American Travel Magazine introduces favourite things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Update: 19/07/2023

(TITC) - TravelAwaits, an American Travel Magazine, fed their 9 Best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City has a population of around 10 million inhabitants. The city is the economic heart of Vietnam and the hub of the southern region. The southern part of the country draws together old and new and historical landmarks that give this city its distinct appeal.

By the loops of the Saigon River, there are countless mopeds filling the streets, electric cables hanging seemingly randomly alongside buildings, spanning streets and junctions. The city appears bustling and vibrant, full of a wide assortment of architectural.

1. Historic Hotel Hopping

When planning to travel to another country, what to stay always lies in the top list. Ho Chi Minh City hosts a large bag of hotels from high-end to budget ones. TravelAwaits mentioned the Hotel Majestic right by the river and at the corner of Dong Khoi Street. Opened in 1928, this old-fashioned and slightly faded grandeur, a lovely pool, and one of the best roof terraces in town with great views across the river and skyline. Nearby is another 1930s historic and recently renovated Hotel Grand Saigon. Walk ahead for a few metres, there lies the gorgeous Hotel Continental Saigon. The magazine recommended visitors to choose hotels in the centre or in the convenience to step outside into the bustle of the city and walk to the main attractions in the centre.

2. Dong Khoi Street

Being the oldest street in the town, Dong Khoi Street now has a wide range from high-end luxury to tiny little stalls to shop, Graham Greene’s locally printed books, old-fashioned and basic restaurants serving local Pho, cafés,...

It’s quite easy to grab a good breakfast and lunch in this street. After a meal, don’t forget to have a cup of Vietnamese coffee while using the café’s free Wi-Fi.

Just walking up and down this street will give you such a great impression of the city, affirmed TravelAwaits.

3. Notre-Dame Cathedral

Located at the end of Dong Khoi Street, the Cathedral was built in the late 1800s, has long become the symbol of Saigon. Today, it is one of the perfect spots for wedding shoots. You can counter brides and grooms posing under the tall and shade-giving trees next to the church while passing by. On the other side of the street, there is the Saigon Central Post Office, a grand Colonial building that is still a working post office and a good place to buy stamps for those old-fashioned postcards.

The Notre Dame Cathedral - one of the most famous attractions of the City

Saigon Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: https://www.visithcmc.vn)

4. Reunification Palace

The building was designed in the retro style of the 1960s, showing the talent and ingenuity of architects as well as builders. It has more than 100 rooms decorated to suit each use, including the chamber, the room for referring credentials, strategic operations department room, the ballroom, the residence of the Presidential family, the movie room, the reading room and many more.

The War Remnants Museum is behind the Palace. Here, displays documents, images and artefacts about the Vietnamese people's resistance war and posters against the war of many countries around the world.

Reunification Palace

War Remnants Museum

5. The Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels will bring a completely different and equally adventurous experience of the South of Vietnam. Located about 70 km from the centre of Ho Chi Minh City to the northwest, is a vast network of subterranean tunnels. Cu Chi Tunnels is considered as an unique war-fighting wonder with about 250 km of tunnels spreading like spider webs in the ground. Travellers will get to know about real events that happened in this tunnel, the story of the wars from the ground between Vietnamese soldiers, compatriots and invaders during the period 1945 - 1975.

The Cu Chi Tunnels network (Source: cuchitunels.vn)

6. The Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta area contains around 13 provinces and lies around 200 km from the main city. The Mekong River has a series of islands and visitors can have a chance to witness the process of making coconut candy, people cultivate fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as many birds and water animals that inhabit the islands. With its 15,600 square miles, it is the world’s third largest delta and is often called the rice bowl of Vietnam due to its magnificent rice paddies across the delta.

Alternatively, visitors can hop on a river cruise on the Saigon River, enjoy dinner and admire high-rises that sparkle at night, the Bitexco Financial Tower, which has a fabulous viewing platform.

7. Ben Thanh Market

With a history dating back to the early 17th century, Ben Thanh Market today has become the symbol of Ho Chi Minh City. The market design includes 4 main doors and 12 side doors, radiating in 4 directions. The 3-face clock tower area, built in French architecture, is the most famous. The market has a total area of over 13,000m2, selling mainly clothes, fabrics, shoes, fashion, handicrafts, lacquerware, fresh fruits or flowers. In addition, inside Ben Thanh Market, there is also a food court, specialising in Southern cuisine.

Photo: Vinpearl

8. Jade Emperor Pagoda

Ho Chi Minh City has long been famous for its dynamic and modern beauty but what will surprise you will be its hidden gem - Jade Emperor Pagoda. This is a very old pagoda tucked among lofty skyscrapers in the bustling commercial city centre. This intricate shrine complex is filled with mythical animals, real-life turtles, menacing Taoist warriors, imposing gods, and other statues. There is much to see and a great atmosphere.

The Jade Emperor is one of the most significant and well-known gods in Vietnamese mythology. Vietnamese believers worship the Jade Emperor as the supreme god, "Ngoc Hoang", and pray to him for salvation or good fortune.

9. Food And Street Market Tour

Besides its gorgeous landscape, Vietnam attracts visitors around the world by its amazing food. Pho, summer rolls, Banh xeo (crispy pancakes), Com tam (broken rice),... Vietnamese cuisine is light, healthy, and simply delicious, written TravelAwaits.