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As Vietnam's largest city, Ho Chi Minh City is steeped in French tradition and is known as the "Little Paris of the East," though many prefer to call it "Saigon." Despite its rapid development, it's less bustling than other metropolises, maintaining a uniquely Vietnamese sense of leisure and romance.
The French left behind more than just bread, French architecture, and plane trees; they also imbued this place with a romantic French sensibility. Walking among the exquisite houses, watching the sunlight filter through the plane trees, it feels like stepping into a small French town.
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is Vietnam's largest city. Located in southern Vietnam, near the equator, it experiences year-round heat. Temperatures are moderate from November to April, with little rainfall from January to March, making it a suitable travel destination. The rainy season, from May to October, is characterized by intense heat and humidity, and the occasional typhoon.
Pham Ngu Lao Street
What's often referred to as "Pham Ngu Lao Street" actually encompasses Pham Ngu Lao Street and several surrounding streets, a backpacker's paradise. The area is dotted with hotels of all quality, shops, restaurants of varying cuisines, Western restaurants, bars, cafes, and local specialties. Try a coconut milkshake at ALLEZ BOO—a perfect blend of coconut milk, ice, and milk. Alternatively, enjoy a bowl of beef meatball rice noodles, refreshing and stimulating, paired with iced coffee—a unique experience only you can master.
Pham Ngu Lao Street is brightly lit at night and the night is dim. There are many tourist handicrafts on the old street. You can slowly stroll around at night and carefully select them.
Central Post Office
The Central Post Office, built in the late 19th century, is full of classical atmosphere. In addition to visiting, you can also send postcards here.
Red Church
The Red Church is Saigon's most famous landmark, conveniently located in the busiest and most prosperous area, with the Central Post Office conveniently located to its left. Originally known as the Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, it's also known as the Red Church. The red bricks used in its construction were imported from France, and even after over a century, their vibrant color remains unfaded.
Modeled after the bell tower of Notre Dame de Paris, the church boasts a symmetrical, majestic form, with two towers reaching 40 meters in height. A four-ton statue of the Virgin Mary stands before the church. The exterior, including the portico, is richly decorated with exquisite carvings, while the interior is surrounded by small prayer rooms, each with its own unique shrine, sculpture, and decoration, creating a sense of perfection through its variety.
Reunification Palace
The former presidential palace of the South Vietnamese regime, its design and architecture adopt a left-right symmetrical layout, echoing each other.
Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is Vietnam’s largest city and its economic, cultural, and historic hub in the south. It was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina, later the capital of South Vietnam until 1975 when the country was reunified. The city blends colonial heritage, wartime history, modern development, and vibrant street life.
Ho Chi Minh City is in southern Vietnam, in the Mekong Delta region’s northeast edge. You can reach it by air (Tan Son Nhat International Airport), train, or long-distance bus. Within the city, taxis, ride-hail services (e.g. Grab), buses, and motorbike taxis are common. Walking works in central District 1 for many nearby attractions.
Major museums/attractions generally open during daytime (e.g. War Remnants, Independence Palace). Notre Dame Cathedral: 8 AM to 11 AM & 2 PM to 4 PM daily. Best time to visit: the dry season (~December to April) when there's less rain and more comfortable weather.
Many attractions charge modest entrance fees: e.g. Independence Palace ~40,000 VND. Museums like War Remnants charge ~40,000 VND. The Museum of Fine Arts has a fee of 30,000 VND for adults. Tickets are normally bought on site (offline), though some tour packages or attractions (skydeck, puppet shows) offer online booking or skip-the-line.
For popular tours (Cu Chi, Mekong Delta) or performances (water puppetry, cultural shows), booking in advance is recommended, especially in high season. For many city museums, walk-in is fine.
A well-paced 3 full days is good to cover major districts, museums, a side-trip (Cu Chi or Mekong). More time lets you explore neighborhoods or lesser-visited spots.
Yes, many museums and attractions offer English (and sometimes other languages) guided tours. Some offer audio guide options (at extra cost). Tour operators frequently provide bilingual guides for day-trips and walking tours.
A sample 3-day approach: Day 1: District 1 highlights (Notre Dame, Post Office, Opera House, walking street, Ben Thanh) Day 2: War Remnants, Independence Palace, museums, skydeck, evening in local neighborhoods Day 3: Day trip to Cu Chi or Mekong Delta, or explore lesser districts, river park, local markets You can flip based on your base and interests.
While most museums close by evening, there are night walking streets (Nguyễn Huệ), night food / street tours, river dinner cruises, evening performances at the opera, and illuminated city views from towers.
The city is busy year-round, particularly in peak tourist / dry season (Dec–Apr). Museums & major attractions are less crowded early morning or late afternoon; weekdays are quieter than weekends. Side trips (Cu Chi, Mekong) see more crowds midday.
Major attractions, museums, malls, parks have restrooms, cafés, snack shops, souvenir stalls. City has abundant facilities overall. Smaller museums or remote spots may have basic amenities.
Many urban attractions (palaces, museums) have ramps, elevators, or manageable paths; but some older buildings or tunnels (Cu Chi) involve stairs or tight spaces. Children are generally fine, but supervision needed in war museums or crowded areas. Accessibility varies, check each site.
Cash (Vietnamese đồng) is widely used. In more touristy or modern venues (museums, skydeck, hotels, restaurants in central areas) credit cards or mobile payments (VNPay, etc.) may be accepted. But for street food, local vendors, small shops, cash is essential.
The city offers a rich culinary scene: street food vendors, pho shops, bánh mì stalls, Vietnamese / Western / fusion cafés in Districts 1, 3, 5 and elsewhere. Rooftop bars and riverfront restaurants are also popular.
Yes — many restaurants offer vegetarian / vegan Vietnamese cuisine (tofu, veggie stir-fried, noodle soups). Halal restaurants exist, especially in areas with Muslim communities, though less widespread. Asking locally is helpful.
Most tourists stay in District 1 and adjacent districts. There are budget guesthouses, mid-range hotels, boutique and luxury options, many within walking distance of main attractions. (Guide sources list many central options)
Cu Chi Tunnels (half day) and Mekong Delta (full day) are classic day-trip options. Also Can Gio mangrove / eco tours. Within city, neighborhoods like Chợ Lớn (Chinatown), Bình Tây Market, and local pagodas fit well.
Yes — in markets (Ben Thanh, Chinatown), souvenir shops in tourist zones, museums’ gift shops. Typical souvenirs include lacquerware, silk garments, conical hats, coffee, ceramics, artworks, postcards, local handicrafts.
From HCMC you can take domestic flights, trains, or buses to other Vietnamese destinations (e.g. to Da Lat, Nha Trang, the Mekong Delta). Boat / ferry routes exist for river travel to Mekong Delta areas. Private vans, sleeper buses, or domestic flights are common.
