Ho Chi Minh City, City Guide
VNRentals's Top 15 Things To Do in Ho Chi Minh City
10 April 2026
Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by most locals) is Vietnam at full speed. It's louder, faster, and more commercial than Hanoi — less about quiet lakes and more about momentum. Glass towers sit above street food stalls, rooftop bars overlook alleyway kitchens, and the entire city feels like it's in motion from the moment you step outside.
It's not always immediately charming, but give it a couple of days and it starts to make sense. Here are our top 15 things to do and see if you want to understand the city properly.
1. 🏍️ Sit Streetside and Watch the Traffic
Time: 30-60 minutes | Cost: 30,000-70,000 VND
This sounds basic, but it's one of the fastest ways to understand Saigon. Find a small plastic stool cafe on a busy junction and just sit. Thousands of motorbikes flow past in what looks like chaos but operates on a shared understanding — constant movement, minimal stopping, and eye contact over signals.
You'll notice that crossings work the same way. You don't wait for a gap — you step forward slowly and let the traffic move around you.
Best area: Around Nguyễn Huệ or Lê Lợi in District 1.
2. 🏛️ War Remnants Museum
Time: 1-2 hours | Entrance: ~40,000 VND
One of the most direct and confronting museums in Vietnam. It focuses on the American War through photography, preserved military equipment, and detailed exhibits documenting its impact on civilians.
The photography galleries upstairs are particularly difficult but important — this isn't a light visit.
Address: 28 Võ Văn Tần, District 3
Tip: Go early in the morning before it gets crowded and take your time with it.
3. ⛪ Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office
Time: 30-45 minutes | Free
Two of the clearest remnants of French colonial architecture in the city. The cathedral (built in the late 1800s) sits directly opposite the Central Post Office, which still functions today and was designed with input from Gustave Eiffel's firm.
Inside, the post office has high vaulted ceilings, old map murals, and wooden phone booths that feel untouched by time.
Address: Công xã Paris, District 1
4. 🛍️ Ben Thanh Market
Time: 45-60 minutes
The most recognisable market in the city. It's heavily geared toward tourists, but still useful for getting a quick overview of local goods — coffee, dried fruit, souvenirs, and street food.
Vendors expect negotiation. Prices are usually quoted high, so treat it as part of the interaction rather than a fixed system.
Address: Lê Lợi, District 1
5. 🍜 Pho for Breakfast (Southern Style)
Cost: 40,000-80,000 VND
Pho in Saigon is different to Hanoi — slightly sweeter broth, more herbs on the side, and more customisation. You'll usually be given lime, chilli, and extra greens to adjust it yourself.
Where to go: Phở Hòa Pasteur (260C Pasteur, District 3) is one of the most consistent long-running spots.
Tip: Go early. Pho is a breakfast dish here, not an all-day meal.
6. ☕ The Cafe Apartment (42 Nguyen Hue)
Time: 1 hour
An old apartment block that's been converted into dozens of small independent cafes. From the outside it looks worn down, but inside each unit is something different — minimalist coffee shops, dessert spots, or quiet workspaces.
Take the elevator up and explore a few floors. Some places are better than others, but that's part of the point.
Address: 42 Nguyễn Huệ, District 1
7. 🌆 Rooftop Bars at Sunset
Cost: 100,000-250,000 VND
Saigon's skyline is best seen from above. Rooftop bars give you a full view of the density — glass towers, traffic lines, and the river cutting through it all.
Options: Chill Skybar for a higher-energy atmosphere, or something quieter like EON Heli Bar for a more relaxed view.
8. 🚶 Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street
Time: 30-60 minutes | Free
A wide pedestrian boulevard that acts as the city's social space. In the evenings it fills with families, couples, street performers, and groups just hanging out.
It's one of the few places in central Saigon where you're not surrounded by motorbikes.
9. 🏯 Jade Emperor Pagoda
Time: 30-45 minutes | Free
One of the most atmospheric temples in the city. Thick incense smoke fills the rooms, light filters through the roof, and intricate statues line the walls.
It feels older and less curated than most central landmarks — much closer to how local temples actually function.
Address: 73 Mai Thị Lựu, District 1
10. 🍺 Bui Vien Street (Backpacker Street)
Time: Evening
This is Saigon at its most chaotic — neon lights, loud music, street performers, and packed bars spilling onto the pavement.
It's not subtle and not for everyone, but it's worth seeing once just to understand that side of the city.
11. 🛵 Street Food Tour by Motorbike
Time: 3-4 hours | ~500,000 VND
Saigon's food scene is spread across multiple districts, which makes it harder to explore on foot. A motorbike tour solves that — you'll move quickly between stops and try dishes you wouldn't find on your own.
Tip: Smaller operators tend to be better than large group tours.
12. 🌿 Tao Dan Park
Time: 30-60 minutes | Free
A rare bit of green space in the centre. In the mornings, locals gather here for exercise, badminton, and coffee before work.
It's quiet compared to the surrounding streets and gives you a break from the pace of the city.
13. 🏛️ Independence Palace
Time: 1-1.5 hours | Entrance: ~40,000 VND
Preserved almost exactly as it was in 1975, when tanks entered the gates marking the end of the war. Inside, you can walk through meeting rooms, command centres, and underground bunkers.
It's less crowded than expected and gives useful context after visiting the War Remnants Museum.
Address: 135 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, District 1
14. 🍸 Hidden Cocktail Bars
Cost: 120,000-250,000 VND
Saigon has a growing number of small, well-designed cocktail bars hidden above shops or down alleyways. They're quieter than rooftop venues and often much better for an actual drink.
Tip: Look for places without street signage — they're usually the better ones.
15. 🌴 Day Trip: Cu Chi Tunnels
Time: Half day | ~1.5 hours away
An underground tunnel network used during the war. Sections have been widened for visitors, but you still get a sense of how confined and complex the system was.
Guides explain how people lived, moved, and fought underground for extended periods.
Tip: Go early to avoid crowds and heat.
New to Ho Chi Minh City?
We've put together a practical guide covering transport, SIM cards, currency, and what to expect in your first week.
Read the Vietnam guide 📚🏠 Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City: Expat Neighbourhoods
HCMC is a large city and neighbourhood choice matters a lot. Here's where most long-stay expats end up.
- District 2 / Thu Duc: The largest expat community in the city. International schools, riverside dining, supermarkets, and a walkable layout. ₫12–22M/month for a 2-bedroom.
- District 1: Central, walkable, and vibrant — but noisier and pricier. Better for short stays or those who want to be in the middle of everything. ₫14–25M for a 1-bedroom.
- Phu Nhuan / Binh Thanh: Mid-range districts with a more local feel, good transit links, and lower prices than D1 or D2. Popular with longer-stay expats. ₫8–15M.
- District 7 / Binh Chanh: Newer, quieter, more space for your money. Good for families or those who prefer a suburban pace. ₫8–12M for a 2-bedroom.