A Saigon Bucket List: 30 Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

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Before you venture to Vietnam, this list shares the very best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City so you know what’s cool and fun in Saigon for your visit.

Ho Chi Minh is often overlooked by tourists visiting Vietnam, with travelers opting to visit Hanoi instead. You can feel this in the atmosphere of the city – it’s much less touristy than its counterpart in the north.

But there are actually some seriously cool Ho Chi Minh Bucket List worthy things that I think tourists are missing out on. This city doesn’t get the love it deserves, and deserves to be on everyone’s Vietnam itinerary! 

I had the opportunity to teach English in Vietnam for a summer program, and got to soak up the very best of Ho Chi Minh for two whole months. When I wasn’t working, I made sure to make the most of my time in the city exploring the fun and exciting things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

The result is this epic Saigon bucket list perfect for anyone visiting or moving to Ho Chi Minh and looking to get a taste of life in this bustling metropolis.

Read More: 25 Things To Know Before Going to Vietnam: Travel Tips for Backpackers

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Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh is a pretty big city. Home to nearly 9 million people spread out between 24 districts means that there are many places you can stay in Ho Chi Minh. However, not all are best for tourists or first time visitors.

I recommend travelers stay in District 1 or 3, which are very central and downtown. These areas will put you close to the action and Saigon’s top attractions.

• The Hideout is an insanely popular hostel in Ho Chi Minh City that puts backpackers and budget travelers right in the heart of District 1.
• Silverland Yen Hotel is a beautiful hotel with decor that takes inspiration from nature and guests love the swimming pool and spa at this District 1 hotel.
• Adora Art Hotel is a mid-range hotel with a rooftop pool and clean decor that’s both easy on the eyes and your wallet.
• The Reverie Saigon is a five-star luxury hotel with an insanely glamorous interior and a rooftop pool.

↠ Read More: Districts of Ho Chi Minh City: Where to Stay in Saigon

Where + What to Eat in Ho Chi Minh

Eating out at all of the best restaurants is a bonus thing to do in Ho Chi Minh. While many may not consider it to be, I do love making an effort to try all the best local delicacies (some of which get a special mention in the list below). And Vietnam is a culinary destination after all! So here’s a special shoutout to some of Saigon’s best eats.

• Banh Xeo 46A: This local joint serves Banh Xeo, or crispy Vietnamese crepes filled with savory herbs and seafood.
• Banh Mi Bay Ho: For your Bahn Mi cravings, stop by this favorite stall that was featured on Netflix’s Street Food series. The stall serves up one of the best and cheapest sandwiches in the city.
• Little HaNoi Egg Coffee: This hidden cafe is tucked down a narrow alleyway and housed in the cutest, little building. While there, grab a classic cup of Hanoi egg coffee and a breakfast toast.
• Pho Hung: This popular restaurant is known for serving one of the best bowls of pho in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Layla – Eatery & Ba: A modern bar + restaurant that offers craft cocktails and western bites.
• Rico Taco: A hip Mexican restaurant for when you’re craving something other than Vietnamese.

30 Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City: My Saigon Bucket List

1. Hang out on Nguyen Hue walking street.

Located near the Bitexco building, Nguyen Hue walking street comes alive with people and street vendors when the sunsets. While there isn’t anything particularly interesting to do here, it’s cool to stroll the walking street to see so many locals out and about enjoying the pedestrian area. 

If you have only 24 hours in Ho Chi Minh City, this is an easy one to check off your list!

2. Sip coffee at the cool cafe apartments.

Right across from the Nguyen Hue Walking Street, is the super hip café apartments. An old apartment building that has seen a diverse range of tenants; from Vietnamese locals, to American generals to shipyard workers, to now hipster cafes. Grab a seat on one of the many balconies and enjoy the bird’s eye view of the walking street below.

3. Check out the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon. 

Constructed by the French colonists in 1880, the basilica is one of Saigon’s most distinctive attractions. While it’s currently covered in scaffolding as it undergoes reconstruction, no trip to HCMC is complete without peeping the French designed cathedral. 

4. Take Insta pics at the famous Tan Dinh Pink Church. 

The Tan Dinh Church in district one is quite possibly the cutest church ever. It’s painted a pastel shade of pink and has intricate white crown molding. It’s no surprise that it attracts many tourists looking to snap a photo with this hard to miss landmark. 

5. Explore the Independence Palace. 

Also known as Reunification Palace, this building has seen some interesting history. Built originally by the French during its colonization of Vietnam, the palace’s occupants have switched numerous times and have housed the French, Japanese, South Vietnamese (US allies) and the final Vietnamese communist government as it is today. 

I have to admit that the palace isn’t all that exciting, but if you’re like me and feel an obligation to see everything there is to see in a new place, you’ll want to take a tour of the palace. It’s only 40,000 VND / $1.75 USD to enter and you do get an interesting history lesson out of it, even if it is from the communist point of view. 

6. Send a postcard from the old post office. 

The Ho Chi Minh central post office oozes French influence and was constructed in the late 19^thcentury. Visitors can pick up a souvenir or two from the small shop inside and can even mail home a post card as it still functions as a working post office today. You’ll definitely want this Ho Chi Minh bucket list item on your to-do! Did I mention the building is yellow, oh so cute and perfect for Instagram?

7. Have a crazy night out on Bui Vien.

Sometimes called the Khao San Road of Vietnam (the famous party street in Bangkok), you’ll want to spend a night out on the town dancing and enjoying the popping night scene on Saiton’s Bui Vien Walking Street.

Party-goers can enjoy nearly any type of beverage and substance (party responsibly, friends) and get their groove on until the wee hours of the morning. 

8. Spend a day exploring Chinatown / District five.

The city of Saigon is broken up into 24 districts, with visitors often focusing mainly on District 1, 2 and 3. I recommend taking a day to check out District 5, the Chinatown of the city. I had so much fun seeing some off-the-beaten-path attractions. 

Some Chinatown places you won’t want to miss: 

• Hao Si Phuong: A photogenic apartment complex where two buildings face one another across a narrow street below. If you visit, be respectful – these are people’s homes!
• Binh Tay Market: A market much like the famous Benh Tanh Market, but with a fraction of the tourists. Come explore a market solely for locals.
• Cha Tam Church: Another pastel church in the city that’s often overlooked, this yellow church is just about as cute as the pink one mentioned above!
• Hoi Quan Ha Chuong Temple: If you’re already in the area, may as well check out this cool and quiet temple.
• Thien Hau Temple: One of the main temples to see in Ho Chi Minh. 

9. Have a street dinner on Pho Am Thuc Vinh Khanh Seafood Street. 

If you want a true local Ho Chi Minh experience, come enjoy dinner at Pho Am Thuc Vinh Khanh – a street famous where vendors serve up fresh sushi, grilled snails, various other seafood dishes and lots and lots of beer! I really enjoyed this experience of sitting amongst hundreds of others and throwing my seafood carcasses on the ground. 

10. Try wild new dishes at Le Hong Phong Market. 

For those who are adventurous and enjoy trying new and crazy foods, this Cambodian Street market is a great place to try unique things. Per the recommendation of a local friend, we tried pig brains (brains!!), Cambodian dessert soup (durian, egg yolk, cream, jelly – it was strange), and finger snail soup (this was actually yum). Not a lot of tourists make it to this market, it’s a true local Ho Chi Minh bucket list item.

11. Get a history lesson at the Remnants War Museum. 

Vietnam has an all too recent devasting history filled with war and conflict. The Remnants War Museum documents all of the human rights tragedies of the war and how people are still dealing with the effects of the Vietnam War today. As an American, it was very eye-opening, and honestly quite saddening. Entry to the museum is 40,000 VND or $1.75 USD.

12. Visit one of HCMC many rooftop bars.

One of my favorite things to do in Saigon was admire the colorfully unique architecture in the city, and what better way than to admire it from above? Check out one of the many rooftop bars in the city and sip cocktails while admiring the city below. Some recommended rooftops include; The View, Skyxx, Chill Rooftop, Eon Heli Bar in the Bitexco building.

13. See the city from the Bitexco Saigon Sky Deck.

The Bitexco building is an iconic skyscraper that is instantly recognizable in Ho Chi Minh’s skyline. At the top, you can visit the Saigon Sky Deck for a cool fee of 200,000 VND or $8.65 USD. Pro tip: you can get a very similar view only a floor or two below at the Eon Heli Bar, and pay 210,000 for a cocktail and a view rather than just 200k for only a view. Just saying.

14. See the lush and green Bình Quới tourist village. 

The Bình Quới tourist village is a great escape from the concrete city into greenery and a cool place to experience cultural activities. It is about a 30 minute drive from the city center, so I only recommend the tourist village if you have the time. 

15. See the massive Buu Long Pagoda.

The Buu Long Pagoda is a massively ornate Buddhist temple that often is overlooked by visitors. It’s in District 9 so a bit out of the way, but this place is truly pretty. If there were any temples you visited in Ho Chi Minh, this one should be made a priority.

16. See Ngọc Hoàng Pagoda or Jade Pagoda.

Another famous pagoda in the city, the Jade Pagoda is a small place of worship for Taoism. Built by the Chinese community over a hundred years ago, it’s famous for its tortoise pond.

17. Eat at the classic Vietnamese chains; Cong Ca Phe + Banh Mi 362. 

Some die-hard travelers may disagree with this, but I think it’s fun to check out the local chain restaurants and cafes that are unique to that specific country. Some of the best ones you should check out in Saigon are Cong Ca Phe and Banh Mi 362. 

Cong Ca Phe is a hip coffee chain that is stylized after the Vietnam War. Their coconut coffee (cốt cà phê dừa; more coconut) or coffee with coconut milk (bac xiu, more coffee) are probably their most popular options and def my faves. They also serve up other traditionally Vietnamese cups of coffee. 

Banh Mi 362 is a popular chain serving up some mid-range priced Vietnamese sandwiches. While not the cheapest you can find on the street, these are pretty good quality as far as chains go. 

18. Marvel + snap photos at City Hall.

If you’re like me (a little Instagram obsessed), the yellow City Hall building in Saigon makes for a fun place to snap some photos for the gram. There is also a really pretty small garden right in front of the building with the famous statue of Ho Chi Minh. It doesn’t require much time, but definitely a signature thing to do in Saigon.

19. Walk along the canal in District 1 + 3.

One of the most unique features of Ho Chi Minh is the many canals and waterways that flow through the city. There’s a specific canal that flows through District 1 that makes for a really nice stroll along the water, with peaking skyline views of Landmark 81. There are also cafes dotted along the walkway for those looking to café hop or enjoy a cup of coffee next to the water. 

20. Catch a show at the Opera House.

Located only a short walk from Ho Chi Minh City Hall, is the famous Opera House building. Built during French colonization in the city, the architecture is a prime example of French’s presence in the city. If you have the time and are in town for a good show, seeing a local Vietnamese show at the Opera House is a great way to learn more about the culture.

21. Take a day trip to see the Chu Chi Tunnels.

The Chu Chi Tunnels are a massive network of tunnels created by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. The tunnels were used as a place to hide, transport goods, and relay communications while fighting American soldiers. A visit to Chu Chi Tunnels is best through an organized tour and there are many travel agents selling tours in the city center and requires usually a half-day to full day.

22. Cruise along the Mekong Delta.

Another great day trip from the city, taking a cruise along the Mekong Delta offers a glimpse into the beautiful Vietnamese landscape in the south. A lot of tours actually offer combo tours of seeing the Chu Chi Tunnels and cruising the Mekong Delta all in one day – a great option for those short on time or looking to kill two birds with one stone.

↠ Read More: 17 Best Places to See in Vietnam

23. Enjoy the many expat events in the city.

Ho Chi Minh has one of the most vibrant expat communities I’ve ever experienced in a large city in Asia. It was so easy to meet others and find various different clubs, sporting events, communities, activities etc. with other expats. Take part in one of the many expat events like Gender Funk, Saigon Outcast’s flea market, La Holista’s monthly hike and many more.

24. Take a shopping trip to Ben Thanh and have dinner at the night market.

One of largest local markets in Saigon, Ben Tanh market caters well to tourists looking to experience a traditional market but also pick up some Vietnamese souvenirs.  You can find ceramic items, dry goods, fish, and knick knacky things at Ben Tanh. At night, the market transforms into a great place to sample Vietnamese street food.

25. Treat yourself to a Ho Chi Minch free flow (all you can drink).

There are many things Vietnam does well, and the local party scene is def one of them. I have never experienced so many happy hour deals or free flows in any place ever. Taking part in a free flow is a classic expat Ho Chi Minh bucket list experience and is when you pay one set price, usually about 200,000 VND / $9 USD, for all you can drink between set hours. Indikia Saigon bar does it well.

26. Spend the day café hopping in Thao Dien.

Thao Dien (district 2), HCMC’s expat neighborhood, is home to many hip cafes, restaurants, boutiques and bars. Thao Dien is like a small little bubble in the city where expats go to live and often never leave. This expat community has created some cool places to hang out and you could spend an entire day having an enjoyable time café, restaurant and bar hopping in Thao Dien! 

27. Watch the sunset at Vinhomes Central Park.

Also located in District 2, Vinhomes Central Park has got to be one of the largest green spaces in Saigon. The entire park is often busy with families going for walks, couples having picnics, friends enjoying beers in the grass, and various dance and roller skating classes. 

If you have a night with good weather, come to Vinhomes for a chill picnic, hangout, pregame and to catch the pretty sunset.

28. Fly Kites in Thao Dien.

All credit goes to So The Adventure Begins, a dedicated Vietnam travel blogger, who shared this awesome activity on her Instagram story. Locals love to fly kites as a way to enjoy good weather and you can actually rent your own kite for a few hours.

You can rent a kite for about 70-150k at a man whose stand is next to Thu Thiem Bridge in D2. You can read more about Vietnam and things to do in Saigon at So The Adventure Begin’s blog. I never had a chance to do it myself, but she made it look insanely fun!

There are so many fun things to do in Saigon and I truly loved my time in this vibrant city. If you’re headed to Vietnam, I urge you to consider a thorough visit to this often overlooked Vietnamese city. With this Ho Chi Minh bucket list, you’re guaranteed a good time!

29. Take a break from the city streets in Tao Dan Park.

Tao Dan Park is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s largest parks and is brimming with greenery and landmarks. Make time to wander and see the park’s temples, beautiful structures, and gardens. You can find Tao Dan Park in District 1 right behind the Independence Palace.

30. Get lost amongst Ho Chi Minh’s many streets and markets.

One of my favorite things to do was simply walk around a new neighborhood. This is a great way to stumble upon incredible sights and experiences. Ho Chi Minh is home to so many things to do that often don’t make these kind of touristy lists. So if you have the time and patience, I highly recommend taking the long way to your destinations.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Ho Chi Minh? Share below!