Where to stay

Ho Chi Minh City is packed with cultural options, from museums to historic temples to busy street markets. Hotels in District 1 located in this lively part of the city offer a taste of typical Vietnamese culture. Walk from your room to major attractions such as the Jade Emperor Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Ho Chi Minh City Museum. Find plenty of culture around the Ben Thanh Market and Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Another great neighborhood is District 3, offering a pleasing mix of old and new styles. Accommodations in this area are close to attractions such as the Xa Loi and Vinh Nghiem Pagodas, War Remnants Museum, and Tan Dinh Church.

Ho Chi Minh City offers a varied nightlife scene, with everything from karaoke bars and clubs to live music venues and places to listen to jazz and blues. The center of the city's nightlife is in Downtown Ho Chi Minh City at the heart of District 1, which has many good hotel options. Some of the city's liveliest bars are around the backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao, while more sophisticated cocktail bars and swanky rooftop terraces surround the Saigon Skydeck. This neighborhood also has some of the most luxurious hotels and international brands. For live music consider the great hotel choices in District 1 and District 3.

Vietnamese food has become popular all over the world because of its delicious offerings of pho, bun bo noodle salads, fresh summer rolls, and banh mi sandwiches. Street food fans should consider a stay in the areas surrounding Ben Thanh Market or the Pham Ngu Lao neighborhood, great for international restaurants and Western-style coffee shops. For more high-end restaurants, choose a hotel around the Saigon Skydeck or the shops of Dong Khoi Street. District 2 is where many expats and international schools are located, while District 3 offers a great mix of upscale restaurants, street food, and budget cafés. Cholon, the city's Chinatown in District 6, has ornate pagodas and the bustling Binh Tay Market, an excellent option for authentic Chinese cuisine and Vietnamese street food.