Traveling to Saigon always brings unforgettable experiences with a vibrant lifestyle, diverse culture and unique cuisine. Whether you come here for the first time or are familiar with it, every trip to Ho Chi Minh City tourist destinations brings new and exciting things.
When to travel to Saigon? Ideal time to travel to Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon’s weather is characterized by a tropical monsoon climate, divided into two distinct seasons:
- Dry season (December – April next year): This is the most ideal time to travel to Saigon because it rains little, is sunny and not too hot. This time is especially suitable for walking around, visiting historical sites, experiencing street food or exploring outdoor entertainment areas.
- Rainy season (May – November): Saigon often has sudden showers but they do not last long. If you like romantic spaces, light rains will make the city have a very unique beauty. Just prepare a raincoat or umbrella and you can still enjoy the trip to the fullest.
Means of transportation when traveling to Ho Chi Minh City
Choosing the right means of transportation will help you save time and enjoy your trip to Saigon more comfortably.
Means of transportation to Ho Chi Minh City
Whether you come from the North, Central or neighboring provinces, traveling to Ho Chi Minh City is very convenient with many different methods.
Airplane
Most visitors to Ho Chi Minh City from afar choose to travel by plane to save time. Tan Son Nhat Airport is the largest airport in Vietnam, serving hundreds of flights every day from all over the country. Popular airlines include: Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines…
Train
Train is a suitable means of traveling to Saigon for those who want to travel and sightsee at the same time. Saigon Station is located in District 3, serving routes from North to South with many ticket classes from seats to high-class sleepers.
Means of transportation in Ho Chi Minh City
Means of transportation in Saigon city are equally important because this place is famous for its crowded traffic.
Personal vehicle: car, motorbike
If you like to be proactive about your Saigon travel schedule, you can rent a motorbike or self-drive car. However, motorbikes are still the most ideal choice to get into small alleys or around the city center. Motorbike rental prices range from 80,000 – 180,000 VND/day.
Public transport: bus
Saigon buses are cheap, only from 10,000 VND/trip, suitable for those who want to save money on traveling to Saigon. You can use the BusMap app to look up the appropriate bus route.
Saigon tourist destinations you must explore
Saigon is not only a vibrant economic center but also an attractive tourist destination with a blend of modernity and tradition. Whether you love history, culture or entertainment, this city always has countless places for you to experience and explore.
Independence Palace
Located in the heart of District 1, Independence Palace is one of the most important historical sites in Vietnam. This building is associated with the event of April 30, 1975, when the Liberation Army tanks entered, marking the moment of national reunification.
- Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1, City. Ho Chi Minh.
- Opening hours: 8:00 – 16:30 (open all days of the week).
- Ticket price: 40,000 VND/adult, 10,000 – 20,000 VND/child, student (Ticket price is for reference only and may change over time).
- Peak hours: 9:00 – 11:00 and 14:00 – 16:00, especially on holidays.
Tourists traveling to Saigon can visit the main area of the palace with large meeting rooms and living quarters of previous presidents. In addition, the basement area with the shelter system and communication room is still intact, helping you better understand the historical days of the nation.
Ben Thanh Market
If you want to feel the vibrant life of Saigon, you cannot miss Ben Thanh Market – the oldest market in the city. Located in the heart of District 1, this is an ideal destination for visitors to explore local culture through street food and handicraft stalls.
- Address: Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Opening hours: 7:00 – 19:00.
- Ticket price: Free entrance (Ticket price is for reference only and may change over time).
- Peak hours: 10:00 – 14:00 and 17:00 – 19:00.
At the market, you can find countless items from clothes, shoes, souvenirs to specialty foods. In particular, the food court inside the market with delicious dishes such as grilled pork noodles, banh xeo, spring rolls, and Saigon sweet soup will surely make you fall in love.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic architectural work located in the city center, standing out with two soaring bell towers and an ancient space. This is not only a place of worship for the Catholic community but also a familiar Saigon tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists.
- Address: 01 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Opening hours: 5:00 – 20:00.
- Ticket price: Free (Ticket price is for reference only and may change over time).
- Peak hours: 9:00 – 11:00 and 16:00 – 18:00.
In addition to visiting the exterior architecture, visitors can also explore the interior with brilliant stained glass paintings, unique religious statues and sacred space. In front of the church is a small park with a statue of Our Lady of Peace, where visitors can stop to rest and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Ho Chi Minh City Museum
Located on Ly Tu Trong Street, Ho Chi Minh City Museum is one of the most beautiful classical architectural works in the city. This French-style building is not only impressive for its exterior beauty but also houses many valuable artifacts about the history and culture of Saigon.
- Address: 65 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe, District 1, City. Ho Chi Minh City.
- Opening hours: 8:00 – 17:00.
- Ticket price: 30,000 VND/adult, 15,000 VND/student (Ticket price is for reference only and may change over time).
- Peak hours: 10:00 – 12:00 and 14:00 – 16:00.
Here, tourists to Saigon can learn about the stages of development of the city, from the colonial period to the war years and modern innovation. The museum also has many thematic exhibition areas about the culture, people and life of Saigon through the ages.
Bach Dang Wharf Park
Bach Dang Wharf is not only a historical site but also an ideal place for tourists to have fun and relax. Travel to Saigon at the park to enjoy the cool green space, beautiful views of the Saigon River and modern high-rise buildings.
- Address: 10B Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Opening hours: All day
- Ticket price: 40,000 VND – 65,000 VND/adult, 20,000 VND – 45,000 VND/student (Ticket price is for reference only and may change over time).
- Peak time: 17:00 – 22:00.
At night, this place becomes sparkling with lights from tourist boats, visitors can stroll along the riverbank, check-in with Thu Thiem bridge or experience a cruise on the river.
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
As the most famous street in Saigon, Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a gathering place for locals and tourists every evening and weekend. Equipped with a fountain system, a performance stage and a series of cafes and restaurants around, this place is always bustling with entertainment activities.
- Address: Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Opening hours: All day (most crowded in the evening).
- Ticket price: Free (Ticket price is for reference only and may change over time).
- Peak hours: 18:00 – 22:00.
Tourists traveling to Saigon can watch street art performances, enjoy sidewalk cuisine or simply take a walk to feel the bustling pace of the city.
Bui Vien Western Street
If you are a lover of bustling atmosphere, Bui Vien Western Street is definitely a tourist destination in Saigon that cannot be missed. This area is a famous entertainment spot for international tourists with a series of bars, pubs, and restaurants serving until late at night.
- Address: Bui Vien Street, Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, City. Ho Chi Minh.
- Opening Hours: All day, most vibrant at night.
- Ticket Price: Free entrance, drinks and services are charged (Ticket prices are for reference only and may change over time).
- Pushy Hours: 20:00 – 2:00 the next morning.
In addition to a variety of drinks, there are also interesting street activities such as live music performances, street circus or cultural exchange games with foreign guests.
City Post Office
Located right next to Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office is an architectural work that is more than 130 years old. This building was designed by famous architect Gustave Eiffel, with a European style combined with unique Asian features.
- Address: 02 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Opening hours: 8:00 – 17:00.
- Ticket price: Free (Ticket price is for reference only and may change over time).
- Peak hours: 9:00 – 11:00 and 14:00 – 16:00.
When traveling to Saigon and visiting the post office, visitors can take photos in the classic space, send postcards from the old service counters or simply admire the domes and sophisticated glass windows.
Cu Chi Tunnels
About 70km from the city center, Cu Chi Tunnels is one of the attractive tourist destinations in Saigon for those who love to explore war history. With a system of underground tunnels longer than 250km, this place used to be an important base of the Vietnamese army during the resistance war.
- Address: Provincial Road 15, Phu Hiep Hamlet, Cu Chi District, City. Ho Chi Minh.
- Opening hours: 7:00 – 17:00.
- Ticket price: 85,000 VND/person (Ticket price is for reference only and may change over time).
- Peak hours: 9:00 – 12:00 and 14:00 – 16:00.
Visitors can experience tunneling, learn about the lives of underground soldiers, visit Hoang Cam kitchens, work tunnels and even try shooting at the military shooting range.
Unmissable experiences in Saigon
Besides famous attractions, Saigon tourism also attracts visitors with a series of interesting discovery experiences, helping you fully experience the vibrant life of the city.
Saigon Water Bus
If you are used to bus trips on the street, why not try a change of pace with a trip on the Saigon Water Bus? This is an ideal means for visitors to enjoy the city view from the poetic Saigon River, especially at sunset when the shimmering lights reflect on the water surface.
The journey departs from Bach Dang wharf, passing through many stops such as Linh Dong, Binh An, Hiep Binh Chanh, visitors can admire the skyscrapers and airy riverside space. Just buy a ticket at the pier or book in advance via the app, you can enjoy a peaceful trip in the heart of the bustling city.
Sightseeing from a double-decker bus
Do you want to explore Saigon in a different way? The double-decker bus is a great choice to help you admire the panoramic view of the city from above. The journey passes through famous landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, City Post Office, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, bringing a modern and nostalgic experience.
The special thing is that Saigon tourists can get on and off at many stations to freely explore. In the evening, the bus with sparkling LED lighting system makes the trip more interesting, helping you have extremely cool check-in photos.
Walking in the park
In the middle of the bustling city, green parks are the ideal place for tourists to Saigon to relax and enjoy the fresh air. If you love modernity, Ben Bach Dang riverside park will bring you an airy walking space with a view of Landmark 81.
For those who love large natural spaces, Gia Dinh park or Tao Dan park are suitable places to walk, exercise or simply relax on the grass.
Taste the specialties (snails, broken rice, noodles, …)
A trip to Saigon will not be complete if you have not explored the rich culinary culture of this city. From popular dishes on the sidewalk to long-standing restaurants, each dish brings its own unforgettable flavor.
A standard breakfast can start with fried bread, grilled meat bread or Nam Vang noodles. At noon, broken rice with fragrant grilled ribs is the perfect choice. At night, there is nothing better than enjoying various types of snails, fried dough or stew with friends on the bustling streets.
Explore the life and cuisine of Chinatown
Cho Lon area (Districts 5, 6) is where the most populous Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City is concentrated. Coming here, visitors not only get to explore the unique culture but also have the opportunity to enjoy dishes with a strong Chinese culinary imprint.
In the morning, you can visit the dim sum shops with authentic dumplings, meatballs, and char siu buns. At noon, duck noodles or Hainanese chicken rice are perfect choices. In the evening, the streets lit with lanterns will lead you to Hong Kong-style dessert shops such as tea egg dessert, black sesame dessert or bird’s nest soup.
Not only about cuisine, this area also has many ancient architectural works such as Thien Hau Pagoda, Ong Pagoda, Ha Chuong Assembly Hall, providing a different perspective on the tourist destination of Saigon, where tradition and modernity intersect.
Experiences not to be missed at tourist attractions in Saigon
Saigon is a vibrant destination with countless interesting experiences, however, to have a complete trip, visitors need to pay attention to some important things to avoid unwanted risks when traveling to Ho Chi Minh City.
- Keep your belongings safe when going to crowded places such as night markets, walking streets, and bus stations.
- Avoid going out during rush hour (8:00-9:30 a.m., 5:30-7:00 p.m.) because traffic jams can affect your travel experience.
- Check the map before going to avoid one-way streets and car lanes.
- Do not go into small alleys if you are not familiar with the road to avoid getting lost.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes because Saigon’s weather is hot all year round.
- Prepare cash and cards because some street food stalls do not accept online payments.
- Use ride-hailing or motorbikes for convenient travel in the city.
FAQ – People also ask about traveling to Saigon
The following questions will help you have more useful information during your trip to Saigon.
Where to go for 2 days and 1 night near HCM?
You can choose destinations near Saigon such as Vung Tau, Tan Lap Floating Village, Cat Tien National Park, Can Gio, Tay Ninh or experience camping at Tri An Lake or Suoi Mo Park.
Where to go to avoid the heat in Saigon?
Some ideal places to avoid the heat in Saigon include Dam Sen Water Park, The BCR Tourist Area, Snow Town, Tien Dong – Suoi Tien Water Park.
Where to go to play at night in Saigon?
Saigon is extremely bustling at night with many attractive check-in spots such as Nguyen Hue walking street, Anh Sao Bridge Park, Notre Dame Cathedral, Landmark 81 building, Ben Thanh night market, Turtle Lake and Thu Thiem tunnel roof.
