Itineraries
Where to stay
District 1 for first-timers near Ben Thanh and the palace; District 3 for leafier, calmer streets; District 4 for food streets close to the center.
The areas: District 1, District 3, District 4.
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City: areas and adviceHotels in Ho Chi Minh CityPlaces to see
All things to do in VietnamNatureBach Dang Wharf ParkA riverfront park at the end of the Nguyen Hue walking route, with views over the Saigon River.Entry: Riverfront walk
MarketBen Thanh MarketA landmark central market selling produce, hats, coffee and crafts, with food stalls at the back.Entry: Free to enter; pay as you go
MarketBinh Tay MarketA wholesale market at the heart of Cho Lon, the Chinese Quarter.Entry: Pay as you go
MuseumIndependence PalaceThe former presidential palace of South Vietnam, with state rooms and a basement command center.Entry: Check notices for special closures
TempleJade Emperor PagodaA Taoist pagoda in the old Da Kao area, full of carved figures and incense smoke.Entry: Active place of worship; dress modestly
NeighborhoodNguyen Hue Walking StreetA wide pedestrian boulevard running from City Hall toward the river, busiest around sundown.Entry: Free to visit
FoodNguyen Thuong Hien seafood streetA District 3 street of seafood stalls serving clams, sea snails, crab claws and oysters.Entry: Pay as you go
ChurchNotre Dame CathedralA twin-spired cathedral built in the late 1800s at the head of Dong Khoi Street.Entry: Check whether the interior is open
ViewpointSaigon Central Post OfficeA working post office with a vaulted hall, historic maps and old wooden phone booths.Entry: Free to enter
ViewpointSaigon Opera HouseA French-era theater facing Lam Son Square at the top of Dong Khoi Street.Entry: Exterior view; performances ticketed
TransportTan Son Nhat International AirportVietnam's busiest airport, about 7 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City.Entry: Domestic and international flights
TempleThien Hau PagodaA Chinese assembly hall and temple on Nguyen Trai Street in Cho Lon, hung with incense coils.Entry: Active place of worship; dress modestly
FoodVinh Khanh Food StreetA District 4 street where diners grill meat and seafood on coal stoves at their tables.Entry: Pay as you go
MuseumWar Remnants MuseumA three-story museum of war artifacts and photographs, with aircraft and vehicles in the courtyard.Entry: Pay at the gate or book online