Ho Chi Minh City
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At a glance
- Country
- Vietnam
- Region
- Southeast
- Population
- 9 million
- Best time to go
- December to April
- Main airport
- Tan Son Nhat International (SGN)
- Coordinates
- 10.82°N, 106.63°E
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Overview
Still called Saigon by many locals, Vietnam's largest city runs on energy, coffee and millions of motorbikes. Colonial landmarks sit among glass towers, and every alley seems to hide a food stall or a café.
The city's history is told powerfully in its museums, while the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta make easy day trips. Come hungry: this is one of the great street food cities of Asia.
Things to see
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Photo: Prenn, CC BY-SA 3.0 War Remnants Museum
A confronting look at the Vietnam War through photography, weapons and personal stories.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Balon Greyjoy, CC0 Independence Palace
The 1960s presidential palace where a tank broke through the gates in 1975, preserved with its war rooms.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Kevin Rutherford, CC BY-SA 2.0 Saigon Central Post Office
A grand French-era post office designed in the office of Gustave Eiffel, still in use today.
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0 Ben Thanh Market
The city's best-known market, selling everything from fabric to food, with stalls cooking all day.
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Photo: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 4.0 Jade Emperor Pagoda
A smoky, atmospheric Taoist temple filled with carved figures and incense.
Things to do
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Photo: Lars Curfs ( Grashoofd ), CC BY-SA 3.0 nl Cu Chi Tunnels
Crawl through part of the network of tunnels used during the war, about 90 minutes from the city.
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Photo: Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên, CC BY-SA 4.0 Mekong Delta day trip
Boat along canals lined with coconut palms and visit orchards and small workshops.
Find tours -
Photo: HungryHuy, CC BY 2.0 Street food by motorbike
Ride pillion on an evening tour to try broken rice, banh xeo and snails in local districts.
Find tours -
Photo: Lerdsuwa, CC BY-SA 3.0 Explore Cholon
The historic Chinatown, with Binh Tay Market and ornate assembly halls.
Where to stay
District 1
Central, walkable and packed with hotels, bars and sights. Best for a first visit.
Hotels in District 1District 3
Leafy and local, with good food and easy access to the centre.
Hotels in District 3Thao Dien
A riverside expat enclave with cafés, boutiques and a quieter feel.
Hotels in Thao Dien
Getting around
Grab bikes and cars are the easiest way to get around, and the first metro line runs east from the centre towards Thu Duc. District 1 is walkable, but cross roads slowly and steadily.
Tan Son Nhat airport is inside the city, around 30 to 45 minutes from District 1 by taxi or Grab depending on traffic; bus 109 is a cheap alternative.
When to go
The dry season (December to April) is sunny and hot. From May to November, expect short, heavy afternoon downpours. Tet, the lunar new year in January or February, sees the city decorated but many businesses closed.
Plan your trip to Ho Chi Minh City
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.