks, heavy artillery, and bombs of up to 100kg.  

Cu Chi Tunnels are a unique, incomparable underground city used for food and ammunition storage, medical care chambers, command chambers, meeting chambers, bedrooms, and cooking by Hoang Cam stoves…. The Vietnamese army and local people had dug and removed tens of thousands of tons of soil and stone with rudimentary tools and then camouflaged the openings so well that nobody could find them. Those who set foot in the tunnels cannot help admiring the talent, determination, and endurance of the communist guerrillas. They dug and removed tens of thousands of tons of earth and stone with rudimentary tools, and then camouflaged the openings so well that no one could find them.

Currently, there are two different sites to visit the tunnels: Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc.

Address:

• Ben Dinh: Provincial Road 15, Phu Hiep Hamlet, An Nhon Tay Ward.
• Ben Duoc: 06 Phu My Hung Commune, An Nhon Tay Ward.
• Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 17:00 PM, every day.
• Admission fee: 125,000 VND per ticket for adults; free for children under 1.4 meters.

Con Dao Prison

Con Dao Prison, known to many as “hell on earth”, is one of the most brutal prison systems in the world, built in Vietnam during the French colonial period, on Con Lon Island.

Throughout historical periods, Con Dao Prison relic site has witnessed the detention and brutal torture by prison guards of thousands of political prisoners, revolutionaries, and patriots fighting against French colonialists and American imperialists.

Historically, the French colonial government and American imperialists built 127 prison cells, 42 solitary confinement cells, and 504 isolated cells – “tiger cages” – in the Con Dao area. After the country was completely unified (1975), the function of the prison system in Con Dao was dissolved. In 1979, Con Dao Historical Relic Site was ranked as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), with 17 component relics. 

Dinh Mountain Historical area

In the early 19th century, this area consisted of primitive forests with rich flora and several kinds of precious wood. Due to its difficult and hazardous terrain, Dinh Mountain was a safe base for several political and military united during the French and American resistance wars.

Day Bi Cave: the cave served as the base for leading political and military units in Chau Duc during wartime.

To cave: situated at 200m above sea level. To cave is linked to a deep network of grottoes. During the resistance period, the cave was used as a site of cadres and militants as well as a food warehouse.

Mai Cave: Mai Cave is a beautiful site situated at a height of 234m, over a large valley with two small streams running through it. By 1968, the base, as well as many of the pagodas in the area, had been bombed and destroyed. At one point, the enemy positioned troops near the cave entrance and collapsed it.

Lung Small Valley: this mall valley used to be a remote resistance base, hidden in an area where edible plants grew in abundance. Old trees of all kinds also grew on the slopes. Cadres and militants lived in underground shelters to ward off bombings. This was also the training base for the resistance forces of Ba Ria and Saigon’s Youth League.

Dieu Linh Pagoda: perched at a height of 160m, this pagoda was a shelter for the leading agents of Ba Ria, but bombings destroyed it.

Bat Cave: situated at a height of 50m, Bat Cave was another base of leading and commanding agents of Ba Ria’s forces during both long resistance wars. This cave has been opened to the general public.

Dinh Co Palace: according to legend, Dinh Co Palace was built in the late 18th century and dedicated to the virgin Le Thi Hong, who died at sea. Her body was carried by the waves and drifted ashore on Hang Island, where villagers buried her on a hillock on the coast. Because her spirit kept appearing to the locals to predict events and cure them of diseases, the villagers set up a shrine in her honour.

At first, the Dinh Co was only a small shrine located near the shore. By 1930, villagers had collected funds and constructed a larger palace. Today, Dinh Co is a vast, splendid, and solemn palace. The inside is decorated with statues of the four sacred animals. The Dinh Co Festival is celebrated on the anniversary of the death of Le Thi Hong from the 10th to the 12th of the 2nd lunar month. As a result of its beautiful natural landscapes of mountains, forest, sea, and beach, along with its exceptional architecture and interior design, Dinh Co has been listed as a National Heritage Site.

Museum systems

Ho Chi Minh City ranks first in Vietnam in the number of museums, with diverse topics from history, culture, tradition, celebrities, art, and medicine.  

War Remnants Museum

Currently, the War Remnants Museum is displaying a lot of documents, artefacts, as well as real and vivid images about the period of the war against aggression and the consequences it left on the country and the Vietnamese. The War Remnants Museum is a historical museum that evokes the strongest emotions in visitors. What is displayed in the museum reflects the colonial-era image of Vietnam too faithfully. With more than 20,000 photos, artefacts, and films are kept, in which artefacts such as the “tiger cage”, and the Viet Minh guillotine killing machine show the cruelty of war. There are also many other impressive artefacts, such as Agent Orange. 

On the yard outside of the building, there are tanks, planes, helicopters, cannons, etc., which were once used in the air to repel the US.

• Address: 28 Vo Van Tan Street, Xuan Hoa Ward.
• Opening hours: 7:30 Am – 17:30 pm, every day.
• Entrance fee: 40,000 VND per person, children under 6 years old are free.

Dragon House Wharf – Ho Chi Minh Museum

Dragon House Wharf was formerly the headquarters of the Transport Corporation (Messageries Impériales), one of the first works built by French colonial authorities after Saigon was captured. The wharf was built in mid-1862 and completed in 1863, featuring Western architectural elements. However, on the roof, two dragons are attached to the moon according to the motif of “Two dragons adoring the moon” – a familiar decoration of Vietnamese temples.

With this unique architecture, the wharf is also known as “Nhà Rồng” – (Nhà means house, Rồng means Dragon). On June 5, 1911, at the Saigon port, Uncle Ho (later known by his famous name, Ho Chi Minh) disembarked from the Amiral Latouche Tréville at this wharf to go abroad to find a way to save the country. He travelled through France and many countries across multiple continents. After 30 years, he returned to the country, leading the Vietnamese people to stand up, liberate the nation, and achieve national reunification.

To remember the above event, after the unification of the country, the Dragon Wharf was rebuilt into a memorial park of President Ho Chi Minh, with the task of collecting, preserving, displaying, and propagating information about the life and career of the President, based on documents and artefacts of the Museum.

• Address: No. 01 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Xom Chieu Ward.
• Opening hours: 7:30 Am – 11:30 Am; 13:30 – 17:00 Pm, everyday.
• Admission ticket: 20.000VND/1 ticket.

Vietnam History Museum

The Vietnam History Museum was established on January 1, 1929, with the name Blanchard de la Brosse Museum. At the time of opening, the museum only had 2,893 antiques, but over time, until now, the museum has more than 30,000 valuable artefacts and 25,000 books and documents. The function of the museum is to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the nation through research, collection, assessment, restoration, etc.

The museum is open to visitors those who wish to learn about documents and artefacts related to the history of Vietnam, especially the southern provinces.
Furthermore,, the Ho Chi Minh Museum also keeps a lot of memorabilia from the Stone Age, Bronze Age, etc. Many ancient works of art are on display and are in quite an intact condition helping visitors understand the ancient culture of the ancient Vietnamese. If this is your first time coming to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, you will surely be captivated by these ancient works of art.

• Address: No. 2, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Sai Gon Ward.
• Opening hours: 8:00 Am – 11:30 Am; 13:00 Pm – 17:00 Pm from Tuesday to Sunday; close on Monday.
• Admission ticket: 30,000 VND per person, children under 6 years old are free.

Museum of Ho Chi Minh City

With an area of 1,700 m², the Ho Chi Minh City Museum is a large building displaying and storing antiquities, artefacts, historical and cultural evidence, etc. of the city as well as of Vietnam. The museum has 10 rooms, each displaying different artefacts, including rooms “Nature – archaeology”, “Geography – administration Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City”, “Trading port, Trade” – services”, “Industry and handicrafts”, “Saigon culture – Ho Chi Minh City”, “Revolutionary struggle 1930 – 1954”, “Revolutionary struggle 1954 – 1975″, ” Resistance material” and “Vietnamese money”.

Not only is it a place to store antiquities, but the Ho Chi Minh City Museum also leaves an impression on visitors with its unique architecture, designed in a classical Renaissance style that combines European and Asian influences. Therefore, when visiting the museum, in addition to learning about culture and history, you can also take beautiful pictures right outside the museum.

• Address: 65 Ly Tu Trong, Sai Gon Ward.
• Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 17 PM, every day.
• Admission ticket: 40,000 VND per person, children under 6 years old are free.

South-Vietnamese Women Museum

The Southern Women’s Museum, established on April 29, 1985, is one of the museums that preserve photographs and artefacts documenting the lives of Southern women during the war to protect the country. Currently, the museum stores and manages 31,360 artefacts but displays only 929 of the most typical due to limited space. Also, 2/3 are artefacts of the revolutionary war period, and the remaining 1/3 reflect the culture of Southern women.

These artefacts are divided into several collections based on a specific theme or material. In addition, the museum’s library room houses over 11,000 books on women’s topics. This would be a favourite destination for those who want to study Vietnamese women when travelling to Ho Chi Minh City.

• Address: 202 Vo Thi Sau Street, Xuan Hoa Ward.
• Opening hours: 7:30 Am – 17:00 Pm
• Admission ticket: free

Museum of Traditional Medicine

The Museum of Traditional Medicine is one of the first private museums in Vietnam, with a northern architectural style and located in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, helping to create a new impression on visitors. The museum opened in 2007, with 18 galleries spanning a modest 600 m². Although it is a private museum, the number of artefacts can still make you feel surprised, with more than 4,000 artefacts related to Vietnamese traditional medicine and 1112 names of medicines. Some artefacts have long existed, including precious tools that the renowned physician Hai Thuong Lan Ong (Le Huu Trac) used.

In addition to viewing artefacts and unique architecture, visitors to the Museum of Traditional Medicine can participate directly in the preparation of ancient medicines, including tasks such as cutting, spreading, and even tasting. If you’re “sick” and need some advice on medication, you can get it directly from reception.

• Address: 41 Hoang Du Khuong, Hoa Hung Ward.
• Opening hours: 8:30 Am – 17:00 Pm
• Admission: free

Saigon Ranger Museum

The Saigon Ranger Museum is located in a three-story house built in 1963 on Tran Quang Khai Street. During the war, this location was used to carry out secret missions by the Saigon Rangers, including meetings, letter and document exchanges, and the delivery of gold coins to the war zone, under the supervision of Mr. Tran Van Lai (also known as Nam Lai). The museum has been operating since December 24, 2019, with an area of more than 100 m², displaying more than 300 artifacts of special forces soldiers, including daily living items, vehicles of liaison soldiers, weapons used in major battles, tunnel systems and military maps – clearly describing secret tunnels, bunkers and US military bases in the city, tools for communication, printing press to distribute leaflets… The house’s original architecture has been preserved, and most of the items are still intact. In addition, visitors can watch short films and images of some raids on the enemy by the Saigon Ranger Force.

• Address: 145 Tran Quang Khai Street, Tan Dinh Ward.
• Visiting hours: from 7:00 to 17:30 every day.
• Admission: free.

Ao Dai Museum

Ao Dai is the traditional dress of the Vietnamese people, but have you seen an Ao Dai from a few centuries ago? Fortunately, the Ao Dai Museum was built by a painter and designer, Sĩ Hoàng, and inaugurated on January 22, 2014. The main purpose of the museum is to display artefacts, conduct research, and collect and store documents and images related to Ao Dai and Vietnamese women from the past to the present. Currently, the museum has more than 1,000 Ao Dai sets, but only about 100 are on display, featuring diverse designs and materials. The remaining ones will be distributed for each specific exhibition with a particular theme.

Most of the Ao Dai sets in the museum are associated with famous Vietnamese women in various fields, such as Armed Forces Hero Nguyen Thi Dinh, Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh, and People’s Artist Bay Nam. The museum also displays about 3,000 images of Vietnamese women in traditional costumes from the country’s development periods.

The museum is designed in an ancient architectural style, with a wooden frame and a yin-and-yang tile roof. The interior space is divided into two parts: the right side of the entrance displays the Ao Dai dresses from each period, and the left side is the real dresses that have been associated with Vietnamese women who have made great contributions in the main fields.

• Address: 206/19/30 Long Thuan, Long Phuoc Ward.
• Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 17:30 PM.
• Admission: 50,000VND/a ticket for an adult; 30,000VND/a ticket for a student/child.

Worldwide Arms Museum

The Worldwide Arms Museum was founded by Mr. Robert Taylor (British nationality) and his wife Nguyen Thi Bong. According to the visitors, this is one of the most worth seeing museums in Vietnam. Opened in early 2012, the museum displays 500 life-size dummies, wearing beautiful military uniforms, representing warriors from all over the world in many periods; more than 1,200 guns, 1,000 ancient swords with history, and other interesting stories.

Coming to the museum, you will discover the historical values ​​of each period from ancient to modern. Visiting the ancient area, you will be amazed at the collection filled with weapons from the Roman Empire, Genghis Khan or Samurai such as swords, spears, bayonets, along with the costumes, armor, helmet.

Location: No. 98 Tran Hung Dao, Vung Tau Ward. Opening time to welcome visitors from 08:00 to 17:00 daily.

Suburban destination

Located just a dozen kilometers from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, these locations are ideal places that attract not only foreign tourists but also locals who come to visit and explore. 

Can Gio

Can Gio is located about 50 km from the city center and features forested terrain and coastal areas, with many ecotourism activities available during the day. Can Gio is the first mangrove forest in Vietnam recognized as a world biosphere reserve.

Here, visitors will travel by canoe in the mangrove forest to visit the Rung Sac revolutionary base; relics and learn about the lives, battles and achievements of special forces soldiers during the war; admire the natural monkey population; canoe on the river to Vam Sat eco-tourism area, row a boat to visit a bat conservation area; visit the bird sanctuary, experience the feeling of adventure when going on a crocodile fishing boat; conquer a 26 m high tower for panoramic views of the mangrove forest.

In Can Gio, there is a local market known as a “seafood paradise,” offering a wide variety of fresh shrimp, crabs, snails, and squid at affordable prices. You can choose fresh oysters, snails, crabs, shrimp, and squid, and have the seller process them on the spot for several tens of thousands of VND per dish.

Transportation: Visitors can travel by motorbike, car, or bus to the Binh Khanh ferry terminal and buy a ferry ticket to reach the Can Gio area. 

Binh Chau – Ho Coc Eco-tourist Site

Located in Xuyen Moc Commune, about 150km from Ho Chi Minh City, this tourist site is endowed with beautiful landscapes. Bang Stream, Binh Chau Primitive Forest, Ho Coc Beach, and Binh Chau Thermal Spring are popular tourist destinations.
Binh Chau thermal spring stands out from the green background of the primitive forest. With temperatures ranging from 37ºC to 82ºC and high levels of natri, clo, nito, silic, and sulphur, Binh Chau is known as a good place for relaxation and disease treatment. The area also has a resort with swimming pools, a golf course, and mud and mineral water pools. In addition, there is an open-air stage with more than 1000 seats and bungalows made of bamboo and wood. In particular, tourists can join a night hunt on the hunting grounds.

Near Binh Chau Primitive Forest is Ho Coc Beach, which attracts many tourists due to its resorts. Binh Chau thermal spring is an attractive destination for nature lovers seeking to relax in an enchanting environment. Visitors to this site can enjoy fresh air, soak in mineral water, and participate in recreational activities.

Con Dao National Park

Con Dao National Park, covering 19,998 hectares, was established on March 31, 1993, on Con Dao Island, Vung Tau Ward. The park’s terrain is primarily hills and mountains. The highest peak, 557m, is called Thanh Mountain, and the other peaks are 150-300m high. The weather is characterized by tropical monsoons with direct influence from oceanic climate, the average temperature during the year is 26ºC, and the mean humidity 90%. The ecosystem is classified as an island tropical forest and is divided into two main types of woods. The flora includes 882 high-class plant species. A new plant species is considered rare and precious, including lat hoa, gang neo, gang long, etc. Con Dao has 144 species, 14 of which are in the group of precious, rare animals. In comparison with other natural parks, Con Dao has a land vertebrate fauna of global significance. The sea at Con Dao contains three primary ecosystems: mangrove forest, marine grass cover, and coral reefs. Marine species are quite numerous, with 1321 species, 37 of which are listed in Vietnam’s Red Book. Scientists also find there are a few rare fish, such as the blue whale and the dugong. Sea turtles are abundant.

The Con Dao National Park’s marine environment and forest resources are in relatively good condition. Its biodiversity is highly potential, and the natural landscape is well preserved. The park is also popular among Vietnamese visitors for its distinctive marine species. Visitors are offered a wide range of tours from eco-tourism to adventurous activities (climbing, going fishing, diving, trekking, cycling, sightseeing cum-research).

Thu Dau Mot area

From the center of Thu Dau Mot ward, within a radius of about 40 km, old Binh Duong has many places to have fun and explore, typically: Iron Triangle Tunnel, Hoi Khanh Pagoda, Phu Cuong Cathedral, Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer craft village, Phu An bamboo village, Hong Van fruit garden, Fito Museum….

Especially, located in Chanh Hiep ward, Dai Nam tourist area has a total operating area of ​​about 260 hectares, is one of the largest tourist areas in Southeast Asia. Here, there are panoramic mountain, river, and lake views, along with entertainment options such as Kim Dien, Dai Nam Beach, a thrilling game area, an open-air zoo, and a hotel with full amenities. Besides, Dai Nam racetrack is considered the driving force and highlight of the whole area. Dai Nam is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 17pm.

 Pilgrimage sites

Not only is it the most dynamic city in the country, Ho Chi Minh City is also a cultural and spiritual place that gathers many beautiful and sacred temples. Visiting a pilgrimage site would help you relax, get some peaceful moments and also a great chance to admire in the unique architecture of the building.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Located in the heart of Saigon, Notre Dame Cathedral’s majesty and magnificence leave everyone in awe of its beauty. It was built in a distinctive European Romanesque style. All bricks and tiles are sourced from France. Each brick also lists the units produced. Thanks to high-quality construction materials, this historical monument in Ho Chi Minh City has retained its integrity for hundreds of years.

Notre Dame Cathedral is currently undergoing restoration, and visitors may only take photos and view the exterior; entry to the church is not permitted.

Address: 01 Cong Xa Paris, Sai Gon Ward. 

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda

The Vinh Nghiem Pagoda features distinctive architecture and spacious, airy interiors. The pagoda is noteworthy for its ancient Asian architecture and seven-story tower. The pagoda’s corners are curved in the Northern style. In the middle of the roof, there is a Falcon, and the corners of the pagoda are carved with the shape of a phoenix head. The pagoda also has a community Xa Loi tower to keep the ashes of the deceased that were sent to the temple.

By stepping through the Tam Quan gate, visitors can see firsthand the magnificence of Vietnam’s largest stone tower, reaching a height of up to 14m. Not stopping there, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda also has a community Xa Loi tower to store ashes of deceased individuals sent to the temple. For this reason, many people come every year to remember their loved ones. 

Address: 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Xuan Hoa Ward.

Thien Hau Temple

This is a Chinese temple with the longest history in Ho Chi Minh City. The temple features bold Asian architecture, with four buildings arranged in the shape of the word “Quốc” (meaning “National”). This place keeps embossed paintings of the four spirits – “Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, Phoenix” and more than 400 other rare antiques. The eaves, roofs, and walls are decorated with reliefs in baked ceramic, conveying the temple’s majesty and grandeur. Another special feature that few people know about is that all the materials use to build Thien Hau Temple were transported from China. Therefore, the temple has great artistic and technical value. It’s also a place of spiritual and cultural activities of the Hoa people in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ba Thien Hau Pagoda is located at 710 Nguyen Trai, Cho Lon Ward.

Vietnam Quoc Tu

Vietnam Quoc Tu is famous for its pure, peaceful space with unique and outstanding architecture. The pagoda is covered by the shadows of large old trees, shady and green all year round. At the corner of the pagoda, there is the tallest tower in the country with 13 floors and a height of up to 63m. The pagoda has historical and spiritual significance for the Vietnamese.

The 7-floor tower displays Buddha statues for Buddhist monks and nuns, and tourists come to offer incense and worship. Currently, Vietnam Quoc Tu is designated as the new headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Association, attracting many tourists who visit and pray for peace.

Address: No 244 Road 3/2, Hoa Hung Ward.

Mariamman Hindu Temple

The Mariamman Temple, located near Ben Thanh market, is also one of the oldest and most famous Indian temples in Ho Chi Minh City. It was designed and built with a strong influence of influence, featuring worship of the Rain God, Mariamman. This is not only a heritage site for the Indians who once lived in this land, but also a community area for Indians who are currently living and working far from their homelands. It was really a spiritual place during their time living in Saigon. Inside the temple, along the stone wall, are statues of 18 gods, symbolizing the people’s wishes. Therefore, whatever the problem, especially about illness, children, and safety, they will come here, put their heads down to confide in the stone wall, and receive the sounds of peace and serenity for themselves.

Address: 45 Truong Dinh, Ben Thanh Ward.

Xa Loi Pagoda

Xa Loi Pagoda was built in the new architectural style in Vietnam, with the upper part serving as the worship hall and the lower part as the lecture hall. The pagoda owns a bell tower with a height of 32 meters – the tallest bell tower in Vietnam, with a big bell that weighs up to 2 tons. Alongside the 7-storey bell tower, the main hall features the most distinctive architecture at Xa Loi Pagoda.

The main hall spans ​​more than 400 square meters and is spacious, airy, and “catching” all the natural light. The pagoda was built to house the Buddha’s relics, including a main hall dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha, as well as other areas such as a library and a lecture hall.

Address: 89 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, Xuan Hoa Ward.

Thich Ca Phat Dai

Thich Ca Phat Dai is a notable Theravada Buddhist pagoda in Vung Tau, located on the Large Mountain of Vung Tau City. The pagoda’s beauty cleverly combines religious architecture with the natural landscape.

The most noteworthy are the 19m Bat Giac Tower (Octagonal Tower) and the Shakyamuni statue meditating on a lotus, halfway up the mountain slope. From a distance, visitors can also admire the statue. Along the path up to the pagoda, the way is decorated with various statues that depict important events in the life of Gautama Buddha: his birth as Prince Siddhartha, his renunciation of the world, the enlightenment under the bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, the first sermon at Sarnath, and the passing into final Nibbāna at Kusinara.

In addition, the pagoda also has a 17 m high Xa Loi stupa, inside which is a golden box containing 13 relics of a true monk. At the foot of the stupa are four large peaks, in which are placed sacred soil brought back from the place where the Buddha was born.

Location: 608 Tran Phu street, Vung Tau Ward. The pagoda opens from 6 am to 18 pm every day.

Christ of Vung Tau

The statue of Christ with outstretched arms on top of Nho Mountain, built in 1971. The statue was established as “The largest statue of Jesus in Asia” in 2012. The Christ of Vung Tau is 28 m high, 18.3 m long arm span, and spans over 170 m overlooking the sea. Inside, a spiral staircase with 133 steps can accommodate 100 visitors at a time.

The statue can be seen as a similar version of Christ with arms open in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The halo around the statue’s head is also an essential physical device: it is the first part of the lightning rod to prevent lightning. The statue’s robe has three windows decorated with longevity patterns, helping the statue’s interior to be naturally lit and ventilated.

From the statue’s shoulders, visitors can see the whole view of Vung Tau: Big Mountain, Dau Beach, Truoc Beach, Dua Beach, Sau Beach, Chi Linh Beach, Thuy Tien Beach, Sen Lake, Trung Lake… Also, from that high point, people can see a whole part of the East Sea.

Location: 01 Ba Ria, Vung Tau Ward. Opening hours from 5:30 am until 17 pm.

Best beaches

Long Hai

Ho Tram Beach, Ho Coc Beach, and Binh Chau Hot Spring are all famous tourist destinations in Long Hai Commune, about 12km from Vung Tau Ward, and are ideal choices for travelers seeking to relax near Vung Tau.

As mentioned above, this area has many famous landmarks, the most notable being Long Hai Beach, with its long stretch of fine golden sand. Thanks to the moderate slope of the sandy beach, tourism services are relatively developed, and the number of tourists is not too large.

Long Hai seafood is fresh and delicious, priced affordably. Besides Long Hai beach, there are other attractions such as Dinh Co temple, Dinh Co beach, Monkey pagoda, Minh Dam mountain…

Vung Tau Beaches

Vung Tau has 42 km of coastline, of which the longest and most beautiful is Back Beach, stretching nearly 10 km, located in the south of the city. Back Beach, also known as Thuy Van, is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches, featuring smooth, straight white sand.

Next is Front Beach, also known as Tam Duong Beach, located in the west, where you can watch the sunset over the sea.

Vung Tau also has Pineapple Beach, where the sea creeps deep into the shore, creating rocky rapids that stretch out to the sea and, at the same time, form private, poetic bathing pools.

Bai Dau is windy with many interesting rapids and rocks. The pristine Vong Nguyet Beach is located at the foot of Small Mountain, with majestic cliffs on three sides, ideal for those who like to explore and experience.

However, the beaches in Vung Tau are often overloaded during holidays and Tet. If you travel during peak season, you should carefully secure your personal belongings and avoid going too far from shore. After having fun in the sea, you can take the time to watch the sunset and rest.

Entertainment activities

Ho Chi Minh City tourism aims to have a tourism product for each ward. The city offers a variety of entertainment options, including entertainment districts, sightseeing, and shopping, suitable for a wide range of visitors.

Take the river bus

River experiences are a feature of Ho Chi Minh City tourism. Visitors can see the city from a different perspective by visiting famous landmarks such as Nha Rong Wharf, Ben Nghe Port, Phu My Bridge, Den Do Cape, and Binh Khanh Ferry Terminal.

Saigon Water Bus currently operates six stations, departing in the following order: Bach Dang, Thu Thiem, Binh An, Thanh Da, Hiep Binh Chanh, and Linh Dong. The total time to go to all six stations with a round trip is about 4 hours (including waiting time). If your time is limited, you can go to Binh An or Thanh Da station and return. It departs daily from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Tickets can be booked online or purchased directly at the wharf for 15,000 VND per trip.

Dinner on a cruise

This is a great way to escape the city’s crowded streets and enjoy the romantic river views. Take a leisurely evening dinner cruise down the Saigon River, where there will be a sumptuous feast, live jazz performances, fire dance, and stunning night views that make the night unforgettable.

The cruise departs every evening from Saigon Port, taking visitors along the river to admire the beauty of Nha Rong Wharf, Ben Nghe Port, Saigon Bridge, and the Landmark 81 building. Visitors can enjoy dinner on a cruise, taking in the river’s beautiful scenery, with ticket prices ranging from 350,000 VND to more than 1 million VND, depending on the cruise type. The meal is an Asian-European-style buffet or combo. The cruise also has art programs, music and dance performances, and magic shows.

In addition, visitors can book a small cruise, with a capacity of about 20 people, priced from 10 million to 25 million VND/group.

Sightseeing from a double-decker bus

There is an open-top double-decker bus in the city center. The vehicle features an automatic multilingual commentary system to guide you to points of interest along the route, tourist maps, free Wi-Fi, and tour guides. Each trip lasts about 60 minutes, passing famous places such as the Saigon Zoo, War Remnants Museum, Bui Vien Walking Street, Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, City Theater, and ending with an experience of viewing the city from above at Saigon Skydeck on the 49th floor of Bitexco Financial Tower.

The bus operates from 9 am to 10:30 pm daily, with trips every 30 minutes. In the evening, the bus offers an additional dinner service package on a luxury cruise along the Saigon River. Tickets can be purchased directly at the counter at the departure point 92-96 Nguyen Hue, Sai Gon ward, or booked online.

Stroll in the park

The Saigon Zoo has existed for more than 150 years and is the 8th-oldest zoo in the world. It was originally a botanical garden that conserved flora and fauna for city residents and provided a research site for scientists. Currently, the Zoo has more than 1,000 animals, more than 2,000 trees of 260 species, 23 species of domestic orchids, and 33 species of cacti across ​​17 hectares. The campus here is fresh, suitable for relaxing sessions. 

Covering 52ha at the intersection of Lac Long Quan and Hoa Binh Streets, Dam Sen Park comprises several areas. There is an entertainment area, including a central flower garden, water fountains, pine tree hills, a rose garden, a prehistoric valley, a fun house, a ball game centre, electronic games, and make-up rooms. There is also a camping area, a lake offering many aquatic activities, and a large-scale water park, convenient not only for city dwellers but also for tourists.

Or just outside the city center is 25ha of Suoi Tien, which includes a sightseeing area and a high-quality entertainment area. Visitors to Suoi Tien can immerse themselves in the poetic landscapes and see the Sea World, where hundreds of fish species breed in glass tanks.

Listen to live music

Sipping coffee or wine and enjoying live music is a popular evening experience in Ho Chi Minh City. Live music performance spaces have long attracted a large number of locals and tourists. In the evening, each place has its own musical taste, from vibrant rock to impromptu jazz, gentle acoustic, or deep love songs.

Some suggested addresses: Ben Thanh tea room, We, Khong Ten, Dong Dao. Acoustic bars or cafes: Yoko Cafe, Rock Fan Club, Sax N’ Art Jazz Club, Acoustic Bar, Drinking & Healing, Sesame… Some of them also offered the same services, with a panoramic view of Saigon.

Have fun on the backpacker area

Locals and tourists often call the Bui Vien – De Tham – Pham Ngu Lao area in Ben Thanh ward, the backpacker area, which operates from late afternoon until dawn the next day. The street features complimentary public amenities, including restrooms, Wi-Fi, and tourist information stations. 

Both sides of the street are lined with bars, pubs, and restaurants packed tightly, each offering fresh beer, delicious food, cafes, and loud music that creates a lively atmosphere. Therefore, it attracts lots of travelers from around the world, making it suitable for young tourists, especially backpackers. All gather here for a busy, fun, and exciting nightlife. 

Explore the life and cuisine of Chinatown

Chinatown includes wards, but the most bustling and well-known are Cho Lon, An Dong, and Cho Quan. Along Tran Hung Dao, Chau Van Liem, and Luong Nhu Hoc, visitors will see rows of ancient houses with bold Chinese architecture, about 100 years old. There are also many ancient pagodas, assembly halls, and typical Chinese restaurants. Dishes not to miss include roast duck, braised offal, curry fish balls, pulled noodles, stewed chicken, and dim sum.

Luong Nhu Hoc Lantern Street is one of the most attractive spots during the Mid-Autumn Festival, especially in the evening when colorful, stylish lanterns create a sparkling beauty along the street. Oriental Medicine Street also creates a unique image here. For a long time, Chinese merchants have transported medicinal herbs for trade, gradually forming the bustling medicinal herbs street we see today.

Enjoy a traditional show

Currently, there are 02 popular traditional show that held daily: water puppetry show and A O show. 

The water puppetry show is one of the most famous traditional shows in Vietnam. The show brings to you a great chance to learn more about Vietnamese culture, see puppets move underwater and on the surface of the water, listen to folk songs, and immerse yourself in the peaceful life of Vietnam in the past. The shows start at 17:00 and 18:30 daily and last about 30 minutes, you can buy a ticket at 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Thanh Ward.

A O Show is a dazzling theatrical display that is a part bamboo circus, part dance spectacle, and a wholly thrilling treat for the senses. The A O Show is an ode to the charming beauty and cultural richness of Vietnamese country life, which stands in stark contrast to the city’s rapid urbanisation.

The show is set to “live” music inspired by traditional Southern Vietnamese folk songs; such songs evoke the memories of those who toiled on the lands and rivers in the Mekong Delta region. You can book a ticket and join a show at Opera House – 07 Cong Truong Lam Sơn, Sai Gon Ward.

Shopping in Ho Chi Minh

Shopping when traveling to Saigon, you have a lot of different choices depending on your budget and what you want to buy. If you have a lot of money, you can choose large commercial centres and combine dining with a range of attractive entertainment options. Another option is visiting markets with reasonable prices that still offer a wide range of specialties. Below are some of the most popular destinations for “shopaholics”.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market in Saigon is a famous market with a long history and is associated with the local culture. Ben Thanh Market covers about 13,000 m² and offers a wide range of items, including shoes, clothing, cosmetics, handicrafts, fruits, fresh foods, and specialities for gifts.

Ben Thanh Market is a symbol of Saigon’s tourism, attracting large numbers of tourists to visit and shop. Not only that, when coming to this famous market in Saigon, you can also take pictures as a souvenir at the market gate with the image of a clock, like living in a virtual world at Big Ben in England.

Location: Ben Thanh Ward.

Binh Tay Market

The market is located in Cholon. It was built in the 1920s on an area of more than 17,000 m², in an ancient Asian architectural style. Binh Tay Market currently has more than 2,300 stalls and more than 30 product categories. Every year, over 120,000 foreign tourists visit and shop at markets organized by travel companies nationwide.

Coming to Binh Tay market, visitors can admire the ancient architecture, learn the history of the market, and shop at reasonable prices.

The main gate is located at 57 Thap Muoi, Binh Tay Ward.

Saigon Square

With a variety of items and exceptionally affordable prices, Saigon Square is known as the “Shopping Paradise in the heart of the city.”  It’s hard to find a place in Saigon to buy outfits that are both beautiful and unique, and affordable when you’re here.

Furthermore, products are continually updated to reflect the latest fashion trends and are available in a wide range of sizes, particularly clothing and shoes. Spacious, airy, and air-conditioned; the air-conditioner works during opening hours. The quality of goods is relatively good. Customers are mainly local young people and foreigners who like to shop when travelling. People often compare Saigon Square to a market, but it is a high-end market.

Address: 77 – 89 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Sai Gon Ward.

Vincom Center

This is a large commercial centre in Saigon, where you can find many shopping, dining or office rentals. Vincom Center is divided into 2 buildings, Vincom A (address 72 Le Thanh Ton) and Vincom B (address 45A Ly Tu Trong).

The building was designed in a French architectural style, where international products from major, prestigious brands are displayed. In addition, at Vincom, you will enjoy delicious, attractive dishes featuring the essence of various countries, prepared by skilled chefs.

SC VivoCity

SC VivoCity inherits the success of Singapore’s largest shopping mall, VivoCity, which was voted one of the “top 10 shopping destinations of the world” in 2011. SC VivoCity is located in the busiest urban area of South Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, and is approximately 5 km from the city centre.

With a total booth area of 41,000 m² across five floors and 1 basement, SC VivoCity Vietnam will be a space that integrates all shopping, dining, and entertainment facilities, ensuring your family’s needs are met.

Address: 1058 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Tan Hung Ward.

Saigon Center Shopping Center (Takashimaya)

Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City cannot be missed Saigon Center Shopping Center, also known as Takashimaya, is a luxury shopping paradise with all kinds of expensive services. Takashimaya’s location on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street is considered a “golden” spot in Saigon, featuring impressive architecture. This is the largest and most modern commercial centre in Saigon, offering a wide range of services.

The booths at Saigon Center Shopping Center are divided into separate zones and beautifully decorated for virtual living. In particular, it must be mentioned that Runam cafe is famous for delicious drinks, a beautiful space for super quality pictures to live virtual. Takashimaya is an ideal destination in Saigon for both shopping and checking in.

Address: 92 – 94 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Sai Gon Ward.

Cuisine of Sai Gon

When it comes to places with rich cuisine, Saigon is the best. The city offers a wide variety of delicious dishes, sold in different forms, from large markets to small alleys. Now, you can enjoy a bowl of “bun bo Hue” with its authentic flavor without traveling to Hue, or a bowl of ramen noodles without flying to Japan. Here are the most popular places to enjoy local cuisine.

Ho Thi Ky street food

Not only famous as a flower market, Ho Thi Ky is also well known for its street food. This is the convergence of attractive dishes from many regions of Vietnam, Cambodia, and China, including some from Korea and Japan. Although the market is only encapsulated in a section of less than 200m, there are countless shops, from appetizers, main meals, and desserts, from soups to dried or grilled skewers and processed seafood such as grilled lobster with cheese and grilled squid teeth with salt and chili. Dishes range in price from 7,000 to 100,000 VND. All of them look attractive but are very cheap.

Food stalls at Ho Thi Ky market are usually open from 15:00 to 23:00, so you can arrange to have a “full” experience here.

Address: Alley of Ho Thi Ky Street, Vuon Lai Ward.

Vinh Khanh snail street

Snail dishes are a specialty of Ho Chi Minh City. Throughout the city, you can find snail shops. And if you’re a “fanatic” of snail dishes, Vinh Khanh would be the best area to come and experience. The buzzing street of local seafood and freshwater snails is located in Khanh Hoi Ward, close to Ben Thanh Ward. While other snail shops open only at night, the ones on this street operate from early afternoon through midnight and are crowded with customers.

You might be surprised at the range of snail options available from these shops. Unlike Hanoi snails, which are typically steamed with lemongrass and dipped in chili fish sauce, snails in Ho Chi Minh City are prepared in a variety of ways, from salted egg sauce to tamarind stir-fry, to grilled with chili salt and served with satay. Snail dishes cost from 80,000 to 150,000 VND per portion, depending on the type of snail.

Address: Vinh Khanh Street, Khanh Hoi Ward.

Cholon – Saigon Grand Food Court

Cholon is one of the city’s oldest marketplaces. The area, also known as Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City, consists of several joining wards from Cho Lon, An Dong, Cho Quan, Binh Tay, but the busiest and most famous is the Cho Lon area. The dishes are primarily Chinese, and the menus are presented in Chinese and Vietnamese. If you love Chinese cuisine, don’t forget to note this food court!

Not only have extremely diverse menus that attract the expat Chinese community, but also the locals in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition to visiting and enjoying the cuisine, you can also witness a very vibrant Chinese life right in this city. Dishes not to be missed include roast duck, stew with organ meats, curry fish balls, pulled noodles, steamed chicken….

Turtle Lake area

Turtle Lake is the name of the fountain located in the middle of the roundabout in Xuan Hoa Ward. The area is famous for affordable snacks, including rice paper, spring rolls, sweet cakes, and soft drinks, and it mainly attracts young locals. Most of the vendors sell rice paper mixed with all kinds of processing, such as mixing, rolling, or baking, which is very strange.

When you visit this area, you also have a great chance to see bustling Saigon streets with shimmering, brilliant streetlights at night.

Location: The intersection of Vo Van Tan, Pham Ngoc Thach, Tran Cao Van streets, Xuan Hoa Ward.

Ha Ton Quyen Jiaozi Area 

Located near Cholon, Ha Ton Quyen Street has long been famous for selling the best jiaozi in Saigon. In the early afternoon, this street becomes bustling, crowded with people coming to enjoy the famous jiaozi. The menus offer a variety of shrimp, vegetarian, mixed, and fried dishes, served with bar broth and vegetables. Each line has its own highlight based on each person’s taste and preference. The jiaozi here made with authentic Chinese recipes will help warm your stomach at night or satisfy the curiosity of first-time eaters.

Location: Ha Ton Quyen Market. 

Besides this street food, there are still other famous areas that you should not miss, such as Tan Dinh & Co Giang Market in Ben Thanh Ward, Alley 200 Xom Chieu in Xom Chieu, and Khanh Hoi Ward, where you can easily find a good meal at a “surprise price”.

 Vung Tau areas

Vung Tau is famous for its seafood and Khot cake. Typical coastal seafood dishes you should enjoy include grilled snails with onion grease, blood cockles stir-fried with garlic butter, a mantis shrimp dish, steamed grouper with ginger served with vermicelli, and a plate of garlic-fried rice and fried squid with fish sauce. In addition, many tourists think that going to Vung Tau without eating stingray hotpot means they have not been here.

If you want to enjoy delicious stingray hotpot, go to Nguyen Truong To Street, which is known as a “stingray hotpot” street with many restaurants that have been open for more than 30 years.

Khot cake: The cake is made with rice flour, and the filling contains shrimp. In addition, some local shops also make pork, beef, squid, and scallops. Sprinkle a layer of shrimp powder on the surface of the cake? The cake is poured directly onto the cast-iron oven and then brought out to guests so it stays crispy and hot. Shrimp tastes sweet when eaten. Khot cake is often eaten with sweet and sour fish sauce, fresh vegetables, mint, and herbs.

Above is a combination of travel guides to explore Ho Chi Minh City. Vietdreamtravel is also running daily tours, package tours, car/bus rental services , and Vietnam visa services to explore this lovely destination. Don’t hesitate to contact us at (+84)28 3838 8322 +(84)918 709 338 for more details.

Source: collected by An