Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

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Opera House featuring street scenes, theater scenes and night scenes
Saigon River featuring skyline, a lake or waterhole and a high rise building
Ho Chi Minh City
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Ho Chi Minh City Hall Square showing night scenes, modern architecture and heritage architecture
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Ho Chi Minh City must see attractions

1. Ben Thanh Market

Bến Thành Market is the oldest surviving market in Ho Chi Minh City and one of Vietnam’s top destinations. It is a must-see for anyone visiting this 300-year-old city. Explore the colorful stalls and buy food, souvenirs and clothing from the local vendors.
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Ben Thanh Market featuring signage and markets

2. Dong Khoi Street

Spend a day on busy Dong Khoi Street and hunt for luxury items in grand department stores, eat in classy cafés and marvel at beautiful examples of 19th-century architecture.
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Dong Khoi Street featuring night scenes and heritage architecture

3. Pham Ngu Lao Street

For cheap meals, accommodation and markets in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, look no further than Pham Ngu Lao. It is known by Vietnamese locals as “khu tay ba lo”, which translates to “Backpacker’s area.” If you are a traveler on a budget, Pham Ngu Lao is the place to be.
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Pham Ngu Lao Street which includes night scenes, shopping and street scenes

4. Saigon Zoo and Botanic Garden

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is Vietnam’s largest zoo and one of the oldest zoos in the world. The park is home to more than a hundred species of plants and animals. Visit the creatures that call this place home or enjoy a peaceful walk through the fragrant gardens.
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Saigon Zoo and Botanic Garden featuring a park and zoo animals

5. Ho Chi Minh City Opera House

Whether you are a cultural enthusiast or simply appreciate beautiful architecture, the Saigon Opera House is a sight not to be missed. Also known as The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, this gleaming white landmark is a visual reminder that Saigon was the capital of French Indochina at the turn of the 20th century.
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Opera House featuring night scenes and heritage architecture

6. War Remnants Museum

Housed in a former American administration building, the War Remnants Museum contains exhibitions that are designed to show the effects of the Vietnam War on the Vietnamese people. It was opened only a few months after the end of the war and used to be known as the Museum of US and Puppet War Crimes. While many of the exhibits have an anti-American slant, the museum’s main goal is to show the horrors of war.
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War Remnants Museum

What to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Discover the most popular places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City

Ben Thanh Market showing markets and shopping

Ben Thanh Market

4/5(756 reviews)

No trip to Ho Chi Minh City is complete without exploring this bustling market where you can enjoy a traditional Vietnamese dish or purchase souvenirs.

Ben Thanh Market
The "hat" as we called it, is a symbol into the walking street of Saigon. A busting stretch of food carts, stores, restaurants, and bars, it does appear to be the touristy part of the city

Bui Vien Walking Street

4/5(397 reviews)

You can enjoy retail therapy at Bui Vien Walking Street during your stay in Ho Chi Minh City. Check out the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Bui Vien Walking Street
Dong Khoi Street featuring night scenes and heritage architecture

Dong Khoi Street

One of two major commercial centers in Ho Chi Minh City, this street has high-end shops, cafés and restaurants as well as some of the city’s finest architecture.

Dong Khoi Street
Pham Ngu Lao Street which includes night scenes, shopping and street scenes

Pham Ngu Lao Street

Travelers on a budget flock to this area of Ho Chi Minh City, which offers up quality rooms, delicious food and a variety of goods for very reasonable prices.

Pham Ngu Lao Street
Saigon Square

Saigon Square

4/5(528 reviews)

During your trip to Ho Chi Minh City, you can enjoy retail therapy at Saigon Square. Discover the top-notch restaurants and fascinating museums in this vibrant area.

Saigon Square
Saigon Zoo and Botanic Garden featuring zoo animals and a park

Saigon Zoo and Botanic Garden

4/5(186 reviews)

Whether you want to see exotic animals or enjoy a stroll through colorful gardens, this park transports you from the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon Zoo and Botanic Garden
Opera House showing night scenes, street scenes and a city

Ho Chi Minh City Opera House

4/5(412 reviews)

This stunning theater, with its glistening white architecture and curved lines, makes it easy to forget that you are in Ho Chi Minh City and not in Paris.

Ho Chi Minh City Opera House
War Remnants Museum

War Remnants Museum

4/5(429 reviews)

This much-visited museum presents a confronting and often graphic portrayal of the Vietnam War.

War Remnants Museum
Vincom Center Shopping Mall showing signage and a fountain

Vincom Center Shopping Mall

4/5(212 reviews)

Two buildings packed with some of the finest designer brands in the world make up the city’s largest shopping hub.

Vincom Center Shopping Mall

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City

Guerrero

District 1

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Central urban district and financial hub, bustling with luxury shopping centers and historical sites like Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and Saigon Opera House. Explore Bùi Viện and Nguyễn Huệ districts for various amenities.

District 1
War Remnants Museum showing interior views

District 3

Bustling heart of Ho Chi Minh City, District 3 boasts French-style villas, Xá Lợi Pagoda, and Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda. Easily accessible via Saigon railway station, the largest railway hub in the country.

District 3
Ben Thanh Market featuring street scenes, markets and shopping

Downtown Ho Chi Minh City

4/5(706 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Check out top attractions like Ben Thanh Market and Benthanh Street Food Market, and jump on the metro at Ben Thanh Station or Opera House Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon Central Post Office featuring interior views and heritage architecture

Dong Khoi

4.5/5(455 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are a few things travelers love about Dong Khoi. Check out Union Square or Dong Khoi Street while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Opera House Station to get around town.

Dong Khoi
Bui Thi Xuan which includes street scenes and a city

Ben Thanh

If you're spending some time in Ben Thanh, Ben Thanh Market and Benthanh Street Food Market are top sights worth seeing.

Ben Thanh
Ho Chi Minh City showing markets, signage and night scenes

Little Japan

4/5(109 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Little Japan for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Saigon Japan Town and Ho Chi Minh City Opera House. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you catch a ride at Opera House Station.

Little Japan

Frequently asked questions

Is Ho Chi Minh City worth visiting?
Offering a mix of shopping and nightlife, there's no shortage of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. While you're here, head to Saigon Zoo and Botanic Garden, a key attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Ho Chi Minh City?
After you've visited leading attractions like Saigon Zoo and Botanic Garden and Independence Palace, spend the rest of your day enjoying the food and retail options in Ho Chi Minh City.
What is the top tourist attraction in Ho Chi Minh City?
You can't go home without checking out Saigon Zoo and Botanic Garden, ranked the top tourist attraction in Ho Chi Minh City.
Is three days enough to stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
You can easily tick off leading sights like Saigon Zoo and Botanic Garden, Independence Palace and Dam Sen Water Park with a three-day stay in Ho Chi Minh City. On average, many travelers book four days here. There's plenty to see and do nearby too, so stay a bit longer and head to Tân Phong.
Is Ho Chi Minh City a walkable city?
Some top sights in Ho Chi Minh City, including Saigon Zoo and Botanic Garden and Independence Palace, are within walking distance. You can also experience several of the city's neighborhoods on foot. Only 0.32 kilometers from central Ho Chi Minh City is District 1 and Ben Nghe is 0.48 kilometers away.
What are some activities to do in Ho Chi Minh City with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with tiny adventurers or thrill-loving teens, an itinerary filled with fun activities is the key to a stress-free getaway. Check out our ideas for what to do in Ho Chi Minh City with kids.

What to do in Ho Chi Minh City for adults?
Whether you're an avid foodie, culture enthusiast or outdoor adventurer, there's no shortage of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City for adults including Bui Vien Walking Street and Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
Are there free things to do in Ho Chi Minh City?
One of the best ways to learn about free things to do in Ho Chi Minh City is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider advice on interesting neighborhoods, parks and other hotspots you can visit without opening your wallet. HCMC Museum is one sight that doesn't have an entrance fee.

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