19 Best Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, alternatively referred to as Saigon, is a city that surprised me in the best way. I arrived here with no expectations, but what I found was a very cool city full of history, trendy bars, restaurants and many exciting things to do. Whether you are starting your Vietnam trip here or ending it, Ho Chi Minh City is bound to surprise you. The city is known for its great shopping boutiques, but not many people talk about the food and coffee scene which were definitely the highlights for me – especially when we accidentally ended up in a speakeasy for dinner. Below, I have put together a list of the 19 best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, which will hopefully help you plan your trip and make the most of your visit to the city.

For a complete Vietnam itinerary, check out my full 2 week itinerary here.

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Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City

I stayed at a hotel called La Siesta Premium and it was the perfect stay in the city. Located centrally in District 1, this is a small hotel but it has evereything you may need. The service was great, the rooms were spacious and felt luxurious. There is a rooftop bar here with 360 views of the city and the breakfast restaurant is located on the top floor so you can have great views for breakfast every day. The coffee at breakfast here is also some of the best coffee I ever tried!

Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Have a delicious meal at Bep Me In

Bep me In was one of the most recommended restaurants I found in Ho Chi Minh City. It had rave reviews and everyone said it was a must try to I had to try it out.

And trust me, this one did live up to the hype completely! 

We accidentally went to the Banh Mi restaurant which is next door to the Vietnamese restaurant which serves a variety of Vietnamese foods. However, this was one of our favourite meals in Ho Chi Minh City. The Banh Mi was absolutely delicious here so this place is worth a try.

You can either try the Banh Mi restaurant or if you want to try different Vietnamese foods go to the one next door. 

2. Take a day trip to Cu Chi tunnels 

One of the must do things in Ho Chi Minh City is taking a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. These are the tunnels that the Vietnamese soldiers built and used during the war with the USA.

The tunnels are located about an hour from the city, so I highly recommend booking a guided tour for this so that you can be taken there and properly understand the history and the significance of the tunnels. We booked this tour on Viator and our guide was great and very knowledgable.

Once there, you will have the chance to learn about the system that was used for the tunnels. It is incredible to learn how smart the Vietnamese soldiers were when they built these. There are so many small details that have been thought through. For example, the small size of the tunnels meant that since the Vietnamese soldiers were small they were able to fit through them but the Americans couldn’t. 

The tour will take you through the whole complex and show you in detail the traps that were set up by the soldiers, the clothes they wore and the weapons they used. You can even go inside the tunnels yourself – but this is definitely not for you if you are claustrophobic!

The tour is usually half a day so you will be back to the city around 2-3 pm, unless you combine it with a visit to the Mekong Delta too. 

I definitely recommend adding this day trip to your  things to do in Ho Chi Minh City list.

3. Try the famous Vietnamese coffee at one of the many coffee shops

Another must of the things to do in Ho Chi Minh City is trying the famous Vietnamese coffee. Whether you are starting or ending your trip in Ho Chi Minh City, the coffee in Saigon was definitely the best we tried during our 2 weeks in Vietnam.

There are many coffee shops in the city so it can get a little overwhelming to know where to go. However, just wandering in the streets you will find very cool coffee shops so I recommend trying coffee wherever you get the chance.

We tried the best coffee at Saigon Cafe – this is a very small coffee shop in District 1 but it was probably the best coffee I have ever had. They have special Vietnamese coffee available to try but if you don’t like condensed milk, regular coffee is amazing here too.

4. Have a drink at a rooftop bar

Ho Chi Minh City is the city of rooftop bars. There are so many amazing ones in the city to choose from! 

If you want nice views and ambiance, we found a bar called “The View” which was filled with lanterns from Hoi An. Their drinks are nice and they are located near the Bui Vien street. 

Alternatively, many hotels also have their own rooftop bars. Our hotel La Siesta had its own amazing rooftop bar with 360 views of the city. 

5. Have a hair wash and leg massage

Something you will notice when you first walk around Saigon is that there are loads of spas at every corner. Particularly this is the case in District 1 – if you are a tourist walking in the streets, you will probably get a couple spa owners shout at you to come in and use their spa. 

And their services are great and definitely worth trying out. I was surprised by how many massage options they have on offer. I got a head wash and blow dry, and the head wash turned out to be a head massage. My mum ended up getting a leg massage at the same time. The total of this for both of us cost £17 including the tip.

6. Take a look into Man Moi

Man Moi was one of the things to do in Ho Chi Minh City that was on everyone’s list and in every TikTok, so I had to check it out. We initially tried to walk in and after being old the wait was 2 hours long, we made a reservation to come back the following day.

After trying the food here, I have to say that unfortunately it was some of the worst food we had during our trip to Vietnam. However, the building itself is very beautiful and inside you will also find a very cute boutique which is worth visiting.

I would definitely recommend visiting Man Moi to get a picture and browse the boutique for some souvenirs, but not for food. You can also come here for a drink as their drinks and coffee selection was very nice.

7. Go shopping

Saigon is known for some of the best shopping in Vietnam. As you walk around the District 1 area, you will find many boutiques and shops selling clothing and unique souvenirs.

If you are looking to do clothes shopping in Ho Chi Minh City, I would definitely recommend either going to one of the many malls or visiting the specific shops that you like the look of. We found that many shops here were more street style which was not really for us but if you are into this style of clothing then here are some shops you may want to check out:

Kisserine House = a clothing shop selling more high-end occasion dresses. We found that this shop was very specific for wedding guest/wedding wear type of clothing

Jellyfish Saigon = a jewellery store selling silver jewellery with unique designs

Rechic Nguyen Trai = a clothing store selling clothing which is a mix of going out and work wear. A great all round shop to visit if you find yourself in this area

Nagashoes = this is a store which sells trendy and cute shoes with reasonable prices. We did not make it here as it is a little bit outside of the city but it looks perfect if you are looking for cute ballet flats or comfortable shoes

Rubies = another clothing shop selling a mix of street wear and work wear, right next to Nagashoes

OLV Nguyen Gia Tri = this shop is also a little bit outside of town but sells very cute clothing from dresses to daily wear

8. Take a walk through Book Street

Alternatively called the Đường Sách Nguyễn Văn Bình, the Book Street is a 100 meter stretch of a pedestrian street in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. It is open daily from 8 am until 9 pm, and is the perfect place to stroll through to visit some of the bookshops, cafes and shops along the street.

A lot of the cafes here are book themed and you can find some real gems in the shops here. The street is not very big so I would allow about 20 minutes here unless you want to have a coffee here and enjoy browsing through the shops. We came here in the evening when the street was closing but I would definitely suggest coming in the daytime when the street is a lot more lively.

9. Send a postcard at the Central Post Office

The Central Post office is located right next to the Book Street so the two can be combined very easily. It was built between 1886 and 1891 during the French colonial period and the design is often attributed to Gustav Eiffel – yes THE architect of the Eiffel Tower.

It is one of the best preserved colonial buildings in Ho Chi Minh City and is really worth seeing from the outside and the inside. However, the main reason to visit it is to send a postcard which is very popular among tourists. Inside, you can purchase your postcard and stamps with any design you like. From the day we sent the postcards, it took about 2 weeks for the recipients to get it.

10. Visit cafe apartments

The Cafe Apartments are one of the most iconic spots in the city. A former apartment block turned into a complex full of cafes, boutiques and creative places, the Cafe Apartments are located in District 1 close to the main sightseeing spots and cannot be missed.

It is very cool to spot them from the outside, but I would also recommend going inside to check out each floor and the small coffee shops hidden inside. You can either take the elevator by paying a small fee, or take the stairs which is the better way as you can see what each floor has to offer.

Some of the coffee shops on the upper level offer views over the city, and the interiors range from authentic Vietnamese to Japanese coffee shops. There are also some cute boutiques inside where you can shop for souvenirs, T-shirts, bags and more!

11. Visit Jade Emperor Pagoda

Despite being located in the heart of District 1, the pagoda is a peaceful spot in Saigon. When you enter, you feel like you have transported somewhere else as you watch the incense sticks being lit up and the locals bowing to the Buddha inside. It is also just a very beautiful building that combines Taoist, Buddhist, and local Vietnamese influences.

12. Visit the Vietnam War museum

To learn more about Vietnam’s war with America, visiting the Vietnam War Museum is the best way to do that. Here, you can learn about the Vietnamese perspective on the war, how it went down, and the sad consequences on the humanity.

Before entering, visitors are presented with the military memorabilia, such as tanks and helicopters that were used in the fight. This sets up the mood for the museum before you enter inside to learn about the war in more detail.

Inside the museum, you can learn about the war and the history of it. One of the most sad and impactful parts of the museum is the impact of the Agent Orange – the deadly gas the Americans used in the war. The exhibit shows pictures of the effects as the Agent Orange still continues to affect the Vietnamese people today.

The museum successfully documents the trauma and loss the war brought, which really shows you how deeply it affected the Vietnamese people.

13. Go to a speakeasy

When we first looked up a restaurant called Adau Kitchen, we did not expect it to be a speakeasy. We showed up to where Google Maps showed the location but the locals directed us towards a dark looking hallway that smelled like piss…safe to say we were about to leave. Until we found the door of the restaurant on the 3rd floor, and it revealed the most amazing hidden gem! The restaurant felt like entering into someone’s apartment. The decor was very unique with dark lighting and an open kitchen. We happened to be the only ones here which means that the service was amazing and the food was brought out very fast.

This was one of our first dining experiences in Ho Chi Minh City and definitely the most memorable. Ho Chi Minh City has multiple speakeasy bars and restaurants which are worth discovering, as you may find your new favourite hot spot.

14. Bên Thanh Market

If you are looking to buy some good value souvenirs to take home, then visiting Ben Thanh market is one of the must do things in Ho Chi Minh City. This is a market selling everything you can imagine, from fake designer bags to magnets, fruits, shoes, and more. It is located very centrally, so it is quite touristy which means that the prices can be a little bit higher than elsewhere. If you do buy something, however, you can try to bargain to get the best deal.

We ended up buying quite a few souvenirs here, such as tote bags and magnets to take home to our friends and family.

You will definitely need cash if you want to buy something here so make sure to get some cash out before you go. There is a cash exchange shop right opposite the entrance of the market.

15. Do a street food tour

If you are nervous about trying the street food in Ho Chi Minh City, one of the must things to do is an organised street food tour. On these tours, you will get a local tour guide to take you around to the best street food stalls. You will get introduced to the must try street food and the guide will explain to you how to eat it too.

It is a great idea to do a tour particularly if you are not yet familiar with the Vietnamese food. It can feel overwhelming at first and trying it by yourself can feel off putting, but through the tour you can get easily acquainted to the culture with the help of a local tour guide. You will also have the chance to meet like minded travellers, which is also why I love these tours!

16. Take a walk at Bui Vien Walking Street

Often referred to as the “backpacker street”, the Bui Vien street is definitely a feast for the senses, especially if you come here after 9 pm when we did. It turns into a pedestrian street, the restaurants and bars play loud music and invite you in for a meal or a drink. You will find here many casual dining spots, but it is definitely more of a spot to come for the nightlife than to have a nice meal.

It is a great place to come for people watching, and also to experience a part of the city which feels different and eccentric. The area is also a nice one as you will find many spas, rooftop bars and more.

17. Have an Omakase

Although having a Japanese meal experience may not be top of mind for Ho Chin Minh City, this is something worth trying. We went to a spot called Sushi Shinkon and it was the most unique dining experience. The chefs prepared all the dishes right in front of us, and each dish was a work of art. They had the freshest tuna, waguy and even brought us some whale sperm which was interesting.

It cost around 2 million VND per person (around $80) which is a lot for Vietnam but it was worth every penny.

18. Have matcha at Kocha Matcha Spot

For a cafe that feels like entering Kyoto, head to Kocha Matcha Spot. It is one of those hidden gems in Saigon that are located on an unsuspecting side road. Once inside, you will find yourself in a cafe that feels relaxed and peaceful, with many people working on their laptops while enjoying the delicious matcha.

The matcha itself is great and feels very authentic. I tried the cloud matcha which was one of the signature drinks and it was amazing. If you are feeling up to the challenge, you can also get the litre of matcha which they offer here.

19. Get your nails done

Getting your nails done is one of the must do activities in Ho Chi Minh City. The Vietnamese really know how to do nails. There is a nail salon at every corner of District 1, so it can be overwhelming to choose where to go. However, most places will do a good job here, make sure to check the reviews.

I went to a place near our hotel and they did a complicated design very quickly in just one hour for a reasonable price too.

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Hope this post on 19 best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City has been helpful with planning your trip. Saigon is honestly one of the coolest cities I have visited in a while, so there are definitely many hidden gems you can discover along the way as well.

Make sure to check out my full 2 weeks in Vietnam itinerary.

Happy travels!