Saigon Checklist: 11 Best Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City

Visiting Ho Chi Minh city these day will make you feel inspired by the bustling life, beautiful scenes, and entertainment activities here. However, you feel confused about which activities to start first and which activities are the most entertaining. Here, Vietnam Motorbike Tour Expert will introduce to you 11 things to do in Ho Chi Minh City that you should not miss through the article below.

Join the Ho Chi Minh Trail Motorbike tour – Best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

When visiting Ho Chi Minh, one activity that you should consider is the Ho Chi Minh Trail Motorbike tour. This exhilarating adventure takes you on a journey through history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes.

The Ho Chi Minh Trail Motorbike tour allows you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Vietnam. Picture yourself riding through dense jungles, traversing rugged mountains, and crossing serene rivers. You’ll be captivated by the stunning scenery that unfolds before your eyes, from cascading waterfalls to picturesque rice terraces.

As you navigate through remote villages and interact with friendly locals, you’ll experience the authentic Vietnamese way of life. You’ll have the opportunity to taste traditional cuisine, learn about local customs and traditions, and forge meaningful connections with the warm-hearted people who call this land home.

The Ho Chi Minh Trail Motorbike tour is an adventure like no other, blending history, culture, and natural wonders into an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an adrenaline junkie, or a nature lover, this tour promises to leave a lasting impression and create memories that will stay with you forever. It’s an exhilarating addition to the list of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

Let’s check out: Motorcycle Tour Ho Chi Minh Trail – 15 Days

Visiting the Reunification Palace

Visiting the Reunification Palace is one of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, which has existed for almost 150 years. It is a harmonic blend of contemporary and Asian design, mainly traditional Vietnamese architecture. During the Vietnam War, this palace served as the residence of South Vietnam’s president. When a North Vietnamese army tanker crashed through the main gate in 1975, it marked the end of the Vietnam War. When the country was finally reunited, this place became a historical and cultural relic, a must-see tourist attraction in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Reunification Palace is currently available to all tourists, and it has welcomed numerous heads of state and high-ranking officials from various nations to visit. Its opening hours are from 8 am to 1 pm, ticket prices range from 10,000 to 65,000 VND. 

Paying a visit to the War Remnants Museum

The next best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City is to Pay a visit to the War Remnants Museum. The War Remnants Museum was founded on September 4, 1975. This museum focuses on studying, collecting, conserving, and displaying evidence of crimes and the Vietnam Wars’ repercussions. Thereby, raising awareness against unjust wars and safeguarding peace and goodwill among people worldwide. With almost 1 million visits yearly, the museum has become one of the most popular cultural and tourism destinations for both Vietnamese and foreign visitors.

If you can visit this location, look into all of the displayed themes here to have a greater awareness of the hardships and laborious battle process to unite the Vietnamese people’s nation. The museum now has nine themes on exhibit, the most significant of which is the subject of Historical Facts and Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. 

Admiring the beauty of Notre Dame Cathedral

On October 7, 1877, the Notre-Dame Cathedral was completed. With its antique French architecture and lavish interior, this historic site is considered Vietnam’s most prominent Catholic church and a symbol of Saigon. The Notre Dame Cathedral offers a glimpse into the city’s rich history and religious heritage, making it one of the most captivating things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

The architectural design of the cathedral encompasses three main areas: the cathedral itself, the bell tower, and the surrounding park. These areas showcase classic and exquisite features, blending elements of Roman and Gothic styles. The grandeur and elegance of the Notre Dame Cathedral continue to enchant visitors, providing a serene and awe-inspiring experience.

While restoration work has been ongoing for several years, limiting access to the cathedral, this effort ensures its preservation for future generations to enjoy. Once the restoration is complete, the Notre Dame Cathedral will stand strong for at least another century, allowing visitors to appreciate its historical and architectural significance in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Hanging out at Nguyen Hue Walking Street – Exhilarating things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

The Next best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City is Hanging out at Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, located on the arterial road of Ho Chi Minh City is considered the busiest street in town. In the evening, local people will come here to have a walk, enjoy the breeze, perform arts such as singing, and dancing,… and organize various entertainment activities, bringing a vibrant, joyful, and bustling atmosphere to the whole long street. Moreover, it is built with two large fountains and a remote lighting and music control system and has two rows of shady trees along the side. Organizing flower street exhibitions and various music and art events are also some of the most popular events that usually hold on this site. 

This is also a place that can satisfy tourists who like to travel by food when coming to Vietnam. Around Nguyen Hue Walking Street, there is a variety of coffee shops at 42 Nguyen Hue apartment building, culinary restaurants serving a variety of dishes from European to Asian, and street food stalls, etc. This will bring an interesting experience for travelers when visiting Saigon at night. 

Taking a shopping tour at Ben Thanh Market – Excited things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Ben Thanh Market was built in 1870 – is an ancient and long-standing symbol of Saigon with a neoclassical design including 4 main doors and 12 side doors facing 4 directions – East, West, South, and North. On each gate are ceramic reliefs with many images associated with the homeland of Vietnam such as cows, geese, bananas, etc., delicately sculpted by Bien Hoa ceramic artists in 1952. Different items will be sold at each door, with a wide variety of quality and designs, which is another reason why many local and foreign visitors choose to come here. This is also regarded as a Saigon culinary heaven, with numerous characteristic Southern foods such as Bun bo Hue, Bun Rieu, Banh Canh, and so on being served.

The market opens at 7:30 am and closed at 6 pm. Always remember to negotiate for a better price when shopping here. 

Discovering Binh Quoi Tourism Village – Fascinating things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Binh Quoi Tourism Village is an excellent place for visitors searching for serenity amid bustling Saigon, with lush gardens shaded with coconut palms, winding canals and rivers, and Southern culinary culture. Binh Quoi eco-tourism region is separated into three distinct zones, all of which are located in Thanh Da peninsula, Binh Thanh district, Ho Chi Minh City. 

The eco-tourism village of Binh Quoi is ideally suited for weekend outings with friends or family that include outdoor picnics. Additionally, the Binh Quoi 2 tourism area is furnished with a separate tennis court and swimming area, assisting in providing visitors with richer and higher-quality experiences. You must at least try the grilled chicken, banana clam salad, or hot pot with fish sauce when visiting this site due to its excellent taste and symbolism of the south region. 

Exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels – Mesmerizing things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Cu Chi Tunnels – also known as the “city in the ground,” are located about 70 kilometers northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Famous for its solid and complex defense system in the ground, dug by the Viet Minh resistance and the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam during the Indochina War and the Vietnam War, this historical site was not only a refuge but also became a place for different purposes such as military meetings, ambulance operations, and weapons manufacturing and storage during the resistance war. Cu Chi Tunnels is now an officially recognized National Monument and one of the world’s six most unique man-made works, drawing millions of local and foreign tourists. It’s definitely one of the fascinating things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Cu Chi Tunnels historical relic is open daily from 7 am until 5 pm. Adult tickets are 35,000 VND, with children and students receiving a 50% discount. Especially, this place offers free entry tickets for those with disabilities, impoverished households, or people who served in the Vietnam War. It’s a must-visit destination to delve into the history and understand the resilience and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people during wartime.

Experiencing the Mekong Delta – Remarkable Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

Embark on a motorcycle tour in South Vietnam and dive into the Mekong Delta’s enchanting world, where life flourishes with the retreat of the floodwaters, nurturing rice paddies and fisheries. This journey through Vietnam’s “Rice Bowl” reveals a tapestry of life where homes cling to riverbanks, surrounded by fruit orchards, floating markets, Buddhist temples, and rice fields.

South Vietnam motorcycle tours provide an intimate perspective of the delta, best experienced between October and March when the waters rise, enhancing the landscape’s beauty and offering ideal conditions for river excursions and market visits. This period, while offering the best weather, might come with a price hike due to the Lunar New Year festivities.

On this motorcycle adventure, the Mekong Delta becomes more than just a destination; it’s a vibrant ecosystem to explore, where every turn tells a story and each landscape invites deeper understanding.

Spending a night out at Bui Vien Street

In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Bui Vien Street is a very well-known spot for young people to go out and have fun, particularly among foreign travelers. Spending a night out at Bui Vien Street is the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. Along both sides of the road, street restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs, and karaoke establishments have arisen, offering a range of entertainment options for even the most discerning travelers. As a result, this is seen to be a fantastic choice for individuals who enjoy the bustle in Saigon.

Weekend nights are the finest time to visit Bui Vien Street because of the lively atmosphere and the presence of a variety of art forms, as well as a variety of excellent cuisines and innovative new entertainment locations. 

Visiting the Ho Chi Minh City Zoo and Botanical Gardens

The Zoo and Botanical Garden, located opposite the Independence Palace and approximately 2 kilometers from the Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, is one of Vietnam’s oldest entertainment parks and also an extensive plant and animal conservation center. This is also a wildlife refuge with 590 gargoyles of 125 kinds and 1,800 trees of 260 species in the flora. The Zoo and Botanical Garden was designed and constructed by the French in 1864, making it the world’s sixth-oldest zoo. Because of its enormous green area, fresh air, and tranquil atmosphere, this location is also known as Saigon’s ‘green lung’, ideal for family trips, picnics, and weekend relaxation. It’s definitely one of the exciting things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Zoo and Botanical Garden is open every day of the week, including holidays and Tet, from 7 am to 6:30 pm for visitors. The entrance ticket prices range from 40,000 VND for children to 60,000 VND for adults. Additionally, children under 1 meter tall will have free admission.

Final word

The above article presents a comprehensive list of the top 11 things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. It aims to provide you with the necessary information to make the most of your visit and ensure a memorable experience in Vietnam’s vibrant metropolis. If you have any further inquiries or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help and ensure your trip to Ho Chi Minh City is a fantastic one.