There's a reason why Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's most-visited city. Famous for its French colonial architecture, including its very own Notre Dame Cathedral, the city formerly known as Saigon combines the best of old and new.
Filled with fascinating sites and famous for its role in the Vietnam War, a trip to this vibrant metropolis is a must on your travels to Asia. In fact, it's such a highlight of the region that it's part of Good Housekeeping's Mekong River cruise, taking readers from Cambodia down into Ho Chi Minh City.
Ahead of the trip, here are seven things to do in Ho Chi Minh City...
Shop for gifts at Ben Thanh Market
No visit to Ho Chi Minh City would be complete without exploring one of the city's many markets, where you can wander through table after table laden with unusual curiosities, trinkets and gifts.
Be sure to haggle for the best price and once you’ve had your fill of shopping, why not re-fuel with one of Vietnam’s street food snacks?
Step back in time at Reunification Hall
This iconic building became famous around the world when North Vietnamese tanks broke through its main gate and took control of what was then the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace. It’s been preserved in time since then and serves as a fascinating time capsule for wartime Vietnam.
Send a postcard at Saigon Central Post Office
Another amazing example of French colonial architecture is the Saigon Central Post Office, which has Gothic, Renaissance and French influences.
As well as stunning vaulted ceilings that let the light flood in, the walls are adorned with fascinating 19th-century maps of Vietnam and Cambodia. Pop in with some postcards to send some mementos of your trip to friends and family.
Go underground at the Cu Chi Tunnels
Find out what life was like for soldiers in the fearsome Viet Cong army during the war, when they dug a network of tunnels underground so they could attack and sabotage US troops more stealthily, as well as move supplies around their country undetected.
Located in the Cu Chi District, an excursion to explore the tunnels is an activity visitors can experience.
VISIT HO CHI MINH CITY WITH US
Take in the views from Saigon Skydeck
Escape the crowds and get a bird’s eye view of the city from the viewing deck of the Bitexco Financial Tower, more than 250 metres above ground. Once you’ve got your fill of the 360-degree views of the city below, head up one floor to grab a pick-me-up at the café or for something a bit stronger, to the cocktail bar two floors up.
Light a candle at the Notre Dame Cathedral
This cathedral was built between 1863 and 1880, using materials that were all imported directly from France.
Located in District 1, it's surrounded by other buildings that showcase the architecture from Vietnam's past, including Saigon Central Post Office.
Get on your dancing shoes
Ho Chi Minh City is always buzzing at night, when its districts’ numerous bars and clubs come alive with people drinking, laughing and dancing into the early hours. There’s something to suit every taste, from stylish nightclubs through to more laidback rock bars, and you’ll find the beers on ice wherever you go.
Book your place on a cruise down the Mekong through Cambodia and Vietnam.
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
The clever travel essentials you never knew you wanted
LAY-N-GO Cosmo make-up bag
Selfridges
£29
Lay out all of your make-up in one place and quickly pack it up again with the ultimate cosmetic bag for travellers. There’s even a pocket to store your jewellery.
Take control of the sound in your holiday environment with this USB-charged machine that masks noise which can disturb sleep or concentration through its sound options, including bright white noise, deep white noise or gentle surf.
Ideal for sleeping in dry hotel rooms, this portable dehumidifier secures over a water bottle to add moisture to the air.
Not just trendy-looking cabin luggage, this smart case uses a lithium ion battery so you can charge your phone on the go. It's a great gift for the traveller in your life, too.
...And you can keep tabs on your bag with this intelligent little tile that you pop into the luggage tag and attach to you case before tracking it with your phone. It makes for a great travel gift, too.
Inflatable, foldable and lightweight, these blow-up hangers are ideal for packing in your suitcase, as you never know if there will be enough in your hotel wardrobe.
Comfortable to wear on the plane, in the car or in your hotel room when noise stops you from sleeping, these earplugs use sound reduction filters and feature personal volume control.
If you're not staying in a fancy hotel with a Nespresso coffee machine in your room or just want to enjoy your favourite brew whenever and wherever you are on holiday, this portable espresso machine will come in handy.
Washing your clothes on holiday is now quick and easy with this portable washing machine. Just add your clothes, water and a drop of washing liquid, seal tight and rub for a few minutes on the internal, flexible washboard before rinsing.
The ultimate baggage compressor, this little device sucks up all the extra space in your luggage within minutes by easily compressing your clothes in a vacuum bag so you can buy more and pack more.
Designed by a former flight attendant who watched endless passengers struggle to sleep on flights, this travel pillow with a three-way support system helps keep your head, neck and chin completely supported while you snooze.
Keep your valuables close with this silk pouch you simply snap over your bra strap. The small pocket is great for stashing your money and credit cards.
This easy-to-use steamer is a the perfect alternative to carrying a travel iron. It's harmless to even delicate fabrics and will remove creases and unfresh odours.
Just what you need for packing light on a beach holiday, this lightweight and water-resistant blanket can be used for picnics too and features weights at each corner to stop it being blown away.
For when the in-flight pillow just won’t do, this mulberry silk pillow with a matching sleep mask was created to provide the ultimate combination of shine, thickness, softness and durability
Want to be a more organised packer? These nifty cubes help you pack your clothes neatly while providing compression so you can fit more into your case. Genius!
A great gift for the business traveller who has everything, this hard case will protect a shirt from creasing and is lightweight and compact enough to pack in a laptop bag or backpack.
