Hochiminh City

Hochiminh City, formerly known as Saigon, is Vietnam's largest metropolis. It is a modern city with a rich culture and serves as the economic powerhouse of the country. The center of old Saigon boasts charming colonial French architecture and broad boulevards, although they are often congested due to heavy traffic.

The majority of tourist attractions are located in District 1, within close proximity to each other. Notable landmarks include the Reunification Palace, City Hall, the Opera House, the Central Post Office, the Central Bank, the Palace of Justice, and the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral. Historic hotels such as the Majestic, dating back to the colonial era, the Rex, and the Caravelle, which were favored by American officers and war correspondents in the 1960s and 1970s, are also worth a visit.

Things to see and do

Museums: Visit the War Remnants Museum, the Museum of History, the FITO Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, and the Ao Dai Museum, dedicated to the traditional Vietnamese tunic.
Historical Monuments: Explore the Reunification Palace and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
French Quarter Discovery: Discover the Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Saigon Opera House in the French Quarter.
Typical Markets: Explore the Ben Thanh Market and Cho Lon, the city's Chinatown.
Ancient Temples and Pagodas: Visit Giac Lam Pagoda, the Temple of the Jade Emperor, and the Emperor of Jade Pagoda.
Can Gio Ornithological Reserve: Discover this UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve with its diverse bird species, monkeys, and bat colonies.
A O Show: Enjoy a unique cultural performance.
Chinatown (Cho Lon): Explore the vibrant streets, temples, and delicious cuisine of this Chinese community.
Saigon's Gastronomy: Taste the diverse and flavorful cuisine that reflects influences from all over Vietnam.
Dinner Cruise on the Saigon River: Enjoy a different perspective of the city while having dinner on a charming river cruise.

Bitexco Financial Tower

Visit this symbol of Saigon's modernity. The Bitexco Tower offers exceptional 360-degree views of the city.

Reunification Palace

The Reunification Palace is a five-story building that takes you back to the 1960s. It has remained almost in its original state since the fall of Saigon. Construction began in 1962 and was completed in 1966. Formerly the Presidential Palace of South Vietnam, the war ended on April 30, 1975, when a tank crashed through its gate. A replica of the tank is parked on the lawn. When visiting this palace, you can admire the kitsch of the relaxation room with its circular sofa and enter the impressive basement that served as a military operations and command center, complete with 1960s-era offices, radios, and telephones. There is also a gallery of photos and propaganda films depicting the victory of the northern revolutionary forces over the American and South Vietnamese armies, the refugee exodus, and the labor camps for police and military personnel found guilty of treason.

Museum of Vietnamese History in Hochiminh City

The Museum of Vietnamese History houses numerous ancient objects, such as stakes from the battle between Ngo Quyen and the Han invaders, complexly engraved granite tablets, and clothing worn by mandarins and kings of the Nguyen Dynasty. It also features objects from the Champa and Khmer Kingdoms. The art of the ancient Champa Kingdom is prevalent in Vietnam, and the Saigon museum boasts a beautiful collection. A statue of the Thousand-Eyed, Thousand-Armed Buddha is also part of the collection. According to the curator, many objects date back to the 6th and 7th centuries.

FITO Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine

This museum is located 5 km from Dong Khoi Street and houses 3,000 objects and documents related to traditional medicine. Visitors can learn about the methods of examining patients, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing treatments, and preparing remedies used by traditional medicine doctors. It is a private museum owned by the Fito Pharmaceutical Company, Le Khac Tam.

French Quarter

The area around Dong Khoi Street, formerly known as Catinat Street, is the heart of the French Quarter in Hochiminh City. It is also the most prestigious and expensive street. Along this street, you can see buildings dating back to the colonial era.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office

The Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is located in the city center and was opened to the public in 1880. The vivid red bricks and stained glass windows come from France. The Central Post Office, designed by Eiffel, is located nearby and is also a gem of French neoclassical architecture from the colonial period.

Saigon Opera House

The Saigon Opera House is an architectural gem inspired by the French Opera Garnier in Paris. It was designed in 1900 by architect Félix Olivier.

Chinatown (Cho Lon)

The name Cho Lon means "Big Market." The Hoa community, of Vietnamese Chinese origin, lives in this area, creating a sort of Chinatown in the western part of the city. Activities here are bustling, streets are colorful, and there are numerous temples and pagodas, along with a wide variety of excellent food.

Thien Hau Pagoda – Lady of the Sea

Thien Hau Pagoda is a Chinese-style temple located in the Chinatown area of Cho Lon. This temple plays a significant role in the cultural and religious life of Vietnamese of Chinese origin. It is dedicated to Thien Hau, the Lady of the Sea or the protector of sailors, a goddess revered by Chinese sailors. Tourists are drawn to this temple because of its incredible incense. Dozens of incense coils are suspended from the ceiling of the main sanctuary, in front of Lady Thien Hau's altar. Some have a diameter of more than a meter and can burn for over a month. By making a donation, you can light and hang your own incense coil.

Quan Am Pagoda

Quan Am Pagoda is one of the most active and colorful pagodas in Cho Lon, the city's Chinatown. The sanctuary was founded in the early 19th century and is named after the Goddess of Compassion. It is a popular place of worship for Vietnamese and Chinese Buddhists.

Phuoc Hai Pagoda (Temple of the Jade Emperor)

Phuoc Hai Pagoda, also known as the Temple of the Jade Emperor, was built by the Chinese community in 1909 in honor of the Supreme Taoist God, the Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, Ngoc Hoang. This temple has a unique atmosphere that differs from most others found in Hochiminh City. The statues of phantasmagorical deities and grotesque heroes, candles and incense ribbons, monk robes, exquisite woodwork and illuminations, and the turtle pond give this place an incredible character.

Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels complex is an extensive network of underground tunnels located in the Cu Chi District. These tunnels are part of a much larger network. They served as the site of several military campaigns during the war against the Americans and were the base of the Viet Cong during the Tet Offensive of 1968. The tunnels were not only used by Viet Cong soldiers to hide during battles but also as communication and logistics routes, hospitals, storage for weapons and food, and living quarters for many North Vietnamese fighters. The tunnel system played a crucial role in countering the growing military efforts of the Americans.

Dinner Cruise on the Saigon River

Having dinner on a cruise along the Saigon River is a great way to admire the city from a different perspective. It offers a charming and exotic experience, allowing you to witness various lifestyles surrounding this vibrant metropolis.

Bitexco Financial Tower

The Bitexco Financial Tower is located at 36 Ho Tung Mau Street. The Sky Deck is open daily from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Inaugurated at the end of 2010, it houses offices and has raised property prices in the area. You can visit the Sky Deck, located on the 49th floor, to enjoy a 360-degree view of the city. Admission is charged, but a tip is to go to the Eon Café, where, for slightly less than the Sky Deck entrance fee, you can enjoy a drink and the view.

Can Gio Ornithological Reserve

This is the Can Gio mangrove forest, recognized by UNESCO as a global biosphere reserve. It serves as the "green lung" of the region and is home to numerous bird species, monkeys, and bat colonies.

Good to Know

When to visit?

Hochiminh City can be visited year-round. It has two seasons: the rainy season from May to October (with brief afternoon showers) and the dry season from November to April (hotter, with temperatures reaching up to 36 degrees Celsius).

Access

By airway: Tan Son Nhat Airport is a major airport in Vietnam, located 15 km from the center of Hochiminh City.
By train: The city also has a train station, Hochiminh Railway Station, with train connections to various provinces in Vietnam, including Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Danang, Hue, and Hanoi.

Where to eat and taste

Saigon is a region where people from all corners of the country have settled, bringing with them the cuisine of their homeland. This culinary diversity results in a rich tapestry of flavors and varieties. You can sample some typical dishes of Hochiminh City.

Banh Xeo: A Vietnamese yellow pancake filled with minced pork or shrimp, onions, and bean sprouts.

Hu Tieu: A Saigonese soup made with pork bone broth, lighter in taste than Pho. It is served with sliced pork, pork liver, and shrimp.