Whether you are an admirer of arts and history or love to enjoy exotic cuisine and experience the culture and nightlife – Ho Chi Minh is a city that has a lot to offer.
As a tourist from Europe or the United States, you will want to fly into Ho Chi Minh city on an airline that’s comfortable and offers discounts. In this respect, the best airlines out there are Cathey Pacific, Emirates, and Swiss airways.
While planning on things to do in an amazing city can be overwhelming, it’s essential to first try places the city is most famous for. So, you do not have the regret of leaving out on something worth seeing or experiencing.
This is why we have compiled a list of places and things to do that should be on your priority list to get the best out of your trip to the largest city in Vietnam.
Go to the Giac Lam Pagoda Site
This is the oldest temple in the city which was built in 1744. The premises of this temple has pretty looking garden, whereas if we look at the name, it literally means ‘Feel the Woods Temple’.
Right at the entrance, tourists’ first encounter is the beautiful Bodhi tree which holds a status of holiness in Buddhism. You will have a serene time at this destination while admiring the greenery, and the graceful architecture of this temple.
Visit the War Remnants Museum
This is a site you cannot afford to miss due to the special importance it holds. The whole space is dedicated to educating visitors. There you will get to have a complete idea of the atrocities faced by the Vietnamese people during the war period. Also, having to see the remnants of planes, tanks and other artillery used during the war takes you into a whole another world.
This spot is perhaps the most famous museum in the whole country – as it sees an influx of more than 500,000 visitors every year.
To name a few military vehicles, you will get to see the Huey helicopters, tanks, and attack bombers of that era. Inside the museum, you will find memorabilia and old photographs.
The Bonsai River Cruise
If you’re a lover of water sports or cruising, then the Bonsai River offers a lot of fun. The Bonsai River cruise experience gives you an outlook on the city from a different angle.
At the river’s coast, you will get the chance to join a boat ride that includes lunch and dinner. The whole experience will take you and your partner back to the times of cruise dining that was all about elegance and luxury.
The boats are structured like a traditional dragon. On board, you will be served a buffet with live music for a whole different ambiance.
Visit the Reunification Palace
This palace is also called the Independence Palace – and in old times when the palace was built, it was named the Norodom Palace. For a long time, the palace had been a base area for the Vietnamese army general.
Due to internal clashes, the palace was bombed by the general’s own air force in 1962. His name was General Ngo Dinh Diem, and he died in 1963. And after his death, the palace became the Presidential residence during the Vietnamese War.
This palace is a special tourist attraction, that features architecture from the 1960s era. The palace is open-air and comprises of premium furniture style of the 1960s.
In the palace, you will find impressive things that are usually the charm and specialty of royal palaces. From meeting rooms to a bar and bomb shelter, the palace features one-of-a-kind design and architecture.
Do Shopping Like Crazy in Ho Chi Minh
In the city of Ho Chi Minh, among the famous shopping spots is a market known as the Binh Than Market. Although aesthetically it’s not a place that’s impressive to look at, however, the market is popular as it sees a daily influx of a lot of people. It’d be worth exploring a big market like this.
Have Fun at the Nguyen Hue Walking Street
To lift your spirits up, it’s essential to go to a lively spot like the Nguyen Hue Walking Street. If you want to observe and enjoy the social and dating life in Ho Chi Minh, then the ideal spot you should head to is this street.
Daily, families, couples, and groups of tourists visit this street, and you will have a fun time seeing people, walking, and taking selfies. The best time to be here is the nighttime in the lights and awesome ambiance.
Have Quality Time at the New Japan Town
The Japan Town in the Bin Thanh District is a modish area in the largest city of Vietnam. The design and architecture of buildings are as though you are moving around in a small Japanese city.
In this town, you will find a lot of cool bars and restaurants for a fun time eating and drinking with friends, family, or your partner.
Grab a Cup of Coffee in Tao Dan Park
The whole of Vietnam is known for the delicious coffee which is also a part of the cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people. In the city of Ho Chi Minh, the signature brew coffee is the most popular thing you must try.
This coffee is iced, made of dark roast, and condensed milk is mixed in it and served over ice.
Tour to the History Museum
The first great thing about the History Museum is that it is situated in a beautiful botanical garden. It was made into a history museum in the 1920s. Before this, the building was a French colonial villa. And today, you and your accomplices will find artifacts that are about 40 centuries old.
A lot of the artifacts you’ll find here were made in the age when artifacts were made from Bronze material. Interestingly, you’ll also find antique pieces from the Cham and Khmer kingdoms.