Ho Chi Minh City – The City That Never Sleeps

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest city, famous for its blend of modern and traditional culture, unique architecture, and rich culinary background.

☀️ Weather

The Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons:

• Dry Season: From December to April, the weather is sunny and beautiful, suitable for outdoor activities.
• Rainy Season: From May to November, there are showers, but they usually occur in the afternoon. It is advisable to pack an umbrella when traveling during this period.

🏛️ Historical Sites

More than just a dynamic young city, Ho Chi Minh City also preserves many cultural and historical values. There are numerous historical sites and museums in the city known to both domestic and international visitors.

Independence Palace

The Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, is a must-see attraction when visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Located in the heart of District 1, the Independence Palace is both classic and modern, and has long become one of the city’s icons. On weekends or major holidays such as April 30th, the Independence Palace is often packed with visitors.

• Ticket prices for visiting the Main Building and the Exhibition House “From Norodom Palace to Independence Palace 1868 – 1966” range from 15,000 VND to 65,000 VND.
• If you only visit the Main Building, the ticket price is 10,000 VND to 40,000 VND.

War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum ranks 61st and is the only representative of Vietnam on the list of the world’s 99 most attractive destinations. Located on Vo Van Tan Street, District 3, the museum was established in 1975 and specializes in researching, collecting, preserving, and displaying evidence of the crimes and consequences of foreign wars of aggression in Vietnam. The museum holds over 20,000 documents, artifacts, and films. The themes include Outdoor Weapons Display, Prison Regime, Agent Orange, Historical Truths, and War Crimes.

• Museum admission fee: 40,000 VND per person; children under 6 are free of charge.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Saigon Commandos Museum

The Saigon Commandos Museum is located on the second floor of a house built in 1963 on Tran Quang Khai Street, District 1. The house was initially a secret operational base for the Saigon Commandos forces, managed by Mr. Tran Van Lai (also known as Nam Lai). The museum opened on December 24, 2019, covering an area of over 100 m2, displaying more than 100 artifacts belonging to the commando soldiers. The objects in the house remain intact and are arranged similarly to how they were before. Visitors can watch short films about the Saigon Commandos force.

• Visiting hours: From 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Admission is free.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History

The museum is located at 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, District 1. It was built according to the symmetrical design of architect Auguste Delaval and was inaugurated in 1929. The building features wide corridors, natural light from the courtyard, and a roof-level window style to mitigate the hot and humid climate. The octagonal tower in the center is painted yellow and covered with tiled roofing that features East Asian-style decorative elements. The museum displays approximately 36,000 artifacts reflecting the history of the Vietnamese nation from prehistoric times until 1945. Additionally, the museum showcases ancient Vietnamese cultures such as Óc Eo, Champa, and Khmer.

• Visiting hours: From 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM, and in the afternoon from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
• Admission fee: 30,000 VND per person.

Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum

The museum is located at 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, District 1. It was formerly the house belonging to the family of Mr. Hua Bon Hoa (commonly known as Uncle Hoa), one of the “Four Great Families of Saigon” in the late 19th century. This is considered an attractive destination for visitors who love painting, and also draws young tourists who enjoy taking photos.

The museum is a building constructed in the French architectural style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, harmoniously combining Eastern architecture in the decoration of its tiled roof, ceramic-tiled columns, and ceramic motifs on the rooftop.

• Visiting hours: From 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Ancient Architectural Works

City Post Office

Located at Paris Commune Square, District 1, the City Post Office was built between 1886 and 1891. The building was designed by two French architects, Alfred Foulhoux and Henri Auguste Vildieu. Having existed for over 100 years, it is currently the largest post office in Vietnam that still retains its original design. The arched ceiling features a raised relief of the god Mercury with a laurel wreath, the deity symbolizing human communication. The Post Office is reminiscent of the Orsay train station in Paris, and its parallel location with the Notre Dame Cathedral forms a distinctive architectural cluster 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).

Municipal Theatre (Opera House)

The theatre is located at 7 Lam Son Square, District 1. Designed by architect Eugène Feret and inaugurated in 1900, it served as a luxurious entertainment venue for the city. The façade of the theatre was influenced by the art of the Petit Palais theatre, built in Paris the same year. Notably, the Opera House is the only building in the city covered with Ardoise tiles.

• Visiting hours: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday to Friday) and 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Saturday and Sunday).

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

The Notre Dame Cathedral is situated in the center of District 1 and is one of the city’s icons. Construction began in 1877 and was completed in 1880, designed by French architect J. Bourad, featuring a blend of Roman and Gothic styles. The interior of the cathedral is designed with one main nave, two side naves, and two rows of chapels. The length of the cathedral is 93m, the widest width is 35m, and it can accommodate 1,200 people. In front of the cathedral is a park with four intersecting roads forming the shape of a cross.

• Visiting hours: From 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
• Note: Since 2017, the cathedral has been undergoing renovation. The expected completion time is 2027.

Markets

Ben Thanh Market

Operating since 1914 and located right in the city center, Ben Thanh Market is not only a bustling place for buying and selling but also a historical witness to the city’s many changes and ups and downs, serving as a confluence point between old and modern Saigon. It gathers a wide variety of goods, from clothing, footwear, fabrics, handicrafts, brocade items, and jewelry, to local specialties.

Tan Dinh Market

Built in 1926, the market’s main gate features a unique design. It is also a business hub for many different goods, famously known for fabrics and cuisine. The food stalls in this market are highly rated by diners for their diverse, delicious, and appealing dishes, such as bún mắm (fermented fish noodle soup), crab soup, crab thick noodle soup, mixed fruit, and especially the well-known sticky rice with chicken.

Binh Tay Market (Cho Lon)

Located at the western gateway of the city, in Chinatown, Binh Tay Market is consistently marked on the travel maps of many tourists. Operating since 1930, the market was built with a strong East Asian architectural style. The curved roof corners follow the style of communal temples and pagodas, covered with yin-yang tiles that are both ancient and well-ventilated. Binh Tay Market also serves as a central hub for various wholesale goods.

Cuisine

• Cơm tấm (Broken Rice): A typical and delicious dish

+ 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 : A traditional dish you should not miss

+ 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 : The Vietnamese sandwich is famous for its varied combination of ingredients.

+ 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, fermented fish noodle soup: Other delicious specialties you should try

+ 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 (Vietnamese Savory Pancakes) :

+ 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

Travel Tips

• It is advisable to carry cash, as some places do not accept credit cards.
• Be mindful of your personal belongings in crowded public transportation.
• If you are not familiar with the area, use a mapping application or ask locals for directions.

Transportation Methods

• Scooter/Motorbike: The most popular and flexible means of transport.
• Grab: A very popular and convenient ride-hailing/tech taxi service.
• Bus: There are many bus routes that travel throughout the city.

From Ho Chi Minh City, you can also visit destinations in the surrounding areas such as Cần Giờ, the Củ Chi Tunnels, and the Mekong Delta.

For more information, please contact Tradition Viet Travel.