At first glance, Ho Chi Minh City seems like just another big, noisy, chaotic Southeast Asian city. However, after spending almost a year there, I’ve grown to love the hidden charm in every corner and district of the largest city in Vietnam.
Most travelers overlook the city and use it as a layover destination. Still, if you can, I recommend setting aside at least 3-5 days in the city so you can learn more about Vietnam’s rich history and discover some hidden gems.
If you’re at a loss for how to spend your time in the city, don’t worry. I’ve rounded up the best things to do in HCMC, Vietnam.
Ultimate Guide To All The Best Things To Do In HCMC, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City has it all: HCMC museums, day trips, weekend trips, and a monkey island. Here are the top 27 things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring lots of free things to do in HCMC, expensive nights out, and everything in between. I’ve also included the easiest location points for each activity through Google Maps.
1. Visit the War Remnants Museum
Location: District 3, HCMC
The War Remnants Museum is perhaps one of the best Vietnam War museums in the world, and it’s right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. The museum walks you through not only the events of the war but also its lasting legacy and how it has affected families in Vietnam today.
There are a lot of gruesome details about Agent Orange, specifically, accompanied by real-life pictures that’ll stay in your memory forever. The museum has more of a “negative” take on the war, which is a bit of a unique perspective, but if anything, the perspective is more authentic to how the Vietnamese view it.
The war should not be “celebrated” because so many lives were lost and ruined on both sides, but it’s an important piece of history that should be learned about, and the war museum is a great place to do just that.
2. Go To The Independence Palace
Location: District 1, HCMC
The Independence Palace (or the Reunification Palace) was the home and workplace of the president of the Republic of Vietnam. It’s also the location of the Fall of Saigon and the famous photograph of a tank storming the palace gates. If you’ve seen pictures from Saigon during the Vietnam War, you’ve probably seen this photo.
The palace has since been turned into a museum, and the rooms have been recreated, including the shelter in the basement, the war rooms, and the recreation rooms. It’s a really interesting recreation, has beautiful architecture, and is another focal point of the South’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
3. Explore Cu Chi Tunnels
Location: Ben Duoc Cu Chi Tunnels
If you’re interested in the Vietnam War, you probably already know how massive tunnel warfare was to the eventual victory. The Cu Chi Tunnels, located about an hour from downtown Saigon, are real tunnels critical to tunnel warfare in the south. You can visit and crawl through some of the tunnels themselves (most open to the public have been expanded slightly so tourists can fit) and learn more about traps in the tunnels and general living/fighting.
A shooting range on site is also very popular, especially for local tourists. You can pay to shoot different types of guns, or you can just explore the open-air museum outside the tunnel grounds.
There are two entrances to the Cu Chi Tunnels: Ben Duoc and Ben Dinh. Ben Dinh is slightly closer to the city center and easier to get to with HCMC transportation. The tunnels here are dug a little wider than Ben Duoc, and there are a few more amenities and tourist activities since there are usually more tourists.
We visited Ben Duoc entrance and thought it was a great spot, too. I haven’t been to the other, so I can’t compare them, but I think whichever you can get to will be an incredible learning experience.
4. Send a postcard at Saigon Central Post Office
Location: District 1, HCMC
The Saigon Central Post Office is one of the most photographed spots in Ho Chi Minh City, and for good reason. It combines classic European architecture with Asian decorations, giving it a really out-of-character feel. However, one of the coolest things about the post office is that it’s still in use today. You can actually go and send a postcard anywhere in the world (I’ve sent a few, and they’ve all gotten to their destinations).
If you don’t have a postcard, there’s a line of merchants selling postcards, souvenirs, and other little trinkets. You don’t need much time for the post office, but it’s a fun little place to swing by while exploring District 1.
5. Go shopping at Ben Thanh Market
Location: District 1, HCMC
Ben Thanh Market is the most famous market in the city and the most fun place to buy souvenirs, snacks, and other handicrafts. It’s located in the heart of the city and was established in 1859 by French colonial rule. The market burned down in 1870 and was rebuilt a few decades later.
It’s always been a convenient place for local vendors to meet up and sell their local goods, although nowadays, it’s a bit more of a tourist destination than anything. You’ll find it’s a bit chaotic, the vendors can be a little pushy and aggressive at times, and you’ll need to bring your best haggling if you want to buy anything.
If you’re in the mood for shopping, there’s also Saigon Square, about a 10-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market. I actually prefer Saigon Square because it has a lot of the same touristy items, fewer people, and slightly less aggressive vendors. It also has a lot of clothes and a bit more variety, although it doesn’t have a local food corner.
6. Soak in the view from a rooftop
Location: Le Café des Stagiaires in Thao Dien | Chill Skybar in D1 | Landmark 81 in Binh Thanh
Honestly, one of my favorite things about HCMC is the city skyline. I’m a big fan of the outdoors. I love hiking, being at the beach, and all things that involve fresh air, but I also appreciate a good city skyline. There’s something a bit mystical about all the lights and structures, and Ho Chi Minh City is one of my favorites worldwide.
There are tons of good rooftop bars and viewing points scattered around the city. I recommend going at the very end of sunset to catch a (hopefully) gorgeous sunset over the city and some good nighttime views.
Le Café des Stagiaires and AfterGlow are two popular rooftop hangouts in Thao Dien, and Chill Skybar has always been my favorite in District 1. If you head to Chill Skybar anytime after 7:00 or 8:00 p.m., be prepared for a crazy party.
If you want a more laid-back atmosphere, there’s also Landmark 81. It’s one of the tallest buildings in Saigon and has a viewing platform at the top.
7. Party on Bui Vien walking street
Location: District 1, HCMC
If you’re looking to party, you’re in luck. Bui Vien is honestly one of the craziest places I’ve ever been. It’s one of the top Ho Chi Minh City attractions, and it’s right in the city center. At night, Bui Vien turns into a long walking street filled with loud music, dancers, street performers, and beer.
The first time we came to Ho Chi Minh City, we spent many nights on Bui Vien, and I honestly only have good things to say about it. We met some great people and had so many unforgettable nights. However, I think we were a bit lucky. It gets crowded and is a prime spot for pickpocketing and bag snatching, so keep your belongings close by.
Some of the bigger places are infamous for scamming and way overcharging for drinks, too. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend solo female travelers spending too much time there late at night because of how chaotic things get.
If you want a similar experience, I recommend drinking at one of the off-streets near Bui Vien. They have much more reasonable prices and are less overwhelming (there are a lot of options; TnR was our favorite place back in the day).
If you’re set on drinking on Bui Vien, I recommend sticking to the smaller operations on either end of the walking street with the small plastic chairs. Ask prices ahead of time to make sure they don’t charge outrageous amounts, and be smart.
8. Try local street food
Honestly, one of the best reasons to visit HCMC is for the incredible local and international cuisine. There’s so much amazing Vietnamese food on every corner, including pho (of all varieties), banh mi, bun bo, and even bun cha (despite being more of a northern dish).
My one piece of advice when trying local food is to look for the popular local places. If you see only tourists there, the food might not be that good because they don’t have to worry so much about quality. And if you see nobody there, that’s a major red flag.
Keep an eye out for crowded places, often with tiny plastic chairs and tables.
9. Enjoy dinner at Ben Nghe Street Food Market
Location: Ben Nge Street Food Market in D1 HCMC
This is the most touristy place to eat, but it’s a lot of fun, especially at night with live music. It’s basically a food bazaar with a few dozen food stalls, all under one roof. There’s a lot of Vietnamese food, but there’s also a lot of international food, like Mediterranean, Mexican, Italian, and others.
There’s live music at night; it gets pretty crowded and is slightly overpriced for Vietnam, but it’s a cool atmosphere.
10. Ride a motorbike
It might sound weird, but riding a motorbike is honestly one of the top Ho Chi Minh attractions. Ho Chi Minh City is probably one of the most chaotic cities in the world for motorbike riding, so if you’re an adventurous soul, you have to go for a spin around the city.
There are guided motorbike tours through hostels and local tour agencies. There are also places to rent a motorbike in all tourist neighborhoods. It’s usually only around $5 USD a day. Just be careful if you’re driving because traffic here is on a whole different level. Everyone’s on a motorbike, and it’s basically always busy.
You can also call a motorbike taxi if you don’t trust your driving skills. Grab is the most popular rideshare app, but there are some rising stars like Be. They have an option to call a motorbike taxi or car taxi.
11. Get a massage (or have a spa day)
Getting a massage or just splurging on a spa day is certainly one of the best things to do in Saigon because it’s affordable, and there are some high-quality spas.
I’ve been to a large handful in Saigon, and all have been great, so I won’t recommend a specific one. There are hundreds of massage parlors and nail/hair salons in downtown Saigon, so just walk around and see which one catches your eye. A one-hour massage should cost around 350,000 VND ($13.75 USD), but you can easily find cheaper and more expensive (or luxurious). I promise there’s a massage parlor and a salon within a 10-minute walk from your accommodation in Ho Chi Minh.
12. Venture out to Monkey Island (Can Gio Mangrove Forest)
Location: Can Gio, HCMC
Honestly, Monkey Island, or Can Gio Mangrove Forest, is one of my favorite places in Ho Chi Minh City.
It’s a very quirky place, with a little bit of everything. It’s a small nature reserve with hundreds and thousands of monkeys roaming free. They are everywhere. There’s a path you walk along, covered with monkeys, that leads to a recreation of an important Vietnamese base, Rung Sac. There’s also a crocodile lake with several crocodiles you can “fish” for (put food on the end of a fishing rod and hold over the water; the crocodiles will jump out of the water and eat the food right off your stick). And you can take a boat ride through the mangrove forest.
Overall, it’s a unique experience that not many people have. It’s only about an hour from downtown HCMC, but getting there is a bit challenging. You’ll have to drive or hire a driver for the day because you have to take a ferry there, and public transportation is limited.
13. Explore on a double-decker bus
There are double-decked tourist buses that go around District 1 and HCMC. They are a really fun way to see the city if you don’t feel like walking everywhere. The buses run throughout the day and go almost everywhere. I recommend going around sunset and sitting on the roof deck for the best experience because they also run along the river.
If you don’t want to spend money on the tourist bus, you can always take a local bus anywhere in the city. Actually, my first time in Ho Chi Minh, my friend and I randomly hopped on one of the local buses and took it to its final stop. It was a way out of the city and a cute university neighborhood. We walked around in the afternoon and found an amazing little cafe with puppies. It was one of my favorite days in the city, so that’s always an option.
14. Ride the water bus at sunset
Location: Linh Dong Staton in D1
Believe it or not, some people travel by boat in the city. It’s honestly not that popular anymore. It’s nothing like the ferry system in Bangkok, but you can still go to a handful of places along the river from downtown, so it’s still one of the most unique things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. The water bus picks up from the riverfront near the city center and has about 4-5 stops.
The schedule is pretty limited. I’ve actually struggled to catch the boat because it’s either always sold out or the routes are canceled. The boat normally runs around sunset, with more departures on the weekends. I recommend heading to the dock a few hours early to buy your tickets, check the schedule, and come back for departure.
The easiest place to go by boat is Thao Dien, a trendy neighborhood about 20 minutes up the river. The boat docks near the center, so you can enjoy a 20-minute walk to most places in Thao Dien or call a Grab.
15. Hop on a boat cruise on the river
Location: Saigon Princess in District 1
If you want a more elaborate experience on the river, you can also join a paid boat cruise. Several companies leave from the main dock and offer more complete cruises (for more money). They usually include live music, nice outdoor seating on the deck, and depart around sunset.
The Saigon Princess is the most luxurious boat cruise on the river. It’s a high-class dining experience from Nha Rong Harbor that requires reservations in advance. It’s much more expensive than your average dinner or short boat cruise but also more of an experience.
16. Walk along the waterfront
You can have just as nice an experience walking along the river as you would on a boat on the river. There’s a somewhat long walking path where the main docks have good city views. There are also benches, cafes, and monuments along the path, so it’s a good spot for a stroll. We almost always visit the riverfront when we go into the city center because of its nice ambiance.
There’s not much else to do there, so you only need 30 minutes to walk the whole stretch, but it still makes for a lovely afternoon if you’re running out of things to do in Ho Chi Minh.
17. See a show at Saigon Opera House
Location: District 1, HCMC
The Saigon Opera House, built in 1898 by a French architect, still hosts regular shows today. It’s a relatively small theater, but it’s absolutely gorgeous. The AO Bamboo Circus is the best of the rotating shows throughout the year.
We actually saw this show on Christmas with a friend, and it was one of the most memorable holidays. The show itself is mesmerizing, the people are so talented, and the entire operation is so well-organized. I highly recommend it while you’re visiting HCMC.
18. Read a book at HCMC Book Street
Location: District 1, HCMC
If you’re a book nerd, you have to visit Book Street in downtown HCMC. There’s not much to this street—it’s really just a short walking street with a dozen or so bookshops and a handful of cafes—but it’s really quintessential.
They have all types of books, too. You can find English books, European books, Vietnamese books, new books, and old books, so there’s a little something for everyone. It’s only a short walk from the Saigon Post Office or the Independence Palace, so it’s worth a visit if you’re passing by.
19. Volunteer at Laws for Paws dog shelter
Location: District 2, HCMC
Laws for Paws is the most popular dog/animal shelter in Ho Chi Minh. It’s a 100% volunteer-run shelter in District 2 (Thao Dien). On open volunteer days, they invite tourists, expats, and locals to come by during designated hours to walk the dogs, clean up, and help feed them.
They also host different fundraising activities throughout the year and are always accepting donations.
This is a legitimate and great organization to help out if you’re an animal lover and want to give back to the local community.
20. Ride the free electric bus to D9, HCMC
Location: Vinhomes Grand Park, D9
The free electric bus is a large, green bus that stops at several places in District 1 and District 2 and ends at District 9. Depending on traffic, the ride from D1 to D9 takes around 1.5 hours. The easiest place to get on the bus is in front of the Vincom Center.
Vinhomes Grand Park in D9 (where the bus takes you) is an interesting place all in itself. There’s a large new mall with an amazing movie theater, a driving range across the street, and an adventure park. It doesn’t feel like Vietnam at all (because there’s less traffic and more greenery), so it’s a fun place to visit for something a little different.
21. Take a photo at Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral
Location: District 1, HCMC
The Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is yet another example of French influence from the 1860s. It’s currently under restoration and not open to the public, but when it is, it’s free to enter and a beautiful place for a photo.
It’s also located in downtown Saigon, a short walk from all the main things to do in Saigon Vietnam, so you might as well stop for a quick photo while exploring the area.
22. Go to the Mekong Delta
Location: Can Tho, Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is one of the most fascinating places to visit near HCMC. It runs from the Tibetan Plateau and flows through China, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. It has such a rich history, and most parts are overflowing with unique cultural traditions and unbeatable beauty.
Can Tho is the most popular base for exploring the Mekong Delta from HCMC. It’s about two hours from the city and is where the famous floating market is located. However, we visited Cai Be and absolutely loved the little city’s charm and the Mekong’s beauty.
You can easily spend a full weekend on the Delta, but you can also visit Can Tho on a day trip from the city.
23. Day trip to Cat Tien National Park
Location: Cat Tien National Park
Cat Tien National Park is the best thing to do in HCMC if you want to escape the city hustle and spend a day in nature. The park is about three hours from the city, so I recommend staying at least one night near the park. However, you can easily visit on a day trip if you leave early enough.
The park itself isn’t very big, but it’s really relaxing. You take a ferry across a little river to the park, where you can rent a bicycle or walk along well-maintained paths through the forest. There are tons of little seating areas and places to picnic.
If you decide to rent a bicycle, make sure you choose wisely, though. We rented bicycles two days in a row in the park, and on the first day, my bike got a flat tire when we were a few miles from the entrance. Everything ended up being fine because it’s a really nice place to walk, but it would’ve been better if my bike hadn’t gotten a flat.
24. Take a ferry to Vung Tao City
Location: Ferry and Ticketing in District 1, HCMC
Okay, it’s not really possible to visit Vung Tao in just one day (unless you can manage to take a ferry there and a bus back later that same day). I highly recommend spending at least one night there, honestly. It’s a unique city right on the water, with very few tourists and a laid-back vibe.
Honestly, my favorite thing about Vung Tao was the ferry ride from HCMC. You can get a ferry from the main docks in downtown HCMC. The ferry takes around two hours and brings you right to downtown Vung Tao.
The ferry is very comfortable (they give you water and a complimentary snack, too). Once it leaves the dock, you can go outside on a deck and soak in the views for as long as you’d like.
25. Have a cup of coffee at a local cafe
Vietnam is one of the best places in the world for a good cup of coffee. They have their famous drip coffee (usually dripped on a thin layer of condensed make that makes it sweet). They also have artisan egg coffee, salt coffee, and other unique variations.
Coffee culture is also a big deal in Vietnam, and this is made more evident by the little coffee shops on literally every corner in the city. If you’re into coffee, this is the place to be.
26. Check out the Museum of Fine Arts
Location: District 1, HCMC
Vietnam’s Museum of Fine Arts in HCMC is home to some of the country’s most important national treasures and some of the best art.
It’s a massive museum with exhibits from Ancient Times to Modern Times, including a large emphasis on Vietnam’s folk era. Most people don’t come to HCMC for the museums, but Vietnam has such a different history with art and music that this is a unique experience, and I’d recommend it.
27. Explore Little Japan
Location: Saigon Japan Town in D1, HCMC
Little Japan, or Little Tokyo, is the perfect place to escape the crowded streets of HCMC. It’s not far from the city center, but there are few tourists and less traffic. There are reportedly over 300 Japanese households and tons of Japanese restaurants and shops. I think Ho Chi Minh has some of the best Japanese food outside of Japan, so it’s a good place to be if you want some sushi or high-quality Japanese beef.
Best Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City: My Top Picks
Ho Chi Minh City is one of my favorite cities in Asia, so maybe I’m a little biased, but there are so many amazing things to do in Saigon. I’m a sucker for day trips and weekend trips, so Cu Chi Tunnels, Cat Tien National Park, and Monkey Island are some of the highlights in the city.
However, I also love walking around the city center, taking photos, sitting at a quintessential Vietnamese cafe with a free cup of tra da, and eating all the excellent food (mostly pho).
Hopefully, you will have a good idea of everything the city offers and won’t make the same mistake I made the first time visiting HCMC: thinking there was nothing to do here and quickly passing through.
Have you visited Ho Chi Minh City? What were your impressions, and what were your favorite things to do? If you haven’t visited, what would you love to do? We’d love to hear from you!
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