Tourist Places to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) (2026)

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest city and the country’s economic and cultural powerhouse. Located along the Saigon River in southern Vietnam, the city played a pivotal role during both the French colonial period and the Vietnam War, leaving behind a fascinating blend of historic landmarks, colonial architecture, and modern development.

Today, towering skyscrapers stand alongside centuries-old pagodas, bustling traditional markets, and important wartime sites that tell the story of Vietnam’s transformation. Visitors exploring tourist places in Ho Chi Minh City can discover iconic attractions such as Ben Thanh Market, the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, and the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels.

The city also serves as the main gateway to the Mekong Delta, one of Vietnam’s most unique cultural and agricultural regions. Whether interested in history, food, architecture, or local culture, Ho Chi Minh City offers a diverse range of experiences that make it one of Southeast Asia’s most rewarding urban destinations.

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Places to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City

War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum is one of the most visited and emotionally significant tourist places in Ho Chi Minh City. Located in District 3, the museum documents the human cost of the Vietnam War through an extensive collection of photographs, military equipment, and firsthand accounts. Originally opened in 1975, the museum houses over 20,000 documents and artefacts spread across multiple themed galleries, including exhibits on the effects of Agent Orange, war crimes tribunals, and the global anti-war movement.

During my Vietnam trip, the museum left a strong impression — particularly the photography galleries, which are among the most powerful war documentation collections in Southeast Asia. Visitors should allow considerable time here, as the content is dense and demands reflection.

• Famous For: War photography, Agent Orange exhibit, captured military hardware, historical documentation
• Tickets: Approximately 40,000 VND for adults
• Opening Timings: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Ideal Time to Explore: 2–3 hours
• Things to Do: Browse photo galleries, view military exhibits, learn about the Vietnam War history

Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)

The Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, is one of the most historically significant places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City. Located in District 1, it served as the residence and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the war era. The original palace on this site was built during French colonial rule, and the current modernist structure was completed in 1966 to a design by Vietnamese architect Ngô Viết Thụ. The palace gained global attention on April 30, 1975, when North Vietnamese tanks broke through its gates, marking the end of the Vietnam War.

The interiors have been preserved largely as they were in 1975, allowing visitors to walk through presidential reception rooms, war command bunkers, a cinema room, and rooftop helipad. The basement war command center, complete with original communications equipment and maps, is a particularly compelling section of the tour.

• Famous For: End of Vietnam War, preserved Cold War-era interiors, war command bunker
• Tickets: Approximately 40,000 VND for adults
• Opening Timings: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed during government functions)
• Ideal Time to Explore: 1–1.5 hours
• Things to Do: Tour the presidential quarters, explore the underground bunker, view the ceremonial halls

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is one of the most recognisable landmarks and Ho Chi Minh City tourist attractions, rising prominently in the city’s historic centre at Kennedy Square in District 1. Constructed between 1863 and 1880 using materials imported entirely from France, the cathedral features two 58-metre bell towers and a Romanesque Revival façade that has defined the city’s skyline for over a century. It remains an active place of Catholic worship and a symbol of the city’s French colonial past.

I found that the area surrounding the cathedral — particularly Paris Square out front — is one of the most atmospheric spots in central Saigon, especially in the early morning before the crowds arrive. The red brick exterior, kept deliberately unrestored, gives the building a weathered dignity that photographs beautifully.

• Famous For: French colonial architecture, twin bell towers, imported Marseille brickwork
• Tickets: Free entry
• Opening Timings: Monday to Saturday 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Sunday Mass schedules vary
• Ideal Time to Explore: 30–45 minutes
• Things to Do: Admire the exterior architecture, attend Sunday Mass, photograph the bell towers

Saigon Central Post Office

Located directly beside Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office is one of the finest examples of French colonial architecture in Vietnam and a fully functioning post office that doubles as a major Ho Chi Minh City attraction. Designed by Gustave Eiffel and completed in 1891, the building features a grand arched interior with vaulted ceilings, tiled floors, and a large portrait of Ho Chi Minh overlooking the central hall. Ornate maps of historical Cochinchina and Saigon adorn the interior walls.

One thing I noticed during my visit was how seamlessly the building functions as both a working post office and a heritage site — visitors can send postcards home while admiring one of the city’s most beautiful interiors. The yellow and cream façade is particularly striking at night.

• Famous For: Gustave Eiffel design, vaulted iron ceiling, historic interior maps
• Tickets: Free entry
• Opening Timings: Monday to Friday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Ideal Time to Explore: 30 minutes
• Things to Do: Send postcards, photograph the interior, browse souvenir stalls

Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels are one of the most extraordinary and historically significant tourist spots in Ho Chi Minh City’s surrounding region, located approximately 40 kilometres northwest of the city centre. This vast underground network — stretching over 250 kilometres — was constructed and used by Viet Cong guerrillas during the Vietnam War for shelter, supply movement, and surprise attacks. Visitors can explore two main sites: Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc, both of which offer guided tunnel tours and outdoor exhibits featuring wartime traps and weaponry.

The experience of crawling through the narrow tunnels is claustrophobic but genuinely eye-opening. The guides provide excellent historical context, and the on-site firing range allows visitors to fire period weapons if they choose.

• Famous For: Underground wartime tunnel network, Viet Cong military history
• Tickets: Approximately 110,000–150,000 VND per person (check latest prices)
• Opening Timings: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
• Ideal Time to Explore: 3–4 hours including travel time from the city
• Things to Do: Crawl through tunnel sections, view booby trap displays, optional shooting range, watch wartime documentary film

Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta, located roughly 60–90 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City, is one of the most popular day trips and among the most rewarding places to visit near Ho Chi Minh City. The delta — a vast network of rivers, canals, rice paddies, and fruit orchards — forms the agricultural heartland of southern Vietnam and is home to floating markets, stilted villages, and a way of life that remains largely unchanged for generations. Key destinations include My Tho, Ben Tre, and Can Tho, with river cruises offering access to coconut candy factories, bee farms, and traditional sampan boat rides.

I found the Mekong Delta to be the most peaceful contrast to the chaos of Saigon. The slow boat journeys through narrow waterways lined with banana palms and water hyacinths offer a genuinely different side of Vietnamese life that the city cannot replicate.

• Best Time to Visit: December to April (dry season)
• Major Attractions: Cái Bè Floating Market, canal boat tours, fruit orchards, river villages
• Ideal Duration to Explore: 1–2 days
• Things to Do: Boat through waterway canals, visit floating markets, sample tropical fruits, explore cottage industries

Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Nguyen Hue Walking Street is one of the most vibrant and lively places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City, stretching 670 meters through the heart of District 1 from the People’s Committee Hall to the Saigon River waterfront. The boulevard was historically known as Charner Boulevard during French colonial rule and served as a canal before being filled in and paved in the early 20th century. Following a major renovation completed in 2015, the street was transformed into a fully pedestrianized zone and is now lined with fountains, sculptures, and a dramatic view of the illuminated City Hall building.

The street comes alive at night with street performers, food vendors, and locals gathering around the central fountain. It serves as Ho Chi Minh City’s main venue for public celebrations including Lunar New Year (Tết) flower markets, national holidays, and New Year’s Eve events. Upscale cafés, rooftop bars, and international restaurants line the adjacent buildings.

• Best Time to Visit: Evenings; especially during Tết (Lunar New Year)
• Major Attractions: People’s Committee Hall view, central fountain, Tết flower market, New Year celebrations
• Ideal Duration to Explore: 1–2 hours
• Things to Do: Evening stroll, street food, attend public events, rooftop bar dining

Jade Emperor Pagoda

The Jade Emperor Pagoda is one of the most atmospheric and spiritually significant places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City, located in the Phú Nhuận and District 3 border area. Built by the Cantonese community in 1909, the pagoda is dedicated to the Jade Emperor, the supreme deity of Taoism, and also incorporates Buddhist elements, making it a unique blend of Chinese religious traditions. The building’s ornate tiled roof, incense-filled courtyards, and intricate wood-carved figures create one of the most visually striking religious environments in the city.

The interior houses dozens of elaborately decorated chambers containing statues of Taoist deities, Buddhist bodhisattvas, and mythological figures, all surrounded by thick clouds of incense smoke. A pond in the rear courtyard is filled with turtles, which are considered sacred. The pagoda remains an active place of worship and is particularly atmospheric during festivals.

• Famous For: Chinese Taoist-Buddhist architecture, Jade Emperor statue, sacred turtle pond, incense atmosphere
• Tickets: Free entry (donations welcome)
• Opening Timings: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Ideal Time to Explore: 45–60 minutes
• Things to Do: Explore temple chambers, observe local worship, photograph carved deity figures, visit turtle pond

Mariamman Hindu Temple

The Mariamman Hindu Temple is one of the lesser-known but genuinely fascinating tourist places in Ho Chi Minh City, tucked inside a narrow lane in District 1 just a short walk from Ben Thanh Market. Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mariamman, the temple was built by Tamil traders in the late 19th century and remains in active use today — worshipped not only by the city’s small Indian community but also by many Vietnamese and Chinese locals who come to pray for good fortune. The colourful gopuram (tower) at the entrance is covered in elaborately painted deities and mythological figures.

The temple is a striking example of South Indian Dravidian architecture in an unlikely Southeast Asian setting. I found it refreshingly uncrowded compared to other city-centre attractions, and the contrast between the ornate interior and the surrounding busy lanes makes it a memorable stop.

• Famous For: South Indian Dravidian architecture, Tamil Hindu heritage, interfaith worship
• Tickets: Free entry
• Opening Timings: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM daily
• Ideal Time to Explore: 30–45 minutes
• Things to Do: View the painted gopuram, observe worship rituals, explore the temple interior, visit the sacred well

Bitexco Financial Tower

The Bitexco Financial Tower is the most iconic skyscraper on the Ho Chi Minh City skyline and one of the most recognisable modern attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Standing 262 metres tall across 68 floors, the tower was designed by Carlos Zapata and completed in 2010, inspired by the shape of the lotus flower. The building’s most distinctive feature is its cantilevered helipad protruding from the 52nd floor, which has become a defining image of modern Saigon. The Saigon Skydeck observation deck sits on the 49th floor.

The Skydeck offers 360-degree views across the city, the Saigon River, and on clear days, the distant countryside. The surrounding Bitexco complex also houses dining and retail options, making it a convenient stop in the central business district.

• Famous For: Lotus-shaped design, Saigon Skydeck, helipad architecture
• Tickets: Approximately 200,000 VND for Skydeck access (check current pricing)
• Opening Timings: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM daily
• Ideal Time to Explore: 1–1.5 hours
• Things to Do: Visit the Saigon Skydeck, dine at in-tower restaurants, photograph the skyline and Saigon River

Chinatown (Cho Lon)

Cho Lon, meaning “big market” in Vietnamese, is Ho Chi Minh City’s historic Chinatown district, located in Districts 5 and 6 approximately 5 kilometers from the city center. It is one of the largest Chinatowns in Southeast Asia and has been a hub of Chinese-Vietnamese commerce, culture, and community life since the 18th century. The district is characterized by bustling wholesale markets, traditional medicine shops, Chinese-language signage, ornate assembly halls, and pagodas built by different Chinese ethnic groups including the Cantonese, Teochew, Fujian, and Hakka communities.

The Bình Tây Market at the center of Cho Lon is a grand colonial-era covered market dealing mainly in wholesale goods. Nearby, the Thiên Hậu Pagoda, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, is one of the oldest and most beautifully decorated Chinese temples in the city. The district is best explored on foot or by cyclo.

• Best Time to Visit: Early morning for market activity; January–February for Chinese New Year celebrations
• Major Attractions: Bình Tây Market, Thiên Hậu Pagoda, Chinese assembly halls, traditional medicine shops
• Ideal Duration to Explore: 2–3 hours
• Things to Do: Explore wholesale markets, visit Chinese pagodas, sample Cantonese-Vietnamese food, photograph street life

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market is arguably the most famous landmark and one of the most visited places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City, serving as a central symbol of the city since its current structure was completed in 1914. Located at a major intersection in District 1, the market’s distinctive clock tower entrance has long been used as a navigational landmark by locals and visitors alike. Inside, hundreds of stalls sell everything from fresh produce and street food to clothing, souvenirs, lacquerware, and spices across a sprawling covered hall.

Ben Thanh is heavily tourist-oriented, and prices here reflect that. In my experience, souvenirs, clothing, and handicrafts are priced 4–5 times higher than what you would pay for identical items in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Hoi An, or Da Nang markets. Bargaining is expected and essential, but even after negotiating, prices rarely drop to the levels found in central or northern Vietnam.

If you are planning to buy souvenirs, lacquerware, silk items, or gifts in bulk, it is far better value to purchase them in Hanoi or Da Nang and carry them south — not the other way around. Ben Thanh is best treated as a sightseeing and food stop rather than a serious shopping destination.

• Best Time to Visit: Early morning (7:00 AM – 10:00 AM) for fresh produce; evenings for the night market
• Major Attractions: Clock tower gate, street food stalls, souvenir shopping, night market
• Ideal Duration to Explore: 1–2 hours
• Things to Do: Sample Vietnamese street food and fresh juices, photograph the iconic entrance, browse stalls for atmosphere, explore the Ben Thanh Night Market after dark

Ho Chi Minh City is a destination that captures the full arc of Vietnam’s story — from colonial-era landmarks and wartime history to gleaming skyscrapers and buzzing night markets. The places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City range from the sobering Cu Chi Tunnels and the War Remnants Museum to the grandeur of the Reunification Palace and the spiritual calm of Jade Emperor Pagoda.

Few cities in Asia pack this level of historical depth, cultural variety, and urban energy into one destination. For travellers seeking an immersive and thought-provoking experience, Ho Chi Minh City delivers on every level.

Ho Chi Minh City can feel overwhelming for first-time visitors given how much it has to offer. If you’d like help making sense of it all, share your travel dates, budget, and what you’re most interested in — history, food, culture, or day trips — and get a customized itinerary tailored to your time and travel style.

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Frequently Asked Questions