What to do in Ho Chi Minh City? – A Comprehensive Travel Guide

With its bustling city life, rich cultural heritage and vibrant street food culture, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city, is a destination not to be missed for travelers looking for an experience of a lifetime. From exploring the neon-lit nightlife to taking a tour of the historical sights and landmarks, Ho Chi Minh City is jam packed with interesting and exciting activities sure to please any visitor. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through some of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, from cultural attractions to adrenaline fueled activities. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a full week, this guide will ensure you get the best out of your trip.

Exploring the City

A great way to get familiar with the city’s layout and culture is to take a walking tour. These tours can range from exploring the small alleyways of the city’s colonial French Quarter to soaking up the sights of the bustling Chinatown. Many tours can be booked in advance online, giving you the chance to tailor your experience and make sure you see all the best spots. For a more relaxed experience, try taking a cruise along Ho Chi Minh City’s Saigon River. This gives you the chance to explore some of the city’s less accessible areas as well as enjoying picturesque views of the city skyline.

Cultural Attractions

Ho Chi Minh City is packed with many attractions highlighting its long and tumultuous history. The Reunification Palace, once serving as the workplace of the South Vietnamese President during the Vietnam War, is one such place that draws in large numbers of visitors each year. Other places such as the War Remnants Museum document the uglier side of the country’s past and provide an insightful look into the sufferings of war.When it comes to religious buildings, Ho Chi Minh City has plenty for visitors to enjoy. The main temple of worship for Vietnamese Buddhists is the Giac Lam Pagoda. Constructed in 1744 and surrounded by lush gardens, this temple was one of the oldest temples in Vietnam before being damaged during the war. For visitors with more time to spare, a visit to the Nha Rong Wharf will show you a unique side of the city and its pre-industrial past. Here you can find traditional boats, an old military base and a few old Chinese style buildings.

Shopping Experiences

From street markets to luxury malls, Ho Chi Minh City has plenty of great shopping options. For souvenirs and handicrafts head to Ben Thanh and Cholon Market. Be prepared for some haggling, as it is expected in these kinds of markets. For those looking for designer brands and high-end fashion, need to look no further than Diamond Plaza and Parkson Plaza which are located in prime locations and are easily accessible by taxi.

Activities

If you’re after some more adrenaline fuelled activities while you’re in town, then Ho Chi Minh City has plenty to choose from. In particular, a visit to one of the many great water parks located outside of the city centre will certainly bring out your adventurous side. Quan An Ngon Park is another popular attraction that offers boat rides on the lake as well as kayaking, canoeing and bike hire. Not so far away lies an animal rescue centre that takes in abandoned animals such as Sun Bears who now have a safe place to stay thanks to local NGO Animals Asia.

Nightlife

As the sun goes down, Ho Chi Minh City starts to come alive with its bustling nightlife. Many districts are packed with bars and nightclubs for those after a more energetic night out. For those wanting something more low key, there are plenty of outdoor bars in neighborhoods such as District 3. Those wanting to make a night of it should head over to District 1 where they can find everything from traditional watering holes to rooftop bars overlooking the city skyline.

Conclusion

From exploring cultural attractions and shopping experiences to trying adventurous activities, there is no shortage of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. Like any great city, there are plenty of things to experience during your trip so it’s important that visitors plan their trip carefully so they don’t miss out on any must-see spots. Armed with this comprehensive guide you are sure to have an unforgettable time during your stay in Ho Chi Minh City. For more information on places to stay and travel tips check out this detailed guide from Vivutravel.