Ho Chi Minh City Thing To Do: 10 Experiences to Love the “Pearl of the Far East”
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is a city that never sleeps, where energy flows ceaselessly through crowded streets. For travelers, the question “Ho Chi Minh City Thing To Do” always yields surprising answers. You can start your day with a sidewalk iced coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) and end it with a cocktail at a posh rooftop bar.
As your trusted travel companion, Amadive suggests this list of 10 “Must-Try” experiences to fully feel the pulse of this city before finding peace in the ocean.
1. Step Back in Time at Cu Chi Tunnels Tour
Located about 60km from the center, this underground tunnel network stretches over 200km – a military masterpiece of the Vietnamese guerillas.
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The Experience: Crawl underground to see wartime life firsthand, witness ingenious booby traps, and try firing a rifle at the shooting range (extra cost).
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Transport: You can go by bus, book a limousine tour, or experience a Speedboat ride on the Saigon River to Cu Chi (The Premium Option).
2. Face the Truth at the War Remnants Museum
This is the most visited museum in Vietnam. It houses artifacts and hauntingly realistic photographs documenting the brutality of the Vietnam War.
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Emotion: A powerful, moving experience that helps you appreciate the value of peace.
3. Explore French Colonial Architecture in District 1
Downtown Saigon still retains many beautiful colonial-era buildings:
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Notre Dame Cathedral: The city’s icon built with red Marseille bricks (currently under renovation but still beautiful from the outside).
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Central Post Office: Designed by Gustave Eiffel (father of the Eiffel Tower), where you can send a postcard back home.
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Independence Palace: A historical landmark marking the reunification of the country on April 30, 1975.
4. Motorbike Food Tour (Saigon Street Food Tour)
There is no better way to explore Saigon’s cuisine than sitting on the back of a motorbike.
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Must-Try Dishes: Broken Rice (Com Tam), Banh Mi Huynh Hoa, and Snails/Seafood in District 4.
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The Experience: Weaving through small alleys that cars cannot access to see the authentic life of local working-class people.
5. Shop at Ben Thanh Market
An iconic market over 100 years old.
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Daytime: Selling everything from silk and handicrafts to coffee and nuts. Remember to bargain to get a good price (aim for 20-30% off the asking price).
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Nighttime: Night market stalls open on both sides of the market, featuring enticing grilled seafood and cold beer.
6. Watch the Sunset on a Saigon River Cruise
To escape the noise of honking horns, step onto a dinner cruise.
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Premium Experience: Enjoy a romantic dinner while watching the city skyline shimmering on the water.
7. Immerse in Saigon Nightlife at Bui Vien Street
Bui Vien Walking Street is the meeting point for global backpackers.
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Atmosphere: Loud music, cheap draft beer, street performances, and a party vibe that lasts all night long.
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Note: Watch your belongings carefully as it gets very crowded.
8. Enjoy “Racket Coffee” & The Cafe Apartment
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Racket Coffee (Ca Phe Vot): Try the culture of coffee brewed in cloth nets, dating back to the 1950s (Suggestion: Cheo Leo Cafe or Vot Phan Dinh Phung).
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The Cafe Apartment (42 Nguyen Hue): An old apartment building renovated into a complex of dozens of cafes and boutique shops overlooking Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
9. Conquer Vietnam’s Tallest Building (Landmark 81)
Located in Vinhomes Central Park, Landmark 81 is a symbol of Saigon’s modern development.
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Skyview: Go up to the observation deck on the 81st floor for a panoramic view of the city.
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The Park: Stroll through the massive riverside park inspired by Central Park (New York).
10. Mekong Delta Day Trip
If you want a change of scenery, spend a day in My Tho or Ben Tre.
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The Experience: Paddle a sampan boat through water coconut canals, visit coconut candy workshops, listen to traditional folk music (Don Ca Tai Tu), and enjoy tropical fruits in the orchards.
From Vibrant City to Con Dao Diving Paradise
After completing your Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Thing To Do list, you might feel exhausted from the noise and dust. That is when your body and mind crave “healing.”
Saigon is the closest gateway to fly to Con Dao (only a 45-minute flight).
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Imagine: Morning coffee in Saigon, by noon you are on Amadive’s boat, ready to jump into the cool, crystal-clear water.
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Instead of honking horns, you hear crashing waves. Instead of skyscrapers, you admire ancient coral reefs.
Amadive offers professional, absolutely safe scuba diving services, helping you shed the city stress and merge with the ocean.