13 Best Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City | Vietnam 2023

Home » Vietnam » Sài Gòn & Mekong Delta Region » 13 Best Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City | Vietnam 2023

Ho Chi Minh City is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. Not only do we have a variety of entertainment activities, a main transport connection to get to the Mekong but people here are also friendly and welcome. Let’s find out the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City for your 2023 trip!

Read more: 26 Best Things To Do In Hanoi That You Cannot Miss [2023]

Cruising the Saigon River

The charming Saigon River has a small part running through the inner city and winding the city’s buildings. You can go for a morning walk at the riverside in District 2, participate in stand-up paddle boarding, also known as SUPing. and enjoy a romantic evening on a luxury boat are the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, you can travel by Saigon water bus at sundown to see the city immersed in the dreamy colors of the sunset afternoon.

Read more: South Vietnam 1 Week Itinerary:  7 Days In Saigon To Mekong Delta

Cruising the Saigon River
Source: Internet

Visit Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Ho Chi Minh City is divided into many different districts. The route in District 1 is considered the city hub and the center of tourist activities. Therefore, you can marvel at many exciting activities at night in Saigon.

Nguyen Hue walking street is broad and reserved for people to travel on foot. Both sides of the road have small shops, eateries, bars, and high-rise towers. By the end of the week, the area will be entirely closed to vehicles.

From the street, you can walk to Bach Dang park at the end of the road, which is adjacent to the Saigon River. At both ends of the square is a statue of the beloved President Ho Chi Minh.

In the evening, the pedestrian area will feature a light show fountain. There are many street performances and live festivals taking place here. Along this road is a famous building called Apartment 42. It is renowned for its lovely small cafes divided into blocks with a view overlooking the Nguyen Hue walking street.

Read more: The Ultimate 3 Week Vietnam Itinerary: From South To North 2023

Visit Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Source: Internet

Explore Reunification Palace

Visiting the Reunification Palace, which brought the famous victory to Vietnam in 1975,  is one of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. When you enter here, you can walk around the unique architecture and spacious campus—a great place for vintage shots. Reunification Palace houses many ancient artifacts, underground shelters, and military tanks displayed on the manicured lawns of the courtyard.

Read more: Vietnam 12 Day Itinerary: Visit Highlights Of Vietnam In 12 Days

Explore Reunification Palace
Source: Internet

Enjoy the view from the Bitexco Tower

Bitexco Tower is one of the modern icons of Saigon. This skyscraper has 68 floors and is built in the shape of a lotus bud, the national flower of Vietnam that represents the pure and noble character of e Vietnamese.

The building has an elevated helipad area. Guests can see the city from the Saigon Skydeck on the 49th floor and enjoy the most luxurious restaurants in the country located right in the building.

Related tour: Vietnam Holiday Packages 2023 (17 DAYS)

Enjoy the view from the Bitexco Tower
Source: Internet

Visit Cu Chi tunnel

The Cu Chi Tunnel, built during the Vietnam War, is history’s most famous war tunnel. It was built as a shelter with infirmaries and ammunition storage.

The tunnel area pulls more than 250 km from Cu Chi underground to neighboring sites. And you will be directly “going underground” to explore this area! However, you should follow the tour guide’s instructions and follow the group throughout the trip.

Visit Cu Chi tunnel
Source: Internet

Inspired by the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts is one of the places that should be noticed if you are an art lover. The building is a harmonious combination of Asian and European beauty with a beautiful color blend of more than 22,000 works of art from both ancient and modern periods.

No matter where you pick up the camera to take a picture, the finished product will be like walking in a dreamy European museum.

Inspired by the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
Source: Internet
Inspired by the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
Source: Internet

Cycling to famous places in Ho Chi Minh City

Currently, the roads in the central area are equipped with many bicycles. You only need a smartphone and an online payment account to use these vehicles. It will be a great experience and also one of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City when you cycle around the area of ​​​​the Notre Dame Cathedral church in District 1 in the early morning when the trees have just woken up from a long night.

Read more: How To Get Around In Vietnam? Vietnam Transport Types Guide

Cycling to famous places in Ho Chi Minh City
Source: Internet

Join a bus tour around Saigon center

Near Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, Hop On-Hop Off Vietnam buses run around the city’s highlights. From the 2nd floor of the double-decker bus, visitors can see the Saigon that never sleeps and enjoy free shuttles to famous places in the city.

Read more: Best Places To Visit In Vietnam Per Month

Join a bus tour around Saigon center
Source: Internet

Stop by Nguyen Van Binh Book Street

Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is like an outdoor library with countless book stalls. Take some time during your travels to enjoy the titles here. People usually held discounts, festivals, and a venue for live music performances here. In addition, there will be other exciting entertainment activities on this road.

Read more: Best Places To Visit In South Vietnam: 6 Destinations You Can’t Miss

Stop by Nguyen Van Binh Book Street
Source: Internet

Visit the famous Cao Dai Temple

There are many Cao Dai temples in Vietnam, and any temple can impress tourists with its architecture. As soon as you step inside, you will admire the soaring ceiling decorated with blue sky and white clouds. Additionally, you’ll find some elaborately carved dragons and impressive religious statues.

Visit the famous Cao Dai Temple
Source: Internet

Be like a local with a motorbike tour- Old vespa is the best!

The most used means of transportation in Vietnam is the motorbike. Therefore, let’s blend into the Vietnamese way of life by exploring the streets on a motorbike. Sign up for a motorbike tour to immerse yourself in busy roads and hear stories about famous places in Vietnam.

Related tour: Da Lat To Mui Ne – An Epic Motorbike Trip (3 DAYS /2 NIGHTS)

Be like a local with a motorbike tour- Old vespa is the best!
Source: Internet

Enjoy morning Coffee spots

Vietnam is a country where the coffee-drinking culture has spread and thrived. Visitors can easily see that through the variety of coffee shops. There’s nothing better than sipping a strong cup of coffee while chatting with friends! Coffee shops can be easily found in every corner of Sài Gòn with a variety of options from Italian coffee to Vietnamese coffee. While Cà Phê Trứng – Egg coffee is commonly known as a signature of Hanoi, “Bạc Xỉu” is signature of Sài Gòn, a drink that mixed three different culture –  Vietnam – China – France.

Egg coffee Hanoi

Enjoy morning Coffee spots
Source: Internet

Don’t miss the Saigon food tour

Vietnamese cuisine is at the top of countries with the best cuisine; even the famous chef Gordan Ramsay has to admit this. When you join the Saigon food tour, you will get a chance to taste Vietnam must try food, including Pho, Banh Mi, Bun Dau Mam Tom, Banh Xeo, and Bun Cha. Only leave Vietnam if you have eaten the dishes on the list above.

Don’t miss the Saigon food tour
Source: Internet

FAQs about the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

  1. What is Ho Chi Minh City famous for?

    Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, Ho Chi Minh City is considered the pearl of the Far East in the tourism industry thanks to its countless famous attractions, the hospitality of the locals, reasonable cost of traveling, great weather, and world-class cuisine. It also plays a vital role in road transport. by sea and by air. The above has created the city as a crucial international gateway.

  2. What are the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City?

    The best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City are exploring the Saigon river, boat in the Mekong Delta, enjoy a coffee at Nguyen Hue walking street, look at the city from the Bitexco building, visit the Cu Chi Tunnel, visit the city art museum, cycle around District 1, enjoy morning coffee and watch the vibrant streets of Vietnam.

The best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City will definitely satisfy you on your trip to southern Vietnam. There are many thrilling things about this city that you should know. Find out more about this country in the following FTrip articles.

Reviewed by

Diep Van

Phone: +84901166884

Email: diep.van@ftripvietnam.com

Diep Van

Founder & Photography Guide

Specialties: Culture, landscape, portrait, hiking, active and adventurous tour

Besides my unlimited passion for traveling, a professional tour guide for over a decade, I have been taking photographs since sitting at Hanoi of the University of Culture in the early 2000s. Photography started as a hobby but it was seriously taken due to my work relations and my significant passion for the beauty of our world, especially in Southeast Asian parts such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Within a few years of taking photographs, my works began to be recognized by many reliable international publications such as AFAR Travel, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph newspaper. In addition, I continuously add to my growing profile by winning numerous major awards: 3rd Position of The Independent Photographer 2018, 1st Position of Amateur Photographer of the year 2018, Grand Prize Winner of the AFAR Travel Photography 2019, and a Gold Award of San Francisco Bay International Photography 2020.

I photograph a wide variety of subjects, from travel to landscapes to street scenes. I enjoy documenting the East’s rich cultural heritage and its land soaked in glorious sunrise or sunset light in remote and secluded spots. And, I am very happy to share my knowledge and experience with you. You can visit Luminousvietnamtour to explore tour!


Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Ready to plan your trip

CONTACT US NOW

Customized Itinerary | 24/7 support | Local support