Ho Chi Minh City (Previously known as Saigon): Places you must visit and things you MUST DO
Vietnam, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated destinations in the world – amazing food, insane history, beautiful people and its so affordable!!!
Planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City? I’ve got you covered with everything you need to do!
1. XO Food Tour 🛵
MY HIGHLIGHT of my entire time in HCM – You will get picked up by fun young local tour guides on a scooter and together you will ride across HCM, learning about the history, sampling the best street eats and hopping from restaurant to restaurant to try local cuisine.
MUST-DO: Use this time to ask them everything you want to know about Vietnam, local favourites, history, ANYTHING.
2. Ben Thanh Market 🛍️
Discover a maze of stalls offering everything from handicrafts to aromatic spices.
MUST-DO: Grab a keepsake tailor-made Ao Dai, Vietnam’s traditional dress. They are SOO beautiful and I don’t know when you will get one next!
3. Saigon River Cruise 🛥️
If you can do this for sunset, It’s so stunning to watch the city turn from day to night. MUST-DO: Opt for a dinner cruise, where Vietnamese delicacies meet enchanting folklore performances.
4. Pham Ngu Lao Street 🍜
Set along Pham Ngu Lao street alleyways are western-style restaurants, coffee shops, and international bars. But it doesn’t stop there – you’ll also find internet cafes, pharmacies, souvenir-and-craft shops and plenty of FOOOOOD.
MUST-DO: Devour the city’s famous bún riêu – a crab-based noodle soup.
5. Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels 🕳️
Perfect for those of you who are into history, watch a lot of war movies or play battle style games to be honest. We learnt so much about how the Viet Cong fought during the war and we crawled through their tiny tunnels it was honestly a crazy experience. This experience is a few hours trip outside of HCM and can be slow if you’re not interested in History.
MUST-DO: Try shooting old-style rifles at the onsite firing range. This was our first time shooting real guns and it was really cool experience.
6. An Dong Market 🌸
A less touristy alternative to Ben Thanh, I bought really cute slippers and hair clips here.
INTERESTING FACT: It’s a hub for local handicrafts – perfect for unique souvenirs!
7. Tanh Dinh Church 🎀
Love PINK? Then behold the vibrant pink hues of this colonial-era church.
MUST-DO: Capture its gothic facades bathed in morning light for a mesmerizing shot.
8. Landmark 81 🏙️
Soar to new heights in Vietnam’s tallest skyscraper – this part of Vietnam is incredibly modern, the interior of this building is beautiful and they also have VR activities too.
INTERESTING FACT: The observation deck here is one of the highest in Southeast Asia.
9. Bui Vien Street 🍻
The night life here is INSANE – full street of food, drinks, music & dancing. It’s honestly a vibe you cannot miss but be prepared for CROWDS and people trying to usher you into their restaurant / club.
MUST-DO: Join in a street karaoke session and belt out your favorite tunes.
Honestly CANNOT WAIT for you to experience HCM!
If you’re after a full 2 week Vietnam Itinerary including local food, tips and more – you can get your Itinerary here.
