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Ho Chi Minh City Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Ho Chi Minh City
Having recovered from the war in the 1970s, the city formerly known as Saigon has transformed itself into a major regional economic centre and the largest city in Vietnam while still maintaining a wealth of heritage. With its large international airport, Ho Chi Minh City has become increasingly well connected to the world with flights now heading beyond Southeast Asia. Among the more interesting sights and attractions are the numerous relics from the Vietnam War which continue to fascinate western visitors in particular.

Flights to Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City’s sole airport is Tan Son Nhat, the largest in Vietnam and the principal hub of national carrier Vietnam Airlines which flies to Beijing, Frankfurt and Sydney from here among around 25 destinations. International Terminal 2 receives a number of major regional airlines such as Air China, EVA Air and Thai Airways. The airport is also beginning to receive low-cost carriers such as Jetstar with flights to Sydney airport from Ho Chi Ming City. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Ho Chi Minh City try Expedia. Getting to the airport has become much easier thanks to a new shuttle bus service with regular buses making the 30-minute journey into the city. Taxis are also available.

Around the city most locals use motorbikes. Travellers however should stick to the traditional and fast-disappearing cyclos, or to taxis. New buses have also been introduced, if you can understand the network.

Ho Chi Minh City


Sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City
Reunification Palace is one of the sightseeing highlights of Ho Chi Minh City, a converted building that is straight out of the 1960s. This used to be the Presidential Palace when Vietnam was divided. The propaganda here and at the War Remnants Museum gives the Vietnamese perspective, even if it is a little one-sided. For the obligatory photo of Ho Chi Minh and his statue, head to City Hall.

The city also boasts a wealth of attractive temples and colonial churches to visit such as the Notre Dame Cathedral from the French era and Thien Hau Pagoda with its detailed wall sculptures.

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Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Eating out in Vietnam’s second city is a delight. You will be pleasantly surprised by the tasty local food which is available for just a few dollars or less. The street stalls offer the best value and often most authentic dishes. Expect noodles galore, a variety of weird and wonderful cooked meats and a hint of French influence in the many baguettes you’ll come across. The top restaurants here offer French and Italian cuisine mainly and there are some impressive top-end Vietnamese places to try too.

Drinking at a cheap beer and food stall in the city means picking up some of the cheapest drinks you’ll find anywhere in the world and the beer is good too, served cold and on tap. Coffee shops remain popular and there is an ever-growing bar circuit which is centred on Pham Ngu Lao Street and Ly Thu Trung. In truth though, a drink can be found anywhere in the city.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
When in Ho Chi Minh City, avoid the shops and department stores and head straight for the markets which have a much better range of goods at more reasonable prices. Ben Thanh Market is the largest in the city and a good place to start bargain-hunting. War buffs will no doubt head to Cholon’s War Surplus Market, while Saigon Square attracts the younger crowd with clothes, DVDs and music on sale.


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