HO CHI MINH CITY – THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest city, renowned for its blend of modern and traditional culture, unique architecture, and rich cuisine. Climate The city enjoys a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons:

Dry season: From December to April, the weather is sunny, perfect for outdoor activities. Rainy season: From May to November, showers can occur, but they typically happen in the afternoon. It’s advisable to bring an umbrella if traveling during this period.

I. Historical Monuments

Ho Chi Minh City is not only a young and dynamic city but also a place that preserves numerous cultural and historical values. There are many monuments and museums in the city that are well-known to both domestic and international visitors.

Reunification Palace

The Reunification Palace, or Independence Palace, is a must-see site when visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Located in the heart of District 1, the Reunification Palace is both ancient and modern, and it has become one of the city’s symbols. On weekends or during major holidays like April 30th, the Palace is often crowded with visitors. Tickets to visit the main building and the exhibition “From Norodom Palace to Reunification Palace 1868-1966” cost between 15,000 and 65,000 dong. If you only visit the main building, the ticket price is between 10,000 and 40,000 dong.

War Remnants Museum

Ranked 61st and the sole Vietnamese representative on the list of 99 most attractive destinations worldwide, the War Remnants Museum is located on Vo Van Tan Street in District 3. Established in 1975, the museum specializes in researching, collecting, preserving, and exhibiting evidence of the crimes and consequences of the wars of invasion against Vietnam. It houses over 20,000 documents, artifacts, and films. Themes include outdoor weapon displays, the prison regime, Agent Orange, historical truths, and war crimes. The entrance fee is 40,000 dong per person, and children under 6 years old enter free. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM, and weekends from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Saigon Special Forces Museum

The Saigon Special Forces Museum is located on the second floor of a building constructed in 1963 on Tran Quang Khai Street, District¹ 1. This building was originally a secret operations center for the Saigon Special Forces under the command of Tran Van Lai (known as Nam Lai). The museum opened on December 24, 2019, spanning over 100 square meters and showcasing more than 100 artifacts belonging to these soldiers. The objects in the museum remain intact and are arranged in a manner similar to their original state. Visitors can watch short films about the Saigon Special Forces.

The museum is open from 7 AM to 10 PM daily, and admission is free.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History

Located at 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, District 1, the museum was designed by architect Auguste Delaval in a symmetrical style and opened in 1929. Wide corridors, natural light from the courtyard, and high-placed windows help mitigate the hot and humid climate. The central octagonal tower is painted yellow, tiled, and adorned with Asian-style decorations. The museum houses approximately 36,000 artifacts reflecting the history of the Vietnamese people from prehistory to 1945. Additionally, the museum showcases ancient Vietnamese cultures such as Oc Eo, Champa, and Khmer.

Opening hours are from 8 AM to 11:30 AM and from 1 PM to 5 PM.

The entrance fee is 30,000 dong per visit.

Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum

Located at 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street in District 1, the museum was once the residence of the Hua Bon Hoa family (nicknamed Chu Hoa), one of Saigon’s four prominent businessmen in the late 19th century. It is a popular destination for art enthusiasts and a favored spot among young people for photography. The museum is a building constructed in the late 19th and early 20th-century French architectural style, harmoniously blending oriental elements in its tiled roof, ceramic columns, and ceramic roof motifs.

Opening hours: 8 AM to 5 PM daily.

II. Historical Architectural Monuments

City Post Office

Located on Paris Square in District 1, the post office was built between 1886 and 1891. Designed by two French architects, Alfred Foulhoux and Henri Auguste Vildieu, it remains the largest post office in Vietnam today, preserving its original design after over a century. The vaulted ceiling is adorned with a central portrait of the god Mercury surrounded by a laurel wreath, symbolizing human communication. The building’s architecture is reminiscent of the Gare d’Orsay in Paris and, situated next to Notre Dame Cathedral, forms a unique architectural ensemble in the city.

Visiting hours: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Monday to Friday), 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Saturday), and 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Sunday).

City Opera House

Located at 7 Lam Son Square in District 1, the Opera House was designed by architect Eugène Feret and inaugurated in 1900, serving as a luxurious entertainment venue for the city. Its facade is influenced by the Petit Palais, built in the same year in Paris. Notably, it is the only building in the city covered in slate tiles.

Visiting hours: 9 AM to 3:30 PM (Monday to Friday) and 9 AM to 12 PM (Saturday and Sunday).

Notre Dame Cathedral

Situated in the heart of District 1, Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the city’s iconic landmarks. Construction began in 1877 and was completed in 1880, designed by French architect J. Bourad in a Romanesque-Gothic style. The cathedral’s interior features a central nave, two side aisles, and two rows of chapels. It is 93 meters long, 35 meters wide, and can accommodate 1,200 people. In front of the cathedral is a park with four roads intersecting in a cross.

Visiting hours: 8 AM to 11 AM and 2 PM to 4 PM. However, since 2017, the cathedral has been under renovation. The completion of the restoration is expected in 2027.

III. Markets

Ben Thanh Market

Opened in 1914, it is located in the heart of the city. This market is not only a bustling commercial hub but also a historical witness to the city’s many changes and evolutions, bridging the gap between the Saigon of yesterday and today. It offers a wide variety of products, from clothing, shoes, and fabrics to handicrafts, antiques, jewelry, and culinary specialties.

Tan Dinh Market

Built in 1926, the market’s main gate boasts a unique design. It is also a commercial center for many products, including fabrics and food. The food stalls in this market are always popular with customers for the diversity and quality of their dishes, such as bun mam (fermented fish noodle soup), crab soup, crab noodles, seasonal fruits, and especially the famous xoi ga (chicken sticky rice).

Binh Tay Market (Cholon Market)

Located at the western gate of the city, in the Chinese quarter, it remains a major tourist attraction. Opened in 1930, the market is built in an oriental architectural style. Its undulating roofs are designed like pagodas, covered in yin-yang tiles, creating a both ancient and airy atmosphere.

Binh Tay Market is also a distribution center for numerous products.

IV. Culinary specialties

Cơm tấm (Riz) : Plat typique et délicieux

+ Cơm tấm Bụi Sài Gòn: 100 Thạch Thị Thanh, phường Tân Định, quận 1

+ Cơm Sườn Tú Mập: 812 Sư Vạn Hạnh, phường 12, quận 10

+ Cơm tấm Ba Ghiền: 84 Đặng Văn Ngữ, quận Phú Nhuận

Phở : Un plat traditionnel à ne pas manquer.

+ Phở Ngọc : 30E Hồ Hảo Hớn, Phường Cô Giang, Quận 1

+ Phở Cao Vân : 25 Mạc Đĩnh Chi, Quận 1

+ Phở Phú Vương : 120 Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1

+ Phở Thìn : 110 Lê Thị Hồng Gấm, Quận 1

Bánh mì : Le pain vietnamien est célèbre pour sa combinaison variée d’ingrédients.

+ Bánh mì Huỳnh Hoa: 26 Lê Thị Riêng, phường Bến Thành, quận 1

+ Bánh mì khô bò Phương Liên: 12 Nguyễn Huy Tự, phường Đa Kao, quận 1

+ Bánh mì sườn Cẩm Hường: 118B Nguyễn Thần Hiến, quận 4

Bún mắm, soupe de crabe : D’autres spécialités délicieuses que vous devriez essayer.

+ Bún Mắm Cô Cúc: 174 Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, phường 1, quận 3

+ Món Ăn Huế – Bún Mắm Nêm: 242/14 Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, phường 3, quận 3

+ Bún Cô Trinh: 116 Vườn Chuối, phường 4, quận 3

Bánh Khọt – Bánh Xèo (Crêpes vietnamiennes) :

+ Bánh Khọt Cô Hoàng : 1159 Trần Hưng Đạo, Quận 5

+ Bánh Khọt Phương Nga : 32/11 Đặng Dung, Quận 1.

+ Bánh Khọt Cối Đá : 453/111 Lê Văn Sỹ, Quận 3

Phá lấu :

+ Phá lấu bò Cô Trâm: 208 Cây Trâm, Gò Vấp

+ Phá lấu bò Cô Thảo: 243/29G Tôn Đản, phường 15, quận 44

+ Phá lấu Dì Nủi: 30 Tôn Đản, phường 15, quận 4

+ Phá lấu DÌ Phương: 195 Bà Hạt, phường 9, quận 10

Sủi cảo :

+ Sủi cảo 162: 162 Hà Tôn Quyền, phường 4, quận 11

+ Sủi cáo Thiên Thiên: Hẻm 191 Hà Tôn Quyền, Phường 4, quận 11

+ Sủi cảo Ngọc Ý: 187 Hà Tôn Quyền, phường 4, quận 11

+ Thiệu Ký mì gia: hẻm 66, Lê Đại Hành, phường 7, quận 11

Hủ tiếu Nam Vang :

+ Quán hủ tiếu Quốc Ký: 24 rue de Ký Con, Quận 1

+ Hủ tiếu Nam Vang Quỳnh : A65, rue Nguyen Trai, phường Cư Trinh, Quận 1

V. Travel Tips

It’s advisable to carry some cash as some places may not accept credit cards.
Be mindful of your belongings in crowded public transport.
If you’re unfamiliar with the area, use a mapping app or ask locals for directions.

Transportation