Exploring the Best of Ho Chi Minh City: Best Places and Attractions to Visit

Arguably one of the best museums in Vietnam, this historical venue contains a wealth of information about the Vietnam War. Outside the museum’s building, you’ll find several military vehicles on display including a helicopter, jet, tank and rocket launchers. More objects related to the war and graphic photographs can be found on display inside the museum. 

Like several other cities in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City features plenty of stunning architecture from the French colonial era. With most of the city converted into a modern metropolis, spotting the centuries-old buildings that still stand is like glimpsing back into the past. If you happen to be staying at the PARKROYAL Saigon or in the general area, you can easily find colonial-style buildings like the Saigon Central Post Office and the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral of 1863 located right opposite the post office. 

The local cuisine in Vietnam is greatly cherished and revered by the local people and this is no different in Ho Chi Minh City. As you walk along every street you’ll find plenty of street stalls, vendors and even restaurants. The best way to explore the city’s culinary world is to embark on a food tour, visiting as many eateries as possible and trying a range of dishes that speak to Vietnam’s diverse food culture.

This historic building was once the base of the Vietnamese general until he died in 1963. It became famous worldwide in 1975 when a North Vietnamese tank drove through the palace main gate thus ending the Vietnam War. Currently located just a short drive from any Saigon hotel, the building remains open to the public as a museum having preserved much of its structure and appearance from over 40 years ago. It also still features a communication room and an air raid shelter from which troops were directed during the war. 

As is the culture in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City features many marketplaces where crowds of locals gather to buy items for day-to-day living. Visiting the city’s local markets is the perfect way to get a feel for local culture and explore all kinds of items from fruits, vegetables meats, household products, and even clothing. Two of the most well-known markets in the city are the Ben Thanh Market and Binh Tay Market. 

While there’s plenty to explore in Ho Chi Minh City during the day, the city comes to life with a different atmosphere. The place to be to experience the best of the city’s nightlife entertainment is Bui Vien Street, Vietnam’s equivalent of Bangkok’s Khao San Road. Filled with bars, clubs and other entertainment venues and restaurants Bui Vien Street has plenty of ways in which you can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmospheres of nighttime in the city.