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Ho Chi Minh City travel tips and highlights
June 10, 2024
We first visited Vietnam for a fortnight in 2019 and loved it. However, the trip was too short, so we wanted to return. Last time, we visited Ho Chi Minh City for New Year. So we knew that the city is extremely congested. One of the main reasons for the congestion is that people are using scooters instead of tuk-tuks like in other Southeast Asian countries. So this time round, we decided to discover the best of Ho Chi Minh City and some site outside the city.
We stayed in the center at one of the best independent hotels in Ho Chi Minh City: Mai House Saigon. From there, we could walk to most tourist sites. You may want to start your visit by heading to the Independence Palace. Go early to avoid crowds. Next, visit the War Remnants Museum. It is full of history and very sad, reflecting the lasting impact of the Vietnam War.
Unfortunately, you cannot visit the Opera House, but there may be a show you can attend. Regrettably, the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon was covered with scaffolding again, so we visited the Post Office instead. Afterward, we walked to the nearby book street. It is a lovely place to have a coffee and a nice street for photography.
Later, head to Bui Vien Walking Street for the nightlife. If you fancy, you can stop at Ben Thanh Market for some shopping. Do not miss a walk around the Japanese quarter. It feels like Japan, with tiny streets filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. Many massage parlours and traditionally dressed ladies add to the atmosphere.
If you have more time, book a driver to visit Ba Den Mountain. See the Black Virgin Mountain and the Cao Dai temple. The Cao Dai temple is beautiful and offers a unique experience. Followers of Cao Dai meet four times daily to pray and chant (at 6, 12, 18, and 00). It is a bit of a drive, and you need to arrive before the noon ceremony, but it is worth the trip.
We skipped the Cu Chi tunnels this time since we visited them during our last trip.
