11 THINGS TO DO IN HO CHI MINH CITY
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Ho Chi Minh is a beautiful city surrounded by the romantic Saigon River. It has long been known as the Pearl of the Far East not only because of its prosperity but also by the harmony of natural beauty, and there are many things to do in this city. Here are top 11 things to do in Ho Chi Minh City 2019.
1. Visit Ben Thanh Market
Address: Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Ben Thanh Market is the biggest market in District 1 - The heart of Ho Chi Minh City. It was built in 1912, experienced many years of vicissitudes of the war with many restorations. It is now considered the symbol and soul of Saigon.
You can try some typical Saigon dishes such as Goi Cuon, Che and Banh Xeo with prices ranging from 30000 to 100000 Dong/dish.
2. Drink Beer on Bui Vien Street
Bui Vien is a street in district 1 where many Western tourists choose to stay and relax (most of them are backpackers). This is the multinational and multicultural place because not only western tourists but also other locals and foreigners visit here.
Choosing a restaurant on the roadside, enjoy some bottles of Saigon beer with a few street foods, watch the passers-by, and maybe you will love Saigon from this moment.
Saigon beer is about 20 000 - 30 000 Dong /1 bottle. Foods are about 50 000 - 100 000 Dong/1 dish, it's listed in most restaurants here.
3. Visit the War Remnants Museum
Address: 28 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
Opening: 7:30am–6:00pm.
Price: 40,000 dong.
Founded in 1975, it is a destination not to be missed for those who come to Saigon, especially those who love history.
It has many images and artifacts of the war crimes in Vietnam as Agent Orange, which millions of Vietnamese suffer the consequences to this day.
In 2018, TripAdvisor Readers voted the War Remnants Museum as one of the top 10 museums in the world.
4. Diner on the boat
Cruising on the Saigon River by cruise boat is an enjoyable experience in Saigon. There are many types of cruise boats, most of operating from 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm. You can have dinner on the boat and enjoy the whole Saigon.
Wharf address: 05 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ward 12, District 4 (next to Nha Rong Wharf). You can buy tickets directly at this address.
Fare:
- Sai Gon Boat (Tàu Sài Gòn): 279 000 - 379 000 Dong/one. (depends on the menu). Departure time: 8 pm.
- Indochina Boat (Tàu Đông Dương): 320 000 - 1420 000 Dong/one (depends on the menu). Departure time: 7 pm.
- Indochina Queen (Buffet) 447 000 Dong/one. Departure time: 6:30 pm.
5. Cu Chi Tunnels
Address: Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City.
Price (entrance ticket): 100,000 dong.
Cu Chi Tunnels was built in 1946 - 1948, was the revolutionary base of Vietnam soldiers (Viet Cong) supply weapons, ammunition, food, and living quarters during the Indochina War and the Vietnam War
From Ho Chi Minh Centre to Cu Chi tunnels is about 70 km. You can go there by bus, but we recommend that you buy a tour for convenience. Tour prices range from $ 20 - $ 40. Time exploring about half a day, if you go by bus, you should start early in the morning (around 7:00 am) and leave in the afternoon (before 6:00 pm).
6. Enjoy a cup of "Cafe Sua Da"
Vietnam is a top country in coffee export, so long ago, drinking coffee has become the culture. Saigon people often enjoy coffee in the morning at roadside coffee shops after having breakfast. There are two main kinds: "ca phe sua da" (iced milk coffee) and "ca phe da" (iced coffee).
"Ca Phe Da" is using Vietnamese coffee (Usually used Robusta coffee) with a small metal Vietnamese drip filter (Phin coffee). Add about 1-2 teaspoons of coffee to Phin, then pour about 50-100ml of hot water, the drip filter releases drops of hot coffee slowly into a cup. This finished cup of hot coffee then is added ice and sugar. Saigon people often drink coffee with milk instead of sugar, they usually add 1-2 tablespoons of condensed milk, it is called "Ca Phe Sua Da"
In Ho Chi Minh City, cafe shops are everywhere. You should try at a local cafe shop, the price is just about 15 000 dong. Saigon people often drink coffee accompanied by Tra Da (ice tea), and it's free at most cafes.
7. Enjoy Saigon cuisine
Saigon is the crossroad of culinary cultures. From the Oriental cuisine to Western cuisine. If your first visit to Saigon or any part of Vietnam, you may be unfamiliar by using chopsticks, vegetable soups or innumerable kind of sauces.
Come to Saigon, enjoy the special dishes of this land as Banh Mi, Hu Tieu, Com Tam and Banh Xeo with a bottle of Saigon beer. Maybe you will realize a miracle!
You can refer to the Food & Drink column. At each of the Foods & Drinks, we have introduced three restaurants and eateries that we surveyed, you can refer to these restaurants.
8. Jade Emperor Pagoda
Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu., Dakao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Jade Emperor Pagoda is an ancient temple, style of Chinese temples decorated with brilliant vignettes. The pagoda was built of bricks, roofs covered with yin-yang tiles, rooftop decoration, roof corners with many colored pottery statues. There are many artworks in the pagoda: altarpieces, statues, altars, pillars and incense made from wooden, ceramic and paper materials.
On May 24, 2017, US President Barack Obama paid a visit to the Jade Emperor during his official visit to Vietnam.
9. Night time at Nguyen Hue walking street
Nguyen Hue is a walking avenue in central District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, connecting Headquarters City People's Committee for Bach Dang Pier, Saigon River. Nguyen Hue is a beautiful and modern walking street in Saigon, where is the convergence of street bands, street artists and a large number of local people. You should go here at night, you'll see what is the best sparkling of Saigon.
10. Visit Cholon (Saigon Chinatown)
In 1776, the Chinese came to Saigon, according to customary customs, they often set up a market when they arrived in order to have a place to exchange goods. Then, the people here call it is Cholon, meaning a Big Market. It's a separate city of Saigon. In the process of development, Saigon and Cholon gradually merged together. Nowadays, Cholon is considered a Chinatown in Saigon.
You can start at Binh Tay Market (Address: 57A Thap Muoi, Ward 2, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City. Opening: 6:00 am - 7:00 pm).
11. Ho Chi Minh City Nightlife
Ho Chi Minh City besides called Saigon also has another name is The non-sleeping city because as late at night, Saigon more beautiful and striking.
As of late, cafes, bars and pubs increasingly more crowded. Saigon people's are generous and hospitable so they often gathered friends at night to chat and sip a glass of rice wine.
If you have the opportunity to Saigon, try on a pub, drink a sip of rice wine, say hello with those around and then they will talk to you like two longtime friends.
Above are top 11 things to do in Ho Chi Minh City in 2019. You can click on each image to see specific content or refer to the Destinations, Food & Drink, and Wiki columns for more information. Come to Saigon once if possible, and maybe you will realize the wonders of the land and people here. See you in Ho Chi Minh City!
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