Vietnam is a pretty amazing country and amongst our top picks for those who relish authentic culture, beautiful landscapes, fine beaches, great food and laidback vibes. Ho Chi Minh City, affectionately known as Saigon, however, often gets a bad rap for being boring, polluted, nothing-out-of-the-ordinary – from pundits on the Internet, the list of reasons why you should skip Saigon go on and on. As a result, some opt to forgo Ho Chi Minh City altogether (which we think is a mistake) while others allocate just enough time just to “check-it-out”. This blog post is written for the latter – those who want to see and judge for themselves. Your day in this vibrant metropolis just might surprise you.
Our take? You’re all the way there – Go For It! Here goes:
Enjoy, Really Enjoy, Your Hotel Breakfast
Hotel breakfasts in Vietnam are a real treat, something not to be missed regardless of how anxious you are to get out there and start exploring. Among our personal favorites is the ginormous the breakfast spread at Nikko Saigon, but assuming you’re staying at a 4-star hotel or above, chances are you will not be disappointed. Most hotels in Vietnam that cater to Western tourists serve buffet breakfasts. Of course, there’s the typical Western fare – omelettes and eggs cooked to order, breakfast meats, hashbrowns, French pastries etc. – all good stuff but by no means the main event (I usually skip the Western section altogether). And then there is everything else: Pho` (Vietnamese Noodle Soup) cooked to order, congee, dumplings, baos (steamed buns), various Asian dishes, even sushi! So, make time for breakfast even if you have to sacrifice a little sleep. You won’t regret it!
Cu Chi Tunnels Deep Dive
Now that you’ve gotten your fill, let’s head outside the city to the Cu Chi Tunnels. I generally don’t like mixing vacation with war stuff but I view Cu Chi as an exception as it’s pretty fascinating and an amazing feat of engineering. Spanning over 250 miles that stretches all the way to the Cambodian border, this extensive labyrinth of underground tunnels were used to transport supplies and soldiers, as well as allowing the Viet Cong to move around without being detected during the Vietnam War. A tourist site today, visitors get a chance to learn about these tunnels and how they helped shape the war, see some of the remnants such as tanks, artillery and other weaponry, practice shooting a rifle at the shooting range on premise, even crawl inside a few tunnels to catch a glimpse of life underground. You don’t have to be a war monger to appreciate the ingenuity of these tunnels all the while getting a small history lesson of the conflict from the the Vietnamese’ perspective.
Marvel Saigon’s District 1
After the tunnels, we head back to the city for walking tour around Saigon’s District One. Vietnam was colonized by both the French and Spanish in 1859, subsequently only by France resulted from the 1862 Treaty of Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City boasts a unique mix of beautiful French Colonial architecture, modern skyscrapers and remnants of Vietnamese shophouses. Spend an hour or so strolling about to marvel starting with Notre Dame Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church built in 1880 where all materials were imported from France. Continue to the Central Post Office, built around the same time with a mixture of French, Renaissance, and Gothic architecture, that still operates today. Walk past the City Hall (formerly Hotel de Villa), the city’s most photographed icon built in between 1902-08, that serves as as the city’s administrative hub. If you’re into Art, stop by the Fine Arts Museum, another dazzling French Colonial building featuring Vietnamese art from traditional pieces to modern exhibits. Now for some chow, there are no shortage of options here ranging from fancy hotel restaurants like superb dining venues at the Park Hyatt Saigon, to local restaurants serving Pho’, Vietnamese and Fusion cuisine. Insider tip: be sure to squeeze in a meal or two of French cuisine. You won’t find them any more affordable than in Vietnam!
Notre Dame Cathedral
Walk the Back Alleys of Old Saigon
We’re probably at around 2pm at this point of the day. Head to Old Saigon where we switch gears from the glam to the neighborhoods of the city to observe how locals live. Visit a thriving local market to see how these bustling and vibrant markets play a major role in the daily lives of Vietnamese people. Watch them shop for the day’s meal and interact with one another. Stroll through the colorful back alleyways lined with flower shops, a street where mechanics specialize in restoring vintage Vespa scooters, and one that sells locally made guitars. Take a brief rest at the oldest coffee shop in Saigon stretching back over seven decades for a nice cold glass of traditional Vietnamese Iced Coffee all the while people-watching and soaking in the local culture.
Shop & Eat at Ben Thanh Market
Next, let’s do some shopping and sharpen your bargaining skills at the famed Ben Thanh Market, a favorite for locals and tourists alike. Here you’ll find all sorts of stuff in semi-open air market with just about everything under the sun. From knock off T-Shirts, shoes and watches to local crafts to trinkets and souvenirs, As a bonus, there’ll a plethora of mouth-watering street food that are absolutely hard to resist. So go, try a small plate of grilled prawns, Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich) or a bowl of Pho`. You deserve it!
Catch a Show at the Opera House
Now that we’ve got some great sights and lots of walking out of the way, it’s time to chill and relax for the evening. We’ll head back to District 1 where everything comes alive at night. Enjoy a pre-show cocktail or dinner at one of many fine dining establishments before heading over to the Opera House for the main event of the evening – the A O Show (pronounced Ahhh! Ohhh!). A 60-minute “Bamboo Circus” performance that depicts the transformation of modern Vietnamese society, taking the audience from the serenity and peacefulness of rural village life to the mayhem and frenzy of city dwelling through the medium of dance and music. The production features breathtaking acrobatics, over-the-top costumes, live music and sound effects from more than 17 kinds of traditional and modern instruments.
Bonus Round: Hit the Bar High Above the City
Last but not least, end the night at one of the city’s popular rooftop bars that caters to just about anyone. There are too many to choose from so we’ll have you read all about them here as you’ll bound to find one that fits your speed. For a those who enjoy being high up above the city, a short leisurely stroll from the Opera House toward the waterfront gets you to the Bitexco Financial Tower where we’ll ascend to the EON Heli 51 Bar. Located on level 50/51/52 EON Heli 51 Bar is three-story venue offering bar and restaurant that feature a cosmopolitan setting, live acoustic performances, talented DJs, and an extensive cocktail menu. The views from the bar are quite simply stunning with huge windows overlooking the metropolis. What a way to end your day in Saigon.
So there you have it. Ho Chi Minh City at its best. From architectural marvels of District 1 to the culturally inspiring back alleys of Old Saigon, below ground at the Cu Chi Tunnels to high up in the sky at Bitexco Tower, bargain hunt at Ben Thanh Market to showtime at the Opera House. You might just change your mind about Ho Chi Minh City and have an absolute blast!
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