A former capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh city or commonly known as Saigon, is one of the places in Vietnam you should definitely visit next to the more popular Hanoi. Here are 8 things to do in Ho Chi Minh if you are visiting for two to three days.
Visa
You can apply for visa to enter Vietnam online. Check your visa requirements prior to arrival. Click here for the list of countries which are exempted.
Getting to the City
Take Bus 152 (yellow bus) from the airport to arrive in the city center.
Other modes of transportation you can use are taxis and uber.
Take Bus 152 (yellow bus) from the airport to arrive in the city center.
Other modes of transportation you can use are taxis and uber.
1. Walk around the city and see French colonial architecture
Ho Chi Minh City Hall
Completed in 1908
Architect | P. Gardes
Central Post Office Buiding
Completed in 1891
Architect | Villedieu & Foulhoux
Ho Chi Minh City Hall
Completed in 1908
Architect | P. Gardes
Central Post Office Buiding
Completed in 1891
Architect | Villedieu & Foulhoux
Notre Dame Cathedral
Completed in 1880
Completed in 1880
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| Red bricks from Marseille |
Opera View Building
Saigon Opera House
Completed in 1897 | Restored in 1975
Architect | Ferret Eugene
Modern Architecture
Bitexco Financial Tower
Completed in 2010
Architect | Carlos Zapata & AREP
The Cafe Apartment
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| Backpackers' Street |
2. Drink Viet coffee and go for cafe hopping
Ho Chi Minh has a rich coffee culture and distinct taste. Viet coffee is generally sweet strong coffee with condensed milk. You should definitely try it! Give it a try in both versions of coffee sold along the streets and the one sold in cafes.
Leo Cafe
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| Drip coffee is the commonly used brewing method here |
Loft Cafe
Click here for more details
M2C (Modern Meet Culture)
Click here for more details.
3. Go to Cu Chi Tunnel & learn their history
4. Explore Mekong Delta
If you have a more time in Ho Chi Minh, visit Mekong River. Going to Mekong Delta requires a full day in your itinerary.
5. Eat Pho! And try their local delicacies
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| You can try Pho in this food market |
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| Five Oysters is a nice place to have a decent dinner in the city. |
6. Learn some basic Vietnamese words
Locals speak limited English, learning some basic Vietnamese words will be helpful as you ask for directions and places.
Locals speak limited English, learning some basic Vietnamese words will be helpful as you ask for directions and places.
Try memorizing the following phrases
Hello | Seen-Chow
Excuse Me, Sorry | Seen-Loy
Thank You | Gam-Un
Bye | Tham-Beet
7. Book a hostel
Hostels are cheap in Ho Chi Minh and you will be in the heart of the city as well. It will save you up from spending for transportation costs.
Hostels are cheap in Ho Chi Minh and you will be in the heart of the city as well. It will save you up from spending for transportation costs.
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| Some of these hostels have nice roof decks and view of the city |
8. Visit Art Gallery Shops
Tips
1. Don't wait for the motorbikes to stop as it will be endless flow. There are few traffic lights in the area so just cross and keep moving. They will avoid you automatically. This only applies to motorbikes, if it's a car, it's a different story.
2. Take only Vinasun or Mailinh taxi for a fare rate.
3. As you will be doing a lot of walking around the city, be cautious of your surroundings and belongings.
4. Lastly, just feel the city and enjoy!
Here is a video of our 3D2N trip:
Click here for more about backpacking trip from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap (Cambodia)
Click here for more about backpacking trip from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap (Cambodia)
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"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in you sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
-H. Jackson Brown (Jr.)
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