Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh

1. Stroll through History at the War Remnants Museum: If you call yourself a history buff, taking a walk through the War Remnants Museum can be one of the most recommended things to do in Ho Chi Minh City for you. Housing M48 Patton tanks and Huey helicopters, the museum lets you know the atrocities faced in the Vietnam War.

Location: 28 Võ V?n T?n, Ph??ng 6, Qu?n 3, Thành ph? H? Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam.
Price: VND 40,000 per head.
Timings: 7.30 AM to 4.30 PM, on all days.

2. Go Shopping at Hello Weekend Market: Paying a visit to the popular Hello Weekend is one of the most exciting things to do in Ho Chi Minh City for shopaholics.

Here, you can shop for jewelry, clothes, bags, home decor, and cosmetics and also relish delectable Vietnamese delicacies in the market’s food court. You can also watch brilliant live performances by renowned artists while spending time here.

Location: 02 ?. ?inh Tiên Hoàng, ?a Kao, Qu?n 1, Thành ph? H? Chí Minh, Vietnam.
Timings: 9 AM to 9 PM, on Saturday and Sunday.

3. Meet the Beautiful Wildlife at Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens: Visit one of the world’s oldest zoos, Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens and explore over 550 animal species & 260 plant species. Flaunting a wildlife conservation area, a plant conservation area, an orchid garden, an amusement park, and serene lakes, this is one of the most charming things to see in Ho Chi Minh City.

Location: 2 Nguy?n B?nh Khiêm, B?n Nghé, Qu?n 1, Thành ph? H? Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam.
Price: $2.5 for adults (over 1.3m) & $1.5 for Children (under 1.3m).
Timings: 7 AM to 6.30 PM, on all days.

4. Cool Your Body off at Suoi Tien Waterpark: If you are seeking some adventurous things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, head to Suoi Tien Waterpark. Letting you engage in more than 280 thrilling water games, this lively park lets you satisfy your adrenaline rush perfectly. This place also hosts regular live shows and performances for the entertainment of the visitors.

Location: 120 Xa l? Hà N?i, Ph??ng Tân Phú, Qu?n 9, Thành ph? H? Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam.
Price: US$2.50 for children & US$5 for adults.
Timings: 7.30 AM to 5 PM, on all days.

5. Marvel at the Central Office: For every architecture enthusiast, catching a glimpse of the Gothic style design of the Central Office would be one of the most interesting things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. Built by the famous Gustave Eiffel in 1886, this structure features grand walls along with a magnificent domed roof.

Location: 2 Công xã Paris, B?n Nghé, Qu?n 1, Thành ph? H? Chí Minh, Vietnam.
Timings: 7 AM to 7 PM on weekdays & 8 AM to 6 PM on weekends.

6. Pay a Visit to Notre Dame Cathedral: Head to the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral and soak in the mesmerizing neo-Romanesque style architecture of this 40 meter tall structure, featuring stained glass windows and red brick facade. Constructed during 1877 and 1883, this catholic shrine has been named after the ‘Peaceful Notre Dame’ statue installed here back in 1959.

Location: 01 Công xã Paris, B?n Nghé, Qu?n 1, Thành ph? H? Chí Minh, Vietnam.
Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM, on all days.

7. Experience Crawling through the Cu Chi Tunnels: One of the many adrenaline-fueled things to do in Ho Chi Minh City is crawling through the age-old Cu Chi Tunnels that are believed to have been utilized during the 1968 Tet Offensive by the Vietcong guerillas. These tunnels comprise underground chambers, stretching for around 30 kilometers.

Location: ???ng t?nh 15, Phú Hi?p, C? Chi, Thành ph? H? Chí Minh 733814, Vietnam.
Price: 90,000 VND per head.
Timings: 7 AM to 5PM, on all days.

8. Enjoy Sunset from the Bitexco Financial Tower: Climb to the 48th floor of the 262-meter high Bitexco Financial Tower and soak in the mesmerizing sunset and city views. Built by Carlos Zapata, this stunning building is spread lavishly across 68 storeys.

Location: Bitexco Financial Tower, 2 H?i Tri?u, Thành ph? H? Chí Minh, Vietnam.

1. Canoeing on Saigon River: Take a canoe ride on the serene Saigon river in the evening and catch a glimpse of the spectacular sunset. You can also spot colourful birds and get lost in the changing hues of the sky while canoeing here.

2. Kayaking on Mekong River: Enjoy kayaking through the different canals of the popular Mekong River. Spot the beautiful floating market and shop for some fresh local produce.

3. Speed Boating at Mekong Delta: Take a speed boat ride to the spellbinding Mekong Delta, soaking in the serene water views and enjoying tropical fruits and tea on the lavish boat.

4. Motorbike Driving from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi: Rent a motorbike and ride it from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, exploring the serene country roads that are lined up by breathtaking scenic surroundings on both sides.

5. Rock Climbing at Push Rock Climbing: Head to Push Rock Climbing and experience indoor rock climbing in the gym’s dynamic setting. You can also enjoy skateboarding, graffiti events, and live music here.

6. Fishing in Artificial Ponds: Go fishing at some of the excellent ecotourism sites that are equipped with beautiful man-made ponds. Some of the best fishing sites you can visit are Dong Dieu, Phu Ong, and Ngoc Linh.

1. Share a Bowl of Yummy Pho: One of the most romantic things to do in Ho Chi Minh City is to take your beloved to a Vietnamese eatery and relish together the traditional noodle soup, Pho, with your choice of topping and meat.

2. Enjoy a Cooking Class Together: Sign up together for a wonderful cooking class and learn about the local ingredients and the right techniques to prepare some of the best Vietnamese dishes.

3. Go Shopping at Ben Thanh Market: Head to the Ben Thanh Night Market to spend the evening shopping and relishing street food. Here, you can shop for clothes, Buddha idols, handbags, ceramics, and local snacks at bargainable rates.

4. Take a Historical Tour of Independence Palace: If you are a history enthusiast, pay a visit to the historical Independence Palace, which served as the residence of the former president of South Vietnam at the time of the Vietnam War.

5. Pay Homage at Mariamman Hindu Temple: Seek blessings for the well-being of your relationship at Mariamman Hindu Temple. The vibrant architectural designs of this shrine make for one of the most beautiful things to see in Ho Chi Minh City.

1. Secret Garden: Tucked in much greenery and adorned with Vietnamese-style lanterns, Secret Garden is the best place to taste home-cooked authentic Vietnamese food.

2. Mountain Retreat: Spread across two floors, Mountain Retreat features clay walls and bamboo ceilings to let you relish Vietnamese delicacies in the earthy style.

3. Bun Cha 145: Bun Cha 145 is famous for serving the best Bun Cha, which is a Vietnamese dish prepared using vermicelli, fish sauce, and pork patties.

4. Cuc Gach Quan: Housed in a vintage French colonial building, Cuc Gach Quan features a quirky interior with a little pond.

5. Five Oysters: Five Oysters specializes in southern, central, and northern Vietnamese delicacies.

1. Vinh Nghiem Pagoda: Constructed over a 7-year time frame, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda manifests a fusion of Japanese and Vietnamese architectural designs. This shrine is housed in a 6000 sq.m. complex along with a building featuring classrooms and houses for the nuns and monks.

2. Thien Hau Temple: Lying in Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown and featuring the Chinese-style architecture, Thien Hau Temple is dedicated to Thien Hau, the Chinese sea goddess.

3. Giac Lam Pagoda: Established back in 1744, Giac Lam Pagoda is counted among the oldest shrines of Ho Chi Minh City. Spread across seven floors, this shrine offers spectacular views of the entire city from its top floor.

4. Tam Son Hoi Quan Pagoda: Constructed by the Fujian Congregation in 1839, Tam Son Hoi Quan is dedicated to the Goddess of Fertility, Mother Sanh. Other deities worshiped here are Ong Bau, the Guardian of Happiness and Thien Hau, the Goddess of the Sea.

5. Cao Dai Temple: Having surfaced between 1933 and 1955, the building of Cao Dai Temple represents an alluring amalgamation of Oriental, Baroque, and Neo-Gothic architectural designs with an extravagant decor and blue ceilings.

6. Jade Emperor Pagoda: Adorned with stunning green ceramic tiles, Jade Emperor Pagoda offers a treat to the eyes with its impressive statues and intricate woodworks.

The closest airport to Ho Chi Minh City is the Tan Son Nhat Airport, which is located around 6km away from the city center. You can take a flight and reach Tan Son Nhat Airport, from where you can board a taxi or a mini-bus to arrive at your destination.

The most ideal time for visiting Ho Chi Minh City is between December and March. During this time of the year, the weather remains dry and the temperature remains relatively cool, letting you enjoy many outdoor things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

Yes, the flamboyant Ho Chi Minh City is absolutely worth visiting for all travelers seeking fun and leisure. Its serene river cruises, enchanting scooter tours, fresh beer, active nightlife, and the traditional pho together make Ho Chi Minh city a must-visit destination.

The popularity of Ho Chi Minh City is credited to its authentic Vietnamese delicacies, age-old Buddhist shrines, intriguing museums, bustling shopping destinations, and impressive restaurants.