10 best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

09.10.2024 - 15:53 / lonelyplanet.com

Oct 8, 2024 • 9 min read

Still known by its old name of Saigon for ease, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is Vietnam’s southern metropolis – at times hectic, sometimes overwhelming but always worth exploring. The country’s most internationally-influenced and outward-looking city, it's a key stop for travelers to Vietnam.

But both domestic and foreign travelers sometimes struggle to orient themselves and find activities in a city that seems focused on business and entertainment geared towards in-the-know locals. However, for those who appreciate observing the small rhythms of daily life, take inspiration from chaos, and are keen to embrace international flavors and experiences, it’s an immensely rewarding destination.

There's even plenty to see for free and the city is an easy hub for day trips to the Mekong Delta region. Here are the top things to do to get the best from Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon is at its most peaceful and friendly early in the morning. To beat the stifling midday heat, locals wake up early and attend to strenuous activities before the sticky humidity builds. This means that during the early hours, from 5am until 9am, the city's parks are filled with energy.

Walkers, runners, dance groups, exercise clubs, badminton players and groups simply gathering for a friendly chat populate green spaces across the city. Tao Dan Park in District 1 is a great spot to soak up this inviting atmosphere. It’s also a great place to try the city's strong phin (filtered) coffee, sold by stalls and bicycle vendors around the park.

While the demographic in Tao Dan skews toward older citizens, you can catch a glimpse of more youthful early birds on the sidewalks surrounding the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office, where enjoying ca phe bet or "pavement coffee" is the favored activity. Sitting on plastic stools or simple tarps and sipping strong coffee before the sun has a chance to menace the streets is a quintessentially Saigon thing to do.

This area comes to life at night as well, with fresh coconuts and sugary soft drinks replacing the coffee. Snack vendors selling a variety of traditional and trendy Vietnamese snacks make frequent passes through the area. 

Detour: To the side of the Central Post Office and across from Notre Dame Cathedral is HCMC's Book Street where many of the nation’s top publishers have storefronts. While mostly specializing in books in Vietnamese,  some have English-language sections, with titles focusing on Vietnamese history and culture as well as translated fiction and writing-related souvenirs. 

The War Remnants Museum is included in most Saigon tourism itineraries for good reason. The American War, as it's known here, is little discussed in forward-focused modern Vietnam, but this