Tourist Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Ho Chi Minh City

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as it is called in the old memory, is an incredibly crowded and noisy city with completely chaotic traffic, but at the same time with a unique Asian flavour. Every morning, millions of small mopeds take to the roads of the metropolis and thousands of residents rush to the parks for a morning exercise.

In the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, the legacy of French colonialism mixes with the modern reality of glass skyscrapers, and traditional pho soup eateries mingle with trendy restaurants. All around, everything honks and buzzes, gradually merging into an incessant cacophony. But what is surprising is that after a while you get used to this chaos and even enjoy it.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City

Cu Chi Tunnel

 4.5/5

10973 reviews

A network of underground passages in the suburbs of Ho Chi Minh City that emerged during the Vietnam War. Guerrillas of the Viet Cong National Liberation Front hid in the tunnels and launched attacks on the US army from there. The total length of the labyrinths is more than 150 kilometres. They contain several levels that housed living quarters, ammunition depots, and hospitals. Nowadays there are excursions for tourists in part of the tunnels.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon

 4.5/5

20976 reviews

A Catholic church in the very centre of the city, built by the French in 1880. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that all materials for the works were imported from France. The chief architect personally controlled their quality. The cathedral is the largest and most majestic temple in Southeast Asia, it is built in accordance with the canons of European style.

Open time

Saigon Skydeck

 4.4/5

9619 reviews

Bitexco is a modern skyscraper in central Ho Chi Minh City owned by a financial corporation. It was erected in 2010 according to a project by a French architectural firm. The structure reaches a height of 262 metres, making it the second largest building in the city. In 2011, a rotating observation deck was opened on the 49th floor, offering a panoramic view. There is a restaurant on the 50th floor.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM

People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City

 4.5/5

1663 reviews

The structure was built in the elegant style of French colonial architecture (the Paris City Hall was used as a model). After the occupation administration left Saigon in the mid-20th century, the building housed the office of the city mayor. After the unification of Vietnam, government offices moved here. The square in front of the building has a small green park.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Sai Gon Central Post Office

 4.4/5

3545 reviews

The post office building is one of the oldest in the city, it was erected in 1886-91, based on the drawings of H. Eiffel, the author of the famous tower in Paris. The structure is built in mixed Gothic, Renaissance and colonial styles. From inside and outside it resembles a European railway station of the early XX century. Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh worked here when he was 17 years old.

Open time

Monday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Independence Palace

 4.4/5

31112 reviews

The modern building was erected after the end of the Vietnam War in the 1970s. Previously, there was a 19th century building that served as the residence of the Governor-General of Indochina. The Reunification Palace consists of five floors and 100 rooms. The interior is characterised by luxury and pomp. There are still carpeted corridors and massive wooden furniture in the offices.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

War Remnants Museum

 4.5/5

29544 reviews

The collection is dedicated to the Vietnam War, and more specifically to the period when the United States took an active part in the fighting. The exhibition is housed in several buildings and is divided into eight thematic sections. There you can see weapons and equipment, as well as numerous photographs of the bombings, the abuse of the population by American soldiers and the results of the use of chemical weapons.

Open time

Monday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

 4.3/5

6947 reviews

The exhibition is located in a colonial-era mansion. In terms of its value, it is second only to a similar exhibition in Hanoi, the capital of the country. The museum exhibits works of Vietnamese art – paintings, silk panels, sculpture, national ceramics, woodcuts. There are also works by foreign masters and exhibits related to contemporary art.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

History Museum of Ho Chi Minh City

 4.4/5

2676 reviews

The museum appeared in 1929. In the long time of its existence, it has managed to gain fame as one of the most authoritative in the whole country. The exposition covers a wide historical period from tribal relations, the struggle for independence and ancient kingdoms to the end of the Nguyen dynasty in the XX century. The museum will be of interest to both ordinary tourists and experts – professional historians.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM

Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine

 4.4/5

1119 reviews

The Southeast Asian region, along with China, has long been famous for its unconventional medicine. Vietnam has particularly excelled in this field – it is not for nothing that “folk pharmacies” with all sorts of potions are so popular with foreign tourists. The museum dedicated to traditional healing is located a bit away from the main attractions. It is better to visit this place with a guide who will understand the exhibits.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Ho Chi Minh City Opera House

 4.5/5

12147 reviews

The Ho Chi Minh City Opera House is located in a picturesque building in the centre of the city. Like many buildings in the southern capital, it is built in the French colonial style. The interior design is also made by French craftsmen. The structure is a copy of the Hanoi Opera House. It can host not only musical performances but also other events.

Open time

The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater

 4.3/5

1327 reviews

The tradition of Vietnamese puppet theatre goes back many centuries. For a long time it has not changed much, and today the audience can watch the same productions as several centuries ago. The action of the play takes place on the water surface. Wooden figures move smoothly on the surface and play out plots unknown to a foreigner. Even without understanding a single word during the performance, one can get a deep insight into Vietnamese culture.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Ba Thien Hau Temple

 4.5/5

2620 reviews

Tien Hau is worshipped as the patron goddess of sailors and fishermen. She is especially worshipped in the southern provinces of the country. That is why Ho Chi Minh City could not do without such a place. The temple was erected in the XVIII century, it is located on the territory of the Chinese quarter of Cholon. It is logical that the building is built in the Chinese style with materials brought from the Celestial Empire.

Open time

Chùa Ngọc Hoàng

 4.6/5

118 reviews

The temple is dedicated to the deity Ngoc Hoang, the ruler of heaven in Taoism. According to beliefs, the Jade Emperor stands guard over Heaven and determines who is worthy to go up there and who is not. The pagoda was built by the Chinese community in the early 20th century. Inside, a gilded sculpture of the god is installed in the very centre, guarded by guardian figures. The temple is surrounded by a picturesque park.

Open time

Tan Dinh Church

 4.4/5

6422 reviews

Incredibly beautiful Catholic church of bright pink colour with white openwork. Thanks to this colouring and decoration, the building looks like a fairy-tale “gingerbread” house. It was erected in 1880 by French masters in the style of “flying Gothic”. The church immediately attracts attention with its rather unusual appearance, because even in Europe it is not often possible to meet a religious building of such an unusual colour.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Ben Thanh Market

 3.9/5

47982 reviews

The market has been officially operating since the 19th century. Today it is one of the most popular tourist spots in Ho Chi Minh City. Here you can buy inexpensive souvenirs, excellent quality Vietnamese-made items, designer goods, local flavoured coffee and tea. The market also serves national cuisine and fresh frees from exotic fruits.

Open time

Tao Dan Park

 4.5/5

13665 reviews

The park is located almost in the very centre of Ho Chi Minh City. This green oasis in the middle of the noisy metropolis is perfect for morning exercise (Vietnamese like to do it en masse) and quiet walks. Retirees often meet here, and as a rule, they are interested in some hobby: ornithology or Chinese exercise – it doesn’t matter, because people come here first of all for socialising.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Suoi Tien Theme Park

 4.2/5

19556 reviews

Suoi Tien is a combined park with active temples and religious sculptures in addition to rides, a zoo, a 4D cinema, a water park and other facilities. It opened in 1995. Currently, the park’s territory is more than 50 hectares and it continues to expand. At the entrance, guests are greeted by a huge statue of a dragon, a highly revered fairytale creature in Asian culture.

Open time

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden

 4.2/5

26587 reviews

The botanical garden was created by the French scientist L. Pierre with his personal funds. There are hundreds of plant species from Cambodia, Laos, Taiwan, as well as from the American and African continents. On the territory of the garden there is a zoo, which blends very harmoniously into the landscape. There are about 500 animals and more than 100 birds in the menagerie. Especially beautiful are the pink flamingos and black Asian bears.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Saigon River

 4.3/5

287 reviews

It is an important waterway in southern Vietnam for the smooth transport of goods. It runs through the centre of Ho Chi Minh City. Recreational boats ply within the city. The water in Saigon is not very clean, sometimes it can be smelled unpleasant. There are good views from the banks of the river and from numerous bridges. In some places there is a promenade for walking.