Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City (2026 Guide)

Ho Chi Minh City moves at a different speed from the rest of Vietnam. The best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City start with history: the War Remnants Museum (the most visited museum in Vietnam — a sober, unflinching account of the Vietnam War through photographs and exhibits), the Reunification Palace (the former Presidential Palace of South Vietnam, where the war ended when a North Vietnamese tank broke through the gates on April 30, 1975 — frozen in time as a museum), and the Cu Chi Tunnels (75 kilometres from the city: an extraordinary 250km network of wartime tunnels used by the Viet Cong, navigable by visitors). Beyond history: Ben Thanh Market’s food stalls, the French colonial grandeur of the Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral on Dong Khoi Street, rooftop bar culture above District 1, and the best banh mi, com tam, and pho in Vietnam at street level in the alleyways of Districts 3 and 10.

Best time to visit

November to April is the dry season — optimal for sightseeing and outdoor activity. December-February is the peak tourist period: slightly cooler (28°C), very low humidity, and clear skies. May-October is monsoon season: heavy afternoon rain (usually 1-2 hours, then clearing), high humidity, and occasional flooding in low-lying areas. The rainy season is perfectly manageable with good timing; mornings are usually clear. Tet holiday (Vietnamese Lunar New Year, late January or February) creates an extraordinary atmosphere but many businesses close for a week.

Getting around

Tan Son Nhat International Airport is 7 kilometres from District 1; Grab taxi or airport bus are the best options (meter taxis are also safe from official ranks, but verify the meter). The city is best navigated by Grab (motorbike taxi for short distances, car for longer journeys). The District 1 core is walkable between the major attractions. The metro system (Line 1) is under construction and due to open between Ben Thanh Market and Suoi Tien in late 2024. River taxis (buyt song) connect the city’s riverside areas cheaply and scenically.

What to eat and drink

Saigon’s food is southern Vietnamese — sweeter, richer, and more herb-forward than Hanoi. Essential eating: banh mi from Huynh Hoa Bakery (the best in the city, lines out the door), com tam (broken rice with grilled pork and a fried egg) at Com Tam Moc or any local eatery open for breakfast, pho from a plastic-stool sidewalk kitchen, banh xeo (sizzling crepe stuffed with shrimp and bean sprouts), and che (sweet dessert soups with tapioca, coconut milk, and fruit). The cocktail bar scene in District 1 has matured enormously — Pasteur Street Brewing makes excellent craft beer. Ca phe da (Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk) is consumed at every hour of the day.

Areas to explore

District 1 (Quan 1) — The tourist centre: Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, the rooftop bar strip on Bui Vien Walking Street, and Dong Khoi Street’s shopping and colonial architecture.

District 3 — A quieter residential district adjacent to D1 with the best neighbourhood coffee culture, Jade Emperor Pagoda (one of the most atmospheric Chinese temples in the city), and excellent local restaurants.

Binh Thanh District — Home to the War Remnants Museum and the growing restaurant and bar scene around Nguyen Huu Canh Street near the new Thu Thiem Bridge.

Ben Thanh Market & surroundings — The covered market (tourist-facing, but the surrounding street stalls are more genuine) and the Ben Thanh Street Food Market nearby in the evening.

Cu Chi Tunnels — 75km from the city (1.5-2 hour drive, best by tour): the Ben Dinh site is smaller and less touristy than Ben Duoc. Allow 2-3 hours for a proper visit including tunnel crawling (bring long trousers — it’s tight and dirty).