Ho Chi Minh City travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.
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1
War Remnants Museum
This museum documents the American War through captured US military hardware in the courtyard, photojournalism exhibits, and rooms devoted to the effects of Agent Orange and other chemical defoliants. The building formerly served as the US Information Service headquarters. Exhibits are presented largely from the Vietnamese and international anti-war press perspective, so expect a one-sided but powerful account rather than a balanced military history.
Tip: Arrive at opening (7:30am) to avoid tour bus crowds · Allow at least 2 hours; the third floor is frequently rushed by first-time visitors · Content is graphic; consider whether it is appropriate for young children · Combine with the Reunification Palace, a 10-minute walk away
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2
Reunification Palace
Built in 1966 as the South Vietnamese presidential palace, this building is preserved largely as it was on 30 April 1975, when a North Vietnamese tank crashed through its gates and ended the war. Visitors walk through the president's reception rooms, war room, and living quarters, all furnished in period style. The basement holds the old telecommunications and command bunker.
Tip: Closed midday from 11:00am to 1:00pm; plan around the break · Buy a combined ticket with the War Remnants Museum if visiting both the same day · The basement bunker level is cooler and a good escape from midday heat · English-speaking guides can sometimes be hired at the entrance for a small fee
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3
Ben Thanh Market
One of the oldest markets in the city, this covered market sells clothing, souvenirs, dried goods, and cooked food from densely packed stalls under a single roof near the clock tower that marks its main entrance. It functions as both a retail market for tourists and a working food market, with a cluster of eateries along one side selling Vietnamese dishes cooked to order.
Tip: Bargain hard on clothing and souvenirs; starting at 40-50% of the asking price is normal · Food stalls inside the market tend to overcharge tourists; prices are lower one block away · Watch belongings closely; pickpocketing is a known issue in the crowded aisles · Visit in the early morning for the freshest produce and fewer crowds
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4
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
This Neo-Romanesque cathedral was built by French colonists in the late 19th century using bricks shipped from Marseille and features twin bell towers that are a fixture of the District 1 skyline. It sits opposite the Saigon Central Post Office, another French colonial-era building, making the pair a common single stop.
Tip: Check current restoration status before visiting, as the interior has been closed periodically since 2017 · Photograph the facade from across the plaza for the full twin-tower view · Visit early morning for the best light and fewer people in front of the towers · Combine with the Central Post Office and Nguyen Hue Walking Street, both a short walk away
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5
Jade Emperor Pagoda
Built in the early 20th century by the local Cantonese community, this Taoist temple is dense with carved wooden statues, smoke from incense coils hanging overhead, and shrines to figures including the Jade Emperor and the Chief of Hell. A back room houses statues of the ten Kings of Hell, and a courtyard pond is home to turtles that visitors release for merit.
Tip: Dress modestly; shoulders and knees should be covered · The interior is thick with incense smoke, which can bother those sensitive to smoke · Visit mid-morning on a weekday to avoid the busiest worship times · A small donation is appropriate but not required for entry
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6
Bitexco Financial Tower Skydeck
At 262.5 metres, this skyscraper's helipad-shaped design makes it one of the most recognizable buildings in the Saigon skyline. The Skydeck occupies the 49th floor and gives a 360-degree enclosed view over the Saigon River and the District 1 grid below.
Tip: Visit near sunset for the best light over the river and skyline · Buy tickets in advance online for a small discount and to skip the ticket line · The deck can get crowded with tour groups in the late afternoon · Landmark 81's SkyView offers a higher and more modern alternative if comparing the two
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7
Cu Chi Tunnels (Ben Dinh site)
This site preserves and has widened a section of the extensive tunnel network used by Viet Cong fighters during the war, located closer to central Ho Chi Minh City than the alternative Ben Duoc site. Visitors can crawl through a stretch of tunnel, see reconstructed booby traps, and view a bunker and firing range area used for demonstrations.
Tip: Wear light, breathable clothing; the tunnels and surrounding forest are hot and humid · Skip the longer 100-meter tunnel crawl option if claustrophobic; shorter sections are available · Book a small-group tour rather than a large bus tour for a better guide experience · The firing range is loud and optional; ammunition is purchased per bullet separately
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8
Cao Dai Holy See Temple
This is the mother temple of Caodaism, a Vietnamese religion founded in the 1920s that blends elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam under a single all-seeing Divine Eye symbol. The temple's brightly colored, ornately decorated interior is used for services held four times daily, which visitors can observe from an upper gallery.
Tip: Dress modestly; shoulders and knees should be covered · Arrive before noon to secure a spot in the visitor gallery for the main ceremony · Remove shoes before entering the temple hall · Most visitors combine this with Cu Chi Tunnels in one long day tour
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9
My Tho and Mekong Delta River Tour
My Tho is the gateway city to the Mekong Delta, about a two-hour drive southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, and it's the most common starting point for a day trip onto the river. Tours typically put you on a small boat past coconut-palm islets, then swap to a narrower sampan paddled through canals lined with water coconut palms, with a stop at a workshop where coconut candy or rice paper is made by hand.
Tip: Book a smaller-group tour to avoid large bus-tour crowds at the boat docks · Bring sun protection; most of the day is spent outdoors on the water · Combine with Ben Tre for a longer, less touristed version of the same delta scenery · Wear comfortable sandals that can get wet during boat transfers
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10
Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve
Can Gio is a UNESCO-recognized mangrove forest about two hours southeast of central Ho Chi Minh City, replanted after extensive defoliation during the Vietnam War and now a working case study in mangrove regeneration. Visitors move through the reserve by boat along tidal channels and boardwalks, with the mangrove ecosystem itself, rather than any single building or ruin, being the point of the visit.
Tip: Keep bags zipped and food out of sight around Monkey Island; macaques will grab items · Bring insect repellent; mosquitoes are common in the mangrove areas · The Binh Khanh ferry crossing can have long queues on weekends · Start early to allow enough daylight for the full loop
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Book Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta day tours a day in advance during peak season (December-February)
Carry small denomination Vietnamese Dong for market purchases and temple donations
Many historic sites (Reunification Palace, museums) close for a midday break; check hours before planning back-to-back visits
Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) when visiting active pagodas and temples
Download the Grab app before arrival for reliable, metered transport between sights
Wet season (May-October) brings sudden afternoon downpours; carry a light rain poncho
District 1 sights can mostly be covered on foot in cooler months, but midday heat makes short taxi hops more comfortable
Frequently asked questions
How many days are needed to see Ho Chi Minh City's main attractions?
Two to three days covers the central District 1 sights (War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market, Notre-Dame Cathedral) with a day for a Cu Chi Tunnels or Mekong Delta day trip added on.
What is the best time of year to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
The dry season from December to April offers the most comfortable sightseeing weather, with the hottest months being March and April; the wet season (May-November) brings daily afternoon showers but remains workable with flexible planning.
Is Ho Chi Minh City walkable?
Central District 1 is walkable between many major sights, but heat, humidity, and chaotic traffic crossings make many visitors rely on Grab taxis or motorbike taxis for longer hops or midday travel.
Do the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta need to be booked as separate day trips?
They are typically run as separate full-day tours, though some operators offer a combined Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Temple day, and separately a Mekong Delta river day.
Are the city's major museums and palaces open every day?
Most are open daily, though several museums (Fine Arts Museum, Museum of History) close on Mondays, and the Reunification Palace closes for a midday break.