Ho Chi Minh City - Latest Travel Guide (Part 2)

Old Buildings

Saigon Central Post Office

French architects Alfred Foulhoux and Henri Auguste Vildieu built the Saigon Central Post Office, which is situated in Paris Commune Square, District 1, between 1886 and 1891. Over the years, this post office has remained true to its original form, making it the biggest in Vietnam. One of its most striking characteristics is the arched ceiling that has a picture of Mercury, the god of communication and transformation, encircled by a wreath of laurel leaves. The post office's architectural design is reminiscent of Paris's famed Gare d'Orsay, a former rail station that is now a museum. Together with Notre Dame Cathedral, the post office contributes to the unique architectural ensemble of the city.

Operating hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Saigon Opera House

The Saigon Opera House is situated in the very center of the city at No. 7 Lam Son Square in District 1. This 1900 building, which was created by architect Eugène Feret, serves as a hub for the thriving cultural community in the city. The Saigon Opera House is the only structure in the city using Ardoise tiles, and it took its architectural cues from the Petit Palais, a famous museum and art gallery situated in the heart of Paris. Ardoise are renowned for their elegance, resilience to weather, and endurance.

Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday and Sunday.

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

One of the most recognizable images of the city is the Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon. French architect J. Bourad combined Gothic and Roman architectural elements to create this church, which is situated in the heart of District 1. 1877 saw the start of construction, which was finished in 1880. Up to 1,200 parishioners can be accommodated in the main nave, two side aisles, and two chapels located inside the interior. Adjacent to the cathedral lies a charming small park.

Open for visits from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please be aware that renovations are presently underway in the cathedral, with completion scheduled for 2027.

Market

Ben Thanh Market

In the center of Saigon is Ben Thanh Market, a thriving business area that has been in operation since 1914. It is a crossroads for the old and new Saigon, with a wide variety of products from fine jewelry and regional specialties to clothes, shoes, textiles, and handicrafts.

Tan Dinh Market

Tan Dinh Market was founded in 1926 and has a distinctive main entrance architectural design. This market is well-known for its food in addition to its extensive selection of merchandise. A wide range of foods are available for consumption, such as fruit platters, noodle soups, and the market's well-known chicken sticky rice.

Binh Tay Market ( Cho Lon)

Many visitors have a particular place in their hearts for Binh Tay Market, which is situated in Chinatown at the western entrance to the city. Constructed in the year 1930, this market exhibits architectural design in the Asian style, with roof corners that have a curved shape that resembles pagodas and temples. The market is a must-visit location because of its vibrant atmosphere and wide range of products.

What to eat? 

Ho Chi Minh City is the meeting point of numerous cuisines from different nations and regions. The city provides a broad range of gastronomic experiences, from traditional Vietnamese cuisine like broken rice and noodles to flavors from China, India, Japan, Korea, and Thailand, as well as vegetarian alternatives. Some of the must-try foods include snakehead fish, banh xeo (sizzling pancakes), grilled broken rice, banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich), hu tieu (pork and seafood noodle soup), and com chay kho quet (crispy rice with caramelized fish sauce).

Phan Xich Long Street

This street, which is part of the Phu Nhuan District, is home to well-known eateries, restaurants, and culinary businesses. A diverse array of dining options is available to guests, ranging from European, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese cuisine to hot pots and barbecues. There are additional cafés and rooftop bars that are open until midnight on the nearby streets that bear flower names, such as Hoa Phuong (phoenix flower), Hoa Lan (orchid), Hoa Hue (lily), and Hoa Mai (yellow mai).

Vinh Khanh Street

Ho Chi Minh City is known for its snail dishes, and Vinh Khanh Street in District 4 is home to several well-known seafood and snail eateries. These places are open till midnight and provide a selection of recipes made with snails. Snails can be grilled with salt and pepper, cooked with sacha sauce, stir-fried tamarind specialty, or the salted egg sauce type.

Ho Thi Ky Street

This culinary lane, which is situated in District 10, draws both residents and visitors with its assortment of foods and delicacies from around Vietnam. Popular options available at over 100 eateries include grilled skewers, grilled lobster with cheese, and grilled squid with salt and chile. VND 7,000 to VND 100,000 (or 30 cents to $4.26) is the price range.

Nguyen Thuong Hien Street

Open starting at 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. With over ninety food and beverage establishments, Nguyen Thuong Hien Street in District 3 attracts tourists every day. Savor rice paper salad, or banh trang tron, or tre tron, which is a salad consisting of fermented shredded pork meat, kumquat juice, beef, and garlic. Accompany your meal with a refreshing grapefruit drink, or visit several stores to discover Cambodian-style food. There are more than fifty stores on the street that provide apparel, accessories, and cosmetics.

Ha Ton Quyen Street

This street, which is in District 11, is well-known for its dumplings made in the Chinese way. The area is busy all day long, with stores lining both sides of the avenue. They provide a variety of dumplings, including fried and dried (with oyster sauce) as well as dumplings floating in noodle soup with varied contents, fish balls, and shrimp on top. The average cost of a piece is around VND50,000 ($2.13).

Getting around the city

The abundance of different transit alternatives makes getting about the city simple. Motorcycle rentals are a common option, and the majority of lodging establishments provide motorbike rentals. Alternatively, you may look for rentals online, especially in the city core. Depending on the kind of motorcycle, the daily rental cost might range from VND 100,000 to VND 200,000 ($4.26 to $8.52). A deposit of VND1 million to VND4 million ($42.58 to $170.31) may be required for certain rental locations, while your identity documents will serve as collateral for others.

In Ho Chi Minh City, using ride-hailing services for automobiles or motorcycles is a practical choice. On the other hand, frequent use might get expensive.

An affordable option is to use public transit. Bicycles and public buses are accessible in the city center for visitors to use. In December 2021, public bicycles were made available for use. Parking spaces were allocated close to bus stations, parks, and tourism destinations in District 1. For 30 minutes, the rental charge is VND5,000 (21 cents), and for 60 minutes, it is VND10,000 (43 cents).

Here are a few reminders:

• Make sure your personal items are protected when you travel and when you visit public locations.
• When choosing the best time to move about town, steer clear of peak hours. There is especially heavy traffic during rush hour from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
• It is important to refer to a map when going by motorcycle, particularly in the central area, in order to steer clear of one-way highways and car-only lanes.
• When navigating Ho Chi Minh City's network of interconnecting alleys, use caution. It is advised to stay away from unknown alleys.

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.