This amazing city is much better known than the capital Hanoi! Its architecture shows that it was under French and Chinese domination, with many buildings with surprising architecture. Stroll through the city and discover the must-see sights in Ho Chi Minh City!
Stroll through the markets
Abundant and vibrant, ancient Saigon is full of markets, each more pleasant than the next. If there is one to see in Ho Chi Minh City, it is Ben Thanh, in the tourist center. In this century-old market, you can buy souvenirs to bring back in your suitcases: clothes, crafts, food products, etc. All while nibbling a piece. More typical: the market Binh Tay in the district of Cholon. A great immersion in the popular shopping activity of the city.
Ben Thanh Market
Admire Notre-Dame Cathedral
Ho Chi Minh City Cathedral was built by the French, on the site of an old pagoda, in the 19th century. Its two square towers, rigid in appearance, are exceptional. Its red brick walls give it an inimitable style. A visit to do during your stay!
The Notre-Dame cathedral
See Gustave Eiffel's work at the post office
The Post Office is probably the building in Ho Chi Minh City that most recalls the presence of the French. Its glass roof was especially designed by Gustave Eiffel. On the sides of the building, you can observe the two maps of Cochinchina, that is to say the Vietnamese part colonized by France.
The post office
Know the history at the Reunification Palace
Former place of residence of the Governor General of Cochinchina, the Reunification Palace then housed the President of the Saigon Regime. The arrival of the liberation army was therefore very symbolic in 1975, when it invaded this place, then decreed the reunification of Vietnam.
The reunification palace
Attend an AO Show
Very popular with travelers, this show is a fun activity to do in the evening. In a splendid place, the artists offer a quality show mixing acrobatics, dances and music with, as a common thread, the daily life of Vietnamese. To attend, you can book your tickets online before going to the Opera. A must see in Ho Chi Minh City!
To the show
Learn at the Vietnam History Museum
If Vietnam has always fascinated you, you should definitely pay a visit to this museum which has numerous collections. Before your eyes follow one another the different dynasties, the great civilizations and the great Vietnamese events.
History museum
Remembering the atrocities at the war museum
When the Americans aided the South in their fight against North Vietnam, many abuses were committed. War crimes are displayed in this museum, allowing everyone to remember the Vietnamese atrocities. In the courtyard, you will discover a very French guillotine, which recalls that the Hexagon also contributed to these horrors.
The war museum
Stroll in Pham Ngu Lao Street
In the backpacker district, where you will surely stay, is a digest of what there is to see in Ho Chi Minh City. Markets, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shops ... enough to satisfy all tourists for a shopping trip or to party, once night has fallen. It is a very pleasant place to stroll and feel the bubbling atmosphere of this extraordinary city.
Pham Ngu Lao
Stroll through China Town
Colorful streets, temples, pagodas, restaurants, traditional stalls… China Town is a place to see in Ho Chi Minh City. In this former district of opium dens and dance halls under the colonial era, China Town is a real city within the city. Take the time to stroll there to smell its special atmosphere and take the opportunity to taste some Chinese specialties.
Chinatown
Visit stunning temples and pagodas in Ho Chi Minh
Need a break between two visits? Do not hesitate to visit one of the many pagodas in the city. To see in Ho Chi Minh City: the An Quang pagoda, a magnificent Buddhist place of worship with a large multi-storey tower. You can also see the Emperor Jade Pagoda : a set of rooms adorned with sculptures and statues of divinities, all in the heady smoke of incense.
An Quang Pagoda
Useful information :
- To get to Ho Chi Minh City, count 12 hours of journey from Paris for a direct flight. However, most flights are with a stopover, so allow around 16 hours for the journey.
- To visit all there is to see in Ho Chi Minh City (or if you prefer Saigon), do not hesitate to stop by several days before continuing your trip to Vietnam.
- On the housing side, choose the tourist areas of the center. You'll save time on the road and be right in the middle of the action.
- Vietnamese currency is le dong (VND) with a particularity: there are no coins, only banknotes!
Aerial view of the city
The essentials of Ho Chi Minh City… and after?
Go visit all there is to see in Ho Chi Minh City, then you will discover places steeped in history, fascinating and cosmopolitan. An ideal stopover before setting off on the roads to explore Vietnam. To organize your trip, do not hesitate to consult our travel guide, before packing your bags!
