Ho Chi Minh City - Latest Travel Guide (Part 1)

Ho Chi Minh City is a buzzing metropolis that never sleeps and offers fascinating entertainment day and night. It is well-known for its dynamic combination of cultures.

What season is beautiful in Ho Chi Minh City?

Ho Chi Minh City, which is in a tropical subequatorial monsoon zone, has high temperatures all year round along with distinct rainy and dry seasons. The dry season is from December to April, while the wet season is from May to November. The average temperature is about 27 degrees Celsius, with highs of up to 40 degrees Celsius occurring sometimes. Even with all the heat, the city gets enough of sunshine that isn't too strong, the humidity isn't too high, and the nights are usually lovely and cool.

Ho Chi Minh City's temperate climate makes it a great place to visit all year round. It is suggested to have an umbrella if you are visiting during the rainy season so you will be ready for any unexpected downpours.

Transportation

Ho Chi Minh metropolis, being a large metropolis, has easy access to many modes of transportation such as vehicles, trains, aircraft, and ships.

Daily direct flights from a variety of places to Tan Son Nhat Airport are offered by many domestic carriers. The biggest airport in Vietnam, Tan Son Nhat, is located in Tan Binh District, about 8 kilometers from District 1, the city center, and 5 kilometers from Phu Nhuan District and District 3's downtown. From the airport to the city center, a cab typically costs around VND250,000 ($10.64). During off-peak hours, visitors can choose to use ride-hailing services for half the cost. As a recommendation, instead of waiting at the domestic terminal, it is frequently quicker to stroll to the international terminal to rent a car.

The Thong Nhat Train is the quickest alternative for rail travel, connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in around 30 hours. In central Vietnam, the train stops at stations in significant cities including Vinh, Dong Hoi, Hue, and Da Nang. It is advised to purchase tickets directly from Vietnam Railways Corporation via its website, dsvn.vn, or through reliable agents. Depending on their preferences, passengers can select their seats or sleeping berths, as well as the departure and arrival stations. Train prices differ based on the kind of seat and cabin.

There are two primary roads that connect the north and south: National Highway 1A and the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Based on the requirements of your trip and the places you hope to see along the way, pick the best path.

Where to stay?

Nightly rates for hotels in Ho Chi Minh City range from a few hundred thousand to tens of millions of dong.

Many 5-star hotels, such as the Park Hyatt Saigon, Hotel Majestic Saigon, Hotel des Arts Saigon, Pullman Saigon Center, Hotel Nikko Saigon, Norfolk Mansion, and La Vela Saigon, are available for VND3-7 million ($127.73 to $298.04) per night.

Visitors might think about lodging at Wink Hotel Saigon Center, La Memoria Hotel, The Hammock Hotel Ben Thanh, Millennium Boutique Hotel, and The Odys Boutique Hotel, which are all in the mid-range VND 1 million to VND 2 million ($42.58 to $85.16).

Similar to ordinary flats, serviced apartments provide completely furnished quarters with chic furnishings ideal for business or pleasure tourists. The addresses of Ariosa, The Bloom, City Oasis, S Home, and M Village Boutique are a few serviced apartment buildings that are suggested. Serviced flats may be purchased for anywhere between VND800,000 and VND2 million ($34.06 and $85.16).

What to do in Ho Chi Minh City?

Throughout its several districts, Ho Chi Minh City provides a wide range of tourism offerings. The city offers a broad range of amusement parks, tourist locations, retail establishments, and entertainment options to suit all tastes.

A river bus tour of Ho Chi Minh City

Taking a river bus in Ho Chi Minh City is a unique way to explore the city from a different angle and pass by well-known sites including the Saigon Peninsula, Nha Rong Wharf, Ben Nghe Port, Phu My Bridge, and Binh Khanh Ferry Terminal.

The river buses leave from the Saigon River wharves at Bach Dang, Binh An, Linh Dong, Thanh Da, and Hiep Binh Chanh every day at 8:30 a.m. Additionally, there is a night bus service that leaves at 10 p.m. Tickets cost VND15,000 (64 cents) each ride and may be bought online or at the wharf.

Appreciate a dinner cruise.

Saigon Port is the starting point for dinner cruises that guests can take. Guests may enjoy breath-taking views of Nha Rong Wharf, Ben Nghe Port, Saigon Bridge, and the Landmark 81, Vietnam's highest structure, while these cruises go down the Saigon River. Diners may savor their meal while taking in the breathtaking surroundings. Depending on the style of boat, tickets might cost anywhere from VND350,000 to over VND1 million ($14.90 to $42.58). Combination meals and Asian-European buffets are available as dining alternatives. Magic shows and musical acts are common on the cruises.

In addition, visitors may rent a small boat for between VND10 million and VND25 million ($425.76 and $1,064.39), which can fit about 20 people.

Double-decker bus sightseeing

An open-top double-decker bus in the city center offers a distinctive approach to explore the attractions. A multilingual voiceover system on the bus directs passengers to well-known sites along the way automatically. It provides complimentary Wi-Fi, tourist maps, and onboard guides. The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Bui Vien Walking Street, and the Saigon Opera House are just a few of the well-known locations that are seen during the approximately 60-minute tour. The trip culminates with a visit to Saigon Skydeck, which provides an aerial perspective of the city and is located on the 49th level of Bitexco Financial Tower.

The bus leaves every 30 minutes and runs everyday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The bus also offers a meal service package for an opulent river trip down the Saigon River in the evening. At the kiosk where the tour begins on Nguyen Hue Street in District 1, tickets may be bought. You may reserve seats online as well.

Explore the parks.

Visitors may stroll slowly around the Saigon Botanical Garden and Zoo. This zoo, which has been around for more than 150 years, is the eighth oldest in the world. Originally a botanical garden, it currently has over 1,000 animals, a wide variety of over 2,000 trees from 260 species, 33 distinct types of cactus, and 23 varieties of domestic orchids. This location gives city dwellers a green haven to enjoy and is a useful scientific research center. The clean surroundings are ideal for a relaxing respite.

There are several additional lovely parks and green areas in Ho Chi Minh City, such as Gia Dinh Park, Hoang Van Thu Park, Le Van Tam Park, and Tao Dan Park.

Live musical experiences

Ho Chi Minh City offers a pleasant evening pastime that involves drinking coffee or wine and taking in live music. Live music events are held in many various locations, appealing to a wide range of musical preferences, including jazz, acoustic, and energetic rock. Ben Thanh Tea Room, We, No Name, Dong Dao, Yoko Cafe, Rock Fan Club, Acoustic Bar, Drinking & Healing, and Vung are a few places that are suggested for night owls.

Having fun in "Western Ward"

The "Western Ward," or Bui Vien, De Tham, and Pham Ngu Lao streets in District 1 were alive with activity from dusk into the wee hours of the morning. Free public amenities like Wi-Fi, restrooms, and a tourist information desk are available on these busy streets. Young people and visitors, particularly those from the West, are extremely fond of this location. There are hundreds of cafés, clubs, taverns, and food vendors along the street, which makes for a vibrant scene. Numerous tour kiosks may be found there as well.

Discover the culture and food of Chinatown.

Parts of districts 5, 6, and 11 make up Chinatown, with District 5 being the busiest and most well-known. Tran Hung Dao, Chau Van Liem, and Luong Nhu Hoc are some of the streets where tourists may see historic Chinese shophouses that are over a century old. In addition, there are a lot of Chinese eateries, social buildings, and old temples. Savor delectable delicacies like hand-pulled noodles, curried fish balls, fried rice, roasted duck, chicken soup with herbs, and dim sum while you explore Chinatown.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Luong Nhu Hoc Lantern Street is a must-see, particularly in the evening when vibrant lanterns line the street, creating a radiance of dazzling beauty. Other noteworthy centers of traditional Chinese culture include the oriental medicine streets, which include Hai Thuong Lan Ong, Trieu Quang Phuc, and Luong Nhu Hoc in District 5. Chinese traders have been exchanging medicinal plants here for generations, creating a thriving natural medicine district.

Historic Places

The sites in Ho Chi Minh City that hold immense cultural and historical significance contribute to the city's vibrancy. Both domestic and foreign tourists are familiar with the city's many museums and monuments.

Palace of Independence

In the center of District 1, the Independence Palace, sometimes called the Reunification Palace, skillfully combines the ancient and the new to represent the rich history of the city. The palace gets a lot of tourists on weekends and certain festivals like April 30, Reunification Day.

Admission fees to the main building and the gallery "From Norodom Palace to Independence Palace 1868 - 1966" are between 64 cents and $2.77 (VND15,000 and VND65,000. Tickets for exploring the main building exclusively range from VND 10,000 to VND 40,000 (43 cents to $1.70).

War Remnants Museum

One important depiction of Vietnam's past is the War Remnants Museum, which is ranked as the 61st most appealing site in the world. Founded in 1975, the museum is located in District 3 at 28 Vo Van Tan Street. Its mission is to investigate, gather, preserve, and present evidence of the atrocities committed during the Vietnam War and its aftermath. The museum covers a wide range of subjects with more than 20,000 records, artifacts, and videos; among them is an enormous assortment of military hardware that is on show in an outdoor exhibition. Other shows include "The World Supports Vietnam in its Resistance," "Victims of Agent Orange Overcome Difficulties," "Historical Truth," as well as "Aggressive War Crimes."

The cost of museum admission is VND40,000 ($1.70) per person; children under the age of six go in free. The museum is open 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Saigon Special Forces Museum

Located in District 1, at 145 Tran Quang Khai Street, is a home erected in 1963 that houses the Saigon Ranger Museum on its second story. The Saigon Special Forces, a guerrilla group under the command of Tran Van Lai (also known as Nam Lai), used this property as a covert operations base. Since opening on December 24, 2019, the museum has occupied more than 100 square meters and has over 100 objects pertaining to these unique troops. The house's items have been kept in their original condition to provide guests a genuine experience. You may also watch short films on the Saigon Special Forces.

On weekdays, the museum is open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m and free entry

 The Ho Chi Minh City History Museum

Designed by architect Auguste Delaval, the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum was constructed in 1929 and is located in District 1 at 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street. Its broad European corridors let in an abundance of natural light, and its roof design lessens the effects of the hot, muggy weather in the area. The focal point is an octagonal tower with eye-catching Asian-style ornamentation and gold paint work. About 36,000 objects that depict the history of the Vietnamese people from prehistoric times until 1945 are on display in the museum. It also features artwork from other prehistoric Vietnamese civilizations, such as the Oc Eo, Champa, and Khmer.

8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. are the visiting hours. Each person must pay an entry charge of VND30,000 ($1.28).

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

Located in District 1, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts is located at 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street. The family of Hua Bon Hoa, one of the wealthiest individuals in Saigon in the late 1800s, once lived in this building. Both art and photography aficionados visit the museum.

The structure is an example of a fusion of late 19th- and early 20th-century French architectural styles, with eastern influences evident in the ceramic columns and ornamental tile roofs. On weekdays, the museum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cu Chi Tunnels

About 70 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City's center, the Cu Chi Tunnels in Cu Chi District are home to a vast 250-kilometer underground network. These tunnels were crucial to the reunion of Vietnam since they once protected the base of the Party Committee of the Saigon - Gia Dinh Military Region. Currently, two locations—Ben Duoc in Phu My Hung Commune and Ben Dinh in Nhuan Duc Commune—offer immersive experiences for guests to explore the intact tunnel ruins. For improved access, several tunnel segments have been expanded and repaired.

You may take bus number 13 straight from Ben Thanh Market to the Cu Chi Tunnels, or you can hire a cab, which usually costs around VND500,000 ($21.29) one way. If driving a private vehicle or motorcycle, turn into Provincial Highway 15 after following Highway 22.

Can Gio

This coastal suburban region, located about 50 kilometers from the city center, is a historical and natural destination that offers an enthralling combination of sea, mountains, and woods. This location offers a wide range of daytime ecotourism activities and covers an area comparable to Singapore. Can Gio is the only district in Ho Chi Minh City that borders the water. It is also the first mangrove forest in Vietnam to be designated as a worldwide biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2000.

Explore the Sac Forest Special Zone and paddle through the mangrove forest in a canoe at the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. During the resistance fight against the United States, Sac Forest served as a military base for the officers and troops of Sac Forest Commando Unit 10.

Take a fascinating trip and see Can Gio's colony of more than a thousand monkeys. To go to the Vam Sat Ecotourism Area, where you may paddle a boat and explore a bat reserve, you can cruise the river. Enjoy the excitement of going crab fishing, explore the colorful bird sanctuary, and be mesmerized by the sight of the lilac crocodile. After a heart-pounding adventure, scale the 26-meter-tall Tang Bong tower for breathtaking sweeping views of the mangrove jungle.

Foodies will love the Hang Duong market in Can Gio. Seafood enthusiasts may get a wide variety of shrimp, crabs, snails, and squid here at reasonable costs. Choose the freshest fish available, and savor the ease of having the sellers cook it right away.

To go to Can Gio, leave the city center and go to Binh Khanh Ferry to buy a ferry ticket. Tan Thuan Bridge is where you will find Can Gio. There are three ways for travelers to get to Can Gio: via bus, automobile, or motorcycle.

We really hope that our itinerary of Ho Chi Minh City attractions served as a useful and educational resource for you as you made your plans for 2023. Ho Chi Minh city is a fantastic destination to learn about Vietnamese history and culture, and you will have a great time there and on your Vietnam excursions. For assistance in planning your trip to Ho Chi Minh city, get in touch with Threeland Travel. They are an experienced and reliable travel agency. We can handle all the tiny things, including booking hotels and flights and purchasing tickets. We may even alter your schedule to suit your financial situation and preferences. Please visit our website or contact us right away to learn more about our current specials and packages.