Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Travel & Vacation Guide

From the 49th level in Bitexco Financial Tower you can enjoy the panoramic view over the city and its surroundings. The design of the tallest building in the city is inspired by a Lotus bud, which makes it stand out against the city skyline.

Also known as Holy See, Cao Dai Temple is the center of Cao Dai faith, an indigenous Vietnamese religion that incorporates the teachings of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism as well as part of Islam and Christianity. The balcony on the 2nd floor is the best vantage point from which the religious ceremony can be viewed.

The historic Saigon Central Post Office, which has long been one of the city's symbols, continues to offer postal services such as mailing and money exchange to-date. One interesting fact about the Post Office is that it was designed and constructed by the renowned French architect Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, who is best known for the eponymous Eiffel Tower. Eiffel derived artistic inspiration from Western neoclassical architecture and Asian decor styles before harmoniously fusing them during the construction of the Central Post Office.

Cho Lon, also well-known as Chinatown, is an area of Ho Chi Minh where many Chinese immigrants reside and earn their living. Within Cho Lon, the biggest and most crowded trade hub is Tan Binh Market, where you can find a wide range of clothing and knick-knacks at very low prices (although be warned the assortment is mostly made up of obscure dried edibles and Chinese ritual paraphernalia). An interesting time to visit Cho Lon is when locals celebrate the Chinese New Year Festival. During Tet, all shops and eateries are lavishly decorated with multi-coloured lanterns, and streets seem to become deluged with the lucky colour red.

The tunnels of Cu Chi hide an entire world including classrooms, kitchens and medical facilities underground. Today you can see the tunnels from above and even try to go down one, so as to better understand the hardships that Vietnamese soldiers had been through during wartime. One is left utterly amazed by the determination and endurance of those who dug through solid soil, gravel and sand to construct this 200-kilometer (125 miles) long underground network.

To cool you off from the hot and bustling city, Dam Sen Water Park offers several swimming pools, water slides and rides that will keep you occupied and excited for a whole day. It is a very family-friendly destination, where you can try different levels of water slides, from easy to challenging ones.

Many beautiful pagodas (temples) are located in Ho Chi Minh City while the Emperor Jade Pagoda is considered to be the finest and most lavishly decorated temple. To understand more about the meaning of the carvings and statues and the purpose of different rooms, it is recommended to visit with a local guide.

Built in 1744, Giac Lam Pagoda is one of the oldest and most popular Buddhist pagodas, a place of pilgrimage during the Tet Holiday. It was officially accredited as a national cultural and historic site by the Vietnamese Department of Culture and Information. In addition, there are a lot of precious statutes of Buddha and Bodhisattvas made of both wood and bronze in the pagoda.

Banana Mama offers drinks and food on the 10th floor of WMC Tower. If you want to watch the sunset in a cozy bar with beach-style interior, this is the place.

In this popular micro-brewery you’ll find some of the best Saigon beers. This venue can host over 600 guests and is a paradise for beer and European food lovers as it offers dark and light beers, as well as Czech and German specialities.

Pham Ngu Lao / Bui Vien Street (also known as 'Backpacker Street') is home to some of the city's most vibrant nightlife, with a plethora of bars, clubs, and street food stands stretching along it. There is also a high concentration of hostels here, which means tourists are represented in abundance, but it's a beloved local hangout hot spot, too.

Phatty’s is an expat-owned sports bar, popular with both travelers and locals. Choose one of the various beers or another beverage and watch sports like football, basketball, and even cricket.

Being one of the best bars in Vietnam, Rooftop Garden Bar offers you a breathtaking view over the city, lovely drinks, local cuisine and a great atmosphere. Enjoy your favourite cocktail at sunset.

Looking for a pub to spend your night with new friends and good beer? Ruong Pub & Hub is the place to go. This pub offers a wide selection of beer including crafts.

Ben Thanh Market is the most famous and oldest marketplace of Ho Chi Minh City, as well as one of its prominent landmarks. Here you can buy almost anything, especially handcrafts and souvenirs, but also local food. Bargaining is key for a successful shopping tour.

A great store to browse through for fun Vietnam-themed gifts and souvenirs that aren't you typical Chinese imports. Some of their best buys include wallets made from recycled storage bags, high-quality retro posters on rice paper, and unique postcard collections. They also stock a fantastic selection of books on all things Vietnam (in English).

Saigon Square is a sprawling collection of vendors mainly dealing in clothing and accessories. Haggling is expected.

The reputable Japanese department store brand Takashimaya is present in Ho Chi Minh, too. it enjoys a reputation of a slightly more upscale shopping centre, with above average prices and an excellent selection of high-quality international brand shops.

Tan Dinh is mostly known for its impressive assortment of fabrics, so if you're in the market for those, make sure to work Tan Dinh into your itinerary. There are also lots of street food stalls here serving Vietnamese cuisine and drinks like drip coffee and juices.

Conveniently located in the city centre, Vincom Center is a shopping complex that contains a substantial collection of stores and boutiques, of both local and international brands, plus a food court with several good casual dining spots. It's a great option for those who prefer a fixed-price shopping experience.

From December to April, Ho Chi Minh City enjoys moderate temperatures and light rainfall, which would probably make it the best time to visit. Note that the hottest months are from March to May with temperatures reaching as high as 39°C.

Travellers to Vietnam generally need a visa to enter the country, although some countries, such as Japan, South Korea, and several ASEAN member states, are exempt for short stays. For longer stays, visitors typically require a visa, which can be obtained from Vietnamese embassies or consulates. Another convenient option is to apply online for an e-visa, available for citizens of over 80 countries.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Vietnam's largest international airport, lies 7 km north of the city centre. Several public buses, including the Yellow Airport Bus 109, Yellow Airport Bus 49, and Public Bus 152, offer transportation to the city, with cash payment required. Taxis are the quickest option, taking around 45 minutes to reach the city centre. Make sure the meter is used or agree on a fare beforehand.

Ho Chi Minh City boasts an efficient public transit bus network with 150 green routes spanning the city, making it a cheaper and safer option than many alternatives. The ticket is bought from the fare collector on the bus. For shorter trips, however, ride-sharing apps, such as Grab, or cabs may prove to be more convenient and inexpensive.

Taxis are the most comfortable way of getting around affordably. It’s easy and safe to catch one off the side of the road, but do make sure the meters work properly and enquire as to the estimated total. Ride-sharing apps like Grab are also in use; in Vietnam, you can choose between Grab for scooters or cars (helmets are provided for the former).

In Vietnam, electrical outlets typically operate at 220V/50Hz and commonly use plug types A and C. Type A features two flat parallel pins, while type C has two round pins. Travellers are advised to carry a power plug adapter to ensure compatibility with local sockets when visiting the country.

Some main pharmacy chains you will find in Ho Chi Minh City include Pharmacity — one of the largest and most well-known pharmacy chains in Vietnam —, Guardian, Long Châu, and An Khang.

The main post office is located on Dong Khoi in District 1 (it's more of a tourist attraction these days, but it's still a fully functional post office). Postal services such as mailing, money exchange, postcard and stamp sales are offered here.