Ho Chi Minh City is where Vietnam’s past and future collide: an electrifying mix of French colonial charm, buzzing markets and modern energy. Known locally as Saigon, this dynamic metropolis invites you to step inside historic palaces, taste bold street food and glide down the Mekong in a wooden boat. From rooftop cocktails to ancient temples, the city offers a vibrant spectrum of experiences.
If you’re ready to dive into one of Southeast Asia’s most captivating destinations, here are the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
1. Tour the City’s French Colonial Landmarks
One of the top things to do in Ho Chi Minh is to trace its colonial past through architecture. Begin at Notre Dame Cathedral, a red-brick masterpiece built in the 1880s, then visit the elegant Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel. Round out your tour at Reunification Palace, a modernist icon frozen in time since the end of the Vietnam War. These landmarks not only define the skyline—but also tell the story of Saigon’s layered history.
2. Shop and Snack at Ben Thanh Market
Colorful, chaotic and endlessly fascinating, Ben Thanh Market is the beating heart of local commerce. Wander through aisles stacked with dried spices, handmade souvenirs and silk scarves or settle in at a food stall for a piping-hot bowl of pho. This is where locals haggle and tourists taste—making it one of the most fun things to do in Ho Chi Minh for a sensory deep dive.
3. Sail the Mekong Delta
For a change of pace, journey south to the lush, winding waterways of the Mekong Delta. Drift past coconut palms and stilted houses, stop at a riverside workshop making traditional sweets and savor a home-cooked Vietnamese meal. Whether by longtail boat or rowboat, the Mekong reveals a quieter, deeply rooted side of Vietnamese life.
4. Take a Vietnamese Cooking Class
Vietnamese cuisine is beloved worldwide—and there’s no better place to master it than right in Ho Chi Minh City. Begin with a guided market visit to pick up fresh herbs and vegetables, then learn to prepare iconic dishes like spring rolls or bánh xèo (crispy savory pancakes). The best part? You get to eat your creations in a casual, local kitchen setting.
5. Discover the Jade Emperor Pagoda
One of the city’s most atmospheric spiritual sites, the Jade Emperor Pagoda is filled with incense smoke, coiled dragon carvings and statues of Taoist deities. Built by the Cantonese community in the early 1900s, it remains a place of active worship—and a peaceful escape from the surrounding city bustle.
6. Stroll Dong Khoi Street
Formerly known as Rue Catinat during French rule, Dong Khoi Street is now a lively boulevard lined with upscale shops, art galleries and rooftop cafés. This is where old-world elegance meets modern vibrancy. Grab a Vietnamese iced coffee, do some boutique browsing or just walk the promenade along the Saigon River to take in the atmosphere.
7. Ride Through the Countryside
Just beyond the city, Vietnam’s rural beauty unfolds. A guided cycling tour takes you through rice paddies, rubber plantations and small villages where time moves slower. Stops might include a Buddhist temple or the lesser-known Long Phuoc Tunnels—an echo of wartime resilience and local ingenuity.
8. Visit a Traditional Vietnamese Home
Step inside a preserved home that reflects daily life from over a century ago. Ornate woodwork, ancestral altars and tranquil courtyards offer a glimpse into the customs and aesthetics of Vietnam’s past. It’s a thoughtful complement to the city’s bustling modernity—and a chance to connect with culture on a more personal level.
9. Explore Cholon, Ho Chi Minh’s Chinatown
A city within a city, Cholon is Ho Chi Minh’s vibrant Chinatown. Explore bustling markets, visit centuries-old Chinese temples like Thien Hau Pagoda and smell the blend of herbal medicine and roasted duck in the air. It’s a fascinating mix of commerce, culture and history, tucked into some of the city's most energetic streets.
10. Experience Saigon at Your Own Pace
Sometimes the best way to explore is on your own terms. Take advantage of a drop-off service in central Ho Chi Minh, then set out to explore as you please. Whether it’s sipping coffee in a colonial courtyard, popping into art museums or simply watching daily life unfold from a shaded park bench, the city’s rhythm is easy to fall into.
What Are the Top Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh?
The top things to do in Ho Chi Minh include exploring French colonial landmarks, shopping at Ben Thanh Market, taking a cooking class, cruising the Mekong Delta and visiting spiritual sites like the Jade Emperor Pagoda. With its rich history, flavorful cuisine and vibrant energy, Ho Chi Minh City delivers an unforgettable Southeast Asian experience.
Discover the Best of Ho Chi Minh with a Shore Excursion
From boats on the Mekong to motorbikes in the city center, Ho Chi Minh shore excursions open the door to Vietnam’s complex past and exciting present. Whether you’re learning to cook local dishes or wandering ancient pagodas, this city invites you to go beyond the surface—and discover the stories that make it truly unforgettable.
