Things to Do

1. Pham Ngu Lao Street. The well known backpacker street. There are a lot of travel agencies here and many backpacker hostels surround this area. You can also find cheap beers, cheap massage, and cafe over here. People watching and drinking beers by the street at Bui Vien street in the night is one of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

2. Saigon Central Post Office. One of the landmarks of Saigon, the post office is still in operation until today. After you take picture with the colonial French building, you can also send out a post card to your loved ones. Link. 

3. Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon. The most famous landmark of Ho Chi Minh City. The cathedral is just next to the Saigon Central Post Office so you may arrange both attractions to be visited together. It was constructed between 1863-1880, established by French colonists who initially named it is Church of Saigon. Outside the garden it lies a marble statue of Mary - Queen of Peace, completed by Italian sculptor G. Ciocchetti in 1959. Link. 

4. Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Building (City Hall). The building was built in 1902-1908 in French colonial style. Even though it is not open to public, you may still take photos outside of this landmark.

5. War Remnants Museum. It was established in 1975. The must-go museum in the city. It presents and displays the history and legacy of the world-known Vietnam - American War. The current location used to be American Information Agency. At indoor there are many photos taken during the war. At outdoor there are military equipments such as helicopter, tank, and bomber. It is a place that people often walk out with heavy heart. Link.

6. The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City. Also known as Saigon Municipal Opera House, it is another French colonial style building which was built in 1898. It is a hotspot for local people, photographers and even the wedding couples. Link.

7. Reunification Palace. A landmark in Ho Chi Minh City that was built in 1868 as a residence for French governor-general of Cochin-China. And after the departure of French, it became home to South Vietnamese presidents. The Reunification Palace is open to public when there is no official receptions or meetings. There are also guides on duty when open who can speak English or French. Link. 

8. Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels are immense network of connecting tunnels located in the Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City. The tunnels were the locations of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War and were the Viet Cong's base of operation. The tunnels were used as hiding spots during combat. You can just book a day tour with your hotel or travel agencies to visit the tunnels. Link.

9. Tan Dinh Catholic Church. It is a Roman Catholic Church with Gothic architecture. It is in District 3 but without a doubt you will go there because the church is pink. It is one of the bet Instagrammable spots in Ho Chi Minh City. Link.

10. Ben Thanh Market. Located at the center of District 1, it is famous for both local people and international tourists. It is the largest and most authentic market in the district. You can find many local food and souvenirs, local snacks, and coffee powder inside. Link.

11. The Cafe Apartment. An old apartment turned into house of cafes. It is a good place to chill if you have free time in the afternoon. Get yourself a cup of coffee while watching people on the walking street from the top. Link. 

12. Do Massage. You will see massage shops everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City. The prices of massage services in Vietnam is relatively very cheap compared to other countries or big cities. Always pamper yourself a little bit after a long day!

13. Landmark 81. The newest tallest skyscraper in Vietnam, second tallest in Southeast Asia. The building has offices, apartments, hotels, multi-storey observation deck, and highest bar and restaurant in Southeast Asia. The observatory allows you to have a full view of Ho Chi Minh City and you may try to go during sunset time. Link. 

Food To Try

1. Com Tam. Vietnamese broken rice with grilled pork chop. No matter breakfast, lunch or dinner, local people eat it daily and proudly. 

2. Banh Mi. Vietnamese baguette stuffed with meat and vegetable originated from French colonisation. You can see stalls selling Banh Mi on every street of Ho Chi Minh City.

3. Pho. Vietnamese rice noodles soup with beef broth. Without a doubt the most famous Vietnamese food around the world. Pho is daily food in Vietnam but every regions will have slightly different taste. Pho in Ho Chi Minh City has a richer taste and is served with more herbs. If you don't know where to have one, you may go to the chain restaurant, Pho 2000.

4. Vietnamese Spring Rolls. Vietnamese people love herbs and it makes the spring roll become one of their favourite. A traditional one is made from a lot of fresh herbs, vermicelli, and meat, wrapped in rice paper, and dip in black soy sauce. You can see this on the menu in most of the restaurants. 

5. Hu Tieu. Southern rice noodle soup. It is one of the dishes that originated from Chinese and Cambodian cuisine, but adjusted to Vietnamese taste. It is a bowl of rice noodles with rich broth cooked with pork bones and radish, served with pork, shrimp, quail eggs, and beansprout.

6. Banh Xeo. Vietnamese pancake stuffed with meat. One of the most popular dishes from Mekong Delta area. The battery is made of rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric powder and the filling is usually sliced pork belly, shrimp, and beansprout.

7.  Seafood. Seafood in general as Ho Chi Minh City is near to cities by the sea, the seafood here is transferred everyday from the nearest seas. 

8. Banh Trang Tron. Mixed rice paper, is a tasty Vietnamese street food. It is just chopped rice paper mixed with green mango, Vietnamese coriander, quail eggs, dried beef, chicken, and squid. You can see this dish almost everywhere. 

9. Vietnamese Coffee with Milk. This is a must to try in Vietnam. Their very own coffee powder, very own condensed milk, combine together to give you the unique sweet and fragrant coffee flavour that you can't find elsewhere in the world. The unique taste is just so different from coffee from all other regions in the world. 

Tours

1. City Tour. Buy here.

2. Street Food Tour. Buy here.

3. Hop On and Hop Off Bus. Buy here.

4. Cu CHi Tunnels Tour. Buy here.

Accommodation

In the most happening city of Vietnam, accommodations are available at all level. Backpacker hostels from $8-10 to 5 stars international brands, you don't have to worry about not being able to get a hotel that fits your budget. There are also a lot of local boutique hotels at the center of the city with very affordable prices. When you are choosing a hotel, try to find one at District 1, this is the center of Ho Chi Minh City, where it will be easier for you to get to everywhere. This is a hub of hotels, food, shopping, massage, bars, travel agencies, and everything you need. District 1 is about 30-40 minutes car ride from the airport and even faster if no traffic in early morning or late night. There are hotels near airport but unless you really want to get to airport within minutes, District 1 is still the better option, 

Recommended Length of Trip

2-3 nights if you have a very tight itinerary, 4-5 nights if your purpose if to chill and relax. Ho Chi Minh City always has more than you know to surprise you, from local food vendors by the street to a speakeasy bar in the alley. If time permits, try to keep more time for this city or try to arrange this as last destination as this city has most fun regardless of tourists or locals.

Transport

The airport in the city is Tan Son Nhat International Airport which has two terminals, domestic and international. Similar to but less than Bangkok, it has international flights from most of the Asian countries. It also services domestic flights from 16 cities in Vietnam, including the famous ones like Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc. Within the city, if you are only in District 1, most of the places can be reached by foot. Renting motorbike is an option but it will be challenging as the traffic in the city is way overwhelming and hectic. There are many taxis around and they only accept cash. Public bus service is not that sophisticated and drivers do not speak English at all, but budget wise it is the cheapest to get around. Most usefully, you can download the app "Grab". This application is a competitor of Uber and is commonly used in Southeast Asian countries. You can use it to order car or motorbike rides at a price lower than taxis. You can bind your credit card with the app so it will be very convenient when using. You may also use cash but bear in mind that drivers might not have sufficient change for you when you reach your destination. 

Best Time to Travel

The dry season is from December to April where it nearly has no rain. However, December and January are the peak months that people will enjoy their holiday. So expect hotels and flight tickets to be more expensive and more difficult to book than usuals.