| 4 mins read
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s southern star! Formerly known as Saigon, this bustling metropolis is one of the two major international hubs of the country; if you’re flying into Vietnam, chances are that you will land at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Whether you start or finish your visit here, Saigon has quite a bag full of unique experiences that make it one of the must-visit destinations for travellers. So what should your travel itinerary be if you’re passing through HCMC, and are on limited time? Here's what the locals say!
Where should I join everyone for Breakast?
No trip to Vietnam is complete without eating pho, the nation’s staple bowl of noodles, for breakfast. Order up either the beef (pho bo) or the chicken (pho ga) version, and wash it down with a ridiculously strong and sweet café sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee with milk).
Where is the best pho in Ho Chi Minh City? Try Pho Hoa, 63 Pasteur Street (the pho is more expensive here, but the high number of locals eating here back up it’s great reviews)
Where to Go?
With a belly of noodles and Vietnamese coffee fueling you for the morning, head over to Le Duan Street for a glimpse of some Viet history and culture. At the top of Le Duan you will find the Reunification Palace. The former South Vietnam government headquarters, this is where North Vietnam’s troops finally took over the south (hence the reunification) at the end of the Vietnam/American War. From here walk through the lush garden paths down to the iconic Notre Dame cathedral, Saigon Post Office (send a postcard back home), and a few streets over to the Saigon City Hall. Note the beautiful Saigon Opera House, take a photo of the famous Ho Chi Minh statue, and make your way up the street to the next destination.
How About Some Shopping?
The most famous market in Ho Chi Minh City (and arguably Vietnam) is the Ben Thanh Market. A rite of passage for all travelers in Saigon, walk through these crowded, pungent aisles of kitsch, food, snake wine and produce, but don’t expect to strike too many bargains. Down the street from Ben Thanh (after you’ve reached your fill), there’s another market called Saigon Square, where you can find similar items for a much more reasonable price and less hassle.
An Afternoon in Saigon
Head to one of the famous Saigon street food vendors for lunch, and try out any of the local specialties (banh mi- a Vietnamese baguette sandwich, is often a traveler’s favorite!). Once you’ve filled up, head over to the War Remnants Museum where you can take a poignant walk through Vietnam’s War history. After this informative stroll, stop for another Vietnamese coffee at Highlands Coffee (to get a more upscale coffee experience), and make your way across town to the Bitexco skyscraper. One of the tallest buildings in the city, head to the Skydeck (for a fee), grab a refreshing beverage and soak in the best views of Ho Chi Minh City below.
The Evening Watch
If you’re ready to welcome in the evening, head over to Saigon’s Pham Ngu Lao area where you can experience one of Vietnam’s few ‘backpacker’ districts. Tucked between Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien streets, here the main attraction is just looking. Pick out the right street side table, sip some ridiculously cheap beer and watch the wild sites of Saigon unfold before your eyes.
Things to look out for at Saigon: Motorbike traffic, pickpockets, and monsoon rains!! (December through April is the dry time to visit)
If you’re restricted to just one day in Saigon, this itinerary is your most basic of options. If you do, however, have some extra days or want to see the less touristic side of the city, get a Ho Chi Minh City tour guide to help you experience the real side of Saigon. With sprawling districts, endless flavors and heaps of history to soak in, there’s a lot of Ho Chi Minh City to explore!
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