6 Things You Must Do In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Vietnam’s ancient capital, formerly known as Saigon, is a timeless echo of days gone by. As you wander through its bustling streets, you’ll instantly sense the vibrancy of a city with a population of 9 million, steeped in the authentic hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life.

However, amidst the overwhelming journey that is Ho Chi Minh City, there are ample opportunities to escape the chaos. You can seek refuge high above the city in one of its towering skyscrapers or find solace amidst the gold-coated pillars of the temples that grace this vibrant destination.

Before I delve into the ‘6 Things You Must Do In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,’ I’d like to mention my recent vlog that offers a comprehensive tour of this dynamic city. If you’d like to get a visual preview of what I’ll be discussing in this blog, please take a moment to watch the video below:

Did you enjoy it? Please make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, so that you can follow along on the rest of my South East Asia adventure. Now let’s begin the blog:

1. Saigon Skydeck

I stayed in Ho Chi Minh City for three nights, and that was already enough time for my energy levels to be drained. We felt overwhelmed, exhausted, and anxious each time we crossed the road.

Don’t get me wrong; Saigon was an incredible city, and I had a wonderful time experiencing every aspect that brings this place to life. However, after a few days of miraculously avoiding motorbikes and the like, we were ready to move on.

Fortunately, there were places in the city where you could escape the chaos, one of them being high above. And no, I don’t mean heaven, though that’s an option too. But before considering that, I recommend heading up to the Saigon Skydeck for breathtaking views of Ho Chi Minh.

The Saigon Skydeck is part of the Bitexco Financial Tower and stands approximately 860 feet tall. This makes it the second tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City, after Platform 81, which holds the title of the tallest in all of Vietnam, soaring to a whopping 1,513 feet.

You could also visit Platform 81 for a similar experience, but I suggest the Saigon Skydeck because it lets you include the tallest building in Vietnam in your skyline shots.

From the top of this Skydeck, you have a panoramic view across Ho Chi Minh City. From this vantage point, you can observe the bustling city below, which never sleeps. With the meandering Saigon River winding through, the landscape is truly spectacular when viewed from almost 1,000 feet above.

Especially at night, when all you see are lights darting in every direction. It’s a truly extraordinary sight, if I may say so myself.

2. The War Remnants Museum

The photo above is of Ho Chi Minh City Notre Dame. Although I didn’t take any photos of the museum, I still want to mention it because it was a very intriguing spot during my visit.

Usually, when you hear the word “Saigon,” your mind instantly jumps to thoughts of the brutal Vietnamese war with America, which lasted from 1955 to 1975.

I won’t delve into too much detail about the disasters that occurred over the 20-year span, but it was a horrific time for the country as a whole.

At the War Remnants Museum, I learned about the tragedies of this conflict and witnessed many haunting images that made me grateful I didn’t live through that era.

This museum is certainly not for the faint-hearted, as it doesn’t shy away from providing a detailed account of the brutality of the war throughout Vietnam, especially in the city of Saigon. Nonetheless, this period is one of the most significant in the city’s history. Therefore, I recommend taking some time to educate yourself about it while exploring a place that experienced these events firsthand.

3. Saigon Post Office

You may consider this a somewhat random mention, but the Saigon Central Post Office is, in fact, a remarkable historical landmark.

Not only does it boast one of the city’s finest architectural designs, dating back to the French colonial period, but it is also one of the most notable works of the renowned architect Gustave Eiffel, famous for his construction of the Eiffel Tower.

The interior is equally captivating, with a spacious hall adorned with beautiful tiles and a prominent portrait of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of this marvellous city.

Even if you don’t plan to use the post office for sending postcards to your grandparents, it has gained significant popularity due to its historical significance and grand architecture. Therefore, it’s a must-visit during your time in the city.

4. Try Vietnam’s National Dish, Phở

Phở is considered the national dish of Vietnam, so you wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to savour it after a day of exploring the landmarks mentioned on this list.

This noodle dish bears some resemblance to ramen. It’s served in a bowl of flavourful broth with noodles and pork (there’s usually a vegetarian option available), and you can customize it with additional vegetables and sauces from a side plate. As you wait for the vegetables to cook in the hot broth, it feels like you’re crafting your own soup.

Ultimately, it’s a deeply satisfying and flavourful dish that I would gladly enjoy again on my next visit to Vietnam. I just need to work on my chopstick skills a bit more!

5. Visit The Many Cathedrals and Temples

I’ve placed all the places of worship as the fifth item on this list because the number I visited could easily fill this entire blog post.

Ho Chi Minh City has a vibrant culture, yet it has managed to retain its authenticity with numerous cathedrals and temples scattered throughout the city. I had the opportunity to visit quite a few, some Buddhist, some Catholic, and even a Hindu temple. Nevertheless, all of them exuded a magical charm within their walls.

Inside these temples, you can witness the faith of the locals firsthand as incense is lit, and worshippers pay homage to their gods. It’s a genuinely peaceful experience to observe. Furthermore, the architecture of most of these buildings is phenomenal and showcases what humans can achieve when they come together to bring their visions to life.

Here are a few of the best religious sites in the city:

Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
Tan Dinh Church
Mariamman Hindu Temple
Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church

Watch The Chaos From Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Finally, instead of trying to avoid the chaos, why not embrace it from one of the best spots in town? Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a spacious pedestrianized street surrounded by some of the most intense traffic you’ll ever witness (unless you’ve been to India).

From this street, you can be astounded by the motorbikes darting up and down, some carrying more passengers than you’d ever imagine, even dogs or newborn babies cradled in the drivers’ arms—all against the stunning backdrop of Saigon City Hall.

At night, this street comes alive with dancers, buskers, and people out for a leisurely stroll in the heart of the city. It’s a place of tranquillity amid the surrounding disorder. Ho Chi Minh City’s roads may be chaotic, and only the locals seem to understand how to navigate them safely. Therefore, it’s best to observe from this peaceful bubble and not envy anyone braving the chaos.

In conclusion, Ho Chi Minh City delivers a culture shock served on a silver platter. Yet, it’s also a magical place to explore, with its unique characteristics and virtues that will captivate you as you experience the city’s landmarks and sights throughout your visit.