Motorbikes, markets and war history.
Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many, is Vietnam's biggest and busiest city. It mixes French colonial buildings, war history and a huge street food scene. It suits food lovers, night owls and budget travellers.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
The War Remnants Museum documents the Vietnam War and its effects on civilians, including the legacy of Agent Orange. Military aircraft and tanks are displayed in the yard.
Entry was about 40,000 VND in 2025.
Independence Palace was the home and office of the South Vietnamese president. A tank crashed through its gates on April 30, 1975, and its rooms and bunkers are preserved from that time.
Entry was around 65,000 VND in 2025.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica was built by the French between 1863 and 1880 with bricks brought from France. Its twin bell towers stand at the end of Dong Khoi Street.
Exterior viewing is free; interior may have access restrictions during restoration.
Ben Thanh Market has been in its current building since 1914 and is a city landmark. Stalls sell clothing, souvenirs and food, and bargaining is expected.
Free to enter; things you buy are extra.
The Cu Chi Tunnels lie about 70 kilometres northwest of the city and were part of a vast underground network used by Viet Cong fighters. Visitors can crawl through widened sections and see hidden entrances.
Entry was about 125,000 VND in 2025; tours cost more.
The Saigon Central Post Office was built by the French in the 1880s and 1890s and is still a working post office. Its vaulted hall has old maps painted on the walls.
2026 general admission is free; optional activities and purchases are extra.
Cholon is the city's Chinese district, in District 5, with busy markets and ornate assembly halls. Binh Tay Market is a wholesale hub.
The Mekong Delta lies southwest of the city, where the river splits into many channels. Tours visit floating markets, orchards and riverside villages.
Day tours cost this range depending on size and extras.
Bui Vien is a lively street in District 1 lined with bars, cheap restaurants and hostels. It becomes a walking street in the evening.
The Jade Emperor Pagoda was built in 1909 by the Cantonese community and is full of carved figures and incense smoke. It honours the Taoist supreme deity.
Small entry fee, around 20,000 to 40,000 VND.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one center, day two Cu Chi, day three Cholon.
Beach town.
59 mi · Ferry, about 2 hours
Colourful temple.
59 mi · Tour, about 2h30
A colorful temple of the Cao Dai faith with a midday ceremony.
62 mi · Tour or private car, about 2.5 hours each way
Mangrove forests, monkeys and a quiet seaside.
31 mi · Car or bus plus ferry, about 2 hours each way
Cool highlands with pine forests and French era villas.
186 mi · Flight or bus, 1 hour by plane or 6 to 8 hours by road (better as an overnight)
Explore mangrove and wetland landscapes outside the central city.
Arrange a checked road or boat itinerary and return connection; current distance and journey-time ranges are unverified.
Best: December to April. Dry season.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
January or February
Flower street on Nguyen Hue.
April 30
Public holiday.
September or October
Lanterns in Cholon.
January or February
The biggest holiday, with flower streets and decorations in the center; many shops close.
January
A large running event with several distances.
January or February, date varies
Celebrations can change business hours and transport demand; confirm the travel-year holiday period and city events.
Late January or February
The city's biggest holiday, featuring the Nguyen Hue Flower Street exhibition, fireworks, and family feasts.
June to August
Celebration of tropical fruits from the Mekong Delta held at Suoi Tien Theme Park with floating markets and fruit art.
The US State Department rates Vietnam Level 1, exercise normal precautions; phone snatching by motorbike is the most common problem.
District 1 is walkable, but crossing streets takes nerve.
The first metro line opened in 2024; buses and ride apps fill gaps.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers
Central.
Best for: food
Local feel.
Best for: couples
Leafy riverside.
Best for: budget, backpackers, nightlife
Cheap rooms and bars, loud late at night.
Best for: culture, budget
Chinatown with old temples and markets, farther from the center.
Best for: first-timers, architecture
Stay near several central historic landmarks.
| Main airport | Tan Son Nhat International (SGN), 4 mi from the center |
| To the center | Bus 109 or a ride app; allow longer at rush hour because of traffic. |
| Around town | Use Grab bikes or cars. |
| Ride apps | Grab, Be, Xanh SM, Gojek |
Broken rice with pork.
Saigon-style sandwich.
Noodle soup.
Iced coffee with condensed milk.
Crispy turmeric pancake filled with shrimp and pork.
A noodle-soup option found alongside the city’s southern food specialties.
Crisp baguette filled with liver pâté, pork roll (cha lua), pickled daikon, cucumber, cilantro, and chili.
Steamed broken rice grains served with a grilled marinated pork chop, steamed egg meatloaf, shredded pork skin, and fish sauce.
| Plugs | Type A and C, 220 V |
| Tap water | Use bottled water |
| Tipping | Tipping is appreciated. |
| Payments | Cash is common. |
| Etiquette | Dress modestly at pagodas. |
Saigon was a Khmer port before Vietnamese settlement in the 1600s. It was the capital of French Cochinchina and later South Vietnam. After 1975 it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. The city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1976 after reunification.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.