Ho Chi Minh city is so big that a foreign visitor might feel a bit lost and confused upon arriving in this city. Where should the visit begin? What are the activities to do in Ho Chi Minh city? Or how should you organize your visiting days?…

We share with you below our selection of the best activities

Top 10 Interesting Activities Not to Miss in Ho Chi Minh city

1. Break in the Central Post Office

Located in the heart of the city, the Central Post Office is a must-see site for a foreign visitor, as it is a 130-year-old French architectural heritage. This monument was designed by Gustave Eiffel and is recognized as one of the most beautiful in the city. It impresses the traveler with its beautiful facade and shimmering interior space. By stopping in front of the Central Post Office, you can also enjoy a pleasant moment of rest by sitting on an old bench while contemplating scenes of the surrounding city.

2. Shopping in Binh Tay Market or Ben Thanh Market

These two markets are ranked among the most attractive places to buy in the world in terms of products and prices. If you visit Ho Chi Minh city, the market is a must-see place to buy souvenir gifts and discover a popular aspect of this city. These two markets are full of clothes and handicrafts. We advise you to negotiate prices before buying. In general, it is necessary to reduce the price by two compared to the first announcement!

Visiting the Ben Thanh Market in the evening is particularly exquisite. You will have the chance to taste street food dishes and drinks, such as draft beer, bia hoi, as well as culinary specialties from the three regions from North to South. This is one of the activities to do in Ho Chi Minh City!

3. Walk to visit the most beautiful buildings of colonial architecture

Built at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the monuments of colonial architecture located in the city center combine both Eastern and Western features. We suggest, as the city center is very small, a walk to visit them, starting from the Municipal Theater, then continuing the walk towards the Town Hall, then the Cathedral, before completing your visit at the Central Post Office for a break. very relaxing contemplative.

4. Have a panoramic view of the city from the top of the Torre Bitexco skyscraper

If a Western traveler can do without the modern attractions of this leisure center such as the cinema, the luxury goods or the catering…, the climb to the top of the Torre Bitexco tower is ranked among the ten most attractive skyscrapers in the world. . The climb is worth it, to contemplate a constantly changing modern Ho Chi Minh city from above.

5. Pedicab tour through the streets of Ho Chi Minh City

The cyclos in Ho Chi Minh city are very different from those in Hanoi: they are much higher. So much the better! You will be able to sit comfortably on this most rudimentary vehicle in the city. However, riding a cyclo in small shopping districts will delight a foreign visitor much more than on long modern boulevards!

6. Taste culinary specialties

Tasty and affordable: Vietnamese gastronomy is accessible on every street corner. The city is full of “ street-food” addresses or restaurants where traditional and Western specialties take center stage. Shellfish and crustaceans, spring rolls, fried spring rolls, grilled meat and fish, vegetarian specialties based on rice of course… Honestly, you’re spoiled for choice! Mediterranean cuisine, and the French influence, sometimes give rise to original specialties such as spring rolls with camembert.

Want to change? Opt for Thai and Indian cuisine, and Sunday brunch options at many brands. In short, you will inevitably find an address to your liking!

7. Take a tour of the most beautiful pagodas and temples

After mingling with the loudest scenes in the city, why not treat yourself now to moments of relaxation in quieter corners of the city: pagodas and temples. There, you will have the opportunity to appropriate oriental colors and beauties that perpetuate through centuries on this land. Know that the pagodas and temples are places very dear to the spiritual life of the Vietnamese and the Ho Chi Minh city people in particular! The Temple of the Goddess of Mercy is the symbol of the cohesion and good integration of the community of Vietnamese of Chinese origin in Ho Chi Minh city. The Giac Lam pagoda is a Buddhist heritage worthy of the interest of the inhabitants of this city for this religion. This is one of the activities to do in Ho Chi Minh City!

8. Excursion to visit the Cu Chi tunnels

This tour promises to be one of the most extraordinary discoveries in Vietnam. Located 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi tunnels are an immense network 200 km long of galleries dug under the ground and capable of housing some 16,000 men. In total darkness and lack of air, there was a whole life that was organized: schools, dormitories, storage rooms… It is also exactly an extremely ingenious defense system. Penetrating one of these tunnels by crawling will certainly give you a unique experience.

9. Midday Mass at Cao Dai Temple

If you go to the temple of Cao Dai, while discovering the very rich decorations of this monument, it will be very enriching for you to attend its midday mass. You will then have the opportunity to witness one of the most original religious ceremonies. Caodaism is a new religion born in the land of South Vietnam at the beginning of the last century. In the spiritual world of this religion, characters from very different religions coexist with Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Taoism, etc. hence the very strange and exotic symbols in the eyes of Westerners, such as the Divine Eye, seven-headed copras, dragon, sky blue…

10. Massage in Ho Chi Minh city.

A tight schedule of visits in the tropical climate will certainly tire you. Treating yourself to a foot or body massage at the end of the day seems to be a very favorite choice. If there are hundreds of massage parlors in downtown Ho Chi Minh city, it is not always easy to find a good one. We suggest Indochina Spa in the heart of the city, a salon that is recognized for its good quality of service by Western travelers themselves. The setting of the salon is of rare tranquility that is difficult to find in many other salons, which allows you to enjoy total relaxation of both your muscles and your mind! This is one of the activities to do in Ho Chi Minh City!