Ho Chi Minh City is the compelling commercial hub of modern Vietnam, with wide boulevards, grand colonial buildings, cultural sights, and a vibrant tangle of narrow paths – all framed by a kinetic river of traffic. From noodle breakfasts to evening drinks, here’s how to make the most of a weekend in Saigon.
Day One
Morning
Start your day by pulling up a stool at Ben Thanh market to savor a hearty breakfast of herb-laden pho (noodle soup) and ca phe sua da (iced coffee with milk). Just a short stroll from Ben Thanh’s iconic clock tower, you can visit Ho Chi Minh City’s Fine Arts Museum. This beautiful building showcases the elegant architecture from the French colonial era, with galleries that highlight centuries-old statuary and a superb collection of propaganda art inspired by the tragedies of war. Art lovers may consider a longer tour of the city’s vibrant art scene.
Continue your journey to the modern height of the 68-storey Bitexco Financial Tower. Take the elevator to the 48th-floor Saigon Skydeck for breathtaking views of Vietnam’s rapidly growing economic capital, or spend the entrance fee for an Italian coffee with similar views from the EON Heli Bar located on the 52nd floor.
Next, make your way up charming, tree-lined Dong Khoi, one of Saigon’s oldest streets. Although it’s now home to trendy boutiques and luxe brand-name stores, the street retains traces of its colonial French origins through repurposed heritage buildings and elegant hotels. The street is bookended by the Majestic Hotel (opened in 1925) by the river and the Caravelle Hotel, where journalists famously reported on the American war from bar stools. Ascend to the 10th-floor Saigon Saigon Bar for sweeping downtown views. The ground-floor Café de l’Opéra, facing the gorgeous Opera House, is also a great spot for refreshments and light bites.
Afternoon
For some home-style Vietnamese cooking, head to Secret Garden, just a few blocks from the former CIA building where the final evacuation of Saigon famously took place in April 1975. This rooftop venue offers a pleasant ambiance, shaded by small trees atop a residential building. Choose from an extensive menu with tapas-sized dishes leaning more towards rustic country cooking.
After lunch, walk just about 5 minutes to admire the colonial red-brick elegance of Notre Dame Cathedral. Right across the street, explore the interior of Ho Chi Minh City’s magnificent Central Post Office, built between 1886 and 1891. This stunning, still-functional building features wall-covering historic maps of the city. Make your way across 30/4 Park to visit the nearby Reunification Palace, which you access through iron gates that were famously removed by Communist tanks in 1975. The 1960s architecture and memory-packed halls make this one of the city’s most fascinating attractions. Don’t miss the basement, filled with a labyrinth of tunnels, maps, and vintage telecommunications equipment.
Evening
It’s now time for someone else to handle the driving. Hop on the back of a motorbike or scooter for a thrilling tour of the city at night. Indulging in the neon-lit excitement of Saigon’s evening traffic could be among the most exhilarating experiences you have on two wheels. Both Vespa Adventures and XO Tours include plenty of street food as part of their nightly explorations. A highlight might be enjoying grilled seafood with an ice-cold 333 beer in the lively District 2 neighborhood; your two-wheeled adventure could also take you to vibrant rock clubs or bohemian music cafes. For a final drink, head to one of the city’s dynamic rooftop bars. Consider visiting the innovative Air 360, or enjoy the river views from the M Bar at Majestic Hotel.
Day Two
Morning
On your second day, visit Cholon, the bustling Chinese quarter that was once a separate settlement. Today, this district to the southwest of central HCMC is an integral part of the city. Start with breakfast at Cholon’s Binh Tay Market as you immerse yourself in the local culture and then navigate the surrounding urban maze. The air is fragrant with medicinal herbs, storefronts display Chinese-language signs, and you can spot Taoist and Buddhist temples alongside 19th-century Catholic churches.
Be sure to visit Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the Chinese goddess of seafarers, where slowly burning coils of fragrant incense create a mystical atmosphere. Nearby, the Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda showcases an ornate explosion of red, gold, green, and yellow, marking it as one of the city’s most beautiful temples.
For a more in-depth walking tour of the area, consider picking up a copy of the excellent Exploring Ho Chi Minh City by local historian Tim Doling, available at select Fahasa stores, including the major outlet on Nguyen Hue.
Afternoon
Return to central HCMC for lunch at Propaganda bistro – offering delightful regional dishes while overlooking 30/4 Park. Afterward, make your way about 1 km west to the War Remnants Museum. Here, the human tragedies of decades of conflict are conveyed with poignant and often confronting detail. Visiting this museum is essential for understanding Vietnam’s history. Be sure to venture upstairs to view the Requiem Exhibition, an impactful showcase of images from legendary war photographers who perished during the conflict, and check if your country is represented within the ground-floor collection of antiwar movement posters and photographs. After this deeply moving experience, find solace in the lush tranquility of the city’s Botanic Gardens for quiet reflection.
Evening
Kick off your evening with craft beers at the Pasteur Street Brewing Company – where you’ll find unique brews incorporating local ingredients like Dalat coffee or rambutan and lemongrass. Next, savor the classy Southeast Asian flavors at The Racha Room. For a more laid-back dining experience, join the locals at the quirky Quan Ut Ut, which specializes in slow-cooked American barbecue with a Vietnamese twist. After enjoying the energetic atmosphere, it’s just a short 5-minute taxi ride to one of the city’s premier nightlife spots, The Observatory, where local DJs and performers keep the crowd moving. Alternatively, check out the cabaret-style Acoustic venue in District 3, close to the War Remnants Museum, and mingle with the live-music-loving young Vietnamese crowd for an eclectic mix of genres from punk to flamenco.
