18 Must-Visit Attractions In Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City may be full of traffic, crowded and hot. But there’s much more to it than these generalisations. Being patient with the Vietnamese city will lead you to temples, French colonial architecture and serene neighbourhoods, far from the chaos. Here are 20 must-visit attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon River

The Saigon River, with its constantly running ferries, river taxis, and motor-canoes, offers one of the most tempting invitations to the city’s sunset charms. And there is no better place than a seat at The Deck for a sunset cocktail.

The Deck, 38 Nguyễn Ư Dĩ, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Hồ Chí Minh

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

Museum

You can get a glimpse of what the local art scene looks like and what local artists are up to at HCMC Museum of Fine Arts. This dauntingly huge complex with an appealing mix of French and Chinese architectural styles was owned by a Chinese-born businessman who was known as one of the city’s richest men at the time it was constructed.

Gia Long Palace

Building, Museum

There is no dearth of inspiration in this scenic area for those with historical sensibilities as the building itself offers an interesting insight into many political events that shaped the history of this city.

Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine

Museum, Building

To remind yourself that this is indeed Vietnam, not France, head to the first private traditional Vietnamese medical museum. The six-storey building features traditional architecture and a tremendous collection of Vietnamese potions and remedies dating back to the Stone Age.

Bitexco Financial Tower

The city is brimming with skyscrapers, but for the most impressive building, there is only one you need to know: Bitexco.

Southern Vietnam Women Museum

Museum

It would be a shame to get to know Vietnamese history without acknowledging the role of the Vietnamese woman. So make sure you visit the Southern Vietnam Women Museum, a lesser-known museum which is dedicated to their contribution to the war and post-war developments.

Cafe-apartments

The cafe-apartments at No.42 Nguyen Hue St or No. 14 Ton That Dam St are a fine example of the antithesis of planned and efficient architecture. Originally serving as a residence of high-ranking government officials, they are now home to retro-style coffee shops, co-working offices, fashion boutiques and tattoo studios.

Cu Chi Tunnels

Memorial, Museum

You can’t leave Ho Chi Minh City without visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, the extensive networks of underground tunnels which housed communication bases, equipment and food storage and a field hospital during the Vietnam War.

Saigon Opera House and A O Show Saigon

Nothing makes your visit to Saigon Opera House more worthwhile than enjoying a one-hour performance of A O Show Saigon. It offers an intriguing mix of experiences combining the French architectural gem and a spectacular fusion of temporary dance, circus and Vietnamese music which features a typical element of Vietnamese rural life: bamboo.

Artinus 3D Museum

Museum

Drop by at Artinus 3D Museum if the weather is uncooperative and you need a break from the history lessons.

Cao Dai Temple

Buddhist Temple, Building, Cathedral, Church, Mosque

Visitors in search of an unfiltered dose of distinctive and ceremonial indigenous Vietnamese religion will find a warm welcome at Cao Dai Temple.

Cholon – Saigon’s Chinatown

The proximity to China explains why Vietnamese culture has deep-rooted ties to the country, and to get an idea of its influence, make your way to Cholon – Saigon’s Chinatown. You might need roughly half a day to tour around the area, from Binh Tay market, Cha Tam Church to the popular Thien Hau Pagoda and Quan Am Pagoda.

Can Gio

Have a relaxing day out by taking a trip to Can Gio, a coastal suburban district which boasts mangrove forests and various wild animals. It’s a chilled-out hideaway for relaxing and escaping from the chaos in the city.

Emperor Jade Pagoda

Buddhist Temple

Get up early for a peaceful walk to Emperor Jade Pagoda. A tranquil place in the midst of the busy city, it feels a thousand miles away from the hustle and bustle.

Mariamman Hindu Temple

Hindu Temple

Dive into the Southern India experience with a visit to the only Hindu temple in the city which is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mariamman.

The Venerable Thich Quang Duc Monument

Set amid a maze of scooters, cars, and buses, the Venerable Thich Quang Duc Monument could easily be missed but will offer you the chance of momentary self-reflection and inner peace.

Binh Quoi Village

Another wonderfully peaceful alternative on the weekend for both tourists and locals is the Binh Quoi Village. Replicating the Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region of yesteryear, the green village offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in green grasslands, and enjoy small cottages and fish ponds shaded by coconut trees.

Saigon Central Mosque

Building, Mosque

To get a glimpse of the Muslim scene in Vietnam, head to Saigon Central Mosque, the lime-green building constructed by Muslims from South India in 1935.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.