Ho Chi Minh City

Why visit Ho Chi Minh City?

Ho Chi Minh – or Saigon, as it’s frequently called – isn’t for the faint-hearted. It can be nerve wracking to watch the outskirts of farmland and low-rise buildings transforming into a metropolis, where soaring skyscrapers sparkle above a hive of electrifying activity.

Indeed, the city is always buzzing, always alive and never boring. But its vibrant energy can be too much for many travellers, especially those who are weary after a long plane journey – which is why a custom-made tour of Ho Chi Minh city is so valuable. With insider tips and knowledge, you’ll be guided around the very best of what the city has to offer – and trust us, there’s plenty! – without getting exhausted.

Saigon, if experienced as it should be, is a melting pot of incredible food, fun bars, fabulous galleries and plenty of green spaces. It’s home to artists, foodies, photographers and designers. To big businesses and start-ups alike. To a huge expat population who live a modern life in a very different setting, locals who still live and work among its labyrinth of streets, to a never-ending stream of tourists who pick it as their place to land in and leave their world behind.

Metropolitan and mesmerizing, each corner of Ho Chi Minh city offers a new adventure. From the chaos of Binh Thanh Market, bursting with flavours and colours and bargains, to cool cocktail sky bars to street food that rivals its many high-end restaurants, Saigon has so much to offer, it’s hard to choose what to do. Luckily, our local travel team can guide you around – with a tailor-made travel experience so you don’t miss a thing.

Things to do in Ho Chi Minh

We’ll preface this by saying: feel free to do as few ‘activities’ here as you like! Because part of Ho Chi Minh’s charm is simply wandering around its streets, sipping on a great coffee outside one of its many hipster cafes, watching the dance of motorbikes that somehow works (well, a lot of the time!)

But if you do want to explore, here are just a few of the many things to do in Ho Chi Minh City…

• Historic Landmarks: Check out the majestic ​​Notre Dame Cathedral (District One), built by the French in 1880. The iconic Post Office nearby is another example of gorgeous French architecture – designed by the famous Gustave Eiffel. One of the oldest buildings in the city, it’s worth sending a postcard home from.

• Museums: The sobering War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace provide a fascinating insight into the Vietnam-US War.

• Rooftop Bars: After a day of pounding the pavements, reward yourself with sweeping city views and a well-earned cocktail. Our top picks are Chill Bar and Glow Bar – although you’ll find many craft breweries and taprooms around too, if that’s more your style.

• Bui Vien: If you’re not after a party atmosphere, avoid staying in this backpacker area, particularly Phạm Ngũ Lão street. Even so, it can be fun to visit at night for great street food, a festive atmosphere and for the guaranteed spectacles pouring out of its many bars.

• City Tour: Whether you want to hit all the best foodie spots, the top cultural picks or the hottest boutiques in town, by foot, Vespa or bicycle, you can customise a city tour that matches your interests. Our local travel team know this bustling city inside out, so we can make sure you see the very best of it, your way!

Ready to see Saigon?

Vietnam’s undisputed City of Cool awaits. Whether you want to stay in an artistic, boutique spot or a luxurious hotel with over four stars, this city has plenty of accommodation options to suit all budgets. Once you chat to our local travel assistants, and we get to know you a little, we can recommend the best districts and hotels for you.

When you arrive, either at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (or from elsewhere in Vietnam), we can arrange a private transfer to your Saigon accommodation, so you can get some rest before taking in all the delights of the city.

Further afield, we can show you around some important and memorable sites, such as the Cu Chi Tunnels – and to avoid the traffic, we’ll bring you there by speedboat. As the capital of the south, Saigon is also a handy jumping off point for hiking in Dalat, sun-worshipping in Phu Quoc or touring the mighty Mekong River.