Ho Chi Minh City may be full of traffic, crowded and hot. But there’s much more to it than these generalisations. Being patient with the Vietnamese city will lead you to temples, French colonial architecture and serene neighbourhoods, far from the chaos. Here are 20 must-visit attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Saigon River, with its constantly running ferries, river taxis, and motor-canoes, offers one of the most tempting invitations to the city’s sunset charms. And there is no better place than a seat at The Deck for a sunset cocktail.
The Deck, 38 Nguyễn Ư Dĩ, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Hồ Chí Minh
The Deck, 38 Nguyễn Ư Dĩ, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Hồ Chí Minh
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Art Museum
You can get a glimpse of what the local art scene looks like and what local artists are up to at HCMC Museum of Fine Arts. This dauntingly huge complex with an appealing mix of French and Chinese architectural styles was owned by a Chinese-born businessman who was known as one of the city’s richest men at the time it was constructed.
Address:
97A Phó Đức Chính, Ben Nghe, 1 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tue - Sun: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun - Mon: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
+842838294441
Family Friendly
Indoors, Architectural Landmark, Quiet, Touristy
Cathedral, Church
Follow the groups of tourists marching toward the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, an inevitable spot on the HCMC itinerary. It embodies the architectural sentiments of the French colonial period with the Romanesque in its red-brick facade and the Gothic inferior.
Address:
Mon - Sat: 6:00 am - 8:00 pm
Family Friendly
Touristy, Photo Opportunity, Architectural Landmark
Building, Museum
There is no dearth of inspiration in this scenic area for those with historical sensibilities as the building itself offers an interesting insight into many political events that shaped the history of this city.
65 Lý Tự Trọng, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Sun - Sat: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
+842838299741
A functional post office and also one of the most striking landmarks of the French colonial period, Saigon Central Post Office features a truly elegant tiled floor, wrought iron beams, and columns and interesting historical maps on
Saigon Post Office, 2 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Building, Museum
To remind yourself that this is indeed Vietnam, not France, head to the first private traditional Vietnamese medical museum. The six-storey building features traditional architecture and a tremendous collection of Vietnamese potions and remedies dating back to the Stone Age.
Sun - Sat: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
41 Hoàng Dư Khương, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
+842838642430
The city is brimming with skyscrapers, but for the most impressive building, there is only one you need to know: Bitexco.
Southern Vietnam Women Museum
Museum
It would be a shame to get to know Vietnamese history without acknowledging the role of the Vietnamese woman. So make sure you visit the Southern Vietnam Women Museum , a lesser-known museum which is dedicated to their contribution to the war and post-war developments.
Sun - Sat: 7:30 am - 11:30 am and 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm
202 Võ Thị Sáu, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
+842839325519
The cafe-apartments at No.42 Nguyen Hue St or No. 14 Ton That Dam St are a fine example of the antithesis of planned and efficient architecture. Originally serving as a residence of high-ranking government officials, they are now home to retro-style coffee shops, co-working offices, fashion boutiques and tattoo studios.
Memorial
You can’t leave Ho Chi Minh City without visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, the extensive networks of underground tunnels which housed communication bases, equipment and food storage and a field hospital during the Vietnam War.
Sun - Sat: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tỉnh lộ 15, Phú Hiệp, Hồ Chí Minh, 733814, Vietnam
+842837948830
Nothing makes your visit to Saigon Opera House more worthwhile than enjoying a one-hour performance of A O Show Saigon. It offers an intriguing mix of experiences combining the French architectural gem and a spectacular fusion of temporary dance, circus and Vietnamese music which features a typical element of Vietnamese rural life: bamboo.
Art Museum
Drop by at Artinus 3D Museum if the weather is uncooperative and you need a break from the history lessons.
Sun - Sat: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
+2862983767
Family Friendly
Instagrammable
Buddhist Temple, Church, Mosque
Visitors in search of an unfiltered dose of distinctive and ceremonial indigenous Vietnamese religion will find a warm welcome at Cao Dai Temple.
Sun - Sat: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
+842763841193
Family Friendly
Peaceful, Architectural Landmark, Touristy
The proximity to China explains why Vietnamese culture has deep-rooted ties to the country, and to get an idea of its influence, make your way to Cholon – Saigon’s Chinatown. You might need roughly half a day to tour around the area, from Binh Tay market, Cha Tam Church to the popular Thien Hau Pagoda and Quan Am Pagoda.
Have a relaxing day out by taking a trip to Can Gio, a coastal suburban district which boasts mangrove forests and various wild animals. It’s a chilled-out hideaway for relaxing and escaping from the chaos in the city.
Buddhist Temple
Get up early for a peaceful walk to Emperor Jade Pagoda. A tranquil place in the midst of the busy city, it feels a thousand miles away from the hustle and bustle.
Sun - Sat: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
73 ';Đường Mai Thị Lựu, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Hindu Temple
Dive into the Southern India experience with a visit to the only Hindu temple in the city which is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mariamman.
Address:
45 Trương Định, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Set amid a maze of scooters, cars, and buses, the Venerable Thich Quang Duc Monument could easily be missed but will offer you the chance of momentary self-reflection and inner peace.
Another wonderfully peaceful alternative on the weekend for both tourists and locals is the Binh Quoi Village. Replicating the Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region of yesteryear, the green village offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in green grasslands, and enjoy small cottages and fish ponds shaded by coconut trees.
Building, Mosque
To get a glimpse of the Muslim scene in Vietnam, head to Saigon Central Mosque, the lime-green building constructed by Muslims from South India in 1935.
