Ho Chi Minh City

Things to see and do

Jade Emperor Pagoda

Set to the north of the botanical gardens on Nguyen Binh Khiem, the Jade Emperor Pagoda is easily Saigon's most atmospheric. If you've got time for just one pagoda, this should be the one. Constructed by the city's Cantonese community at the turn of the century,the Jade Emperor guards the entrance ... read more
Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral, near Saigon's GPO on the northern stretch of District One, was constructed from 1877 until 1883, though it wasn't consecrated until 1959. Le Place Pigneau de Behaine, the square in front of the cathedral, holds a beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary. If you pop inside, take a ... read more
Museum of Ho Chi Minh City

Previously known as the Revolutionary Museum, this large grey circa 1885 building circa 1885 is on Ly Tu Trong St, a short walk from the centre of District One and the Reunification Palace. The colonial building has played a number of roles: firstly it was a commercial museum, then the Cochinchina ... read more
Reunification Palace

This building was originally known as the Presidential Palace or Independence Hall, and is a classic example of 1960's architecture. The original building was bombed in 1962 in an attempt by the South Vietnamese Air Force to assassinate President Diem. The assassination attempt failed, but the ... read more
Hotel DeVille

Built in the beginning of the 20th century, this grand old building was once the Hotel DeVille, but it is now home to the stoic Ho Chi Minh People's Committee. The hotel stands out in the Ho Chi Minh City landscape and the area in front of the Hotel De Ville is a popular place for Vietnamese to sit ... read more
War Remnants Museum

This museum, dedicated to documenting the various alleged war crimes undertaken by the US, is a must-see. If the only side of the Vietnam War you have seen has been through films such as Platoon, Full Metal Jacket and Apocalypse Now, then a visit here should help bring a bit of balance. ... read more
History Museum

This museum has been known by a number of names since its construction in 1928. It traces Vietnamese history from prehistoric times till the period of French occupation and carries an impressive range of artefacts, including Funan pieces found at Oc-Eo and a small selection of Cham sculpture (the ... read more
Cong Vien Van Hoa Park (Cultural Park)

This park is a great place to escape from Saigon's traffic. Set in the middle of the city, it is a bicycle-free zone with neatly landscaped lawns and benches to enjoy life as it goes by. Go early morning to see the park full of tai chi practitioners and badminton enthusiasts, or early evening for ... read more
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Perhaps a visit to the zoo isn't wise if the sole intention is viewing animals -- although there is a good range of creatures, they've seen better days and the whole facility is in need of a good clean up. As a destination for a lazy afternoon walk in the shade under leafy tropical plants and ... read more
Fine Arts Museum

This museum is comprised of three floors, all housed in an old colonial structure -- the courtyard contains an ancient looking tennis court, upon which the image of French aristocrats dressed in white playing a leisurely game is hard to dismiss. The marble floors throughout and the spacious, airy ... read more
Ton Duc Thang Museum

This museum, set close the river on Ton Duc Thang, celebrates the life of communist hero, Ton Duc Thang. Imprisoned on Con Dao for his part in rebellion against French rule, TDT succeeded Uncle Ho as president of Vietnam, and remained in office until his death in 1980. Spread over four rooms on the ... read more
Ho Chi Minh Museum

Set back all alone on the banks of the Saigon River, which sweeps out of District One down towards Saigon's port and eventually the Mekong Delta, sits the Museum of Ho Chi Minh. Not only a great location to see up and down the river and gaze back over District One, it's also the city's shrine to ... read more
Giac Lam Pagoda

Founded in 1744 and untouched for more than 100 years, Giac Lam is the oldest and most original pagoda in HCMC. People often come here to pray for sick and recently deceased relatives, hence the countless array of pictures inside the main building. Three rooms make up the complex, including a ... read more
Giac Vien Pagoda

Although just down the road from Giac Lam, Giac Vien is hard to find, tucked way back off the main drag down a pot-holed road. To find it, come out of Giac Lam and turn right onto Lac Long Quan St. Go straight on at the roundabout and the entrance is about 200m further down on the right. It seems ... read more
Cholon

Cholon is the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City and means Big Market (Cho Lon). After the re-unification of Vietnam, many of the Chinese residents of Cholon fled the country due to persecution. Now as the Vietnamese economy booms, the Chinese Vietnamese are slowly returning, breathing life into what ... read more
Dam Sen Park

Dam Sen is about a 20-minute ride from the city centre, out in District 11. A combination of theme park and water park, it also houses a large boating lake in the middle. The theme park contains dodgy fairground rides including a big ferris wheel, and also a show featuring monkeys, bears and other ... read more
Diamond Plaza

On the fourth floor of HCMC's premier shopping centre, this entertainment complex boasts more than 20 bowling lanes, a room full of arcade machines and a snooker/pool area, as well as various food and drink venues. Travel up to the ninth floor to find the three-screen cinema.
Phu Tho Racetrack

Only open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the racetrack is hardly a 'family' day out,but rather a collection of gamblers trying to increase what little money they have. Still, an interesting occasion. Pplay dumb and the locals may give you some tips -- of course you'll have to learn some ... read more
Swimming pools

HCMC is home to a number of Olympic-size public pools. Try the one in District Five called Lam Son, at Tran Binh Trong -- it's open 08:00-20:00 and costs just 5,000 dong an hour. A more centrally-located pool is in District One at the Workers Club, 55B Nugyen Thi Minh Khai St, District 3 Tel (08) ... read more
Shopping in Saigon

Food, T-shirts, cloth and material, souvenirs, kitchenware, spices, fruit, flowers, watches, jewellery -- just some of the things on offer at Ben Thanh market where you'll find everything you need under one roof. The quality of goods varies, and you must bargain -- expect the initial price to be ... read more
Cha Tam Church

This slender church is worth combining with a trip to Cholon as it had a small but important role to play in Vietnam's wartime history. Following a coup on November 1, 1963, President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother fled the palace through a tunnel network and eventually sought safety in Cha Tam ... read more
Cooking Classes

A number of popular cooking classes currently operate in Sagion, with a variety of styles. Connections Vietnam runs a service called 'Cook'. They employ student guides who act as your chaperone and food translator for the day. Starting early in the morning you'll be met at your hotel and guided ... read more
Cu Chi tunnels

Set around 35km from central Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels earned legendary status during the American War. A massive network of underground tunnels and chambers, Cu Chi, in its entirety, stretched for over 250km from Saigon all the way to the Cambodian border. Few sites bear stronger ... read more
Ong Bac Pagoda

Built by the Fukien Chinese just after World War II, Ong Bon Pagoda is dedicated to Ong Bon, the guardian of wealth, happiness and virtue. Being the god of wealth many worshippers come here to burn paper money in the temple's furnace, which is said to bring financial blessings to participants. The ... read more
Tam Son Hoi Quan Pagoda

Located in Saigon's Chinatown district of Cholon, Tam Son Hoi Quan Pagoda is a small temple built by the Fujian Community in 1839. Also known as Tam Son Temple, it is dedicated to Me Sanh, the Goddess of Fertility, making the pagoda a favourite of Vietnamese women praying for children. You'll see ... read more
Quan Am Pagoda

Believed to be the oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, this is undoubtedly one of the most popular. The roof of the pagoda tells fantastic tales taken from traditional Chinese lore, while the walls are covered with lacquer paintings of various spirits and deities. This pagoda is best visited when ... read more
Thien Hau Pagoda

Thien Hau Pagoda, a 19th century Chinese temple in Cholon, is dedicated to Thien Hau, or the goddess of the sea who is said to protect fishermen and sailors. Entering the pagoda through the exterior iron gate, you walk into a partially covered courtyard filled with large incense burners. From here ... read more
Phung Son Pagoda

This pagoda is a bit of a walk from the centre of Cholon, but worth a visit nonetheless. It has been rebuilt a number of times, but was originally erected on what are thought to have been Funan ruins. At one time, plans were made to move the pagoda to another site. To facilitate this move, a large ... read more
Ha Chuong Hoi Quan Pagoda

Another Fujian temple dedicated to the goddess of the sea Thien Hau, Ha Chuong Pagoda is one of several pagodas packed into Saigon's Cholon district. Along with Thien Hau Pagoda and Quan Am Pagoda, worshippers here come to give offerings to the lady of the sea, Thien Hau. The centrepieces of the ... read more
Quoc Tu Pagoda

A short trip outside downtown Saigon, Quoc Tu Pagoda is one of the largest Buddhist temples in the city and is a relatively new one, built in the early 1960s. The main complex of the pagoda spans seven storeys, with the first two open to the public. Visitors are given access to view the beautiful ... read more
Xa Loi Pagoda

Set a few blocks north of the Cultural Park at Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, this seven-tiered, pastel-coloured pagoda is known for its tower, which is supposed to contain a relic of the Buddha. During the Diem regime, this pagoda was attacked by ARVN soldiers and more than 400 monks were imprisoned, some ... read more
Mariamman Hindu Temple

This small Hindu temple is frequented by both Saigon's tiny Hindu population along with resident Vietnamese. If it were not for the beggars hassling you throughout your visit, it would be quite an enjoyable place — it's believed the temple has the power to heal the ill. After 1975 the ... read more