Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam‘s largest city by population. Ho Chi Minh (also known as Saigon) has a population of more than 9 million people. You see this especially in the traffic chaos in the city. Everywhere you look, hundreds of motorbikes drive by. In this article, we address the question: what things to do in Ho Chi Minh? You’ll find the 6 best activities in Ho Chi Minh, the tastiest restaurants and the best places to stay.
Content of this blog:
1. Cu Chi tunnels
Vietnam has a fierce history with the 20-year Vietnam War. The remains of this war can still be seen at the Cu Chi tunnels. These tunnels were created by the Vietcong to fight against the Americans and the Vietminh. Today it is a real tourist attraction where hundreds of tourists come to see it. Still, it is a must visit from Ho Chi Minh. We did this tour ourselves which we can recommend. The guide, Eddie, knows extremely much to tell and you learn a lot here. Read all the information about the Cu Chi tunnels here.
2. War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants museum is located in the middle of Ho Chi Minh. The museum was established to collect, research and exhibit evidence surrounding the Vietnam War. You will find a huge amount of photos, pamphlets and information about the Vietnam War through this. Admission to the War Remnants museum costs 40,000 dong (€1.50) per person. Learn more about the War Remnants museum here.
3. Mekong delta tour
The Mekong Delta is an area in southern Vietnam. The Mekong River here flows into several small branches. From Ho Chi Minh, you can take a day tour to the Mekong Delta. You will be picked up at your hotel early in the morning after which you will spend over 2 hours on the bus. After arriving at the Mekong Delta, you will go up the river and be taken to several small villages. Here you will see local, authentic Vietnamese life and learn more about how different products are made. You will also be taken to a farm where all the different types of wine are made. You can book the tour from Ho Chi Minh to the Mekong Delta here.
Tip: You can also take an easyrider from Ho Chi Minh to the Mekong Delta. Then make it a multi-day tour. We spent a total of a week in Vietnam traveling with easyrider Quy who offers great tours. He arranges everything for you and stops at points of interest along the way where he explains in good English. You can whatsapp him to discuss the possibilities. Quy’s phone number is +84 908 620 055.
4. Bui Vien Walking Street
Bangkok has Khao San Road, Siem Reap has Pubstreet and Ho Chi Minh has Bui Vien walking street. Starting at 8 p.m., the music pops from the speakers and everyone tries to get you inside their club or bar. If you want to go out, this is the place to be in Ho Chi Minh.
5. Sports with the locals
This park is located in the middle of Ho Chi Minh, near the walking street. Every morning, dozens of locals gather here to exercise and dance. Be sure to get here around 7:30 a.m. to exercise with the locals, or just go for a run. You immediately get extra motivation from all the friendly locals. At the same time, they also really enjoy watching you play sports.
6. Hop on the back of the motorbike
Vietnam is known for its many motorbikes in traffic, that is also the case in Ho Chi Minh. Despite traffic being chaos, things do (almost) always go well. It’s great to explore Ho Chi Minh on the back of a motorbike. Through Grab, you can easily arrange a motorbike as a cab. Besides being fun to sit on the back of a motorbike, it is also the easiest and fastest way to get around Ho Chi Minh. This is because cars get stuck a lot due to chaotic traffic, and then it can take a very long time to get to your destination.
The nicest accommodations in Ho Chi Minh
One of the best budget hotels in Ho Chi Minh, which also happens to be a 2-minute walk from downtown, is Thao Nhi.When you book through here, you pay an average of €17 per night. A more luxurious hotel in Ho Chi Minh, also near the center is the Au Lac Charner Hotel, with rooftop pool!
Tip: click on the link below to see the nicest hostels and hotels in Ho Chi Minh City
The best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh
This little street, near Walking Street, is cozy to walk through and somewhat reminiscent of Hoi An. There are also 2 delicious restaurants here.
- Punjabi Indian. Indian food is always good. Indian cuisine is SO flavorful and very vegetarian/vegan friendly. The owner of Punjabi Indian is very nice and the Vegetable Korma SO delicious!
- Nha Hang Asian Kitchen. Fancy hotpot? Then eat here. The hotpot is very cheap and delicious. If you are still hungry afterwards, there are also very tasty desserts at Nha Hang Asian Kitchen.
- Like Coffee – Banh Mi. You can eat the tastiest banh mi in Ho Chi Minh here. There are also very good vegetarian and vegan banh mi options.
How to get to Ho Chi Minh?
From Phnom Penh in Cambodia, you can easily travel by bus to Ho Chi Minh. Are you coming from Dalat or Mui Né? Then travel by sleeper bus to Ho Chi Minh. For all tickets, itineraries and prices, visit 12GO.Asia.
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