Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. Discover the fascinating history of Ho Chi Minh City as you explore its iconic landmarks and historical sites. Marvel at the beautiful architecture that reflects the city’s diverse cultural heritage. From the Notre-Dame Cathedral to the Reunification Palace, each structure tells a story of Vietnam’s past. But it’s not just about the history. Ho Chi Minh City is also known for its lively and bustling atmosphere. Experience the vibrant energy as you wander through the bustling markets, taste the delicious street food, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife. Are you interested in the city’s history or its current attractions?

Independence Palace

Independence Palace, a unique and famous architectural landmark, is located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was once the residence and workplace of the President of the Republic of Vietnam from 1966 to 1975, and witnessed many important historical events of the country. Independence Palace was designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu, combining the traditional Vietnamese architecture with modern Western influences. Its prominent features include spacious main halls, an intelligent system of sliding doors, and exquisite wood-inlaid wall panels. Independence Palace offers a variety of diverse tourist activities such as museum visits, historical documentary screenings, and participation in art performances.

The War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum is one of the top must-visit museums in Vietnam. It preserves and displays over 20,000 artifacts, images, and documents related to the war crimes of the American invasion and its puppet regime, as well as the heroic sacrifices of our troops and people during the resistance war against the US to save the country. The museum is divided into 9 main exhibition areas, each focusing on a specific theme of the war. Visitors can explore each exhibition area to have an overview of the Vietnamese war, from the early days of resistance to the reunification of the country. The museum regularly organizes educational activities for students, scholars, and tourists. These activities help visitors have a better understanding of the nation’s history, the resistance war against the US to save the country, and the heroic sacrifices of the Vietnamese people.

The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City

The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, also known as the Saigon Opera House, is a unique and renowned architectural landmark located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was built in 1898 by the architect Auguste Chevalier, inspired by the Opéra Garnier in Paris, France. The Municipal Theatre is not only a favorite tourist destination but also a venue for hosting many important artistic performances in the city. The theater is designed in a combination of French Renaissance architecture and Indochinese architectural styles, creating an incredibly impressive structure. Its notable features include a grand façade with a system of curved domes, exquisite bas-reliefs, and lively sculptures. Visitors to the Municipal Theatre can explore, experience, and take photographs.

The Central Post Office of Ho Chi Minh City

The Central Post Office of Ho Chi Minh City, also known as the Saigon Central Post Office, is a unique and famous architectural landmark of Ho Chi Minh City. It was built between 1886 and 1891 and designed by the renowned architect Gustave Eiffel. The Central Post Office is not only a favorite tourist destination but also a place that preserves many historical and cultural values of the city. Coming to the Central Post Office you can not only admire its unique architecture but also experience various enjoyable activities such as sending postcards, purchasing souvenirs, and participating in art performances.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, is a unique and renowned architectural landmark located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was constructed in 1880 by architect J. Bourard in the Romanesque Revival style, which was popular in France in the 19th century. Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is not only a favorite tourist destination but also a venue for important Catholic religious activities in the city. The cathedral, built over 140 years ago, has witnessed many ups and downs in the history of Saigon – Cholon. It was once the principal cathedral of the Saigon Diocese and the religious center of the Catholic community in Vietnam.

Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Nguyen Hue Walking Street, located in the heart of District 1, is one of the most famous tourist attractions and entertainment destinations in the city. It is renowned as the “modern icon” of Saigon with its magnificent landscape, lively atmosphere, and numerous exciting activities. Nguyen Hue Walking Street is always bustling with a variety of activities such as street art performances, music shows, street vendors, and children’s play areas. Visitors can participate in these activities to entertain themselves and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the city.

Bui Vien Walking Street

Bui Vien Walking Street, is known as the liveliest “Western street” in Saigon with a plethora of bars, restaurants, clubs, and bustling shopping areas. It attracts tourists with its vibrant atmosphere, youthful space, and diverse entertainment activities. Bui Vien Walking Street offers a variety of entertainment activities such as live music performances, DJ shows, fire dancing, magic shows, and more. Visitors can participate in these activities to entertain themselves and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the city.

Bitexco

The Bitexco Financial Tower is one of the tallest skyscrapers in Vietnam, attracting tourists with its unique and modern architecture, as well as its many convenient amenities. It is considered a symbol of the city’s development and dynamism. From the Saigon Skydeck on the 52nd floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the vibrant and magnificent Ho Chi Minh City. On clear days, the view from the Saigon Skydeck can stretch up to 70 kilometers. The Bitexco Financial Tower is not only an office building but also a hub for various amenities such as shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, entertainment areas, and more. Visitors can easily find everything they need here.

Dragon Harbour

Ben Nha Rong (Dragon Harbour) is a unique architectural structure imbued with historical significance, closely associated with the event of President Ho Chi Minh’s departure to seek national salvation in 1911. Today, it houses the Ho Chi Minh Museum branch of Ben Nha Rong, attracting visitors with its ancient beauty and immense historical value. On June 5, 1911, the President Ho Chi Minh boarded the Admiral Latouche Tréville ship to embark on his journey to seek national salvation. This event marked a significant turning point in his life and in the history of the Vietnamese revolution. When visiting Ben Nha Rong, you can see important historical documents.

The Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine

The Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, is a place that preserves and displays valuable artifacts, images, and documents about the history and development of traditional Vietnamese medicine. It is considered a precious repository of medical knowledge, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the cultural values of the Vietnamese people. The museum exhibits over 3,000 valuable artifacts related to traditional Vietnamese medicine, including traditional medical tools, ancient medical books, body models, and images, as well as historical documents about traditional Vietnamese medicine. Visitors to the museum can listen to explanations and introductions about the artifacts. Additionally, they can participate in seminars, discussions, and other activities to enhance the community’s awareness of traditional medicine.

Thien Hau Pagoda

Thien Hau Pagoda is one of the oldest and most famous temples in Saigon. The temple was built in 1789 by the Cantonese community, dedicated to worshiping Mazu, the goddess of the sea who protects sailors. Thien Hau Pagoda is one of the significant spiritual centers for the Cantonese community in Saigon. It attracts a large number of visitors who come to pay their respects, seek blessings, and good fortune for themselves and their families.

Ngoc Hoang Pagoda

Ngoc Hoang Pagoda is one of the most famous and visited temples in Saigon. Built in the early 20th century by the Chinese community, it is dedicated to worshiping Ngoc Hoang Thuong De, the supreme deity in Taoism. Ngoc Hoang Pagoda preserves many unique cultural values of Taoism, reflected through statues, paintings, and traditional worship rituals. Visitors come here not only to pray for peace and luck but also to learn about the spiritual culture of the Chinese people.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market is a bustling and vibrant marketplace located right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Built in 1912, the market quickly became one of the city’s most famous tourist attractions. Ben Thanh Market covers an area of over 13,000 square meters with more than 1,500 stalls selling a wide variety of goods, from clothing, shoes, and souvenirs to fresh food. Visitors can find everything they need at Ben Thanh Market, with affordable prices and good quality. The market is also a venue for many traditional cultural activities of Vietnam, such as art performances and street food cooking. Visitors can experience Vietnamese culture here in the most authentic and lively way.

Ho Thi Ky Flower Market

Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, also known as Saigon night flower market, is a bustling flower market located in District 10. It is one of the largest and most well-known flower markets in the city. The market is a vibrant hub of activity, with vendors selling a wide variety of fresh flowers, plants, and related items. Visiting Ho Thi Ky Flower Market offers a glimpse into the vibrant culture of Ho Chi Minh City. The market is a microcosm of Vietnamese society, with people from all walks of life coming together to buy, sell, and admire flowers. The market is also a place to witness the artistry and craftsmanship of local florists, who create stunning floral arrangements using a variety of techniques.

The Saigon River

The Saigon River is a major river flowing through Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces. The Saigon River is approximately 256 km long, originating from the Truong Son Range and flowing into the East Sea at Can Gio. It plays a significant role in the economic, cultural, and social life of Ho Chi Minh City. The river provides water for daily activities, supports waterway transportation, and serves as a source of inspiration for many artistic works. The Saigon River is an ideal destination for tourism activities such as river cruises, exploring riverside locations, and experiencing culinary delights on the water. Visitors can have meaningful and enjoyable experiences when coming here.

The Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels is an underground tunnel system built by the Vietnamese People’s Army during the Vietnam War. Located approximately 70 km northwest of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, in Cu Chi District, the Cu Chi Tunnels were equipped with various amenities such as kitchens, sleeping quarters, food storage areas, and hospitals. There were also workshops for manufacturing weapons, ammunition, and military training areas. The Cu Chi Tunnels played a crucial role in the Vietnam War. They helped the Vietnamese army resist attacks from the United States and the South Vietnamese army, contributing to the ultimate victory of the Vietnamese people. Today, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a famous tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world. Visitors can explore the underground tunnel system, learn about the history of the Vietnam War, and experience the life of the Vietnamese soldiers during the war.

Thao Cam Vien

Thao Cam Vien is one of the oldest zoological gardens in Vietnam, established in 1869. It preserves many historical and cultural values of Saigon and Vietnam. Thao Cam Vien is home to over 590 animals of 125 species, along with 1830 trees and plants of 260 species. Visitors can admire many rare and precious animal species from around the world and learn about Vietnam’s diverse ecosystems. Thao Cam Vien is not only a place to visit animals but also offers many other entertainment activities such as exploring unique gardens, participating in art performances, circus shows, enjoying diverse cuisine at dining areas, and engaging in educational and recreational activities for children.

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Cuisine

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is a vibrant city with diverse and rich cuisine. This place gathers delicious dishes from all regions of the country, combined with the creativity of Saigon’s people, creating a unique culinary identity that every visitor wants to explore. Let’s join Casa Viet Travel to go through some must-try dishes when visiting Saigon !

Pha Lau

Pha lau is a distinctive favorite dish among Saigon’s youth. With its unique, rich, and savory flavor, beef Pha lau is sure to satisfy even the most discerning diners. A bowl of Pha lau is quite modest, slightly smaller than a bowl of rice so that when finished, diners are not too full but still crave more. The tripe, stomach, and beef tongue are cleaned thoroughly, without any unpleasant odor, and are tender, while the accompanying bread is perfectly crispy. Especially, an authentic Saigon beef Pha lau must come with a dipping sauce made from tamarind and fish sauce, with a bit of spicy chili powder. This is a dish that you should not miss when visiting this vibrant city.

Braised duck noodle soup (mi vit tiem)

Braised duck noodle soup is a famous dish originating from China, which has now become quite popular and beloved in Saigon. The noodles are chewy and delicious, with an eye-catching golden color. The duck is carefully selected, mainly using the thighs, which are braised thoroughly, making them very tender and flavorful when eaten. When you enjoy it, you will taste the aromatic and tender duck thigh, soaked in the light and sweet broth.

Saigon bread (Banh mi Saigon)

Saigon bread has long been a familiar dish to many people. This Saigon bread stands out with its perfect combination of cold cuts, pâté, accompanying vegetables, and distinctive sauce. In addition, for more variety, diners can choose from many different toppings such as pâté-chicken, shredded pork skin, pâté-pork-steamed pork and egg patty-pork floss, mixed bánh mì, and pâté-pork meatball.

Saigon Broken rice (Com tam)

Broken rice has long been a familiar dish to Saigon travel enthusiasts. This delicious dish can be eaten at any time, from morning, noon, evening, or even late at night. Saigon broken rice offers a distinctive flavor to diners when cooked in cast iron or clay pots and only using firewood. The toppings that accompany broken rice include grilled pork ribs, shredded pork skin, steamed pork and egg patty, pickled vegetables, scallion oil, and sweet and sour fish sauce… Additionally, there are other toppings such as fried eggs, grilled chicken, and braised fish… This has undoubtedly become an indispensable flavor when connoisseurs talk about Saigon specialties.

Saigon crab noodle soup (Banh canh cua Saigon)

Saigon crab noodle soup is one of the rustic dishes that not only win the hearts of locals but also tourists, who must try it at least once when visiting. A full bowl of Saigon crab noodle soup includes shrimp, blood pudding, pork, crab cakes, and quail eggs, and is served with fresh vegetables. The broth is extremely rich because it is made from tender and sweet crab meat and fresh shrimp. The crab cakes here are especially delicious; the crab is finely pounded, mixed with spices, and formed into balls, making them both crispy and sweet, and very appealing. For just $2, you can enjoy a hot bowl of Saigon crab noodle soup. Let’s explore this with Casa Viet Travel right away!

Saigon fish sauce noodle soup (Bun mam)

Bun mam, a specialty from the Mekong Delta, has become a familiar dish for both locals and tourists visiting Saigon. The preparation of Saigon Bun mam is quite meticulous; the broth is made from various fish such as snakehead fish and catfish, simmered until the meat falls apart, then strained to get the clear broth and seasoned to taste. The broth is served with fresh rice noodles, combined with other ingredients like fish cake, shrimp, roasted pork, and squid, making it incredibly appealing at first sight. The vegetables served with Saigon Bun mam include thinly sliced banana blossom, split water spinach, water lily, and bean sprouts. If you are unsure about what to eat in Saigon, you should definitely try this distinctive dish at least once.

Sui cao

Sui cao originated from China and are popular in many Asian countries. They have now become an indispensable part of Saigon’s cuisine. The Sui cao wrappers are soft and chewy, encasing fillings of shrimp and pork, and combined with a mixture of soy sauce and chili for a rich and appealing flavor. A bowl of mixed dumplings with clear, sweet broth includes dumplings, fish balls, squid soaked in ash, pork skin, mustard greens, and yellow noodles. The squid soaked in ash and pork skin are prepared specially with a unique secret, giving them a crunchy and chewy texture that’s quite unusual. What are you waiting for? Give it a try now!

Nam Vang-style noodles (Hu tieu Nam Vang)

Nam Vang-style noodles is a dish deeply rooted in Cambodian flavors but incredibly popular in Saigon. This dish captivates diners with its delicate harmony of sweet broth, chewy noodles, and a variety of toppings. The broth for Nam Vang-style noodles is simmered from pork or chicken bones, creating a naturally sweet taste. The toppings for Nam Vang-style noodles are extremely diverse and rich, including minced meat, shrimp, liver, heart, quail eggs, squid, and more. Each type of topping brings its unique flavor, contributing to the overall attractiveness of the dish. This specialty is the fusion of two culinary cultures from Vietnam and Cambodia, which you definitely shouldn’t miss out on.

Ne beef

“Ne Beef”, similar to beef steak, is a popular breakfast dish loved by many Saigonese. This dish wins diners over with its harmonious combination of tender and sweet beef, creamy fried eggs, fresh and delicious vegetables, and flavorful sauce. The beef used for “Ne Beef” is usually tenderloin or beef sirloin, thinly sliced and marinated with rich spices. The beef is stir-fried to perfection, maintaining its tenderness and delicious flavor. The “Ne Beef” sauce is typically made from soy sauce, fish sauce, chili, garlic, pepper, etc., creating a rich, salty-sweet taste that stimulates the taste buds. If you haven’t tried “Ne Beef” when visiting Saigon, it’s like you haven’t truly experienced the city yet.

Bo bia

“Bo bia” is a popular street food snack loved by many in Saigon. This dish captivates diners with its harmonious combination of soft and chewy rice paper, pork, shrimp, eggs, fresh and delicious vegetables, and flavorful sweet and sour dipping sauce. The rice paper used for Saigon “Bo bia” is thin, chewy, and has a pale white color. The rice paper is traditionally hand-made or machine-made, then dried before use. The filling for Saigon “Bo bia” is very diverse, including boiled pork, boiled shrimp, boiled quail eggs, bean sprouts, vermicelli, Chinese chives, herbs, etc. The ingredients are finely sliced and seasoned with just the right amount of spices. This is a dish you can’t miss when visiting Saigon.

Fried Flour

“Fried Flour” is a familiar and beloved snack for many people in Vietnam, especially in Saigon. This dish captivates diners with its harmonious combination of crispy fried dough, pork, shrimp, eggs, fresh and delicious vegetables, and flavorful sweet and sour dipping sauce. “Fried Flour” is made from rice flour or wheat flour. The filling for “Fried Flour” is very diverse, including minced pork, shrimp, squid, quail eggs, bean sprouts, Chinese chives, herbs, etc. The ingredients are finely sliced and seasoned with just the right amount of spices. This is a snack that you shouldn’t miss when visiting Saigon.

Mixed rice paper

Rice paper is a popular street snack loved by many in Saigon, especially the youth. Saigon’s rice paper comes in various types with diverse and rich flavors, catering to every palate. Visitors can enjoy different kinds such as “banh trang cuon” (rolled rice paper), “banh trang tron” (mixed rice paper salad), or “banh trang nuong” (grilled rice paper). Each type offers a unique flavor experience. Additionally, mixed rice paper also serves as an ideal specialty gift for tourists to take home.

Coconut and tamarind juice

On scorching hot days in Saigon, nothing is more wonderful than enjoying a refreshing, cool glass of coconut and tamarind juice, providing instant relief. Coconut and tamarind juice is a popular and affordable thirst-quencher, beloved for its delicious, refreshing taste and reasonable price. The coconut used in Saigon’s coconut and tamarind juice must be fresh, sweet, and not sour. Fresh coconut water contains many vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, helping to rehydrate and energize the body. Once you’ve tried this beverage, you won’t be able to forget it.

Sage tea

Sage tea is a popular and affordable thirst-quencher but highly beloved in Saigon, especially during scorching hot summer days. This beverage captivates diners with its harmonious combination of sweet and refreshing flavors from various herbs. Altogether, it creates a refreshing drink perfect for cooling down during the summer.

Tropical fruit tea

Saigon is famous for its delicious food and distinctive, enticing beverages, and among them, tropical fruit tea stands out. It’s a beloved thirst-quencher for many, especially on scorching hot summer days. Saigon’s tropical fruit tea is brewed from various delicious fresh fruits, most commonly including pink guava, honeydew melon, dragon fruit, strawberries, mangoes, and more. All of these create a refreshing and cooling sensation.

Beauty tea

“Beauty tea” is a dessert soup loved by many for its delicious, refreshing taste and its beauty-enhancing properties, particularly favored by women in Saigon. This dessert is made from various rare and precious ingredients that are beneficial for health and beauty, such as bird’s nest, goji berries, red apples, longan, lotus seeds, peach resin, Cordyceps sinensis, etc. It serves not only as a beauty drink but also as a cooling treat during the sweltering summer months.