Ho Chi Minh holidays

Why visit Ho Chi Minh

Much of the city's appeal lies in its twentieth-century history and its energy. The War Remnants Museum offers an unflinching account of the conflict, while the Reunification Palace stands frozen at the moment the war ended in 1975. A short trip out of town, the Cu Chi Tunnels reveal the vast underground network used during those years. Back in the centre, French landmarks such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the ornate Central Post Office sit near the Bitexco Tower and Landmark 81, the tallest building in the country. Between them run markets, rooftop bars and some of Vietnam's best street food, from banh mi to com tam.

Highlights

• War Remnants Museum: A powerful and confronting museum documenting the Vietnam War through photographs, aircraft and personal accounts.
• Reunification Palace: The former South Vietnamese presidential palace, preserved much as it was in 1975, with period interiors and underground bunkers.
• Ben Thanh Market: A landmark covered market in District 1, selling everything from fabric and souvenirs to cooked food, busiest in the cooler evening hours.
• Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office: Two neighbouring French colonial set pieces, a twin-towered brick cathedral and a grand, vaulted post hall still in daily use.
• Cu Chi Tunnels: An extensive network of wartime tunnels northwest of the city, where visitors can crawl through preserved sections and learn how they were used.
• Landmark 81 and the riverfront: Vietnam's tallest tower, rising over the Saigon River in Binh Thanh, with a viewing deck and a growing riverside district below.

Areas to know

• District 1: The central district and main destination for visitors, holding the major landmarks, hotels, riverfront and the Dong Khoi shopping street.
• District 3: A leafier, largely residential district next to District 1, known for cafes, villas and local restaurants.
• District 5 (Cho Lon): The historic Chinatown, dense with Chinese temples, herbal shops and the sprawling Binh Tay wholesale market.
• Binh Thanh: A large district along the river, home to Landmark 81 and a fast-changing skyline of new towers.
• Thao Dien: A riverside area east of the centre, popular with international residents for its cafes, galleries and greenery.

Food & drink

Southern Vietnamese food leans sweeter and more herb-heavy than the north, shaped by the fertile Mekong Delta nearby. The city is closely tied to banh mi, the baguette sandwich left behind by the French and reinvented with pate, pickles, chilli and coriander. Com tam, or broken rice, served with grilled pork and a fried egg, is a working lunch staple. Fresh spring rolls, hearty noodle soups and endless iced coffee round out a scene that runs from dawn carts to late-night stalls.

• Banh mi (filled baguette)
• Com tam (broken rice with grilled pork)
• Goi cuon (fresh spring rolls)
• Hu tieu (southern noodle soup)
• Banh xeo (crispy savoury pancake)
• Ca phe sua da (iced milk coffee)

What Ho Chi Minh feels like

Saigon runs on motion. Rivers of motorbikes fill the boulevards, horns and engines forming a constant background, and pavements double as parking, kitchens and workshops. District 1 layers glass towers over tamarind-shaded colonial streets, while nearby Cho Lon, the old Chinatown, keeps a denser, more traditional rhythm around its temples and wholesale markets. The heat rarely lets up, and afternoon downpours in the wet season clear the air for a few hours. Come evening, the city turns to its tables: iced coffee, cold beer, seafood and skewers. It feels forward-looking and commercial, yet the past is never far below the surface.

Getting around

Ho Chi Minh City is spread out and hot, so most visitors mix walking within District 1 with ride-hailing. Grab is widely used for both cars and motorbike taxis, and metered taxis are common. The city's first metro line, running from the centre out to the east, opened recently and gives an alternative for one busy corridor. Traffic is heavy and pavements are often blocked, so short hops by app are usually easier than long walks. Tan Son Nhat International Airport sits just a few kilometres northwest of the centre, unusually close for a major city. Even so, traffic around it can be slow, and the run into District 1 may take anywhere from twenty minutes to well over an hour at peak times. Ride-hailing cars, taxis and hotel transfers all serve the terminals.

Good to know

• Cover shoulders and knees when visiting temples and pagodas, and remove your shoes where signs or custom require it.
• Keep a light hold on your bag and phone in crowded areas and when near passing motorbikes.
• Ask before photographing people, market vendors and religious ceremonies.
• The war remains a sensitive subject; approach museums and memorials with respect and restraint.
• Passing items or money with both hands is a courteous gesture, especially with older people.
• Plan indoor sights or a long cafe break for the early afternoon, when heat and humidity peak.
• In the wet season, carry a light rain layer for the short, heavy downpours that arrive most afternoons.
• Prefer ride-hailing apps for short trips, as they set the route clearly and spare you negotiating at the roadside.
• Stay alert with phones and bags near the kerb, where opportunistic snatching from motorbikes can happen.
• Keep cash for street food and small shops, which often do not take cards.

Best for

• City breaks
• Quieter travel

Key facts

Ho Chi Minh essentials

Climate & seasons

Typical stay

• Weekend-friendly
• Short break (2–5 days)

Ho Chi Minh works as a weekend break just as well as a longer stay.

Getting there

Ho Chi Minh is served via SGN.

• SGN

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Travel style

• Short-trip friendly
• City

Frequently asked questions