Things to do in Ho Chi Minh city for first time travelers

10 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 0:45

   Banh Mi Chim Chay

   🍜 Street food · District 3

   Locals often order banh mi and coffee here in the morning without getting off their motorbikes.

2. 1:24

   The Cafe Apartments (42 Nguyen Hue)

   🏢 Landmark · District 1

   Take the elevator rather than the stairs; the durian coffee is a surprisingly good, not overpowering combination.

3. 4:42

   Saigon Opera House

   🏛️ Historic site · District 1 · brief mention

4. 4:49

   AO Show

   🚡 Activity · District 1 · brief mention

   Highly recommended for first-time visitors.

5. 5:37

   Nguyen Hue Walking Street

   🏘️ Neighborhood · District 1

   Quiet in the morning but crowded and lively at night.

6. 5:59

   Ho Chi Minh Statue and City Hall (People's Committee Building)

   🏢 Landmark · District 1

7. 7:11

   Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)

   🏰 Palace · District 1

   Visit the meeting rooms, banquet halls and bunker, and go to the second-floor balcony for city views.

8. 8:37

   Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

   🏛️ Historic site · District 1

   Under long renovation and closed inside, expected to take at least three more years.

9. 9:25

   Saigon Central Post Office

   🏛️ Historic site · District 1

   The phone booths skip the number 13. Postcards and souvenirs are sold here, but cost more than at Ben Thanh.

10. 11:22

    Ben Thanh Market

    🛒 Market · District 1

    Bargain 40–50% off the asking price, especially for souvenirs, or use the fixed-price section.