10 Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

Looking for what to do in Ho Chi Minh City? Vietnam’s largest city, still known to many as Saigon, is a place of constant motion: motorbikes weaving through traffic, street vendors serving bowls of noodles, colonial buildings standing beside glass towers and rooftop bars looking out over the Saigon River.

From visiting historic landmarks and war museums to wandering local markets, exploring hidden alleys and tasting some of Southeast Asia’s best street food, the city is packed with things to see and do. Here are the 10 best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City to help you plan your trip.

1. Visit the War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most important and sobering sights, documenting the Vietnam War (known locally as the American War) through photographs, artifacts and exhibits. Displays cover the impact of the conflict on civilians, the use of Agent Orange and the experiences of journalists and soldiers.

Outside, you’ll see helicopters, tanks and aircraft, while inside galleries present powerful images and stories. It’s not an easy visit, but it offers essential context for understanding modern Vietnam and the city’s recent history.

2. Explore the Reunification Palace (Independence Palace)

The Reunification Palace, formerly the Presidential Palace of South Vietnam, is where tanks famously crashed through the gates in 1975, marking the end of the war. Today, the building has been preserved much as it was, with 1960s-style décor, map rooms, meeting halls and private quarters.

Guided and self-guided tours lead you through reception rooms, underground bunkers and communication centers, explaining how the palace functioned during the conflict. From the rooftop, you can picture the scenes of helicopters landing and departing during the last days of the war.

3. See Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office

In the heart of District 1, Notre-Dame Cathedral (currently under renovation at times) and the Central Post Office stand as two of the city’s most recognizable colonial landmarks. The cathedral’s red-brick façade and twin towers recall late 19th-century French architecture.

Opposite, the Central Post Office features a vaulted interior, tiled floors and old maps on the walls. Even if you’re not sending a postcard, it’s worth stepping inside to appreciate the design and watch locals using the building for its original purpose.

4. Wander Around Nguyen Hue Walking Street and City Hall

Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a wide pedestrian boulevard running from the Saigon River inland toward the ornate Ho Chi Minh City Hall. In the evenings and on weekends, it fills with families, street performers, teens on skateboards and groups taking photos.

From here, you can easily access nearby cafés, ice cream shops, malls and rooftop bars. The combination of open space, city lights and views of City Hall and the surrounding towers makes this one of the most popular places for an evening stroll.

5. Get Lost in Ben Thanh Market and Local Shopping Streets

Ben Thanh Market is one of the city’s best-known markets, with aisles full of clothes, bags, coffee, dried fruits, souvenirs and food stalls. It’s crowded and touristy but still offers a lively snapshot of market life under one roof.

Around the market and in neighboring districts, smaller markets and street stalls sell fresh produce, household goods and everyday items for locals. Bargaining is expected in many places, so approach it with a smile and a sense of fun.

6. Take a Day Trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels

About a couple of hours from the city, the Cu Chi Tunnels form an extensive underground network used by Vietnamese fighters during the war. Sections have been widened and reinforced for visitors, letting you crawl through short stretches to experience the confined spaces firsthand.

Exhibits and guides explain how the tunnels were used for living, transport and defense. Combine the visit with a stop at local workshops or rural villages nearby to see a different side of life outside the city.

7. Cruise the Saigon River or Join a Dinner Boat

The Saigon River loops around the city, offering a different perspective from the water. Short cruises, water buses and dinner boats depart from piers near the center, gliding past skyscrapers, docks and quieter stretches of riverbank.

Evening cruises are especially atmospheric, with city lights reflecting on the water and a breeze cutting through the heat. Some boats offer set menus and live music, turning the river trip into a full night out.

8. Explore District 3, District 5 (Cholon) and Other Neighborhoods

Beyond the main tourist streets of District 1, neighborhoods like District 3 and District 5 reveal more of everyday Saigon. District 3 blends French-era villas, cafés and local eateries, while District 5 (Cholon) is the historic Chinese quarter, with busy streets, markets and atmospheric temples.

In Cholon, visit temples like Thien Hau and wander streets lined with herbal medicine shops, fabric stores and wholesale markets. Exploring these districts by taxi, motorbike or on foot gives you a more rounded sense of the city’s scale and diversity.

9. Enjoy Rooftop Bars and Skyline Views

Ho Chi Minh City’s growing skyline means plenty of rooftop spots to choose from. From high-end cocktail bars in glass towers to more casual rooftops above shophouses, you can find views to suit different moods and budgets.

Arrive around sunset to watch the light fade over the Saigon River and the city’s sea of buildings. Lights flicker on, traffic thickens below and you get a bird’s-eye view of just how large and busy the city really is.

10. Eat Your Way Through Ho Chi Minh City’s Food Scene

Food is one of the main reasons many people fall in love with Ho Chi Minh City. Street stalls, markets, shophouse restaurants and modern cafés serve everything from steaming bowls of pho and hu tieu to banh mi, broken rice (com tam), fresh spring rolls and sweet desserts.

Follow office workers to popular lunch spots, try night-time street food around parks and markets, and venture into alleyways to find tiny eateries with plastic stools and incredible flavors. Joining a guided food tour, especially by motorbike, is a fun way to discover hidden places you might not find alone.