About Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is one of Vietnam's major cities, home to around 14,002,598 people.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
1
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
2
Central Post Office
3
War Remnants Museum
4
Independence Palace
5
Ben Thanh Market
6
Cu Chi Tunnels day trip
7
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
8
Mekong Delta day trip
Budget travel
Free things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
Ben Thanh Market
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Suggested itinerary
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Ho Chi Minh Museum
- Visit Museum of Vietnamese History
- Visit Independence Palace
- Eat at Ben Thanh Market
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit War Remnants Museum
- Visit Southern Women’s Museum
- Visit FITO Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine
- Eat at Bánh Mì 37
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit The Geological Museum of Vietnam
- Visit Dai Nam Tourist Park
- Visit Dam Sen Water Park
- Eat at Pho 24
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $
Phở Hòa Pasteur
Pho · Classic Saigon pho institution
- $
Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa
Banh mi · Locals queue for this stuffed baguette
- $$
Cục Gạch Quán
Vietnamese · Home-style Vietnamese in a colonial house
- $
Quán Ốc Đào
Seafood · Street-side snails and shellfish favourite
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$$
Park Hyatt Saigon
District 1 · Colonial-era luxury on Lam Son Square
- $$$$
The Reverie Saigon
District 1 · Opulent Italian-designed landmark
- $$$
Hotel des Arts Saigon
District 3 · Art Deco boutique favourite
Shopping
- Galerie Quynh
- Oil-Paintings
- Fahasa
- Tri Books
- Book Street
- Ginkgo T-shirts
Nightlife
- Bobby Brewery Coffee
- Cafe 5 Sao
- Cafe Napoly
- Cafe Saigon
- Chao Ba Ca Phe
- Chot Nho Café
Museums & culture
- Ho Chi Minh Museum
- Museum of Vietnamese History
- Independence Palace
- War Remnants Museum
- Southern Women’s Museum
- FITO Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine
In pictures
Ho Chi Minh City gallery
Keep exploring
