Country Travel Guide
Flag
Vietnam
🗣️ Language
Vietnamese
📄 Visa
Tourist visas are commonly issued for tourism purposes, allowing visitors to explore the country’s attractions.
💰 Currency
Vietnamese Dong
The exchange rate for the Vietnamese Dong naturally fluctuates, but as of late 2023, it generally trades around 23,000-24,000 VND per 1 USD, providing a practical benchmark for budgeting.

Introduction

Ho Chi Minh City pulsates with an energetic rhythm, its bustling streets and modern amenities creating a dynamic urban experience. This vibrant city offers a captivating blend of historical depth and contemporary flair, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its lively atmosphere. The constant movement and spirited interactions paint a vivid picture of a city truly alive.

Climate

Ho Chi Minh City, nestled in Southern Vietnam, experiences a tropical climate, offering warmth throughout the year. The dry season, spanning from December to April, brings delightful stretches of lower humidity and abundant sunshine, creating ideal conditions for exploring the city’s myriad attractions. Conversely, the rainy season from May to November introduces higher humidity and frequent, yet often brief, downpours, which refresh the air and enhance the city’s lush, vibrant greenery.

Attractions

Landmark Landmark Landmark Landmark
War Remnants Museum
A visit to the War Remnants Museum offers a profound and sobering reflection on the Vietnam War, with its powerful exhibits and artifacts conveying the conflict’s human impact and historical significance. The displays evoke a deep sense of contemplation, providing visitors with an unflinching look at the realities of war. It stands as a vital educational institution, ensuring that past struggles are remembered and understood.
Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels provide an immersive journey into a complex underground network, revealing the extraordinary ingenuity and resilience of those who lived and fought within its narrow passages during wartime. Navigating these hidden pathways offers a tangible connection to history, allowing visitors to glimpse the challenging conditions faced by soldiers. It is a truly unique historical site that leaves a lasting impression on all who explore it.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon stands as a majestic example of French colonial architecture, its grand facade and intricate details inviting admiration for its historical and artistic beauty. This iconic landmark, with its striking red brickwork and twin spires, offers a serene contrast to the city’s bustling streets. Its presence speaks to a rich layered history, captivating observers with its timeless elegance.

Activities & Attractions

Culture Culture Culture
Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta 1 Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City
Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta 1 Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City
From Ho Chi Minh City: Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta 1-Day Tour give you a chance to venture outside the city and explore some of Vietnam’s most iconic sites. Explore the impressive network of underground routes and bunkers that make up the Cu Chi Tunnels. Then, hop on board a boat to cruise along the Mekong Delta, and learn about Vietnamese culture and tradition.
⭐ 4.8/5 (51 reviews)
Landmark 81 Saigon Skyview Ticket in Ho Chi Minh City
Landmark 81 Saigon Skyview Ticket in Ho Chi Minh City
* Experience panoramic views of Saigon from a height of 390 meters at Landmark 81’s Saigon Skyview, the tallest building in Vietnam. * Enjoy the sights with exceptional clarity through Low-E glass that creates a giant-screen effect. * Take in the outdoor area featuring advanced LED screen effects, impressive floor lighting, and special water displays. * Choose from packages that offer exclusive combos, including virtual reality games and cutting-edge technology.
⭐ 4.6/5 (294 reviews)
Ho Chi Minh City: Golden Dragon Water Puppet Ticket
Ho Chi Minh City: Golden Dragon Water Puppet Ticket
Generations ago, Vietnamese puppeteers performed for their rural communities in waist-deep water, bringing to life legends and stories about their region. Water puppetry theaters like Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater continue that tradition into the modern-day and are a fun, family-friendly way to experience a hallmark of traditional Vietnamese culture. With this bundle, you will: • Experience a wonderful Water Puppet Show, which is regarded as a form of Vietnamese traditional art. • Get the good view seats • Easy to pick up the ticket at the meeting point • Experience this unique form of Vietnamese art.
⭐ 4.6/5 (66 reviews)
Saigon Skydeck in Bitexco Financial Tower Ticket
Saigon Skydeck in Bitexco Financial Tower Ticket
* Ascend to the Saigon Skydeck via a high-speed elevator located in one of Ho Chi Minh City’s tallest building. * Enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree view from the heart of the city. * Gain insights about the city through informative touch screens and long-range binoculars. * Immerse yourself in the culture as you explore the Ao Dai Gallery and delve into its unique history.
⭐ 4.6/5 (690 reviews)

Experiences

Ride Saigon: Private Half-Day Motorbike Adventure
Ride Saigon: Private Half-Day Motorbike Adventure
Our tour is designed to give you an authentic experience of the city’s vibrant culture and history. You can choose to explore the city during the day or witness its nightlife. Our experienced guides will take you to the best local spots for mouthwatering treats and hidden gems. You’ll get to see the city’s iconic landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Independence Palace. You’ll also get to experience the bustling streets of Chinatown and the colorful flower market. Our motorcycles are well-maintained and safe, and our guides are knowledgeable and friendly. They’ll share interesting stories and facts about the city’s history and culture. You’ll get to interact with locals and learn about their way of life. We offer a unique and exciting way to discover the city’s rich culture and history. Book now to experience the best of Ho Chi Minh City in a fun and memorable way!
⭐ 5.0/5 (3 reviews)
Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Private Tour With Funny Students
Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Private Tour With Funny Students
Ho Chi Minh City Safari Authentic Street Food Private Tour With Students Taste 6–10 Local Dishes: Depending on your group size, you’ll share and sample a variety of street foods from different parts of the city from savory to sweet. The tour is flexible, so feel free to let us know if you have allergies, follow a vegetarian diet, or wish to request or skip any dishes you’ve already tried. Depending on your booking time, the experience also includes local highlights—such as bustling morning markets, lively night food and flower markets, riverside views along the Saigon River, or the energetic Bùi Viện walking street at night.
⭐ 5.0/5 (34 reviews)
Photography Tour with Professional Photographer in Ho Chi Minh
Photography Tour with Professional Photographer in Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is a favorite photography destination for tourists. You will be introduced to the beautiful scenes of Ho Chi Minh such as: Ben Thanh market, Notre Dame Cathedral, accompanied by beautiful photos. My forte is photographing couples, proposals, families and weddings. With 10 years of experience as a photographer for tourists, natural and creative photography brings customers exciting experiences when taking the most natural photos possible with modern camera equipment, I believe it will satisfy you. Original photos will be sent to you within a few hours, and 30-40 edited photos will be sent the next day.
⭐ 5.0/5 (13 reviews)
Mystic Night Show - Magic & Comedy
Mystic Night Show – Magic & Comedy
The Mystic Night Show is the first of it’s kind Magic Show in Vietnam. Inspired by a Vietnamese mythical tale, guests will be part in a engaging performance full of illusions, interaction and laughter.
⭐ 5.0/5 (10 reviews)

Food

A Culinary Journey Through Ho Chi Minh City’s Vibrant Flavors
Local Food Local Food
🍽️ Pho
The warmth of a steaming bowl of Pho offers a comforting embrace, with its aromatic broth, tender rice noodles, fresh herbs, and succulent meat creating a truly satisfying experience. Each spoonful transports the diner, revealing layers of subtle, complex flavors that have been perfected over generations. It is a staple that nourishes both body and soul, deeply embedded in Vietnamese culinary tradition.
🍽️ Banh Mi
Banh Mi delivers a delightful crunch from its crispy baguette, providing a textural contrast to the soft, flavorful fillings within. This iconic Vietnamese sandwich is generously packed with savory pate, various cured meats, tangy pickled vegetables, and fresh cilantro, offering a vibrant burst of flavors in every bite. It serves as a perfect, portable meal, reflecting the city’s dynamic pace.
🍽️ Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls)
Fresh Spring Rolls, or Goi Cuon, present a light and refreshing option, their translucent wrappers delicately revealing a vibrant mix of vermicelli noodles, plump shrimp, tender pork, and crisp vegetables. This harmonious blend offers a clean, invigorating taste, perfectly complemented by a rich, savory dipping sauce. They are an ideal choice for a lighter meal or a refreshing appetizer, embodying the freshness of local ingredients.
🍽️ Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese Iced Coffee)
The rich, robust taste of Ca Phe Sua Da, Vietnamese iced coffee, provides a potent and refreshing jolt, its strong dark roast mellowed beautifully by sweet condensed milk. Brewed with a traditional phin filter and served generously over ice, this beverage offers a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness. It is a quintessential local drink, offering a delightful pick-me-up amidst the city’s energetic rhythm.

Food & Drinks

Saigon: City Unseen Highlights 2h Tour | Opt: Ao Dai Riders
Saigon: City Unseen Highlights 2h Tour | Opt: Ao Dai Riders
Explore the main highlights of Saigon on the back of motorbikes with optional ao dai riders in just two hours. A two-hour motorbike adventure to discover the main highlights and hidden gems of Saigon.
⭐ 5.0/5 (62 reviews)
Michelin-rated Food Tour With Female Riders: A Culinary Adventure
Michelin-rated Food Tour With Female Riders: A Culinary Adventure
This Michelin street food tour will guide you to some of the city’s most renowned street food spots, offering a delightful mix of traditional Vietnamese tastes and modern culinary innovations. Enjoy your meal! OUR MENU: – Bò Kho Gánh: famous for its beef stew, bò kho, served in a stone bowl. You can pair it with bread, noodles, or rice. – Bánh Xèo Bếp Mẹ Ỉn: This large Vietnamese crêpes filled with mung beans, bean sprouts, pork, and shrimp. Pair these with pulled chicken salad and chargrilled meats and seafood, including pork, beef, squid, and prawns. – Bò lá lốt – Cô Liêng: This dish features perfectly grilled minced beef wrapped in betel leaves, bursting with flavor. – Chuoi Nuong: Coconut milk grilled plantain, which is a bit sweet and salty, with coconut milk sauce. – Ốc Đào Snails and Seafood: Conclude your tour with a taste of local seafood at Ốc Đào, known for its wide variety of fresh snails and seafood. Saigon Beer will also be included here.
⭐ 4.9/5 (279 reviews)
Saigon Princess Dining Cruise in Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon Princess Dining Cruise in Ho Chi Minh City
* Share a memorable night with your friends or family, and hop on this Saigon Princess cruise in Ho Chi Minh * Hop on a luxury cruise ship and enjoy a 2-hour scenic ride across Saigon River overlooking the city’s skyline * Have the option to enjoy a delectable meal during your ride and devour a spread of local and international fares! * Be serenaded by a live band throughout your journey for a truly romantic and unforgettable evening
⭐ 4.5/5 (613 reviews)
Saigon Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket | Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket | Ho Chi Minh City
  • Enjoy marvelous views as you cruise along Saigon River
  • Dig into delectable dishes to satisfy every craving
  • Choose from a wide range of dinner menus, including vegetarian options
  • See Ho Chi Minh city from a one-of-a-kind vantage point
  • Please find the Vietnam National Day’s schedule here.

More things to visit: Sun World Ba Den Mountain Ticket

Traveling around: Ho Chi Minh City Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus

Travel Essentials: Vietnam Tourist E-visa Application Service | Vietnam E-visa on Arrival

⭐ 4.4/5 (207 reviews)

Tours

Top Notch Street Food Motorbike Tour In Ho Chi Minh City
Top Notch Street Food Motorbike Tour In Ho Chi Minh City
Three years in a row winning the Viator Experience Award (2022, 2023, and 2024): Top 10 Food Tours Worldwide. Enjoy free hotel pickup & original selection of 10 dishes: 1. “Gỏi Đu Đủ” – Our unique Signature papaya salad mixed with black beef jerky is reviewed by Best Ever Food Review Show (originally offered since 2019) 2. “Dừa Tắc” – Unique coconut juice mixed with pineapple or kumquat jam at 20-years-old food stall 3. “Bánh Cuốn” – Steamed rice roll with minced pork, wood-ear mushroom & dipping sauce 4. “Bánh Xèo” – Mekong sizzling pancake style served at 25-year-old restaurant at China Town 5. “Bánh Khọt” – Sizzling savory crepe combined with pork and shrimp 6. “Bún Bò Huế” – A spicy 8-hour slow-cooked Hue style beef noodle soup (100% Hue original taste) 7. Vietnamese pizza – A good mix of melted butter, cheese, egg and sausage 8. House-grilled banana with creamy coconut milk from a vendor with 20 years of experience 9. Saigon beer 10. Chè: Vietnamese sweet soup or creamy flan
⭐ 5.0/5 (2223 reviews)
Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City
Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City
This tour proudly won the Viator Experience Award 2025 as the #1 Best Food Tour in Asia (Food Category). 100% of guests love it. – You’ll be picked up by taxi (included in package) at your Hotel/Airbnb/Apartment. Here is the recommended food list: 1. “Bánh Xèo” The Mekong style pancake with a lot of fresh vegetables 2. “Bún Bò Huế”: A spicy 8-hour slow-cooked Hue style beef noodle soup (100% Hue original taste) 3. “Bò nướng sả” Khmer secret recipe for lemongrass grilled mice beef 4. “Bánh Cuốn”: Fresh spring rolls with minced pork filling and local herbs 5. Vietnamese pizza: a good combination of melted butter, cheese, egg and Vietnamese sausage 6. “Sake Chiên” Fried bread fruits in Khmer market 7. “Bánh Mì”: The Vietnamese most well-known baguette with pork sausage, butter, meat,.. in local way 8. “Chuối Nướng”: Grilled bananas with silky coconut milk 9. “Chèn Mâm”: Local Vietnamese sweet soup as desserts 10. Enjoy and drink Saigon beer
⭐ 5.0/5 (1151 reviews)
Full-Day Tour in Mekong Delta with Pick Up in Central District 1
Full-Day Tour in Mekong Delta with Pick Up in Central District 1
A must-visit destination in Southern Vietnam that you cannot miss. With all the local activities, our “Full Day Mekong Delta Tour” will give you the greatest experiences from visiting the local honey bee farm, to having the fresh fruits while listening to the Southern traditional music. Feasting on traditional Vietnamese lunch with the unique taste. One of the highlights is to sit on a hand-rowing boat that you blend into the shady canal.
⭐ 4.9/5 (402 reviews)
Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta - Boat, Tuk Tuk Small Group Tour
Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta – Boat, Tuk Tuk Small Group Tour
Discover Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta are 2 things to do in Ho Chi Minh City – Located over 50km from Ho Chi Minh city, Cu Chi is now considered a heroic district for its role in the anti American war in Vietnam. It is legendary for Original tunnels system of 250km and is a popular spot for both Vietnamese and foreign visitors. – Mekong Delta is known as The Nine Dragon river delta since it is formed by nine rivers. The background of this area is the largest site of endless paddy rice fields, coconut farms, tropical fruit gardens. It is very easy for you to catch sight of children riding on the back of the water buffaloes and farmers working on the fields and more.  
⭐ 4.9/5 (2825 reviews)

Shopping

Exploring Ho Chi Minh City’s Diverse Shopping Scene
Shopping Shopping Shopping
🛍️ Ben Thanh Market
Bargaining is a customary practice in local markets, so approaching purchases with a friendly demeanor and a willingness to negotiate can enhance the overall shopping experience. Exploring both the vibrant traditional markets and the sleek, modern shopping centers offers a wide array of goods, ranging from handcrafted souvenirs and local delicacies to contemporary fashion and electronics, catering to every preference. This blend ensures a rich and varied retail adventure.

Culture

When visiting sacred sites like temples and pagodas, dressing modestly is an important sign of respect for local customs and traditions. Removing shoes before entering someone’s home is also a common courtesy that demonstrates thoughtfulness. Public displays of affection are generally kept private, and showing deference to elders through polite gestures and respectful language is deeply valued within Vietnamese culture.

Info

When navigating Ho Chi Minh City, remaining aware of one’s surroundings is always advisable; poorly lit areas should be avoided, especially at night. Keeping valuables secure and discreet, rather than openly displaying expensive items, helps maintain a comfortable and worry-free experience. For transportation, opting for reputable taxi services or trusted ride-hailing applications ensures safer journeys, and carrying copies of important documents stored separately from originals provides an additional layer of security.
🚨 Emergency Contacts:
The local tap water is generally not considered safe for drinking; it is recommended to consume bottled water or utilize a personal water filter throughout the stay.

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