Ho Chi Minh City Sights and Landmarks Guide, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the largest city and headquarters of Vietnam that has grown to establish itself in the ‘Asian Tiger’ economic slugfest. It is located on the Saigon River and is Vietnam’s major port with a population of over 8 million people. Most of the people in Ho Chi Minh City travel throughout the clogged arteries of the city on about 3 million motorbikes.

Though the city is noisy, crowded and dirty, its business district poses competition to other cities on the globe. There are two seasons the city; the hot and rainy season from May to November and the dry season from December to April.

Ho Chi Minh City structures have French influence

Ho Chi Minh City tourist attractions include the War Remnants Museum, Vietnam History Museum and Cholon, the district famous for its pagodas and exotic stores. Dong Khoi Street boasts of some grand hotels where some date from the colonial era, chic boutiques and shops and numerous restaurants and cafes to taste Vietnam’s famous food.

When in Ho Chi Minh City, a place worth visiting is the Hotel de Ville which is a French colonial building that now houses the local Ho Chi Minh People’s Committee. However this place is closed to the public.

The Museum of Ho Chi Minh City is a few minutes from this hotel where you can see displays of the communist power struggle in Vietnam. The War Remnants Museum was first called the Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes.

Learn more about the American and Vietnam War

This is where you get to see stories of the American and Vietnam War through hundreds of photographs, some of which are not advised for children.

The Reunification Palace is really worth visiting when in Ho Chi Minh City as this was the HQ of the South Vietnamese in their war. The tanks found to the right are the ones that had knocked the gates to indicate the Fall of Saigon on that faithful day, April 30, 1975 to mark the handover of power.

The HCMC Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral are all sufficient proof and reminders of the French influence in Ho Chi Minh City. Tourists can also attend a mass on Sunday mornings in the cathedral.

The most educational museum that has no propaganda is the History Museum where you get to see 4000 years of the history of Vietnam. It lies just inside the gate that leads to the city zoo and botanical gardens.

A visit to the Ben Thanh Market will satisfy all your shopping needs for the great quality branded goods available here. Even the food area is worth a few pictures if you don’t intend to buy anything while in Ho Chi Minh City.

email to a friendAsk our travel experts a question about Ho Chi Minh City
ask now

Things about Ho Chi Minh City you may be interested in

• Ho Chi Minh City Travel tips

 

+ list your site

 

ReviewsTravel TipsWrite a reviewWrite a travel tip

 

 

Read our members' reviews about Ho Chi Minh City

No reviews have been added yet for this category. Be the first to add a new one.

 

Read our members' travel tips about Ho Chi Minh City

• Cu Chi Tunnel
  travel tip by alvingb posted more then 30 days ago
  Cu chi tunnel is a great place to visit to understand how the Viet Congs launched surprise attacks against Americans in the 1960’s.  This place has numerous displays of real live traps and display of weapons, food and tunnels...
• Ho Chi Minh City Museum
  travel tip by alvingb posted more then 30 days ago
  This museum is great place for tourist to know more about the history of Vietnam. There are many exhibits here that talk about the history of Vietnam. This certainly gives great insights to people to understand this beautiful country....
• Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral
  travel tip by alvingb posted more then 30 days ago
  The Notre- Dame cathedral is a very famous architecture in Ho Chi Minh City. This cathedral is known to be made of materials that were only imported from France. The interior of the cathedral is simply stunning as it gives a very calm...

view all

 

 

Community

Members Who Have Been to Ho Chi Minh City

See who has been to Ho Chi Minh City and ask them a question (membership required)

carrental ask a question add to friends

globetrotteri ask a question add to friends

satsco ask a question add to friends

alvingb ask a question add to friends

 

show all

 

Community Galleries About Ho Chi Minh City

Browse our members' Ho Chi Minh City galleries to get a better impression of the place

view gallery

view gallery

view gallery

 

show alladd gallery

 

 

the best travel deals provided by TravelZoo...