Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
DESTINATION GUIDE

Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

45 curated spots from Ho Chi Minh City itineraries

Activities & Attractions

25 curated experiences

Ben Thanh Market
Do
afternoon

Ben Thanh Market

Explore stalls for vegan fruits, nuts, and local vibes; focus on outer edges for photos, stick to known vegan vendors.

1h 30m · $5-10
Bitexco Financial Tower Skydeck
Do
afternoon

Bitexco Financial Tower Skydeck

Elevator to 49th floor for 360° city views and sleek architecture shots; 15-min walk.

1h · $10
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Do
morning

Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Stroll the sleek pedestrian boulevard with fountains, modern sculptures, and evening lights for relaxed people-watching and photos.

1h 30m · Free
Bach Dang Wharf Riverside
Do
evening

Bach Dang Wharf Riverside

Relax by Saigon River with modern skyline views for sunset photos; Grab 10 min from mall.

1h 15m · Free
Ben Thanh Market & Shopping
Do
afternoon

Ben Thanh Market & Shopping

Street market for local food stalls and modern boutiques nearby; focus on silk scarves, coffee; photography from upper walkways.

1h 45m · $20-40
Ben Thanh Market Outer Streets
Do
morning

Ben Thanh Market Outer Streets

Skip the deepest tourist aisles and instead circle the perimeter and nearby streets for textiles, ceramics, and street scenes; keep your phone away from the curb while shooting.

1h 30m · Free to browse
Blue-Hour Street Photography in Thao Dien
Do
evening

Blue-Hour Street Photography in Thao Dien

Step out around sunset and blue hour to capture quiet streets, cafés lighting up, and the soft contrast between river and low-rise buildings.

45m · Free
Bui Vien Walking Street Nightlife
Do
night

Bui Vien Walking Street Nightlife

After dinner, walk 10–15 minutes to Bui Vien Street to experience Saigon’s backpacker nightlife: bars with live music, neon lights, street performers, and people-watching from a sidewalk table with a drink.[2][3]

2h · $5-20 (drinks and snacks)
Cholon Heritage Walk (District 5)
Do
afternoon

Cholon Heritage Walk (District 5)

Spend the afternoon around Binh Tay Market and nearby streets, focusing on exteriors, facades, and alleyways; visit one or two historic temples, covering shoulders and knees and removing shoes where required.

2h 30m · Free or small donations at temples
Cu Chi Tunnels Tour
Do
morning

Cu Chi Tunnels Tour

Explore 250 km of wartime tunnel network. Experience includes crawling through authentic tunnels, viewing traps and bunkers, tapioca root tasting (VC's wartime food), optional shooting range, rice paper workshop, and lacquer art studio visit. Maximum 20 people per group for intimate experience.

5h · $40–70 per person
Fine Arts Museum
Do
morning

Fine Arts Museum

Browse modern Vietnamese art in a clean colonial-modern building; photo-friendly galleries, 10-min walk.

1h 30m · $2
FPM Fine Arts Gallery
Do
afternoon

FPM Fine Arts Gallery

Contemporary Vietnamese art exhibits; photography allowed indoors; best angles from upper floors.

1h 15m · $5
Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
Do
late-morning

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

Historic mansion complex with Vietnamese paintings, sculpture, and contemporary works; wander the quiet courtyards and staircases for atmospheric shots.

1h 30m · $2-4
Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street & Saigon City Hall (People’s Committee Building)
Do
late_morning

Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street & Saigon City Hall (People’s Committee Building)

Stroll the broad pedestrian boulevard of Nguyễn Huệ, framed by cafes and shops, and photograph the ornate French colonial Saigon City Hall at the northern end; continue a short walk to admire nearby historic buildings and modern towers side by side.[2][3]

1h · Free
Opera House Exterior
Do
morning

Opera House Exterior

Photo the elegant modern-colonial facade and gardens; quick stop, no interior needed.

45m · Free
Saigon Central Mosque
Do
morning

Saigon Central Mosque

Visit this elegant mosque with clean domes and arches; respectful outer photos, 10-min walk from street.

45m · Free
Saigon Riverfront Stroll (Thao Dien)
Do
evening

Saigon Riverfront Stroll (Thao Dien)

Walk the short stretch of riverfront near The Deck and neighboring venues for blue-hour photos of water traffic, bridges, and distant skyline silhouettes.

45m · Free
Saigon Skydeck at Bitexco Financial Tower
Do
late-afternoon

Saigon Skydeck at Bitexco Financial Tower

Glass-walled observation deck with panoramic views; aim for late afternoon into golden hour, and walk slowly to find angles that show motorbike rivers and colonial rooftops below.

1h 30m · $12-18
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Do
morning

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Mix of mature trees, gardens, and historic zoo structures; focus on the botanical areas and shaded paths for nature and candid shots rather than the animal enclosures.

2h · $3-6
Suoi Tien Park Lakeside & Gardens (Short Hikes)
Do
afternoon

Suoi Tien Park Lakeside & Gardens (Short Hikes)

Follow the internal paths around the lake and garden zones for gentle hiking-level walks, shade, and relaxed nature shots.

1h · Included in park entry
Takashimaya Mall
Do
afternoon

Takashimaya Mall

Explore upscale modern mall for clean design photos and light shopping; AC, 10-min walk.

1h 30m · Free
Tao Dan Park Hike
Do
morning

Tao Dan Park Hike

Easy 1-2km shaded trails through gardens; wear sneakers, low fitness level; 8:30-10 AM for cool temps and golden light.

1h 30m · Free
Thao Dien Boutique Shopping Strip
Do
afternoon

Thao Dien Boutique Shopping Strip

Browse small design stores and concept shops along the main Thao Dien roads for homewares, clothing, and minimalist souvenirs.

1h 30m · Variable
Turtle Lake (Ho Con Rua) and Surrounds
Do
afternoon

Turtle Lake (Ho Con Rua) and Surrounds

Circular traffic island with modernist concrete structure and surrounding cafés; walk the nearby streets for local shops and candid city-life photography.

1h · Free
War Remnants Museum
Do
early_afternoon

War Remnants Museum

Explore exhibits documenting the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective, including powerful photography and outdoor displays of military vehicles; plan time to move slowly and process the content.[2][3]

1h 30m · $2-5

Restaurants & Food

20 local favorites

The Deck Saigon
Eat
morning

The Deck Saigon

Riverside modern fusion with pho and fresh pastries; book ahead for terrace seating.

1h 15m · $40-60 per person
Be An Vegetarian Café
Eat
morning

Be An Vegetarian Café

Cozy AC spot with vegan Vietnamese breakfast like pho, banh mi, and smoothies; order vegan pho or fresh spring rolls.

1h · $8-12 per person
Ben Thanh Street Food Market
Eat
evening

Ben Thanh Street Food Market

Casual open-air food court just off Ben Thanh Market with multiple stalls serving dishes like bánh xèo, phở, fresh spring rolls, and grilled seafood; try a mix of small plates to share and a local draft beer.[1][3]

1h · $10-20 per person
BoatHouse Restaurant
Eat
afternoon

BoatHouse Restaurant

Riverside restaurant with a clean, casual-modern aesthetic; order fresh spring rolls and grilled meats or fish while you decompress after the day trip.

1h 15m · $18-30 per person
Bún Thịt Nướng Nguyễn Trãi
Eat
morning

Bún Thịt Nướng Nguyễn Trãi

A simple, local-style spot for classic bún thịt nướng (grilled pork over rice noodles with herbs and fish sauce); order a bowl with extra fresh herbs and a cà phê đá.

45m · $5-10 per person
Café Apartment Courtyard Coffee
Eat
morning

Café Apartment Courtyard Coffee

Pick a minimalist-style café inside or near the Nguyen Hue café apartment building for a last-morning coffee and light bites.

1h · $6-12 per person
Café Slow & Steady (near Metro Thao Dien)
Eat
morning

Café Slow & Steady (near Metro Thao Dien)

Small minimalist café with specialty coffee and simple, clean pastries; grab a light breakfast before heading out.

45m · $6-12 per person
De Tham Restaurant - Vietnamese Cuisine & Vegetarian Food
Eat
afternoon

De Tham Restaurant - Vietnamese Cuisine & Vegetarian Food

Vegan-friendly Vietnamese with pho, rice dishes; specify vegan for fresh herb plates, 8-min walk.

1h · $10-16 per person
Filthy Vegan
Eat
evening

Filthy Vegan

100% vegan Western-Viet fusion like burgers, pizzas; order vegan hotdog or pizza, 10-min walk.

1h 15m · $12-20 per person
Hai's Restaurant - Vietnamese Cuisine & Vegan Food
Eat
afternoon

Hai's Restaurant - Vietnamese Cuisine & Vegan Food

Vegan Vietnamese gems like stir-fries, soups; order vegan bun cha, 7-min walk.

1h · $11-17 per person
Hoang's Kitchen - Vietnamese Cuisine & Vegan Food
Eat
evening

Hoang's Kitchen - Vietnamese Cuisine & Vegan Food

Highly rated spot with vegan Vietnamese like spring rolls, curries, pho; order mock meat dishes, Grab 10 min from Bitexco.

1h 15m · $12-18 per person
Hum Vegetarian & Lounge
Eat
afternoon

Hum Vegetarian & Lounge

Calm, design-focused vegetarian restaurant with lotus ponds and elegant plating; try the lotus root salad and claypot dishes.

1h 15m · $18-28 per person
Ivegan Supershop Ben Thanh
Eat
afternoon

Ivegan Supershop Ben Thanh

Clean cafe with vegan bowls, sandwiches, and smoothies; try vegan banh mi or poke bowl, 10-min walk.

1h · $10-15 per person
L’Usine Dong Khoi
Eat
morning

L’Usine Dong Khoi

Industrial-chic café and concept store; order Vietnamese iced coffee and avocado toast or a banh mi-inspired breakfast plate.

1h · $10-18 per person
La Moi Plant-Based Restaurant
Eat
morning

La Moi Plant-Based Restaurant

All-vegan deli with Vietnamese brunch like congee, salads; try plant-based banh xeo, 5-min walk from hotel.

1h · $9-14 per person
Ngoc Suong Seafood & Bar
Eat
afternoon

Ngoc Suong Seafood & Bar

Contemporary Vietnamese seafood in a bright, minimalist dining room; order grilled local fish and small plates to share.

1h 15m · $25-40 per person
Pho Hoa Pasteur
Eat
afternoon

Pho Hoa Pasteur

Classic pho shop in a bright, simple dining room; order pho bo tái (rare beef) and add herbs and lime to taste.

45m · $4-8 per person
Quince Saigon
Eat
evening

Quince Saigon

Wood-fired restaurant in a converted warehouse with Nordic-influenced minimal design; choose the chef’s tasting-style selections and pair with wine.

2h · $50-100 per person
Riverside Restaurant in Cu Chi or Return Transit to HCMC
Eat
midday

Riverside Restaurant in Cu Chi or Return Transit to HCMC

Many Cu Chi tours include lunch (check booking details). If not, stop at a small local restaurant near the tunnel exit for grilled fish, fresh spring rolls, or com tam (broken rice). Simple, fresh, authentic.

1h · $8–15 per person
ST25 by KOTO
Eat
morning

ST25 by KOTO

Vegan Vietnamese rice bowls, salads; try vegan com tam, 10-min Grab from hotel.

1h · $10-15 per person

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