A Comprehensive Guide to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

This guide will address all the questions like what to do, where to eat and who to travel with while also giving you a rundown of the heartbeat of Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City.

Blog Introduction:

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is a bustling metropolis of over 8 million people and one of the most important cities in Southeast Asia. It’s a city of contrasts and extremes – where the juxtaposition of traditional and modern stand shoulder to shoulder. From its rumbustious street markets to its towering skyscrapers, Ho Chi Minh City is a must-visit destination for any traveller looking for an unforgettable experience. This guide to Ho Chi Minh City will explore the history of this remarkable city, its best experiences both culinary and sightseeing and who is best to discover these sites with.

Quick facts about Ho Chi Minh City:

Location: Southern Vietnam

Currency: Vietnamese Dong (1usd = 23,700vnd (March 2023)

Population: 8.993 million

Most popular drink: Ca Phe Sua Da (Milk Coffee with condensed milk)

Most popular street food: Bahn Mi and Pho

Busiest party street: Bui Vien Street

Best walking street: Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Where to shop: Benh Thanh Market

Airport: Tan Son Nhat airport

Train station:

A Brief History of Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City has gone by many names throughout its history, from Prey Nokor to Saigon. Founded in 1698 by Nguyen Huu Canh, it was originally built as a trading port along the Saigon River. By the 1800s it had become an important commercial center for French Indochina and was renamed Saigon when it became the capital city in 1887. It served as an important port for French naval forces during World War II. After gaining independence from France in 1954, it was renamed “Saigon” and became the capital of South Vietnam. The city witnessed some of the fiercest fighting between North and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War before eventually falling to North Vietnamese troops on April 30th 1975. It was then officially renamed “Ho Chi Minh City” after former North Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh who had passed away two years earlier in 1973. 

Today, Ho Chi Minh City remains one of the most important cities in all of Southeast Asia with a thriving business sector and bustling tourist industry. It’s home to some of Vietnam’s most famous attractions including Notre Dame Cathedral and Reunification Palace, both reminders of the French colonial period and an integral part of Vietnamese history. The city also has some great shopping areas such as Ben Thanh market where you can buy everything from clothes to souvenirs at bargain prices. And no visit to Ho Chi Minh City would be complete without sampling some pho or bun bo Hue (spicy noodle soup) from one of the many street stalls that line the streets!

Who is best to travel with:

Discover Your Vietnam is widely regarded as one the leading personalised travel company that can help you to discover all the experiences that interest you! You can tell them all the types of activities that you want and they will build the perfect itinerary. To make it even easier, they have all the experiences mentioned below and more on their website at www.discoveryourvietnam.com where you can just add your favourite experiences to the wishlist that suit your travel style.

They are dedicated to sustainable tourism practices which means that all of their activities are carefully selected to make a minimal impact on the environment. In addition, they strongly believe in giving back to the local community by supporting local businesses, using locally-sourced products and services, and hiring local tour guides. Finally, they also offer a wide range of well-priced accommodation options, so you can rest assured that you will be travelling with a company that values your comfort and safety.

The Best Experiences You Can Have In Ho Chi Minh City:

Ho Chi Minh City is full of amazing experiences that are sure to make your stay memorable! Some popular activities are:

1. Cu Chi TunnelsWhich Viet Cong soldiers used during wartime as underground hideouts. They are now open to visitors who can explore this unique war museum while learning about Vietnamese history first-hand. To experience Cu Chi tunnels for yourself visit https://discoveryourvietnam.com/experiences/cu-chi-tunnels/.

2. Walking ToursIf history is more your thing, there are a whole range of tours covering this thriving metropolis and its city center. Walk through the city’s streets, along Saigon river, through Chinatown or explore Thien Hau Pagoda which dates back hundreds of years but still stands strong today! Or see some of the more recent french colonial architecture still present today. After go up 68 floors to Bitexco financial tower Saigon skydeck and look upon the city you just walked through. You’ll have a 360 degree view of the beautiful and sprawling Ho Chi Minh City. To learn more visit https://discoveryourvietnam.com/experiences/saigon-skydeck-at-bitexco-tower/.

3. Cycling ToursFor those looking for something more adventurous, there are always cycling tours which can take you out beyond the city walls and into the Vietnamese countryside. To get on a bicycle and head out of Ho Chi Minh City visit https://discoveryourvietnam.com/experiences/full-day-cycling-from-hcmc/.

4. Photo ToursIf you prefer being behind the lens rather than in front of it, you could embark on a photo walk of iconic landmarks. See iconic sites like Notre Dame Cathedral or Reunification Palace to vibrant markets like Ben Thanh to really capture the essence of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit https://discoveryourvietnam.com/experiences/saigon-landmarks-photowalk-beginners/ to learn more about photo city tours.

5. Street Food tours – Last but not least, you can never forget the amazing street food of Ho Chi Minh City. Whizz through the backstreets of Ho Chi Minh to find some hidden foodie gems. Sample some delicious Vietnamese dishes like Bun Bo Hue (spicy noodle soup) or Pho (rice noodles with beef) and get a real feel for what this incredible city has to offer.

To see more experiences like this, take a look at Discover Your Vietnam’s website where if you go to destinations > Ho Chi Minh City or follow this link https://discoveryourvietnam.com/destination/ho-chi-minh-city/

The best high end restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City and where to find them:

If you’re looking for the best high-end restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, here are a handful of our recommendations:

1. Quince eateryThis should be your first stop. This upscale restaurant offers a fusion of Spanish, French, and Vietnamese flavours in its exquisite dishes. The menu is ever-changing based on seasonal ingredients, but you can definitely expect absolutely delicious dishes prepared meticulously and cooked to perfection. It can be found at 37 Ky Con in District 1.
2. Shri restaurant loungeAnother top-notch dining option that is known for its gourmet fusion dishes and boasts an incredible view over district 1 and is located next to the luxurious MGallery Hotel in Centec Tower.
3. Noir, a dining-in-the-dark restaurantAllows you to truly appreciate the taste of your food. The staff lead you in, hand on shoulder to your seat in complete darkness where you have only your tastebuds to discern the delicious food and afterwards, they reveal the menu to see how close you were. It’s a great experience and can be found at 180 Hai Ba Trung Street

The best street food dishes in Ho Chi Minh City and where to find them:

Ho Chi Minh City is a street food paradise with delicious food on every corner. Here are some of the most loved dishes of Saigon and South Vietnam:

1. Pho

This is the most popular Vietnamese food, a soup dish that consists of rice noodles, broth, and a variety of toppings such as beef, chicken, or tofu. You can find it at countless street food stalls throughout Ho Chi Minh City, but some of the best places to try are Pho Quynh which has been in Saigon for over 30 years at 323 Pham Ngu Lao Street in District 1. Alternatively, pho le at 415 Nguyen Trai, District 5 is pho-nemonal with very healthy servings of meat and a delicious warm broth. Both these places are a little more pricey than your average bowl in city (60-70,000 vnd or about $3) but are delicious.

2. Banh mi

This Vietnamese street food sandwich consists of a crispy baguette filled with goodies like pate, pickled vegetables, herbs, and meat or tofu. To try the best banh mi in Ho Chi Minh City, head over to Banh Mi Huynh Hoa at 25 Le Thi Rieng Street for their classic pork belly banh mi. Alternatively, just round the corner is banh mi Hong Hoa at 54 Nguyen van Trang who fresh bake their bread every day, if you go there early enough you will see them delivering loaves to lots of local businesses. They have a great range of banh mi’s that are all delicious.

3. Banh xeo

This savoury crepe is a highlight of Vietnamese cuisine made with rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric powder and comes stuffed with shrimp, pork belly, bean sprouts, onion, and mung bean. It’s best enjoyed by wrapping it in lettuce leaves along with herbs and dipping it in fish sauce. Some of the best street food places to try this tasty dish include Banh Xeo 46A at 46A Dinh Cong Trang Street, which was largely made famous by the Anthony Bourdain documentary of Vietnamese cuisine and Nem Nuong Ninh Hoa at 137 Nguyen Van Troi Street.

If you are a big foodie and want to get a chance to try some of these dishes and explore the scene in Saigon, have a look at the street food tour on the Discover Your Vietnam page https://discoveryourvietnam.com/experiences/street-food-tour-ho-chi-minh-city/ or speak to someone on the Discover Your Vietnam team to find a lovely rooftop restaurant or bar, one of many coffee shops or join a cooking class.

Where to stay In Ho Chi Minh City and brief guide to the districts:

1. District 1 is considered by many travellers to be the best place to stay if you want easy access to all that HCMC has to offer – great restaurants, bars, shops and sights are all within walking distance here! This is where we recommend staying during your time in Vietnam. It should be noted, that we do not recommend anyone to stay on Bui Vien street or within 1-2 roads despite being in District 1 as it is very loud.

2. Districts 3 and 4, have a more local Vietnamese feel but are still well-placed for the more popular spots, have good access to all the most popular destinations and are less crowded than the busy streets in D1.

3. District 2 (Thao Dien) and District 7 are largely considered expat districts so have a lot more western-style pubs and restaurants. They are both around 25 minutes away from the city centre in different directions and have more open spaces.

4. As Vietnam’s largest city and over 20 districts, each one has its own unique feel. If you are feeling unsure about where to stay when coming to Southern Vietnam, speak to a member of the Discover Your Vietnam team who would be happy to assist you and find the perfect place for you.

Insider travel tips from Discover Your Vietnam to get the best out of Ho Chi Minh City:

1. Download GrabThis is the equivalent of Uber in Vietnam and is the best way to get around the city. The prices are better than taxis, the cars are usually not more than 5 minutes away and you can track your ride. Should you get a regular taxi, always asks for the meter to be on and use licensed cabs like vinasun or vinataxi.

2. Be aware of travel scamsUnfortunately, there are some organisations that look to overcharge tourists and visitors. If you book through Discover Your Vietnam, you will be able to select all the experiences you want and be safe in the knowledge that the guides, vendors and companies used are verified and of the highest quality.

3. Opt for a Vietnamese sim cardThey typically cost around 50-100k or around $3-4 and can be purchased at street vendors or at the airport. It can be very helpful if you ever get lost and need to use maps or want to translate something from Vietnamese.

Conclusion:

Hopefully, this guide of travel tips to Ho Chi Minh City has shown it to be an incredible destination full of Vietnamese culture, history and adventure that will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime! From iconic landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House, or Reunification Palace to vibrant spots like Ben Thanh market or Chinatown, there’s something here for everyone who visits this bustling metropolis! Sample delicious local cuisine like Pho or Bun Bo Hue, a few of many noodle dishes, at one street stalls before heading out on Motorbike Tours around town or exploring Cu Chi Tunnels – whatever your preference there’s no shortage activities available in HCMC so make sure to book a call with one Discover Your Vietnam’s resident experts to help plan the perfect trip for you.

So get in touch with a member of the team today at https://discoveryourvietnam.com/contact-us/

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