Ho Chi Minh City

Travel Guide

Opera House featuring street scenes, theater scenes and night scenes
Saigon River featuring skyline, a lake or waterhole and a high rise building
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam featuring a bay or harbor and a pond
Ho Chi Minh City Hall Square showing night scenes, modern architecture and heritage architecture

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide Video

Vietnam’s largest and most high-energy city captivates travelers with its enthralling blend of rich history and its fast-paced modern lifestyle.

With its chaotic streets and hectic energy, Ho Chi Minh City makes a dramatic first impression on many visitors. Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City offers some of the country’s best nightlife and shopping, as well as a wealth of fascinating cultural attractions. Admire the handsome colonial architecture built by the country’s former French rulers, learn about Vietnam’s dark wartime history and discover why the city’s cuisine is so loved.

Gain a sobering perspective into the country’s history at the War Remnants Museum, which examines the horrors of the Vietnam War. See tanks, fighter planes, unexploded ordinance and chilling photographs of events like the My Lai massacre.

Don’t miss the Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the most beautiful Chinese pagodas in the country. Built in 1909 by the city’s Cantonese community, the pagoda features a variety of exquisite carvings and statues inspired by Taoist and Buddhist lore.

Shop for souvenirs at Ben Thanh Market. Dating back to the 17th century, this buzzing market is a fun place to shop for clothing and artisanal crafts. Remember to haggle for the best price. Sample traditional Vietnamese food, such as pho, the country’s famous noodle soup, prepared at one of the market stalls.

Head to the Bitexco Financial Tower, the tallest building in the city, for a glimpse of Ho Chi Minh’s modern side. Ascend to the Saigon Skydeck on the tower’s 49th floor for spectacular views over the city. Interactive screens provide information about notable streets and sites visible below.

Stroll along Dong Khoi Street, Ho Chi Minh City’s main commercial district, to view the remnants of the city’s colonial-era buildings. For budget-friendly fun, check out the Pham Ngu Lao area, a popular backpacker hub known for its cheap accommodation and lively nightlife scene.

Most international flights to Vietnam arrive in Ho Chi Minh City. The city is also connected by bus to other major destinations around the country, as well as to neighboring Cambodia. Get around by public bus or by taxi, both of which are inexpensive.

Ho Chi Minh City is one of Vietnam’s most exciting cities, provides a thrilling introduction to this beguiling country.

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City

Guerrero

District 1

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Central urban district and financial hub, bustling with luxury shopping centers and historical sites like Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and Saigon Opera House. Explore Bùi Viện and Nguyễn Huệ districts for various amenities.

District 1
Ben Thanh Market featuring street scenes, markets and shopping

Downtown Ho Chi Minh City

4/5(706 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Make a stop by Ben Thanh Market or Bui Vien Walking Street while you're exploring the area.

Downtown Ho Chi Minh City
War Remnants Museum showing interior views

District 3

Bustling heart of Ho Chi Minh City, District 3 boasts French-style villas, Xá Lợi Pagoda, and Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda. Easily accessible via Saigon railway station, the largest railway hub in the country.

District 3
Saigon Central Post Office featuring interior views and heritage architecture

Dong Khoi

4.5/5(455 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Dong Khoi. Make a stop by Union Square or Dong Khoi Street while you're exploring the area.

Dong Khoi
Default Image

District 7

Home to Phú Mỹ Hưng New City, District 7 boasts urban vibes and educational institutions like RMIT University Vietnam and Tôn Đức Thắng University. Easily access Thủ Đức via the Phú Mỹ Bridge.

District 7
Bui Thi Xuan which includes street scenes and a city

Ben Thanh

If you're spending some time in Ben Thanh, Ben Thanh Market and Benthanh Street Food Market are top sights worth seeing.

Ben Thanh
GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon

GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon

5 out of 5
40 - 42 Phan Boi Chau, Ben Thanh ward,D1, Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh
$114 nightly
The price is $123 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$123 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Ben Thanh Market and Bui Vien ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (69 reviews)
"They are nice and friendly staff especially mary was helping me for make reservations thank you i will be back again"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon
Hotel Nikko Saigon

Hotel Nikko Saigon

5 out of 5
235 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
$129 nightly
The price is $140 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$140 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,369 reviews)
"Everything good"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Hotel Nikko Saigon
Hotel Majestic Saigon

Hotel Majestic Saigon

5 out of 5
01 Dong Khoi Street District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
$98 nightly
The price is $107 total per night from Aug 21 to Aug 22
$107 total
Aug 21 - Aug 22
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
Nice ambience
"An old hotel with a nice sense of slightly faded grandeur. Staff were friendly and helpful. Rooms are large with everything you need. A lovely pool area, gym and shower room which you can continue to use after checkout which is very helpful for an evening flight."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Hotel Majestic Saigon
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sherwood Residence

Sherwood Residence

5 out of 5
127 Pasteur Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,357 reviews)
"I never expect an apartment hotel to be maintain so good. Will recommend and stay next time when come with family again!"

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Sherwood Residence
Saigon Sirius

Saigon Sirius

4 out of 5
151 Ben Van Don, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (857 reviews)
"Apartment not exactly like the photos, but still a good apartment. Check in process was okay, fairly efficient. 2 annoying things, firstly to use the pool you get stopped my security to log your room number, for some reason our room was not on the list had to wait for host to come down to authorise ..."

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Saigon Sirius
Sherwood Suites

Sherwood Suites

5 out of 5
192 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and 2 coffee shops/cafes. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,017 reviews)
"We had an amazing stay… they upgraded our room to an apartment suite since we had kids, for free. The breakfast buffet was amazing… place is very clean and staff was kind."

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Sherwood Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Ho Chi Minh City

Getting around in Ho Chi Minh City is much more than just getting from A to B, and makes up a memorable part of your experience. Sitting on a cyclo – a seat carriage in front of a bicycle – is an iconic and relaxing way to get around, though obviously not the quickest. Jump on the back of a motorcycle taxi for a more turbo-powered method, or take a traditional taxi, which are cheap and comfortable. Visit the Ho Chi Minh City Department of TransportationOpens in a new window website.Browse Ho Chi Minh City rental cars.

Best time to visit

Visit Ho Chi Minh City between December and April and you’ll be there in the dry season, which means hot weather, not much rain and low humidity. This is the most popular time to visit for obvious reasons, but that also means there are more tourists and hotels are more expensive. The rainy season, from May to November, is stickier and wetter but also quieter and cheaper. It’s warm throughout the year.

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