A Guide On Places To Visit in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam has become one of the most popular places to visit in mainland Southeast Asia. It’s a place that is known for its beaches, fantastic food, vibrant nightlife, Buddhist pagodas, epic landscapes, and bustling cities. It is officially knowns as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and is located near the borders of China, Laos, and Cambodia. Vietnam lures many beach lovers every year as it is home to countless beautiful beaches. Along with that, some of the most amazing festivals that you can celebrate with the people of Vietnam are BaChua Xu Festival in Chau Doc, and Da Nang International Firework Festival in Da Nang, among others. The Vietnamese love their authentic food and you will see several unique preparations when you go street-food hopping. They have all the fruits and vegetables plucked the same morning so you can eat them fresh.

Exploring Vietnam

It is easy to get around in Vietnam via trains. The country has a Reunification Express that can take you to all the country's main cities. You can also choose to travel around in open tour buses or motorbikes, taxis, bicycles, etc.

The north of Vietnam has some of the most magnificent mountains in Sapa and Hanoi where you can see ancient pagodas and beautiful museums. You can go to Hanoi and then to Ha Long Bay for a short ride to enjoy some fantastic street food. In this city, you will be amazed by the beauty of mythical seascapes and karsts. If you book a Vietnam tourism package from India, do not forget to add Phong Nha. You would not want to miss world-class cave adventures in this city along with kayaking and jungle eco-tours. In the south of Vietnam lies Ho Chi Minh City which has some of the most amazing places to visit in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City has some wonderful places to see such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and Central Post Office which was established in the 1800s. But this modern city is also home to some of the most remarkable sky scrappers, temples, and street stalls. It is known for the best roadside street food. People who visit this city do not miss its top delicacies such as bánh mì, broken rice (cơm tấm), and southern-style savoury pancakes (bánh xèo) among others. Besides this, they also have many Chinese, French, Japanese, and other options in food.

Best Places To Visit in Ho Chi Minh City

Earlier known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the economic hub of Vietnam. The country used to be a French colony and you can still find traces of the past in the modern city. Here you can also get to learn about the Vietnam War which was a long conflict that lasted from 1954 to 1975. There are many places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City such as museums and historical sites that commemorate the war. Making your exploration savoury are delicacies such as bánh mì, broken rice (cơm tấm), and southern-style savoury pancakes (bánh xèo) among others.

Here are some of the: -

1. Visit War Remnants Museum

This museum pays homage to the soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War and the first Indo-China War. People visit this place in Ho Chi Minh City to watch the artillery and machinery used in these wars along with the pictures, real war aircraft, and models that depict the condition of the prisoners of war.

2. Go down the Đồng Khởi street

One of the top places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City is Đồng Khởi Street. Along Đồng Khởi Street, you will get to see the Notre Dame Cathedral and the famous Saigon Opera House. At this opera house, you can see Vietnamese cultural performances and have an immensely enjoyable time. You can also go down the street and look for Ben Thanh Market. It features a variety of stalls selling goods like clothing, souvenirs, local delicacies, and fresh produce of vegetables and fruits.

3. Visit Jade Emperor Pagoda

Jade Emperor Pagoda was made in honour of the supreme Taoist god, Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, Ngoc Hoang in 1909. It has some fierce and menacing Taoist figures inside the main premises of the temple as it features a 4m-high statue of the general who defeated the Green Dragon. You can visit Jade Emperor Pagoda for free. If you plan to go here, make sure you follow the dress code and be respectful of their cultural practices.

4. Stop by Notre Dame Cathedral

A 140-Year-old French Church in Vietnam, Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. It was established by the French Colonists and was originally named the Church of Saigon in the 1800s. This Cathedral is designed in Roman style mixed with Gothic art.

5. Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnel is a historic military site that is one of the top attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. It is a network of underground defense tunnels that were used by soldiers during the Vietnam War in the Cu Chi district. These tunnel systems are 250 Km long with ventilation systems. These tunnels were used as a place to live, to treat injured soldiers, and to store weapons. The tunnels are located near Ho Chi Minh City, and visitors can take tours to explore them and even play paintball in them.

6. Enjoy a Yacht Tour on the Saigon River

This is among the best things to do in Vietnam. You can have a romantic getaway on a tropical river cruise, and watch the sunset with your loved one. It is one of the must-visit places in Ho Chi Minh City to just star gaze at night and enjoy the weather. If you visit this place, you will be amazed to explore the Saigon River tunnel called the Thu Thiem tunnel. This river is a tributary of the Dong Nai River. It passes through Binh Duong Province, Binh Phuoc Province, Tay Ninh Province, and Ho Chi Minh City before flowing into the sea. Most tourists who come to Ho Chi Minh City and have an excursion trip with their friends and family, come to this place for sightseeing.

Best Time to Visit Ho Chi Minh City

The weather in Ho Chi Minh City is mostly hot & humid. It is dominated by a subtropical climate with 2 seasons in a year. That is rainy season starts from May to November, and the dry season starts from November to April. Its average temperature is 27.5°C. It is recommended to visit the city in the dry season when the weather is more pleasant with lesser rain.

A visit to these places in Ho Chi Minh City will be among one of the best travel experiences that you will cherish for a lifetime. Book your holiday package and get going now!