The Things I did In Ho Chi Minh City Saigon Vietnam
10 best things to do in Ho Chi Minh Saigon Vietnam. What’s best and what’s not? This is based on my experience and I will be very honest with you.
My happy moments in Hanoi made me visit Ho Chi Minh City or to some people like me, I prefer to call it “Saigon”.
It kind of reminded me about Ms. Saigon Miss Lea Salonga — the Philippine actress who was once acting as Ms. Saigon.
If you are interested to go to Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, there thousand of things to do there, a lot of fun and if you have a week, then these are my recommendations:
Here are my top 10 things to do in Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon
If you love visiting the bars, these are a few of my recommendations.
- SAIGON, SAIGON ROOFTOP Bar: I find this place more relaxing. Not so loud. You can have a conversation normally. The only time the bar gets loud a little was when there was a live band singing.
2. ABOVE — Top of Liberty Building called “Above”. Though they played good music as well as good DJs in this place.
The place I find it hot. I think because it is on a high floor, the glass fences make it warm and humid as not much of a wind flow. Located at Liberty Central Saigon City Center.
3. CHILL Bar on the top of Capella building.
If you see a building that has (CAPELLA) from the main road of Ho Chi Minh, the Chill bar is on top of that building. I must say, that the service here was very poor during my visit. Or perhaps, you may like it as they don’t force you to buy and buy drinks. You have to call the waiter or you get thirsty. The service crew was just standing next to the bar and talking to each other. If you need a drink, help yourself to the bar counter.
But the view here can be nice. It was a little raining and cloudy when I went here but the skyline neon lights were fantastic.
4. Walking Street
When I visited here on Tuesday evening, this walking street was so loud. One bar after the other and seems like a competition of who gets the loudest music playing, wins.
The top image is the entrance of the street or would rather say, the other end of the street. You see Vietnam hat above you with disco lights.
5. Pasteur Street
In this street, like walking street- many bars and girls. But not as loud as walking street. The girls were just sitting outside the bar. They are basically just waiting patiently and not aggressively calling customers, unlike walking street.
6. Street Food Market
If you are into some good price food, local food as well as western but at the real local price, you have to come here. Located just in district one near Ben Than Market. Open every day and it starts at 5 pm till midnight. You can find bargains for almost everything here. Please be careful as there are many fakes stuff. Try getting the local brands as they are really pure Vietnamese presenting cultures
7. As many tourists do, I was also doing some sightseeing such as Mekong Delta floating market and Cu Chi Tunnels as well as a tour around the city.
Basically, you do not waste your money to do touring around the city with a tour agency. Do it on your own. I paid 540 thousand dongs and it was a rip-off. Yes, comfort with Car instead of walking but that was it. So if you are okay with walking around the city, get a paper map from your hotel. Usually, the hotel receptionist speaks good English. You can ask for directions.
In the city, aside from the night market and bazaars, you can see the Opera House, war museums and other places to visit with all just by walking.
8. Trip to Mekong Delta Floating Market — As for Mekong Delta floating market where no market only junk boats — honey bee tour and some sightseeing of cultures, food, and their life. It was kind of boring for me as I have seen the Mekong river before.
You will ride a boat with many others with spacious boats along the river.
Prepare to give tips to all of your tour guides too if you are happy.
I was happy with Rio. He is a good tour guide in Cu Chi Tunnels but the tour guide I had with the City tour was a lazy one. I cannot recommend you any tour agency because I did not like mine. It was too costly. I heard from others, they pay only Dong 280K instead of Dong 540 for mine.
9. TAXI AND TRANSPORTATION AROUND THE CITY
My best recommendation is to download the “GRAB APP”. It is common to use this grab app in the city. Because the normal Taxi is kind of expensive.
Grab motorbike I paid a few times for only 10 thousand dongs per trip. Please give a little more if you can.
(This is Ben Than Market facing A&EM Hotel.
I stayed at District 1. Mostly likely convenient to walk around.
10. PLACES THAT I WAS EATING FINE & NOT SO FINE DINING
- STREET FOOD MARKET — is where most tourists go. It is the place to meet new people in this area. Aside from food locals and international, the drinks like beer cost you Vietnam Dong 25,000.00
- Pizza 4P’s — Located along the street where Street food market is ( DISTRICT 1). Right at the junction. Look on your right corner if you come from the main road. You will notice it as many people will be waiting in line by the entrance near the roadside to get their table. This place accommodates fine and not fine dining though. Great service and good food.
- THE DECK — The Deck is far out from District 1. About 20 to 30 minutes by taxi — depending on the traffic and time you go.
The Deck is located along the Saigon River. Very relaxing to dine here. The food is also special here. I was here with my husband and we order their special meal from appetizers to desserts and it was good. A very romantic place to be within Vietnam.
My recommendation to stay in the walking street can be found here: This is an affiliate link. Find a Hostel in HCM Walking Street Here
And if you like backpacking, this is the best place to stay as there are many hostels here.
A&EM Hotel is a good place to stay in the heart of the center of Ho Chi Minh city.
I created a video while we were in Cu Chi Tunnels this will bring you to YouTube.