Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling metropolis in southern Vietnam, known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and energetic atmosphere. Explore the War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels, and historic Notre Dame Cathedral, as well as shop at bustling markets like Ben Thanh. The city’s dynamic street food scene, rooftop bars, and nightlife make it a popular destination for travellers. From traditional temples to modern skyscrapers, Ho Chi Minh City offers a unique blend of old and new Vietnam.
Highlights
War remnants Museum
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This museum deals mostly with the US invasion of Vietnam, from a Vietnamese prospective. It is both remarkable and deeply moving providing a useful insight into a major part of the country’s history. Included are many captured American armaments but also disturbing imagery of atrocities and massacres. There also exhibits from the French colonial period.
Jade Emperor Pagoda
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This is one of the most atmospheric temples in HCMC built in 1909 to honour a Taoist god but with many Buddhist references. It has many exquisite decorations and is usually filled with a pungent incense.
Notre Dame Cathedral
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Unsurprisingly, this church was built by the French, with all materials of construction coming from France, in the 19th Century. It is an attractive building, well worth a visit and close to Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City Museum and the most attractive Saigon Central Post Office.
Old Post Office
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This is a magnificent old French colonial building, originally designed by Gustave Eiffel. Inside there is a wonderful domed roof and large historic maps of French Indo-China.
Opera House
The Opera House is another fine example of French colonial architecture.
City Hall
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Ho Chi Minh City Hall is another grand building from the era of French colonial period. The building served as an administrative house for past governments during French colonial period and Vietnam War. Ho Chi Minh City Hall is now Vietnam’s National Heritage Site and is open for public at the last weekend of a month.
Ben Thanh market
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This 100-year-old building has a unique French Indochinese design and is built on the site of an informal early 17th century gathering of street vendors on the Saigon River. There are four main gateways, with each gate area specialising in different items. The south has cloths and jewellery; the north gate fruits, fish and poultry, as well as vendors selling Vietnamese street food. The east gate area is for packaged foods and the westgate specialises in arts and ceramics.
Day trip to Cu Chi tunnels
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The Cu Chi Tunnels are a historic site and popular tourist attraction near HCMC, showcasing the ingenuity and resilience of the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Visitors can explore the network of underground tunnels and bunkers, learning about the region’s wartime history. The site offers a glimpse into the war’s impact on local communities and the resourcefulness of those who lived and fought in the tunnels. It’s a unique and educational experience that highlights Vietnam’s turbulent past.
Food Tours
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The highlight of our stay in HCMC was a night time food tour with transport provided as a pillion passenger on a scooter. This provided for full emersion into the city night life, not only including stops for a variety of street food outlets, but also live music and night markets. It was wonderful and unforgettable!
Hotels
Discover the wonderful variety of places to stay in the HCMC; including some of the most luxurious hotels in the world and intimate boutique hotels bursting with local character.
Tours
Below are a selection of our favourite sample itineraries that we have created based on our experiences of travelling extensively throughout Vietnam. As with all our tours, every aspect can be tailor-made to your individual requirements.
