What to Do in Ho Chi Minh City: A Symphony of Heritage, Modernity, and Sensory Richness
Ho Chi Minh City - still affectionately called Saigon by locals - is a place where tree-lined boulevards meet neon-lit alleyways, where French colonial grandeur sits beside futuristic skyscrapers, and where history breathes from every corner café. For culture-loving travellers seeking sophistication and story in equal measure, exploring what to do in Ho Chi Minh City is an invitation to dive into Vietnam’s most cosmopolitan, most compelling, destination.
A Curated Introduction: What to Do in Ho Chi Minh City for Culture Connoisseurs
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Top Experiences in Ho Chi Minh City
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Mekong Delta and Ben Tre Private Tour from Ho Chi Minh City
Begin with pickup at your Ho Chi Minh City hotel, then travel to Ben Tre in a private, air‐conditioned vehicle, a roughly 2‐hour drive. Upon arrival in Ben Tre, board a small boat to visit local factories, a coconut processing workshop, and a house where traditional mats are woven. Take a walking tour of a small village—this is the perfect time to get a feel for daily life in the Mekong Delta—then hop a xe‐lôi, a motorized rickshaw, to a riverside restaurant where you can refuel over a Delta‐style lunch. Ride a bike through the fields around the village, then board a sampan sightseeing tour along the picturesque canals. Return to shore, where you’ll visit a Cao Dai temple: this monotheistic religion was founded in southern Vietnam in the 1920s, and has brightly colored architecture and artwork. At the end of your time in Ben Tre, make the return trip to Ho Chi Minh City, where this tour concludes with drop‐off at your hotel.
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Private Tour: Ho Chi Minh City Half‐Day Sightseeing
Your friendly and knowledgeable guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and take you by private vehicle to see the highlights of former Saigon.
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Mekong Delta Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh City
No visit to Ho Chi Minh City is complete without checking off My Tho and Ben Tre, a cultural city on the banks of the Mekong Delta. Ideal for visitors looking to escape the bustle of the Vietnamese capital, this excursion includes a ride on the Tien River and a tour of islands famed for products such as honey and rice wine. A Vietnamese lunch and hassle‐free hotel pickup and drop‐off are included.
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Cao Dai Temple and Black Lady Mountain from Ho Chi Minh City
Depart Ho Chi Minh City for the mountainous region of Tay Ninh province, located near the Cambodian border. You’ll visit Nui Ba Den (translated as 'Black Lady Mountain') with a professional guide and ascend via aerial cable car, nabbing 360º views at the summit. Learn firsthand about the unique Cao Dai sect on a visit to the Cao Dai Holy Temple.
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Ho Chi Minh City Half‐Day Private Scooter Tour
Discover the highlights and hidden gems of Ho Chi Minh City on this private guided scooter tour. Experience the city like a local by riding a scooter around and follow your guide to sites such as Thich Quang Duc Monument, the Flower Market, Chinatown, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, and hidden gems. Along the way, enjoy coffee and a local delicacy (at your own expense).
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Private Tour To Mekong Delta 1 day from Ho Chi Minh City
Private tour to Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong delta 1 day from Ho Chi Minh city • Enjoy the area at a much lower pace and discover more treasures of the Delta, especially the labyrinthine network of canals and local communities. • Try many exotic tropical fruits • Acknowledge the coconut candy workshop • Visit a honey farm. • Row in a sampan along small canals under the green canopy of water coconut trees. • Have lunch with Vietnamese cuisine at a local restaurant. • Enjoy some folk music performances - Free transfer to Airport
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Saigon River Dinner Cruise from Ho Chi Minh City
Prebook to secure your place on your preferred day and enjoy a River Saigon dinner‐and‐sightseeing cruise in Ho Chi Minh City. Then, when it's time, board a traditional or modern riverboat and admire the floodlit sights of Ho Chi Minh City—formerly called Saigon. Pass sights such as the Bitexco Tower, and with the illuminations as a backdrop, enjoy a Vietnamese buffet‐style dinner and traditional local music. Hotel transfers included.
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Da Lat Highland 3 days private tour from Ho Chi Minh City
Dalat today has been kept the role of the economic, political, and cultural center of Lam Dong province. Thanks to its mild climate, beautiful natural scenery and diverse French architectural heritages, Dalat is also known as many fascinating names: “foggy City”, “City of Flower”, “Home to Cherry Blossoms” or “Little Paris”. Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City — Da Lat (-/L/-) Day 2: Da Lat City (B/L/-) Day 3: Da Lat — Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/-)
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Mekong Delta 2‐Day Private Tour from Ho Chi Minh City
If you’re looking to truly immerse yourself in Vietnam’s local life, this private 2‐day experience on the Mekong River delivers. While you receive the undivided attention of your guide, you’ll explore the floating markets of Cai Rang, go island‐hopping, roam tiny villages, see the bustle of Can Tho, and learn about Vietnamese culture. All meals, entrance fees, and accommodation are included for a seamless, worry‐free experience.
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Mekong Delta Island Discovery from Ho Chi Minh City
The rural villages, tiny islands, and lush rice paddies of the Mekong Delta lie just over an hour’s drive from Ho Chi Minh City. On this tour, set sail along the Mekong aboard a traditional sampan and experience local life on Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands. Along the way, sample delicious Vietnamese food, hear traditional folk music, visit a bee‐keeping farm and coconut mill, and explore tropical fruit plantations.
After Dark Elegance: What to Do in Ho Chi Minh City at Night
As dusk descends, the city's humid buzz transforms into a kaleidoscope of sounds and scents. Curious about what to do in Ho Chi Minh City at night? Begin on a rooftop. Try the storied atmosphere of The Rex Hotel’s Rooftop Garden Bar, where American war correspondents once mingled over gin and jazz. Alternatively, ascend to Chill Skybar, where signature cocktails meet skyline views that stretch across the Saigon River.
Afterwards, seek out live traditional music at one of the city’s intimate performance spaces like Lune Production’s AO Show. This theatrical blend of acrobatics, bamboo choreography and Vietnamese folklore is housed in the French-style colonial era Saigon Opera House.
Signature Experiences: Unique Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
If you’re crafting a bespoke itinerary of unique things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, veer off the tourist trail to explore Cholon, the city’s vibrant Chinatown. Wander its incense-thick alleys and visit Thiên Hậu Temple, where centuries of Chinese-Vietnamese heritage pulse from the walls.
Art aficionados should make time for the Factory Contemporary Arts Centre in District Two, where a converted shipping container complex pulses with the energy of Vietnam’s new creative class. Or take a private lacquerware or áo dài (Vietnamese traditional dress) workshop for an elegant hands-on window into local artistry.
Cultural Crossroads: What to See and Do in Ho Chi Minh City for Refined Tastes
A morning at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts rewards with elegant Indochine architecture and a strong collection of post-war Vietnamese painting and sculpture. Then, stroll to Dong Khoi Street, where art galleries, fashion ateliers, and colonial mansions offer a curated blend of past and present - a perfect route for anyone wondering what to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City through a more curated lens.
For gastronomes, the food scene is as layered as the city itself. A private Vietnamese fusion tasting at Anan Saigon or a guided market tour in Bến Thành Market followed by a cooking class with a local chef is a must do in Ho Chi Minh City.
24 Hours of Wonder: What to Do in Ho Chi Minh City in One Day
Pressed for time but eager to absorb the essence of the city? Knowing what to do in Ho Chi Minh City in one day means balancing major landmarks with hidden pleasures. Start early at the Notre-Dame Basilica and Post Office, followed by a leisurely Vietnamese coffee (served iced, strong, and sweet) at The Workshop in an old colonial building.
Explore the War Remnants Museum before a refined lunch at Vietnam House, and in the afternoon, shop for silks and ceramics on Dong Khoi. End your day with sunset drinks on a rooftop or a motorbike-led street food tour through the buzzing alleys to achieve sensory overload in the most elegant way.
48‐Hour Elegance: What to Do in Ho Chi Minh City in Two Days
With two days in hand, deciding what to do in Ho Chi Minh City delivers a rich cultural itinerary. Day one covers central sights — the Opera House, Reunification Palace, Dong Khoi, and a dinner cruise on the Saigon River.
Day two is for depth: begin in Cholon, then head to District Two for brunch and a stroll through Thao Dien’s contemporary boutiques and serene cafés. Spend your afternoon at the Jade Emperor Pagoda and enjoy dinner at Quince Eatery, where local ingredients meet Mediterranean finesse - it's one of Ho Chi Minh City's top spots for culinary explorers.
Final Thoughts: Explore Beyond the Obvious in Ho Chi Minh City
In Ho Chi Minh City, cultural layers unfold with poetic intensity, from French villas to fusion restaurants, ancient incense to neon buzz. Discovering what to do in Ho Chi Minh City isn’t about rushing through landmarks; it’s about surrendering to a place where history, elegance, and energy exist in sync.
Whether you’re working out what to do in Ho Chi Minh City in one day or mapping what to do in Ho Chi Minh City over a longer stay, one thing is certain: every visit uncovers a new layer. And as with all great cities, you’ll leave already planning your return — and wondering what to do in Ho Chi Minh City next time, and the time after that.