5 Must-Do Things in Ho Chi Minh City

Last year, we had the opportunity to travel to Southeast Asia with Xactly Life for a project with Planet Water in Cambodia. While we were there, we hopped over to Vietnam for a week and visited Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) and took a tour of Xacty’s latest backpack production at a nearby factory. We also had the chance to taste, tour and take in all there is to know about this vibrant city.

When it comes to exploring the Pearl of the Orient, it can be overwhelming to nail down where to even begin. Not only is Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam one of the busiest cities in Southeast Asia but it’s also one of the most attractive cities when it comes to exploring. Whether visiting for a few days, weeks or a quick stopover, we’ve rounded up 5 of our must-do things for you to tick off your travel bucket list.

These five must-do things in Ho Chi Minh City will give you a peek inside all of the culture, history, and food there is to discover in this magical place.

1. Head to the Cho (market)

Practice your haggling skills in the city’s local markets. There are two major markets in Ho Chi Minh City and a handful of others spread throughout District 1 or the main city hub. One of the most popular and well-known markets is Cho Ben Thanh and it’s located in the heart of the city. Here, you’ll find anything and everything from local Vietnamese food to coconut bowls, jade bracelets, dried squid and so much more. It’s a great place to explore local handcrafts and also find some cool branded goods. We recommend wandering the aisles and just having fun! And when it comes to the price, bartering is the way to go so don’t be nervous! Head in with an open mind and offer a price that you think is reasonable.

For those looking to go further afield, check out the popular Binh Tay market in Cho Lon, also known as the city’s Chinatown.

And if you’re staying pretty central, we recommend taking a stroll down the popular Dong Khoi Street which welcomes beautiful boutiques filled with traditional handcrafted goods, tailors and more. You won’t be disappointed!

2. Hop on a scooter

One of the best ways to experience Ho Chi Minh’s City’s true pulse is on the streets right in the midst of the chaos! Hop on the back of a motorbike with a trusted driver (we wouldn’t recommend driving one yourself if it’s your first time!) and take in the city at a whole new level. Whether on the back of a tripped out motorbike or old-school Vespa — there’s a handful of companies that offer fun tours around the city, day trips to the Mekong Delta or tours solely focused on sight-seeing, gastronomy or history depending on what takes your fancy. Check out Vespa Adventures or Scooter Saigon Tours to get started.

3. Take your view to the skies

It’s hard to understand the vastness of the city until you’re able to see it high above the ground! The two options below offer unforgettable views of the city.

Bitexco Observation Deck- What once was Vietnam’s tallest building in its skyline, the Bitexco Financial Tower is still a must-visit. The building stands tall in the city center and offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city and the Saigon River from its Sky Deck on the 49th floor. We recommend grabbing a cocktail from the bar and enjoying the views below!

Landmark 81- If you’re looking to take your views even higher (and aren’t afraid of heights!), head on over to what’s now known as the tallest building in Southeast Asia known as Landmark. Head on up to their observatory on floors 79 to 81 and you’ll really feel like you’re on top of the world.

4. Dine sidewalk-style

Recognized as one of the best street food hubs in the world, a visit to Ho Chi Minh City isn’t complete without dining streetside. What’s even better is the price! Prices are more than reasonable and range as low as $3 for a meal! If you’re not sure where to begin, follow the crowds. If you need some direction, we love Legal Nomad’s exhaustive list here.

5. Reflect

Whenever we travel somewhere we always make an effort to understand the history and culture of each place. From the city’s old colonial architecture next to towering skyscrapers, mom and pop street food carts, and five-star luxury restaurants — Saigon is one of those places where you can truly feel the impact of the past and the promise of the future all in one. Below are a few top historical attractions we recommend checking out while in town to better understand the city’s past.

War Remnants Museum - This museum is a window into the effects of the Vietnam War on its civilians. Although some displays can come off as one-sided, the photographs and videos are powerful and moving, making it well worth the visit!

Reunification Palace - A lot of this structure hasn’t changed since the ‘70s! Take a tour through the building and explore the garden grounds. You’ll find the army tank that was used by the North Vietnamese army to crash through the gates of the palace on April 30th, 1975 symbolizing the end of the Vietnam War.

Notre Dame Cathedral - Located just down the street of the Reunification Palace, this cathedral is one of the many beautiful architectural structures sprinkled throughout the city signifying the French colonial impact on the city. Afterward, take a stroll across the street (carefully!) and head into the Saigon Central Post Office. It’s one of Southeast Asia’s most impressive post offices and it’s hard to miss with its bright yellow exterior. Take a walk in and you’ll notice the vastness of the structure with its vaulted ceilings and funnily enough, it’s still a fully functioning post office today!

Bonus: Explore beyond Saigon

For those looking to get away from the city for the day, there’s a handful of day trips available that are almost too easy (and cheap!) to arrange. Two of our favorites include a day trip to the Mekong Delta or hopping on a quick flight to an island off of the coast of Vietnam known as Phu Quoc. Both offer unique landscapes that show you a different side to this amazing country.

Mekong Delta - A day trip to the Mekong Delta from Saigon is totally doable and something we highly recommend! The Mekong Delta is the southwestern region in Vietnam where the mighty Mekong River flows. Not only is the Delta viewed as the agricultural heart of Vietnam but it’s biologically diverse with over 1,000 different animal species spread across 15,000 square miles. There are a handful of tour companies that offer bus or car rides from Saigon and include lunch and river rides with stops at local agricultural sites.

Phu Quoc - If you’re ready for some white sandy beaches, resorts and a palm-lined coast like we were, we definitely recommend taking a trip to the island of Phu Quoc! The island is located off of the coast of Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand and it’s only an hour plane ride from Ho Chi Minh City.

And there you have it! There’s so much to see and do in this wonderful place and it can be a little overwhelming at first but we hope these 5 must-do things give you a good starting point to find your own adventure.