Energy, history & round-the-clock street eats
Ho Chi Minh City
Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh · The southern powerhouse
Still called Saigon by locals, Vietnam's largest city is a roaring engine of commerce, history and appetite. Colonial landmarks and war-era relics sit beneath glassy new towers, while the streets never stop humming with scooters and sizzling woks.
Top sightsSights
War Remnants Museum
A sobering, essential museum documenting the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
A twin-spired French colonial cathedral built entirely of imported Marseille brick.
Central Post Office
A grand Gustave Eiffel-influenced hall, still a working post office over a century on.
Ben Thanh Market
The iconic covered market for souvenirs, textiles and a buzzing food court.
Cu Chi Tunnels
An immense underground network used during the war, a half-day trip from the city.
What to eatFood
Banh mi
A crisp baguette stuffed with pate, cold cuts, pickles and herbs — the perfect Franco-Vietnamese fusion.
Com tam
Broken rice with grilled pork chop, a fried egg and fish sauce — a Saigon staple.
Hu tieu
A southern noodle soup, served dry or in broth, reflecting Chinese and Khmer roots.
Good to know
- District 1 holds most sights and is walkable; use Grab (app taxis and bikes) for longer hops.
- Rooftop bars offer a spectacular escape from the street-level heat and noise.
- It is the gateway to the Mekong Delta — an easy and rewarding day trip.
Getting there
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is Vietnam’s busiest, just 30 minutes from downtown; buses and trains connect north along the coast.
Next city
Da Nang