16 Fun Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

If you’re planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City and feeling overwhelmed, I get it. It can be a chaotic city to find your feet in, but after my few weeks here, I’ve figured out all the good stuff, from where to get the best banh mi that’ll blow your mind for less than $2, to cool craft beer bars and hidden speakeasies. Keep reading for 16 fun things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh, formerly known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest city. The skyline is speckled with modern skyscrapers that give it a more modern feel than Hanoi. Don’t worry, it still has the quintessential Vietnamese charm, with colonial architecture, motorbikes whizzing by, honking horns, and insanely delicious street food and cafes.

I’m going to show you the spots where you’ll actually want to hang out, including some lesser known places to help you experience the city beyond the typical tourist checklist, although of course some worthwhile tourist hotspots are also included.

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Best Areas To Stay In Ho Chi Minh City

The best areas to stay for first time visitors to Ho Chi Minh are District 1 and District 3. You will be within walking distance of all the major attractions along with an excellent choice of restaurants and cafes. District 3 offers a slightly more local experience whereas district 1 is more touristy.

Recommended Hotels In Ho Chi Minh City

Budget | Meow Hotel & Cafe located in District 1 offers modern and cosy rooms with air conditioning. The hotel features a shared kitchen, a welcome commodity for budget travellers.

Mid-range | Hoang Lan Hotel in District 3 have large comfortable rooms, some even feature a balcony overlooking a quiet street. Breakfast is included in the rate.

Luxury | Mai House Saigon Hotel is a 5 star hotel with facilities that include an outdoor swimming pool, as well as a fitness centre and a sauna. Rooms are spacious with elegant decor and a bathtub.

16 Fun Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh

1. Live Music At Acoustic Bar

Every night a number of live bands and singers take to the stage to sing their versions of popular international and Vietnamese songs. The musicians are all incredible, there is a drummer, bassist, electric guitarist and keyboardist. Acoustic Bar is one of the best things to do at night in Ho Chi Minh City. As a result, it gets very busy so if you want a seat arrive before the music starts at 21:00. Drinks are more expensive than most other bars in the city but the cocktails are very nice. The area also has many restaurants to grab a bite in beforehand.

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2. Explore The Cafe Apartments

This is a really cool concept, it is an apartment block with lots of different cafes, boutiques and a small number of residential apartments fusing coffee, community and creativity. It was created as a response to the rapid urbanisation of Ho Chi Minh, entrepreneurs seized the opportunity to convert their upper floors into residential units and lower floors to cafes.

The entrance of the cafe apartments does not stand out, you would be forgiven if you walked straight past it. When you enter the building walk to the back and to the right will be a staircase. You can take a lift to different floor but the most fun way is climbing the stairs and seeing all the different cafes and artwork on the walls.Exploring all the floors of this cafe apartment is one of the most fun things to do in Ho Chi Minh

I went to Madam Quyên who served the best Bun Cha I had in all of my time in Vietnam and a salted coffee. Located on the top floor the cafe looks out over the back of the building not out on to the square. I also visited %, I recommend it for the views because it overlooks the square but the coffee was not great. I also walked into the door of the balcony (someone give the cleaner a raise!) and just got weird looks from the staff (I guess that is understandable), it was just not my vibe.

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3. War Remnants Museum

It’s no secret that Ho Chi Minh City endured immense suffering during the Vietnam War, and the War Remnants Museum effectively portrays both the magnitude of the damage inflicted and the resilience of the Vietnamese people. A visit to this museum is an emotional journey that provides profound insights into the brutal realities of the war.

This museum brings you face to face with photographs and narratives vividly depicting the horrors caused by chemical weapons like Agent Orange serving poignant reminders of the human cost of the conflict. Simultaneously, a strong emphasis is placed on the importance of peace, reconciliation, and the hope for a better future. It promotes a message of healing and understanding, urging visitors to learn from the past to prevent such tragedies from happening again. It is one of the most interesting things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

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4. Take A Walk Through Tao Dan Park

Tao Dan is a beautiful picturesque park in the heart of Ho Chi Minh city, district 1. Lined with sculptures, water features, greenery and a temple the park offers a pocket of tranquility away from the bustle, and is a free thing to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

That said, I did see a bald eagle, he was not wild but on a long lead but it was fascinating watching it look at small dogs and kids walking by! In other words eyeing them up for his next meal!

5. Crawl The Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels are 250 km of strategic tunnels used as hideouts, communication routes, and supply chains during the Vietnam War. Admittedly, I was unsure about visiting Chu Chi tunnels, spending a day crawling through tunnels did not sound fun. Despite my initial lack of enthusiasm I am so glad I visited because it is one of the most interesting things to do in Ho Chi Minh.

To clarify, you will not spend the day crawling through tunnels, there is only one that can be crawled through. It is extremely small and not advisable for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia. Surprisingly, the Cu Chi Tunnels have been expanded for visitors, originally they were even smaller in size. However, do not worry every 20 metres you have a chance to get out.

It is worth noting that only about 10% of the tour involves crawling through the tunnels, instead the majority most of the tour involves walking around the forest and learning about traps that the Viet Cong used and their living spaces.

We were also given tapioca, a rustic snack that is traditionally served with a peanut seasoning. Interestingly, this humble dish holds historical significance as it was a staple meal for the Viet Cong during the war.

6. Ben Nghe Street Food Market

The variety and quality of food here is incredible with stalls ranging from Vietnamese, Thai, Indian to Western cuisine. The market is an ideal place to escape the city’s heat with air conditioning throughout the building.

Not only cool in temperature it is also cool on a visual level with vibrant murals and neon lights. Concerning the price, you can expect most dishes to cost between 90k-150k, a beer will set you back around 30k. Trust me, try the Vietnamese pancakes here, there is a large variety of fillings.

7. Visit Little Japan

Down an alley in the midst of the crazy traffic of Ho Chi Minh is a quiet series of alleyways that immediately transports you to Japan and is an interesting thing to do in Hoc Chi Minh City. These alleyways offer visitors a glimpse of Japan, particularly the cuisine, so if you have ever wanted to treat yourself to authentic Japanese cuisine, including sushi, ramen, or yakitori then you will really enjoy this small corner of Ho Chi Minh.

I preferred visiting Little Japan during the day, walking the narrow paths provided some peace, but during the night it really changed. It essentially is a red-light district and has a completely different vibe. Do not let this put you off because the daytime is a much better experience that resulted in me being hungry for a trip to Japan.

Where To Eat In Little Japan

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8. Fill Up On Banh Mi’s

Writing off a banh mi as a regular sandwich would be a big mistake. Banh Mi’s erupt with flavour, filled with a variety of juicy meats, fresh herbs, crunchy cucumber and carrots in a perfectly crispy baguette. Saigon’s banh mi differs from banh mi’s in the north and central regions of Vietnam. The bread is less dense, fillings are more varied with pork, chicken, liver and meatballs and it’s all generously drenched in sauce.

Banh mi’s are very affordable, usually costing 20 – 30k from street side stalls which offer the tastiest version compared to cafes/restaurants. There is truly nothing quite like sitting on a tiny stool by the side of the street watching the world go by savouring one of these bad boys.

Not only do banh mi’s taste different region to region but also from each stall, this is due to the different meat, sauces, and herbs used. Eating as many banh mi’s as humanly possible is a fun thing to do in Ho Chi Minh. Here are a few places I loved!

9. Learn The Art Of Vietnamese Coffee

The coffee in Vietnam is next level, there is such a passion for coffee here. Coffee is deeply rooted in Vietnams social fabric and is a part of everyday life there. In Ho Chi Minh there is a large number of cafes to taste local and international coffee. The Vietnamese just know how to coffee, with bold and sweet flavours there is something to suit everyone.

The following are some of the most popular Vietnamese coffees.

• Traditional Vietnamese Coffee – very strong and sweetened with condensed milk
• Egg coffee – egg yolk, condensed milk and sugar. Some taste like custard while others can taste of merengue.
• Salted coffee – made with a phin filter, heavy cream, condensed milk and salt *my personal favourite*
• Coconut coffee – basically a coconut slushy served with an espresso that you pour over it. coconut cream, sweet condensed milk and lots of ice

Although visiting the cafes is a must, learning how to recreate this magic at home is unbeatable. Take a Vietnamese Coffee Workshop for beginners to learn how to make the worlds best coffee. It also gives you a new found appreciation for your cup of coffee.

10. Chinatown

Vietnam’s largest Chinatown is located in Cholon in District 5. Cholon showcases the powerful cultural heritage of the Chinese community in Vietnam. View the Chinese style buildings, visit historic clan houses, and explore the narrow alleyways that are brimming with character and charm.

Fun things to do in Ho Chi Minh Chinatown

11. Skydeck at Bitexco Financial Tower

At 262 metres stretching across 68 floors, Bitexco is Vietnams tallest building and it promises breathtaking views of the districts in Ho Chi Minh. During your visit you will be able to use interactive boards that explain the buildings you are seeing, I found this extremely helpful. I have been to some observation decks and felt a bit clueless of the buildings in the distance.

I would recommend visiting during sunset, where you will see the city in threes different scenes.

12. Craft Beer

Did you know that Ho Chi Minh has a great craft beer scene? I guess it shouldn’t be too surprising considering that drinking beer is basically a sport in Vietnam.

Heart Of Darkness and Pasteur Street Brewing are two craft beer bars that should be on your radar. Both bars have an excellent selection of IPA beers but Heart Of Darkness takes the prize for food, their wings and spicy creole fries deserve a mention.

13. Sai Gon Central Post Office

Ho Chi Minh City post office is not your typical post office, it combines history, stunning French colonial architecture, and practical services. When you walk through its doors, you will be transported back to a time where communication was slower, and hand written letters were a frequent occurrence.

While you are there, be sure to take the opportunity to post a postcard home to your family and friends, not only is it one of the most unique things to do in Ho Chi Minh, it also preserves the charm of traditional mail in the digital age.

14. Book Street

Officially known as Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, this charming 100 metre pedestrianised lane is a book lovers dream. Lined with bookshops, cosy cafes and independent boutiques, the atmosphere is relaxing.

Although books are mostly in Vietnamese, you will be able to find a few English books too. The stores also often host book launches, poetry readings, and cultural events.

15. Bui Vien Street

Also referred to as the walking street and backpacker street, this vibrant and bustling area is a hub of activity. People talk about the craziness of Khaosan Road in Bangkok but I think Bui Vien Street is so much more rowdy. The music is so loud you can feel it in your chest, girls are dancing in the windows of bright neon lit bars, bar staff are trying to literally pull you into their bar and motorbikes are rushing past you on the the narrow path.

It is chaotic, but that’s its charm. I recommend doing a pub crawl for the ultimate fun thing to do at night in Ho Chi Minh City.

16. Visit A Speakeasy

To say the Telephone Bar does not blend into its surroundings is an understatement, looking like it has been picked up from London and randomly placed in Ho Chi Minh.

Identifiable by the two red telephone boxes outside, walking through these telephone boxes is the start of a fun experience in Ho Chi Minh. Once you step in the box another door automatically opens inviting you into a sophisticated bar reminiscent of the 1920s. Inside it is dark with an air of mystery, I felt like I needed to whisper.

Adding to the mystery, there are no menus but instead bespoke cocktails, aka you ask for it and they make it. I can confirm the cocktails are exceptional albeit expensive. For example a whiskey sour cost an eye watering 428,000 VND. However, I think it is worth it as it is one of the best speakeasys I visited in Ho Chi Minh!

I hope you enjoyed these 16 fun things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, keep reading for more tips.

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Enjoy your visit to Ho Chi Minh 🙂