Historical Sites

Ho Chi Minh City is famous for its many historical sites that mark the city's development from the past to the present. These historical sites are also evidence of many important historical events in Vietnam.

Independence Palace

  • Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Road, Ho Chi Minh City

  • Opening hours: 8 AM - 4:30 PM

  • Entrance fee: 40,000 VND/person

This is a famous building in Saigon that has withstood the war against the US to save the country. This palace is associated with the important historical event of April 30, 1975, when the North and South of Vietnam were reunited.

Independence Palace in ho chi minh city

Independence Palace is an important historical site in Vietnam

This building not only has historical value but also architectural value. The palace was built with a combination of Western and Eastern architectural styles. Currently, the palace displays artifacts and documents about the old regime and important historical events.

War Remnants Museum

  • Address: 28 Vo Van Tan Road, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

  • Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

  • Ticket price: 40,000 VND/person

War Remnants Museum is part of the system of Museums for World Peace and the International Council of Museums (ICOM). This museum collects, archives, preserves, and displays documents, images, and artifacts to illustrate the devastating consequences of the war in Vietnam.

War Remnants Museum ho chi minh city

War Remnants Museum is where you can learn deeply about the wars in Vietnam

At the same time, the museum also conveys the message about the spirit of struggle and the preciousness of peace and friendship between peoples.

Cu Chi Tunnel

  • Address: 15 Phu Hiep Hamlet, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City

  • Opening hours: 7 AM - 5 PM

  • Entrance fee: 110,000 VND/person

Cu Chi Tunnels was formerly a system of defensive positions and resistance bases of the Vietnamese army and people. Today, there are still many preserved historical relics, artifacts, and architectural works associated with a glorious period of struggle.

Cu Chi Tunnel in ho chi minh city

Tourists enjoy exploring the Cu Chi Tunnel

This tourist destination is considered the greatest underground structure ever created by human hands. When you come here, you will experience the feeling of becoming a real soldier, moving through secret passages and shooting rifles.

Impressive Ancient Builds

Ho Chi Minh City also has long-standing architectural works that are considered symbols of the entire city that you must visit.

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

  • Address: 1 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

  • Opening hours: 8: 30 AM - 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM - 3:30

  • Entrance fee: Free

One of the best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City is Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral. This church is famous for its ornate French architecture. It was built in 1863 to serve the community and religious activities of the French government.

The church impresses with a large main chapel, two side chapels and two rows of smaller chapels. In total, the church can accommodate up to 1,200 people.

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is a proud symbol of the city

The architecture of the building is extremely unique with a combination of beautiful Roman and Gothic styles. For the people of Saigon, this project is truly a proud symbol.

Saigon Opera House

  • Address: 7 Cong Truong Lam Son Road, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

  • Opening hours: 9 AM - 4:30 PM (weekdays) and 9 AM - 12:00 AM (weekends)

  • Ticket price: based on events and performances

Saigon Opera House is an entertainment center of the city, where you can enjoy art shows such as music, plays, and opera. This location has an area of ​​up to 2016 m2 with a capacity of up to 1800 people. 

Saigon Opera House - places to visit in ho chi minh city

Saigon Opera House has an impressive architecture with many reliefs and statues

It was designed by many famous French architects from 1898 in the Flamboyant Gothic architectural style of the 19th-century French Third Republic. The theater not only demonstrates majesty and grandeur on the outside but also shows modernity, full of modern sound and lighting inside.

Saigon Central Post Office

  • Address: 125 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

  • Opening hours: 8 AM - 5 PM

  • Entrance fee: Free

Saigon Central Post Office is an outstanding architectural work with a characteristic yellow color in the heart of the city. This work was built from 1886 to 1891 by famous French architect Gustave Eiffel. 

Saigon Central Post Office

Saigon Central Post Office with beautiful Renaissance architecture

Every detail inside the post office will surprise you with its exquisite beauty. Unique design style from the roofs, domed door systems, tile floors... This is truly one of the best places to visit in Saigon that you should not miss.

Local Markets

Besides impressive architectural works and important historical relics, Saigon also attracts tourists with its long-standing markets.

Ben Thanh Market

  • Address: Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

  • Opening hours: 7 AM - 7 PM

  • Entrance fee: Free

Ben Thanh Market is located in the city center, on all 4 sides bordering major roads so it is very convenient to get there. The market originally appeared in the 17th century and was then rebuilt in 1912. Through the ups and downs of history, this market has long become a symbol of Saigon's vibrant shopping culture.

Ben Thanh Market in ho chi minh city

Ben Thanh Market is one of the oldest markets in Saigon

For shopping enthusiasts, this is a destination not to be missed. Here, you can choose for yourself hundreds of diverse items from traditional to modern. This is also a place where you can comfortably enjoy traditional dishes at cheap prices and buy souvenirs.

Binh Tay Market

  • Address: 57A Thap Muoi, Ward 2, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City

  • Opening hours: 2 AM - 11 PM

  • Entrance fee: Free

Binh Tay Market also known as Lon Market is located at the western gateway of the city, in the Chinatown area. Operating since 1930, the market was built with Asian-style architecture. The roof corners are curved in the style of a pagoda, covered with yin and yang tiles, both ancient and airy. 

Binh Tay Market saigon

Binh Tay Market is the busiest wholesale center in Saigon with many types of goods

With an area of ​​up to 25,000 square meters, the list of Binh Tay market stalls will surprise you. There are up to 2,300 stalls from food to clothes, jewelry, crafts, souvenirs, etc. 

Food Streets

Coming to Saigon, you cannot miss experiencing diverse cuisine in the culinary streets. This is not only a dining paradise but also a place where you can discover local culture in each dish.

Bui Vien Street

  • Address: Bui Vien Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

  • Opening hours: 7 PM - 2 AM on weekends

At night, Bui Vien walking street is known as the street that never sleeps when bustling shopping and entertainment activities continuously take place. If you are looking for a night entertainment venue, this is a good choice. 

Bui Vien Street - street foods in saigon

Bui Vien Street is crowded with many eateries, coffee shops and bars

Coming here, you will see excellent street performances, participate in music festivals, dance in bars, and enjoy a unique culinary paradise. The most popular dishes on this street are grilled seafood, boiled snails, hot tofu, draft beer, and racket coffee.

Ho Thi Ky Street

  • Address: Ho Thi Ky Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

  • Opening hours: 3 PM - 11 PM

Ho Thi Ky Market was established in 1987, outside the market specializing in selling all kinds of fresh flowers from Da Lat and other southwestern provinces. Going deep into the market is a paradise for food lovers. 

Ho Thi Ky Street in saigon - places to visit in ho chi minh city

A delicious grilled meat stall on Ho Thi Ky Street

The market has more than 100 shops selling a variety of dishes from Europe, Asia and many other regions in Vietnam. The most famous dishes include grilled meat skewers, grilled lobster with cheese, grilled squid teeth with salt and chili, noodles, beef hotpot, and Khmer sweet soup. Dishes prices range from 7,000 to 100,000 VND.

Want to explore further? Check out our post about travel guide to Vietnam!

The vibrant Ho Chi Minh City always promises to bring you many memorable experiences. Hope you have an idea for your trip based on the best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City. If you need advice on the Vietnam itinerary, contact us for service.