Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City: top attractions for 2026

Prices current as of July 2026. Rate used: ~25,000 VND ≈ $1.

Ho Chi Minh City attractions — the quick list

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's largest metropolis. Almost everything worth seeing is packed into District 1 and District 3 — you can cover it on foot in a single day if you start early, before the heat.

Four of the ten are free. If you want to hit every paid one, budget around 930,000 VND (~$37) in tickets — and it genuinely fits into one busy day. Bring cash: most sights don't take cards at the door.

Colonial architecture — the legacy of French Saigon

Four of the main colonial landmarks stand within 500 metres of each other in District 1. Step out of one and the next is right across the road.

Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon

Vietnam's main Catholic cathedral, finished in 1880. The red brick was shipped in from Marseille, and the two bell towers stand 58 metres tall. It has been closed for restoration since 2023 (due to reopen by 2027), but even standing on Công xã Paris square to take in the facade is worth it.

Address: 01 Công xã Paris, District 1. Free entry.

Central Post Office

Across the road from the cathedral is a building you could mistake for a European railway station: arched vaults, coloured tiles, antique phone booths. The Bưu điện Trung tâm Sài Gòn is still a working post office — you can send a postcard home (~15,000 VND / ~$0.60 for a stamp), a nice little ritual.

Free entry. Come in the morning; by midday it fills with selfie-stick crowds.

Opera House and the A O Show

An 1897 building in the style of the French Third Republic. Inside runs the A O Show — a circus performance about rural and urban Vietnam. Bamboo structures, acrobatics, live music, and not a single spoken word. It wins over even the sceptics. Tickets from 500,000 VND (~$20).

Address: 7 Lam Son Square, District 1.

City Hall

A 1908 building in French Renaissance style. You can't go inside — it's a working seat of government — but the floodlit facade at night is genuinely striking. In front of it begins the Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street, one of the best spots for an evening stroll.

For the full picture of the city, see our Ho Chi Minh City guide — districts, transport, food and where to stay.

War history — remembering the conflict

Independence Palace

On 30 April 1975 a North Vietnamese tank crashed through the gates of this building — and the war was over. Inside, everything is preserved: the conference rooms, the command bunker, wall maps, tanks in the yard. Allow 1–2 hours.

Address: 135 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, District 1. Price: 65,000 VND (~$2.60). Hours: 7:30–16:00.

War Remnants Museum

One of the most emotionally heavy museums in Asia, and the single sight most foreign visitors come for. This is the war told from the Vietnamese side — photographs, documents, military hardware in the courtyard. Note that the framing is one-sided and unflinching; a separate hall on the effects of Agent Orange is especially harrowing. Come with that context, and give yourself time to sit with it afterwards.

💬 "A morally heavy museum. Give yourself 2–3 hours, and afterwards you'll just want to sit in a café and be quiet for a while." — from reviews on Tripadvisor, 2025

Address: 28 Võ Văn Tần, District 3. Price: 40,000 VND (~$1.60). Hours: 7:30–18:00.

Cu Chi Tunnels

More than 200 km of underground passages on three levels — a guerrilla base from the war. Hospitals, stores, living quarters, all below ground. Part of the network has been widened for tourists, but it's still tight: narrow crawlspaces, booby-trap displays, and a firing range (yes, you can shoot an AK-47).

The tunnels are 45 km from the centre. Three ways to get there:

• Group tour: from $10–35 with transfer and guide — the easiest option, bookable on Klook or GetYourGuide
• Taxi / Grab: ~600,000 VND (~$24) round trip, plus the 125,000 VND entry
• Metro + taxi: Line 1 to the last stop, then a taxi the remaining ~20 km

Viewpoints — Saigon from above

Landmark 81 — the tallest building in Vietnam

At 461 metres and 81 floors, this is the tallest building in the country. SkyView takes up the top three floors (79–81): a 360° panorama, the loop of the Saigon River, and the whole skyline. There's a paid VR ride, but honestly reviewers say don't bother — the views are the point.

Best time to go is 16:00–17:00: you catch the city by day and by night on one ticket.

Address: 720A Điện Biên Phủ, Bình Thạnh. Hours: 9:30–22:00.

Bitexco Tower — the symbol of Saigon

262 metres in the shape of a lotus bud — you'll recognise it from every postcard. The Skydeck on floor 49 is cheaper than Landmark 81 and sits right in the centre, so there's no trip out of town. The express lift runs at 7 m/s. On floor 52 there's a helipad you won't find anywhere else.

Address: 36 Hồ Tùng Mậu, District 1. Hours: 9:30–21:30.

Temples, pagodas and churches

Jade Emperor Pagoda

Built in 1909 by the Chinese community. Inside are dozens of Taoist and Buddhist deities, intricate woodcarving and a turtle pond, with a thick cloud of incense the moment you step in. It's an active temple — speak softly and don't disturb worshippers. Free entry.

Address: 73 Mai Thị Lựu, District 1.

Tan Dinh Pink Church

A bright pink Gothic facade — the second-largest church in the city (1876) and one of its most photogenic spots. Come in the morning; the pink really comes alive in early light.

Address: 289 Hai Bà Trưng, District 3. Free.

Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh

100 km from the city is the temple of Caodaism, a homegrown faith that fuses Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism and Taoism. Its symbol is a giant all-seeing eye on the facade. The showpiece is the noon ceremony, when hundreds of worshippers in white robes fill the hall. Tours from ~$25; entry is free.

Parks and nature — a break from the megacity

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden

Founded in 1865 — one of the oldest zoos in the world, and it shows: huge old trees and shady avenues. 20 hectares, 500+ animals: white tigers, elephants, orangutans. The orchid garden is a real refuge when it's +35°C outside. Next door is the Museum of Vietnamese History (30,000 VND / ~$1.20).

Address: 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, District 1. Price: 50,000 VND (~$2). Hours: 7:00–18:00.

Tao Dan Park

A quiet green oasis right behind Independence Palace. Shady paths, ponds, benches — a good place to just sit and catch your breath. Locals practise tai chi in the morning, and there's a bird market at weekends. Free.

Can Gio Mangrove Forest

50 km from the centre is a UNESCO biosphere reserve — 750 km² of mangroves, canoe trips through the channels, a crocodile farm, bat colonies and monkeys. A completely different Vietnam, and a good reset after the chaos of the city. Tours from ~$25 per person.

Modern Saigon — streets, metro, nightlife

Nguyen Hue pedestrian street

670 metres from City Hall down to the river — a wide boulevard with fountains, a statue of Ho Chi Minh, cafés and street food. It's at its best in the evening: buskers, skaters, families out with the kids, the city genuinely coming to life.

Bui Vien street — Saigon's nightlife

Vietnam's Khao San Road — dozens of bars, plastic stools straight on the pavement, fresh Bia Hơi beer at 10,000–15,000 VND (~$0.40–0.60), live music everywhere. At least one evening here is essential. Loud, fun and completely safe.

The Saigon Metro — Line 1 (opened 2024)

On 22 December 2024 the city finally opened its metro, after 12 years of construction. The first line runs 19.7 km with 14 stations, from Bến Thành market to Suoi Tien park. It gets you to Landmark 81 fast, air-conditioned, for 12,000–15,000 VND (~$0.50–0.60). After sitting in traffic in a taxi, it feels like a different world — and you can tap in with a card or the app rather than hunting for cash.

Hours: 5:00–22:00, every 5–7 minutes. Price: 7,000–20,000 VND (~$0.30–0.80).

Day trips from Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon is an easy base for full-day trips, and there's plenty of choice: the Mekong Delta with its canal boats, the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Can Gio mangroves, the beach town of Vung Tau. Group tours start around $15; a private tour with an English-speaking guide runs from about $80. Book online through Klook, GetYourGuide or a hotel desk.

Itineraries — what to see in 1, 2 or 3 days

One day — on foot through the centre

Budget for the day: ~600,000 VND (~$24), not counting accommodation.

Two days

Day 1: the itinerary above.

Day 2: in the morning, the Cu Chi Tunnels (go early, before the heat). After lunch, Chinatown — Chợ Lớn: the Thien Hau Temple and Binh Tay Market. In the evening, a walk along Nguyễn Huệ.

Budget: ~1,500,000–2,000,000 VND (~$60–80).

Three days

Days 1–2: as above.

Day 3: Landmark 81 (by metro) → Zoo & Botanical Garden + History Museum → a Saigon River cruise (from 600,000 VND / ~$24). Or swap in a Mekong Delta trip.

Budget: ~2,500,000–3,500,000 VND (~$100–140).

Practical tips

Heat. +30–35°C year-round, and it takes some getting used to. Schedule the air-conditioned museums for midday and save walking for morning and evening. Buy a bottle of water (7,000 VND / ~$0.30) ahead of time — it costs more right by the sights.

Cash and cards. Most attraction tickets are cash only at the door, so carry small VND notes. The metro and bigger venues take cards. ATMs are everywhere; withdraw a decent amount at once to save on per-transaction fees.

Getting around. Use the Grab app for taxis and motorbike rides — it's cheap, English-friendly and you avoid haggling. Download an offline map (Google Maps or Maps.me) so you can navigate even without data.

Scams near the sights. Around Notre-Dame and Ben Thanh Market, "students" may approach to "practise their English." It usually ends with a sales pitch. Just decline politely and walk on.

Photos with locals. If someone asks for a photo with you, it's genuine curiosity, not a scam. Still, keep an eye on your wallet, just in case.

Temple dress code. Covered shoulders and knees are required. In shorts and a tank top you simply won't be let in.

Visas. Requirements depend on your passport, not a blanket rule. Most nationalities (US, UK, EU, Australia and more) apply for the 90-day e-visa online at the official evisa.gov.vn; some get a short visa exemption. Check your own case before you fly.

All the attractions on a map

• Notre-Dame Cathedral (Nhà thờ Đức Bà): Under restoration to 2027. Free — District 1
• Central Post Office (Bưu điện Trung tâm): 19th century. Free — District 1
• Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập): 65,000 VND (~$2.60) — 7:30–16:00 | District 1
• War Remnants Museum (Bảo tàng Chứng tích Chiến tranh): 40,000 VND (~$1.60) — 7:30–18:00 | District 3
• Cu Chi Tunnels (Địa đạo Củ Chi): 125,000 VND (~$5) — 45 km from centre
• Landmark 81 SkyView (Landmark 81): 450,000 VND (~$18) — 9:30–22:00 | Bình Thạnh
• Bitexco Skydeck (Bitexco Financial Tower): 200,000 VND (~$8) — 9:30–21:30 | District 1
• Jade Emperor Pagoda (Chùa Ngọc Hoàng): Free — District 1
• Tan Dinh Pink Church (Nhà thờ Tân Định): Free — District 3
• Zoo & Botanical Garden (Thảo Cầm Viên): 50,000 VND (~$2) — 7:00–18:00 | District 1
• Can Gio Mangroves (Cần Giờ): Tours from ~$25 — 50 km from centre

FAQ

How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?

One full day on foot covers the centre. But 2–3 days is better: you can add the Cu Chi Tunnels or a Mekong Delta trip without rushing between sights. Want to take it slow? Four days. Most travellers spend a couple of days here and then fly to a beach.

Can you see the main sights on foot?

Yes, the centre is very compact — roughly a 3 km radius. The cathedral, post office, palace, museum, opera house and city hall are all close together. The only exceptions are Landmark 81 (easier by metro) and the Cu Chi Tunnels (45 km out of town).

Is it safe to walk around on your own?

Generally yes — Ho Chi Minh City is one of the safest big cities in Southeast Asia. The main risks are petty: pickpockets in crowds and motorbike riders who can snatch a bag off your shoulder as they pass. Wear your backpack on your front and keep your phone in an inside pocket, and you'll be fine.

Which attractions are free?

Seven of them: Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, City Hall (from outside), the Tan Dinh Pink Church, the Jade Emperor Pagoda, Tao Dan Park, and Nguyen Hue and Bui Vien streets. Enough for a full half-day without spending a single dong.

How does the metro work?

It's simple: Line 1 runs 5:00–22:00, trains every 5–7 minutes. Buy a ticket at the station — 7,000–20,000 VND (~$0.30–0.80) depending on distance — or tap in with a card or the HCMC Metro app. The line links Ben Thanh with Landmark 81 and Suoi Tien.

Are the Cu Chi Tunnels worth it?

Definitely, if you're into history — it leaves an impression. But skip it if you're claustrophobic or travelling with small children: the tunnels really are tight. A group tour from $10 is one of the best-value options.

What can you do with kids?

The Zoo and Botanical Garden (50,000 VND) — kids love the white tigers. Suoi Tien theme park (from 120,000 VND, reachable by metro), Dam Sen water park and the water-puppet theatre (from 200,000 VND). The War Remnants Museum, though, is not for children under 12.

Prices current as of July 2026. Prices and conditions can change — check before you travel.