Ho Chi Minh is the largest city by population in Vietnam. This city was first known as Saigon and prior to annexation by Vietnam it was known as Prey Nokor. This city is a home to 12 million people which make this metropolitan city the most populated city in Vietnam. This city is hot and dynamic and has a lot of history and cultural attractions for your entertainment. The classic and elegant French architecture and sleek skyscrapers along with great French and Chinese cuisine make this place a perfect getaway destination. So, while you’re there, it is utmost important that you tick off all the places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City.
10 Best Places To Visit In Ho Chi Minh City
These 10 attractions in Ho Chi Minh are a must-visit on your next trip to Vietnam. Don’t believe us? Take alook at find out what awaits you at each of these places.
- Independence Palace
- Dong Khoi Street
- Cao Dai Temple
- Bitexco Financial Tower
- Saigon Opera House
- Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
- Ho Chi Minh City Zoo
- Con Dao Island
- Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
1. Independence Palace
Image Source This place is a paradise for all the history buffs and people who are interested in knowing more about the Vietnam War. Some of the governments meetings and conferences are still held in this palace though this palace is not used that often now- a -day. During the Vietnam War this palace was a home for the president of South Vietnam. As you walk around the palace you can notice the original furniture is still intact and the dragon carpet adds to the royalty of this palace.
Location: Ben Than Quan, Ho Chi Minh City
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2. Dong Khoi Street
Image Source This place is an area of Saigon which is a combination of France and Vietnam. There are many designer shops and malls like Vincon which makes this street a good place to shop and walk around but this street is also a blend of traditional, new and modern architecture and that is a reason why this street stands out in this city. This street was known as Freedom Street during the Vietnam War and the name Dong Khoi means Total revolution and was named in 1970’s. This street is filled with French colonial buildings and is the heart of city’s commercial life.
Location: Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
3. Cao Dai Temple
Image Source This temple is to the northwest of Ho Chi Minh City just 60 miles away in Tay Ninh and is one of the top places to go in Ho Chi Minh City. This spectacular temple is also known as a great temple or Holy See. This temple includes aspects from Buddhism, Catholicism, Taoism and Confucianism. The structure of the temple depicts the various religions and traditions in a unique architectural way.
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4. Bitexco Financial Tower
Image Source This financial tower which looks like a lotus bulb is the tallest skyscraper of this city. This tower is swamped by offices and the attraction of this tower is the height and the modern architecture of this skyscraper. This 262m high building also looks like a CD rack with a tambourine added to it and the tambourine here is the Saigon Sky deck which is the perfect place to view the city in this tower. This 68 storey tower is situated in the heart of the city’s financial center and is known for its innovation and design
Location: 36 Ho Tung Mau
5. Saigon Opera House
Image Source This popular destination was built in 1897 and is also known as municipal theatre as several performances and shows take place in this theatre. This place has a French essence added to it as there are many dance performances, ballet dances and acrobatics that are performed here. The traditional Vietnamese dance using the bamboo is also performed here and the AO show is the most popular one. Large numbers of people attend these events as they are a part of the Vietnam culture.
Location: 7 Lam Sons Sq., Ho Chi Minh City
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6. Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
Image Source Built in 1863, this museum is also known as the Dragon House, and is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. This former custom house was built by French authorities and has some of the Ho Chi Minh’s personal belongings stored in this museum like his clothing, sandals, and spectacles. It is also home to a great collection of miniatures and artifacts which they have collected nationally and internationally. The description of various artifacts is also written in English and France so that visitors can easily understand the history behind every monument.
Location: 65 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
7. Ho Chi Minh City Zoo
Image Source This is the 8th oldest zoo and the largest zoo & garden in Vietnam. This zoo is also home to more than 100 mammals, reptiles, and birds. Apart from this, the botanical garden has some rare ornamental plants and orchids which are so beautiful, you’d want to keep capturing them. This place undoubtedly reflects a great history and culture of Vietnam. It also has a monument of WW II for the visitors to see.
Location: 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
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8. Con Dao Island
This island is in the southeast region of Vietnam. This island is the most beautiful island around this city and the least developed place. Surrounded by all stunning natural aspects that make this place even more beautiful this island also has some ancient French colonial buildings on the seafront. Usual island activities like hiking, swimming, sunbathing, canoeing, surfing and more are available here and the future of this island is a tropical paradise.
9. Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
Image Source This pagoda ranges about 6000 square meters and is definitely a place every tourist should visit. Inherited by the Vietnamese engineering with cement this is a main pagoda in Vietnam. This Buddhist focus was fabricated by two Vietnamese ministers in South Vietnam. This structure was built in order to spread Buddhism in this area and the architecture of this pagoda is magnificent.
Location: 339 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường 14, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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10. Jade Emperor Pagoda
Image Source This pagoda was built in the name of a great God of Taoist – Jade Emperor or the king of heaven. This temple has the most amazing atmospheric vibe and it was built in 1909. The statues on the temple are from both Buddhist and Taoist lore and the interior of the temple consists of some exquisite wood carvings. Inside the temple there are two great statues of warriors that defeated the green dragon and one that defeated the white tiger. There is a small pond outside the temples which has tiny turtles whose shells are inscribed with inscriptions.
Location: 73 Đường Mai Thị Lựu VN, 73 Đường Mai Thị Lựu, Quận 1, Vietnam
Further Read: Exciting Things To Do On A 6 Days Family Trip To Vietnam
These are some important and beautiful things to see in Ho Chi Minh City which are worth your visit and will make your trip to Vietnam even more memorable! Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Places to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City
What are the top attractions to visit in Ho Chi Minh City?
If you are planning to visit Ho Chi Minh City, some of the recommended attractions are: the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Bitexco Financial Tower, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ben Thanh Market, and the Independence Palace. What are the most popular things to do in Ho Chi Minh City with children?
If you are planning to explore Ho Chi Minh City with your children, some of the places we recommend visiting are Water Puppet Theatres in Ho Chi Minh, Artinus 3D Art Museum Saigon, Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens and the Suoi Tien Cultural Amusement Park. What are the top sightseeing places in Ho Chi Minh city?
If you are planning a sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City, some of the places we recommend are War Remnants Museum, Jade Emperor Pagoda, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. How many days should you spend in Ho Chi Minh?
With a plethora of interesting attractions and adventures, if you are planning a short trip you can explore the entire city in 3-4 days or 6-7 for a long, more immersive experience. How much money do I need for 3 weeks in Vietnam?
If you are planning a 3-week trip, on average it will cost you somewhere around INR 2,00,000 to INR 4,00,000 for the entire journey including food, stay and visa. What is the best month to visit Ho Chi Minh?
The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City will be between December and March as the temperatures are ideal and the heat of the summer hasn’t kicked into effect until April. How long is the train ride from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?
The train ride can take somewhere from 30 to 32 hours and will cost you INR 3,000. What is special about Ho Chi Minh City?
Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the commercial and cultural centre of Vietnam brimming with art, people, and an impeccable food scene to give you a glimpse of the country.
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