Ho Chi Minh, also known by its former name – Saigon is a very busy city! It boasts stunning architectures, historic locations, and massive markets that will surely make your itineraries jam-packed. Here are some must-visit places for your Ho Chi Minh trip:
Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00
Address: 1 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Entrance Fee: Free
The first thing I did during my stay at Ho Chi Minh was to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral. Despite Vietnam being dominantly Buddhist, the Notre Dame cathedral has become one of the few remaining strongholds of Catholicism in the country.
The cathedral is also home to the miraculous Virgin Mary which locals claimed to have shed tears in October 2005.
Saigon Central Post Office
Opening Hours: 07:00 – 19:00
Address: So 125 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Entrance Fee: Free
The Saigon Central Post Office is one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh and is just a short walk across the street from Notre Dame Cathedral. It is considered to be the busiest post office in the entire country offering all kinds of traditional postal services like mailing, selling postcards and stamps.
Saigon Skydeck
Opening Hours: 09:30 – 21:30
Location: 36 Ho Tung Mau Street in District 1
Entrance Fee: 200,000 VND
The Saigon Skydeck is located at the Bitexco Financial Tower’s 49th floor. The Sky Deck provides visitors a breathtaking 360 degree view across the city and the Saigon River.
I was planning on capturing a sunset timelapse but my camera’s battery ran out – sigh. Anyway, here’s one of the shots I got using my phone.
The World of Heineken
Opening Hours: 15:00 – 21:30
Location: 36 Ho Tung Mau Street in District 1
Entrance Fee: 50,000 VND
While you were in the Bitexco Financial Tower, you can also visit Ho Chi Minh’s World of Heineken located at the building’s 60th floor.
In The World of Heineken, you can learn about the company’s history, watch how Heineken beers are made through a 4D interactive film, enjoy yourselves in their mini arcade and bar, and bring home a customized Heineken beer with your name on it!
Ho Chi Minh Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Opening Hours: 07:00 – 17:00
Location: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ben Nghe, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Entrance Fee: 50,000 VND
I always make sure to visit a zoo or any animal center in every country I visit, thus, the Ho Chi Minh Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Having said that I’m a frequent zoo-goer, I can say that this zoo is not the best out there. I was extremely bothered by huge rodents (yes rodents, not rats) eating alongside some of the animals.
On the other hand, the zoo was actually huge – one of the biggest I’ve been; according to a guide, the zoo is home to over 500 animals currently. I also got to see and feed camels, which is a first time!
War Remnants Museum
Opening Hours: 07:30 – 17:00
Location: 28 Vo Van Tan, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Entrance Fee: 40,000 VND
The most remarkable place I’ve been in Ho Chi Minh is the War Remnants Museum. It houses the actual military equipments and remains that were used in the Vietnam war – helicopters, tanks, fighter planes, bombs.
Visitors will undoubtedly be reminded of the brutality of the war through graphic pictures, press releases, and paintings inside the museum.
Saigon Museum of Fine Arts
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 18:00
Location: 97A Pho Đuc Chinh, Phuong Nguyen Thai Bin, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Entrance Fee: 30,000 VND
Similar to Central Post Office’s facade, the Museum of Fine Arts prides itself with French-Chinese architecture. It was originally a mansion of the wealthiest man of Saigon during colonial time.
The museum covers three 3-floor buildings which house a collection featuring Vietnamese art works in sculpture, oil, silk painting and lacquer painting, as well as traditional styles.
Other notable destinations in Ho Chi Minh are the Cu Chi Tunnels – a big part of the Vietnam war that helped Vietnamese soldiers and civilians survive the massive bombings; and the Saigon Opera House which stages a wide range of performing arts including ballet, musical concerts, Vietnamese traditional dance and plays.
That’s it for Ho Chi Minh, stay tuned for my Central and Northern Vietnam adventures!
