What to see in Ho Chi Minh City in a couple of days? The sights of Saigon.
The city became a symbol of the unification of North and South Vietnam, with Saigon later renamed Ho Chi Minh City. However, the original name is still preserved, not only on bottles of popular Vietnamese beer. Ho Chi Minh City is a large Vietnamese city with a well-developed infrastructure. Despite its size, the metropolis is not often the main destination for tourists. Usually, travelers heading to beach cities in Vietnam, such as Phu Quoc Island or Nha Trang, as well as other countries, pass through the city. Most people stop here briefly as part of a larger tour of Vietnam. In this article, we’ll explore the most important and interesting attractions in Saigon and suggest what to see in Ho Chi Minh City in a couple of days.
Saigon Attractions List:
- Pedestrianized Street
- Bitexco Observation Tower
- City Hall and Ho Chi Minh Monument
- French Architecture
- Reunification Palace
- Main Museum of Saigon
- Ben Thanh Market
- Mekong Delta
- Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
- Cu Chi Tunnels
- Water Puppet Theater
The abundance of contrasts in this Asian city captivates even the most seasoned travelers. Communist posters with slogans sit side by side with girls dancing in bars. The grandeur of buildings and the neon lights of nightlife mix with rusty carts displaying street vendors’ goods.
On the same street, you can find a painted Buddhist temple next to a Catholic church. Restaurants with live sharks in aquariums and crocodiles sleeping behind bars compete with places where a bowl of rice with chicken costs just over a dollar. Plastic tables and chairs are set up right by the road under the open sky. All of this is Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon.
Pedestrian Street in the Tourist Center
The best way to start exploring Ho Chi Minh City is by visiting Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street. Firstly, it offers a great view of the city, both during the day and at night. Secondly, most of the main attractions are within walking distance. Thirdly, the street often hosts concerts and events.
Ho Chi Minh City is famous for its vibrant nightlife, not just on the central streets and in its many establishments, but also “up in the sky.” Bars and restaurants located on the top floors of hotels or other buildings are common here. The same building from the “Eagle and Tails” program, with its many floors of interesting establishments, is located on this street.
Bitexco Tower Observation Deck
Until recently, the Bitexco Financial Tower was one of the tallest buildings in Vietnam. The skyscraper stands about 265 meters tall with 68 floors. Today, it’s one of the must-see attractions in Saigon.
A ticket costs 200,000 VND (as of my visit in December 2024). There are other options to visit the Bitexco Tower, but the observation deck is the best way to see the city from above, providing a sense of its scale. It’s not very crowded.
Tickets can be purchased online starting at $9.
City Hall and Ho Chi Minh Monument
On one side of the Saigon River lies the main tourist street, and on the other side stands a monument to the Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh. Across the street from the monument is the City Hall building, a legacy of French colonization.
French Architecture in an Asian Metropolis
From the mid-19th to the mid-20th century, Vietnam was under French rule. At that time, Ho Chi Minh City (then Saigon) was the capital of the colonial state. The buildings erected during this period, monuments to French architecture, continue to attract tourists. The Vietnamese Notre Dame Cathedral is a must-see. For those who have been to Paris, and even for those who haven’t, it’s fascinating to admire the details of this Asian replica of the famous cathedral.
It’s also worth visiting the Saigon Opera House. The theater’s pink façade is beautifully adorned with stucco and statues. If you plan your trip in advance, you can time it with a performance, such as classical operas sung by Asian performers — an impressive sight.
Tickets for the legendary bamboo show at the theater
Nearby, you can also visit the Central Post Office, another popular attraction in Ho Chi Minh City.
Reunification Palace
The Reunification Palace, once the residence of the President of South Vietnam, is another must-see. Here, you can visit the control center from which the president directed operations during the war. You can also see the president’s private apartments and take photos in the hall where negotiations were held with American leaders and heads of other countries.
Great English-speaking tours with good reviews are available.
Museums You Must Visit
The Vietnam War Museum is one of the city’s hallmark attractions. For the sensitive, it can be difficult to visit a place where the horrors of the Vietnam War are vividly documented. The main exhibits feature photographs and paintings from that era.
The hall displaying photographs of the victims of the chemical attacks carried out by the Americans leaves a lasting impression.
Ben Thanh Market
One of the most popular and frequently visited markets in Ho Chi Minh City, located in the tourist district. The market offers a wide range of goods, from souvenirs and clothing to exotic food and fruits. At Ben Thanh, you can easily find the perfect gifts to bring back from Vietnam.
Mekong Delta
Though not located in Saigon itself, the Mekong Delta ranks first among outbound excursions from the city. I’ve written in detail about visiting this region in another article. During the river cruise, you’ll encounter floating shops selling pineapples, sweet potatoes, green onions, and corn. Farmers stand knee-deep in water in rice fields, and local women in rubber boots diligently clean the weeds.
Sometimes you’ll feel like this place is about to be overtaken by commercialization, but the abundance of rivers, palm trees, and people wearing pointed hats, wrapped head to toe against the sun, maintains the authenticity of the delta.
River tours start at $16 per person.
Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho Province
If you visit My Tho province as part of a river delta tour, be sure to stop by the Vinh Trang Pagoda. The temple visit is usually included in the tour package.
For those staying in Ho Chi Minh City who still want to see Buddhist pagodas, there are many other options available.
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
The center of Buddhism in Vietnam is concentrated in the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, which has been functioning since 1971. If you’re passing by on the way to or from the airport, you’ll definitely spot the temple.
Here, you can see Buddhist monks performing prayers and rituals. The visit to the pagoda is free. At the entrance, you can light incense and place it in a large vat — a ritual symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.
Despite the rapid development of the metropolis, Ho Chi Minh City has retained the Asian lifestyle that makes it such a fascinating city. Perhaps this is why tourists considering a trip to Asia should definitely come to Ho Chi Minh City. One of the city’s iconic attractions is our next stop:
Cu Chi Tunnels
This vast network of guerrilla tunnels was actively used during the Vietnam War against the US military. The total length of the tunnel network was about 150 kilometers, and it was carefully hidden from enemy eyes. Today, tourists visit the tunnels as part of guided tours.
Tours start at $10 per person.
Water Puppet Theater
The water puppet performance lasts about 45 minutes, and the spectacle is both unusual and memorable. Whether it’s interesting or not is subjective, but it’s certainly an experience you won’t forget.
Be sure to buy tickets in advance.
Ho Chi Minh City offers a rich history and a wide range of entertainment options, making it an ideal destination for both short trips and longer stays.
Interesting Facts About Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
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Historical Name: The city was founded in 1698 as a small settlement called Tay Nghe. In 1859, Saigon was captured by the French and became an important part of the French colonial empire. After the Vietnam War ended in 1976, Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in honor of the North Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh.
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Economic Center of Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City is the country’s economic engine. It is home to Vietnam’s largest companies, financial institutions, and international corporations. The city is an important commercial and industrial center, producing many goods, including textiles, electronics, and automobiles.
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Street Food: Saigon is famous for its street markets and delicious food. Dishes like pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), banh mi (sandwiches with various fillings), and kho cha (rice with meat) can be found on literally every corner.
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Rapid Population Growth: Ho Chi Minh City has experienced rapid population growth in recent decades. Today, the city is home to over 9 million people and continues to grow. This is accompanied by rapid infrastructure development, the construction of residential complexes, and the expansion of transportation networks.
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Cultural Diversity: Ho Chi Minh City is a multicultural city. Various ethnic groups coexist here, including Vietnamese, Chinese, French, and others, giving the city a distinct cultural flavor. Part of the city is the Cholon Chinatown, where you can.
