sightseeing ho chi minh city

2021/05/21

Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City: Best Areas & Hotels, Where to Stay in Phnom Penh: Best Areas & Hotels, 15 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Phnom Penh, 14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Nha Trang, 11 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Siem Reap, Where to Stay in Siem Reap: Best Areas & Hotels, 13 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Hoi An, 11 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Hue, Where to Stay in Pattaya: Best Areas & Hotels, 22 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 20 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World, Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Full-Day VIP Tour from Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta Discovery Small Group Adventure, http://www.hcmc-museum.edu.vn/en-us/home-page.aspx. The building soars to a height of 262 meters and is meant to have been designed to resemble a lotus bulb. If you look up, you will find rooftop statues which show scenes from Buddhist and Taoist legends. Just some of the galleries that you can enjoy here include pottery, ceramics, sculpture, and paintings, and you will even find an exhibition that is dedicated to displays of ancient weaponry. See also: Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City. You'll also see military vehicles outside, including the fighter jet that destroyed the Norodom Palace, and tank 843, which rammed through the palace gate on that fateful day in April more than four decades ago. Address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khim, Ben Ngh Ho Ch Minh City. After soaking up all the ambiance, head to Saigon Square, about a three-minute stroll away, for a slightly less frenetic shopping experience with the added bonus of air conditioning. The building is also steeped in history as this is also the spot where the North Vietnamese invaded in 1975 and Ho Chi Minh City surrendered. Guided tours in English are available. With that in mind, the church is stepped in Vietnamese history and is well worth a visit if you are in the area. It was built on the site of the former Norodom Palace, which was bombed by fighter jets in 1962 in an unsuccessful assassination attempt on the South Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh Diem. The museum traces the city's past with exhibits on the struggle for independence, nature and archaeology, trade, village handicrafts, currency, and the culture of Saigon. Dedicated to the Lady of the Sea, Thin Hau, this evocative temple is visited by local worshippers, as well as tourists, and many of the materials used in its construction were brought from China. If you are feeling hungry, make sure not to miss the goi cuon which are summer rolls stuffed with pork and prawns. vietnam minh chi ho saigon tourist Entry to the temple is free. Recommended food tour: Ho Chi Minh City Food by Night: Private Motorbike Tour, Giac Lam Pagoda has the claim to fame of being the oldest temple in Ho Chi Minh City and dates from 1744. These include effigies of Christ, Brahman and Buddha, which reflect a range of faiths in one building. bitexco If you want to try some of the best pho on the city then your best bet is to stop at one the many street food stalls that abound here. The temple took some 20 years to build and was finally completed in 1956. Ho Chi Minh City used to be known as Saigon although this was officially changed after Ho Chi Minh unified Vietnam following the Vietnam War. As a general rule, the best time to visit Vietnam is always outside the rainy season, which runs between May and September and can cause flooding and make outdoor time a little uncomfortable. Copyright 2022 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. minh stopover Local legend claims that the Emperor Gia Long who died in 1819 used to worship here and this is a great place to get a glimpse of the Vietnam of old. You can also try your hand at grinding up some of the ingredients. You can also combine a visit here with the nearby Notre Dame Cathedral and Reunification Palace. The boat is actually a traditional dragon boat that dates from the 19th century and they serve a buffet dinner complete with live music. You will find classes all over town, and many of these include a market tour so that you can learn all about the local ingredients used in Vietnamese cuisine. You will also find colorful hanging lanterns here and the walls are lined with ceramic tiles that tell the stories of local legends. Reunification Palace was the former home of the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. In fact, this 1960s-style building, with its large, airy rooms and dated furnishings, seems frozen in time since April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese army tank crashed through the iron gates here, bringing an end to the Vietnam War. Clouds of incense billow in the air, candles flicker on altars, and shafts of sunlight pierce through the partial roof as you enter the green wrought-iron gates and stroll across the small courtyard. The Mekong Delta is made up of 39,000 square kilometers of waterways and this is also one of the most densely populated parts of Vietnam. The Jade Emperor Pagoda is dedicated to the Taoist god known as the King of Heaven or Ngoc Hoang. Giac Vien Pagoda is not the best known temple in Ho Chi Minh City, but it has also not been restored in the way that many others in the city have been, which means that it retains a lot of its traditional charm. It was built as Opera de Saigon in 1897 by Eugene Ferret, a French architect, to entertain French colonists, and its striking facade echoes the style of the Petit Palais, which was built in the same year in Paris. A visit usually includes the chance to crawl through part of the tunnel network, an experience that enhances your appreciation for the stamina and adaptability of the soldiers who lived here. After touring the countryside and the Cu Chi Tunnels, you'll find these exhibits even more moving, but note that some of the exhibits are not suitable for small children. On a visit to the market you will find a range of street food vendors selling local snacks, as well as a dry area where you can pick up some souvenirs. Temples huddle amid skyscrapers and designer shops; locals cast bamboo fishing rods into the languorous Saigon River; and in places, the city feels almost European, with its elegant French colonial architecture and wide, tree-lined avenues. The signature brew here is known as ca phe sua da which is an iced coffee made of a dark roast which is mixed with condensed milk and served over ice. The markets are also notorious for pickpockets, so make sure any valuables are secure and out of sight.

The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre is perfect for families with young children and anyone who enjoys light-hearted traditional entertainment. Binh Tay Market is located in the Cholon district of Ho Chi Minh City and you will find a large clock tower here as well as a central courtyard. Just some of the collections on show include ceramics, ancient maps of the city, and marriage costumes that belong to the various ethnic groups in Vietnam. There are a number of Cao Dai temples in Vietnam although the one in Ho Chi Minh is said to be the most beautiful of its kind. Period military vehicles and weapons are displayed in the museum's courtyard. Vietnam is famous for its delicious food and Ho Chi Minh City is no exception. The main draw in Ho Chi Minh City is the Cu Chi Tunnels which would have been used by the Vietcong guerillas at the time of the Tet Offensive in 1968. Address: 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Thin Hau Temple, Chinatown | bvi4092 / photo modified. From here, you can see the altar, with statues of the goddess, and the intricate porcelain dioramas adorning the roof depicting scenes from 19th-century Chinese life. This is widely said to be the grandest building in the city and this is the place to come to learn all about the culture and history of Ho Chi Minh City. Address: a Kao Quan 1 Vietnam, 73 Mai Thi Luu, a Kao, Ho Ch Minh. Notre Dame Cathedral was built from 1877 and 1883 and sits in the heart of the city. Its twin square towers rise almost 60 meters above the city, capped by iron spires. You'll visit the Cu Chi tunnels, learn about the guerrilla welfare and the booby traps used in the tunnels, then step right into one of the tunnels. The Ho Chi Minh Museum was built in 1885, although at this time it would have been known as Gia Long Palace, and then as the Revolutionary Museum. You cant come to Ho Chi Minh City and not try pho which is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup. Cha Tam Church was built in the 19th century and is painted a beautiful caramel color on the outside. Source: Aleksandar Todorovic / shutterstock. The Bitexco Financial Tower was designed by Carlos Zapata and is made up of 68 storeys. Many of the pieces originate from the Bronze Age and there are also items from the Cham and Khmer kingdoms. The temple is located near to the Dam Sen Lake and was founded in the 1700s. Address: 65 Ly Tu Trong, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Official site: http://www.hcmc-museum.edu.vn/en-us/home-page.aspx. Live music enhances the experience; the talented musicians play traditional instruments such as bamboo flutes and two-stringed violins. Motorbikes honk in a tidal wave across clogged intersections, locals crouch on street corners slurping steaming hot bowls of Pho (noodle soup); and the sultry air is thick with exhaust fumes and exotic spices. After 1956, the building was used as the home of the Lower House assembly of South Vietnam and again became a theater in 1975, after the fall of Saigon. Banh mi is made from crusty baguette which is then slicked with pate and then topped with chilies and coriander. As you step inside, incense shrouds the many local worshippers, and candles illuminate altars brimming with offerings. The temple dates from 1902 and is covered in brass ritual ornaments as well as antique weapons. Book online: Bonsai Cruise: 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Saigon River. According to legend, the goddess left two turtles to guard the temple in her absence. The building looks much as it would have done in 1966 and you can take a free guided tour here which will fill you in on the cultural and historical significance of this monument to the Vietnam War. However, these are still the best months to visit Ho Chi Minh, as there's little rain, lots of blue skies, and the humidity actually drops just enough to make the weather more bearable. Suggested tour: VIP City Highlights: War Remnants Museum & Ben Thanh Market, Source: People Image Studio / shutterstock. Home Travel Guides Vietnam 25 Best Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). The theater is air-conditioned, and if you're sitting in the front row, be prepared for some gentle splashes. The walls are lined with elaborate woodcarvings and the roof is also a work of art in its own right. About 60 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a must-see half-day trip and one of the top tours for visitors to the city. Locals come here frequently to worship, so it's important to be respectful when you visit. Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's commercial hub and largest city, and it's a place where old abuts new with striking contrast. These include collections of weaponry as well as art pieces and gifts that would have been offered to Ho Chi Minh by visiting dignitaries. You can also get vegetarian versions if you prefer, or you can also try some of the other local specialties on the menu. You can also shop for items like local textiles and ceramics although bear in mind that haggling is expected so dont be afraid to bargain hard. One of the best places to try this is at Tan Tao Park and if you get there in the morning you can go for a walk and pick up a cup from a street stall. Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. After the tour, you'll head to a local restaurant to enjoy lunch before you continue on to the Mekong Delta. From Ho Chi Minh City, tours to the delta, usually involve a 70-kilometer drive to My Tho, a market town on the banks of the Mekong River; a cruise along the delta; and visits to local villages, farms, and factories. Across the street, the French colonial-style post office, completed in 1891, was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the French architect of the Eiffel Tower. Interestingly, the building sits on a network of tunnels and bunkers, which served as escape routes for past dignitaries, though these are closed to the public. Make sure that you go inside, as you will find a huge domed roof and grand walls which are adorned with maps from the colonial period. The temple was built in honor of the Taoist god, the Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, Ngoc Hoang, and within its dimly lit interior, you'll see many representations of both Buddhist and Taoist deities. To see the interior, try visiting in the morning or attending a Sunday mass. Recommended tour: Cu Chi Tunnels: Half-Day in Small Group. Some of the items on display include old military vehicles like Huey helicopters as well as attack bombers and M48 Patton tanks. You can also choose from a number of different meats to add to your soup such as beef or pork. For sightseers, the hot and hectic Ben Thanh Market is almost an obligatory stop, even if only to witness the crammed stalls and market chaos. Notable features include the president's living quarters, the war command room with large maps and antiquated communications equipment, and the maze of basement tunnels. The museum primarily focuses on the Vietnam War, however, some exhibits relate to the first Indochina War with French colonialists. This hole in the wall joint is nothing fancy and there are no tables and chairs, but you will recognize it before you see it thanks to the long line of patrons queuing up for one of the best sandwiches in the city. December might even give you a few days here and there where the temperature drops just under 30 degrees Celsius. Address: Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Ben Ngh, tp. The stalls are piled high with everything from local delicacies, fish, flowers, and tropical fruits to shoes, clothes, colorful candy, and souvenirs. Today, the post office is still in use and is a popular meeting place for locals. Inside you will also find personal memorabilia of victims of the war as well as old photographs. Despite its historic and cultural significance, Ho Chi Minh City is also one of the most dynamic spots in Vietnam, and you can see this through the cutting edge buildings and the exciting nightlife on offer here. If you venture into the church itself, you will find a plaque that marks the place where President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu were seized in 1963 as they tried to flee from the presidential palace. Encompassing about 40,000 square kilometers, the delta produces more than half of the country's grain and 90 percent of its exports, and it's well-known for its floating markets, which usually take place during the early morning. There is also a rooftop bar if you want to relax with a drink as you take in the scenery below you. Most of the displays are photographic images, and some of these are confronting especially the graphic shots of child Agent Orange victims.

Ben Thanh Market is located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City and is a great place to come to shop and eat. The small city of Nha Trang is best known for being the getaway to one of Vietnam's most famous stretches of shoreline. The captivating 50-minute show provides a window into the country's culture. A visit to the Reunification Palace, once known as Independence Palace, is more about the historic events that took place here than any pomp and grandeur. The War Remnants Museum is one of the most popular museums in Vietnam, with harrowing exhibits related to the horrors of war in this battle-worn nation. Both the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera perform here, and tickets are available at the box office or local travel agents. Of special note are the intricately carved panels of woodwork and the many elaborate dragon and animal sculptures adorning the roof. A fine example of Neo-Romanesque architecture, the red-brick Notre Dame Cathedral is a distinctive landmark in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Not far from the city, the famous Cu Chi tunnels are a must-see attraction, and the lush waterscapes and small villages of the Mekong Delta provide a fascinating glimpse of rural life. It's worth a stop for an overview of the city's history and a look at the grand architecture, which includes Oriental and European flourishes. Official site: http://www.fitomuseum.com.vn/. Ho Ch Minh, Ho Chi Minh; Also known as The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, the elegant Saigon Opera House, at the start of the famous tree-lined Le Loi Avenue, is eye-candy for architecture buffs especially fans of the French colonial style. Address: 710 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City. The museum also includes a fascinating display on the work of war photographers, from both sides, who lost their lives during the conflicts. Within the grounds of the botanic gardens, the Museum of Vietnamese History unveils the country's cultural evolution from the Bronze Age to the early 20th century. It's presented in Vietnamese, but the strength of the puppet characters, both people and animals, transcends the language barrier. Address: 7 Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. A post office may not sound very exciting but the one in Ho Chi Minh City was designed by Gustave Eiffel, of Eiffel Tower fame. Set on 44 acres of lush lawns and gardens, the palace also offers a fascinating glimpse at the lifestyle of privileged heads of state in 1960s Saigon. Near the Reunification Palace, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum occupies an impressive Neoclassical building, formerly known as Gia Long Palace, that was once home to the Cochinchina's governor. The Mekong Delta Discovery Small Group Adventure Tour offers these activities, as well as the chance to sample traditional dishes and tropical fruit from the region. Disclaimer, 14 Best Things to Do on the Big Island, Hawaii.

The tunnels are made up of a series of underground chambers which stretch for 30 kilometers out of the city and you can now visit sections of the tunnels and crawl through the small spaces to experience the conditions of the Vietcong during the Vietnam War. Water puppetry originated in rural villages in the Red River Delta and has been performed in Vietnam for more than 1,000 years. As you would expect from the name, this is one of the fanciest temples in Ho Chi Minh City and you will find statues of deities here as well as large coils of smoking incense. T. he pagoda is set in a pretty garden and the name of the temple actually means Feel the Woods Temple. In town, the ancient Po Nagar Cham Towers are well worth a visit, and so is the Alexandre Yersin Museum, dedicated to the French-Swiss bacteriologist who co-discovered the bacteria responsible for the bubonic plague. Still often referred to by its old name, Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a clamorous, chaotic sensory feast. Many argue that the museum's approach is biased; however, the exhibits poignantly portray the brutality of war. The cathedral got its name from the Virgin Mary and the inside is covered in devotional tablets and pretty stained glass windows. If possible, try to come early in the morning to take in the bustling atmosphere. For an extra fee, you can attend a water puppet show in the museum's small theater, with performances held every hour (except during lunch). Banh mi is probably the most famous of all of Vietnams foodstuff as well as being one of the best loved sandwiches in the world. You can walk around the grounds and admire the picturesque architecture here and take in the serene atmosphere at the same time. As such, Ho Chi Minh City is a place that is steeped in some of the most important modern history in the world, and you will find references to this on every street corner. War Remnants Museum | Sistak / photo modified. For a trip back in time, both Hoi An and Hue offer stunning architecture going back hundreds of years. One of the prettiest pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City is the Phoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda which is a riot of color and comes in a range of red, gold, yellow and gold hues. With that in mind, you can spend your time eating your way around the city, but if you want to know how to make some of the dishes yourself then you can also sign up for a cooking class. Three of the most famous hotels in Ho Chi Minh City are located here in the form of the Rex, the Majestic and the Caravelle, and they all have rooftop bars with amazing vistas over the glittering city.

Note that this is not an ideal place to visit if you suffer from claustrophobia as the tunnels are very small indeed. These include local dishes like noodle soups or you can just stop by for a coffee. August and September are particularly rainy months in Ho Chi Minh strong storms often hit the city during these months, causing power outages and forcing people to stay indoors. A walk around Hon Kiem Lake is a great way to end the day. Vietnam is known for its delicious coffee so it stands to reason that it has a strong cafe culture. Here, you'll board a small boat to paddle along the coconut-fringed canals before you head to a farm to try local products, including honey tea and fruits grown there. Here you will find floating markets as well as schools and homes and this is one of the most unique sights in all of Vietnam. In the area around the opera house are some of the city's new shopping malls and exclusive hotels. White sands, clear blue waters, and beautiful seaside promenades have earned the beaches here the nickname "the Riviera of the South China Sea." Here are the 25 best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. Inside you will find some ornate carved dragons but the real draw is the mix of religious statues here. Staff are on hand during the week to explain all the history of the cathedral to visitors. This is one of the most popular museums in all of Vietnam and more than half a million visitors come here every year. Even if you're not a fan of modern military history, the tunnels offer powerful insight into the conditions faced by troops during the conflict and the strategies that strengthened the VC's resistance against American forces. Cruising through the lush labyrinth of palm-fringed channels, rivers, and islands of the Mekong Delta is a popular day trip that seems a world away from hectic Ho Chi Minh City. At the temple's entrance, masses of turtles swim in a pond, some with inscriptions on their shells, and for this reason, the temple is often called the tortoise pagoda. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. The museum displays thousands of items relating to Vietnamese traditional medicine, from the Stone Age to the present day, including books, documents, herbs, and implements used in preparing the medicines. At the entrance of the temple you will find a graceful Bodhi tree which is sacred in Buddhism and was actually a present from a visiting monk from Sri Lanka in 1953. Vietnam's capital should be on everybody's list Hanoi is a frenzied, hectic city with lots of energy and a charming Old Town Quarter. This vast 250-kilometer-plus network of tunnels served as the base for the Viet Cong's military operations during the Vietnam War. This 11-hour tour includes round-trip transfers by VIP limousine or air-conditioned bus, snacks and cold drinks during the trip, as well as a full Vietnamese lunch (with a vegetarian option available).