Top 10 Places to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City

10 Best Places to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Date of journey: 11 June 2025
Starting Point: Toi's Travel Home Central
Travel Partner: Vietnamese friend ~Vo Van Truyền

1. Cu Chi Tunnels

The journey began early on a humid June morning. Leaving the comfort of Toi's Travel Home Central, I joined my Vietnamese friend ~Vo Van Truyền to explore the historical marvels of Ho Chi Minh City. Our first stop was the famous Cu Chi Tunnels — an underground network used during the Vietnam War. The route from the city took about 1.5 hours, winding through lush landscapes and roadside stalls selling sugarcane juice. Upon arrival, I was amazed by the ingenuity of the tunnel system. Narrow, dark, and ingeniously camouflaged, these tunnels narrated stories of survival, resilience, and guerrilla tactics. Crawling through a short segment, I could feel the intensity of wartime conditions. Truyền translated tales shared by the local guide, adding personal anecdotes from his grandfather who once served as a wartime scout.

2. Reunification Palace

Back in the city, we made our way to Reunification Palace — also known as the Independence Palace. Walking through the grand gate was like stepping into a time capsule. Everything was preserved from the day Saigon fell in 1975, when a North Vietnamese tank crashed through its iron gates and ended the war. The palace’s architecture was a fascinating blend of Vietnamese modernism and retro 1960s charm. In the war command room, maps were still pinned to the walls. The red telephone sat ominously on the table. The air was thick with untold stories. Truyền explained that this palace symbolized both hope and tragedy — a place where power shifted and history turned. We stood silently in the presidential bedroom, reflecting on how decisions made in this room once altered the fate of millions.

3 War Remnants Museum:

Through the Lens of Suffering From the palace, we walked a short distance to the War Remnants Museum. I had been warned this would be an emotionally intense visit, and it didn’t disappoint. The first floor introduced international protest movements and Vietnam’s diplomatic history. But the upper levels… they hit hard. Photographs by war correspondents captured haunting moments — napalm victims, orphaned children, devastated villages. The most disturbing section was dedicated to Agent Orange. The deformed fetuses preserved in glass, the stories of multi-generational suffering, and the portraits of veterans from both sides — it was painful to absorb. I found myself tearing up more than once. Truyền was equally affected, though he tried to maintain composure. “This is why we study history,” he said. “So we don’t repeat it.” Outside, we sat by the museum café, silent for a long time, sipping iced coffee. The clatter of the city felt distant.

4. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon: A Whisper of Colonial Grace From war-torn memories, we turned toward colonial elegance. The red-brick Notre-Dame Cathedral stood proudly in the heart of District 1, its two bell towers reaching into the sky like sentinels of a different era. Built in the late 19th century by French colonists, the cathedral exuded a sense of quiet dignity. Inside, the light filtered through stained-glass windows, casting soft hues across the pews. Despite ongoing restorations, the interior held a sacred stillness. Truyền told me stories of how his parents used to come here every Sunday. “Even for non-Catholics, this place is a symbol of peace,” he said. As we stood outside, street vendors sold lotus flowers, postcards, and coconut ice cream. The scent of incense wafted from a nearby temple, merging with the breeze as scooters roared past. Old and new, East and West, seamlessly coexisted here.

5. Saigon Central Post Office

Architecture that Connects Right across from the cathedral stood the Saigon Central Post Office — another colonial gem. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, its yellow façade and green shutters made it one of the city’s most photographed landmarks. Inside, the arched ceiling and vintage clocks evoked European grandeur. Truyền helped me mail a postcard home, a simple yet poignant act in this digital age. I stood for a moment beneath the large portrait of Ho Chi Minh, marveling at the contradictions — this was a post office built by colonizers but now bearing the image of a revolutionary leader. In one corner, an elderly man offered calligraphy services. I asked him to write “Hope” in Vietnamese. With graceful strokes, he penned “Hy vọng” and handed it to me with a smile.

6.Ben Thanh Market

A Symphony of Chaos and Color We took a short stroll to Ben Thanh Market, the beating heart of Saigon’s trade and taste. As soon as we entered, the air turned electric — vendors shouted prices, the smell of grilled meat mingled with incense, and colorful fabrics spilled from every stall. Truyền bargained like a pro while I stood overwhelmed by choices. We bought some áo dài (traditional dress) for my travel collection, a packet of lotus tea, and a small lacquer box painted with a dragon. For lunch, we sat at a food stall serving bún thịt nướng (grilled pork with noodles) and shared a sugarcane juice. The flavors exploded on my tongue. Spicy, sweet, tangy — it was Vietnam in a bowl.

7.Museum of Fine Arts

Vietnam Through a Painter’s Eyes After the sensory overload of Ben Thanh, we slowed things down at the Museum of Fine Arts. Housed in a beautiful colonial-era mansion, the museum offered a curated glimpse into Vietnam’s soul. We wandered through rooms filled with lacquer paintings, wartime sketches, and contemporary installations. One painting of a mother holding her child during an air raid moved me deeply. “That’s from the North,” Truyền whispered. “But it speaks to all of us.” Outside, the museum’s courtyard offered a quiet place to reflect. Birds chirped in the trees above. Art, I realized, wasn’t just aesthetic here — it was emotional history, a cultural thread that tied generations together.

8.Jade Emperor Pagoda (Phước Hải Tự)

Mysticism in the Midst of the City Next, we headed to the Jade Emperor Pagoda, a Taoist temple hidden in a quiet alley. The smell of incense hit us before we even stepped through the gates. Inside, the temple was bathed in the glow of red lanterns and thick with sacred smoke. We wandered among altars, wooden statues of gods and demons, and a pond full of turtles. I lit a stick of incense and made a wish for safe travels. Truyền prayed too, silently, respectfully. In a room thick with reverence, a monk approached and tied a red thread around my wrist for good luck. It felt deeply personal — a blessing in a foreign tongue that needed no translation.

9.Landmark 81

Touching the Sky As sunset neared, we took a Grab to Landmark 81 — the tallest building in Vietnam. From the observation deck on the 81st floor, the view was surreal. Saigon sprawled in every direction — the winding Saigon River, tiny ant-like motorbikes, and a horizon painted in gold. We watched the sun sink behind the skyscrapers, casting the city in a honeyed glow. “This is the new Vietnam,” Truyền said, gesturing toward the skyline. “Fast. Fearless. Dreaming big.” We dined at a restaurant on the 76th floor, sipping Vietnamese craft beer and toasting to our adventure. That moment — suspended between earth and sky — felt like a reward.

10.Chợ Lớn (Chinatown)

The Final Chapter Our last stop was Chợ Lớn, Ho Chi Minh City’s sprawling Chinatown. It was already dark when we arrived, and the lanterns had begun to glow. The streets pulsed with life — herbal medicine shops, traditional bakeries, and bustling markets. We visited the Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the sea goddess. Its incense coils hung like celestial spirals, thick smoke whispering prayers heavenward. The carvings were exquisite, the atmosphere dreamlike. In a narrow alley, we found a tiny restaurant selling hủ tiếu (noodle soup). Surrounded by locals, we ate our final meal of the journey. It was simple, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.

Conclusion

After exploring the diverse attractions of Ho Chi Minh City — from war tunnels to modern skyscrapers — I came away with not only stunning photos but also a deeper appreciation of Vietnam’s layered history and vibrant culture. With ~Vo Van Truyền guiding and translating along the way, each moment felt enriched and connected. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned adventurer, the city offers a rich blend of stories, architecture, and authentic experiences worth discovering.

Author: Sadeghjan, Solo Overland Travel Writer for OPTVLOGS