The Top 10 Things to Do in Saigon

Ever the attraction for tourists who wish to delve into Vietnamese culture, Saigon has never been known to be short of things to do. Visit this 300-year-old city and you will find yourself lost in a labyrinth of cutting-edge skyscrapers, shopping malls, amusement parks, yet still a venerable city with its antique buildings, historical relics and traditional markets that have lived for hundreds of years. No matter you are seeking exhilarating adventures in one of Vietnam’s largest metropolitan, a peaceful escape from the quick pace of modern life, or even a chance to dive deep into one of the world’s most ancient culture, Saigon is the right place for you. Now let’s take a glimpse into the life of this breathtaking city of Vietnam.

1. Explore Saigon’s countless Alleys

If you are used to the spacious, bustling avenues of a modern city, getting familiar with Saigon’s one-of-a-kind labyrinth might come as a major challenge for you, it is these alleys that will provide you with a unique insight to Saigon’s life. Hidden between the walls and houses of its citizens, Binh Thanh district holds one of the largest alley networks in the city. Some of which lead to other districts of the city, some lead to nothing but a dead end. It is inside these alleys that you would sometimes find a small coffee shop, a peaceful corner hidden behind the walls, where people gather together in small groups, talking about their daily life. Sit down, order the all-time favorite cà phê sữa đá, and practice your Vietnamese, they will be delighted to help. Or maybe you would come across a unique graffiti work, the walls of the alleys have always been the ideal spot for our youth to challenge their creativity, ranging from tiny figures occupying merely a corner of the wall to huge drawings that make great backgrounds for your photo.  These alleys also include some of the most popular destination of Saigon youth, 76 Hai Ba Trung alley, 84 Nguyen Du alley, and the famous 177 Ly Tu Trong alley, are among the most famous locations when it comes to street food – a unique culture that can be found nowhere but Saigon. Check out our comprehensive guide to Saigon’s Secret Alleys here.

2. Try Saigon’s Street Foods

There is no other place will you be able to find foods like Saigon’s. As the major metropolitan of Vietnam, the city holds thousands of people coming from all corners of the country, people that learn to eat together, live together and gradually blend into each other. Saigon’s food culture is created like that, a culture of so many different cultures – multicultural cuisine. 

Many foreigners visiting Saigon hesitate to try our street food. But it is how you will miss out one of the best things in our culture. Our street food culture is made up of so many different dishes, some of which originated from even foreign countries. The most popular choices include mixed rice-paper, grilled rice-paper (Viet pizza), grilled sausages, pha lau, all types of noodles, and frozen fruits. All these dishes bring you an incredible tasting experience, from stingingly hot to freezing cold, from immensely tasty to mildly sweet. The best locations to try out this fascinating food culture include the Turtle Lake (District 3), 177 Ly Tu Trong alley (District 1), Hoang Hoa Tham market (Tan Binh District), where you will be able to find delicious dishes with a surprisingly cheap price. Check out our comprehensive Saigon’s Eater Guide at Top 10 Saigon Food and Saigon’s Street Bites.

(Video shot by Chi Le & edited by Son Nguyen)

3. Visit Saigon’s Historical Sites

Even after the French colonists have retreated from Vietnam, the legacy they left behind remains some of the most fascinating sights to be seen in Saigon. Saigon Opera House, the Independence Palace, the Notre Dame Basilica are just a few of the majestic pieces of art that were constructed under the rule of the French. Built completely from materials imported directly from France, these architecture works combine elegant design, luxurious furniture together with antique decorations. They will bring you not only a magnificent experience visually but also a priceless glimpse into the glorious history of the “Pearl of the Far East”. The numerous music shows hosted at the Saigon Opera House give you an insight into the traditional Vietnamese life. And between the walls of the Notre Dame Basilica is where you will find a peaceful moment, away from the worries of worldly life. They are all located in District 1 so it is not very hard for you to navigate. To read more about these places and their opening hours, check out our comprehensive Saigon District 1 Guide here.

4. Go Shopping at Saigon’s Local Markets

Rarely are foreign tourists willing to set food into one of Saigon’s traditional/local markets. The rumor about price gougers,low-quality goods, unhygienic food is just one of the few things that caused this hesitation. But with just enough alertness and self-control, a shopping experience in our traditional markets can be unforgettable memories. Some of the most famous markets are Bến Thành market, Bình Tây market (Chợ Lớn), and Tân Định market. Goods sold at these markets also come in a wide variety, from freshly-picked fruits and vegetables to everyday items, not mentioning nonessentials. Some are also ideal for your first try of Saigon street foods. These shopping experience must be valuable not only for the items you will find, but for the chance that you get to find out about Vietnamese culture. Among the sellers are Vietnamese coming from the South, North, East, and West of Vietnam. Practice your newly learnt Vietnamese phrases, ask a few questions about the city, about their hometown, or even attempt to flirt with the pretty girl from Ben Tre – We have some special Learn Vietnamese articles about these topics here. Another interesting thing at these markets is that most sellers do not have a sticker price for their goods, so feel free to strain your bargaining skills, maybe you will be lucky and get one with just half its price. Most markets are opened all day, closing at as late as 2 to 3 o’clock in the morning.

Address:

Ben Thanh market, Cong truong Quach Thi Trang, Ben Thanh, District 1

 Binh Tay market, 22 Tran Binh, W.2, District 6

Tan Dinh market, 48 Ma Lo, Tan Dinh, District 1

5. Visit Saigon’s Ancient Pagodas

There are more than 6 million people following Buddism in Vietnam, as a result, Vietnam’s pagodas have always been carefully taken care of. With their unique design and tranquil atmosphere, Saigon’s pagodas have always attracted many tourists as well as pilgrims seeking a gateway to Buddha. Vĩnh Nghiêm pagoda, Phổ Quang pagoda, and Pháp Hoa pagoda are some of the most popular destinations when it comes to religious attractions. These pagodas are magnificent combinations of traditional architecture, dignified yet tranquil atmosphere, and even peaceful nature. Gigantic statues and sculptures of mythical gods and Buddha give the place a unique atmosphere of peace and illusiveness.

Address: Vinh Nghiem pagoda, 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, W.7, District 3

  Pho Quang pagoda, 64 Huynh Lan Khanh, W.2, Tan Binh District

 Phap Hoa pagoda, 220/3 Le Van Sy, W.14, District 3

6. Experience Saigon’s Nightlife 

There’s no better party than a night out at Saigon’s most popular rooftop bars. Panoramic city view, excellent service, stylish ambiance, and a lively crowd are just a few things that you will find at the fanciest bars of the country. Sky bars, night markets, and street food alleys are some of the most popular destinations for foreigners as well as locals seeking a restful night watching the radiant city with a cold beer in hand, or maybe a thrilling dance to deep and tropical house tunes. Most bars provide you with a wide selection of beer, spirits, cocktails and wine, anything for your perfect night up in Saigon. To find out more other Nightlife activities, read our excellent Saigon Nightlife for first-timers here.

7. Have a Cruise Trip 

The winding flow of Saigon river has always been something all its citizens take pride in. A cruise trip along the flow of this river provides you with unique insights into the life of this city. It may be a crowded and busy metropolitan with skyscrapers reaching to the clouds, it is also home to many beautiful, breathtaking sceneries of the river in the middle of the bustling city. This service comes in a variety of choices, ranging from a mind-blowing canoe trip to a leisure cruise along the river; another option includes dinner on one of our most luxurious yachts.

Locations:

King Yacht, 2 Nguyen Thien Thuat, W.24, Binh Thanh District

Victoria Cruise, 100A Ung Van Khiem, W.25, Binh Thanh District

Tau Sai Gon, 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh, W.12, District 4

8. Walk along Saigon’s Most Romantic Bridges and Avenues

Widely known as a bustling, crowded city, but Saigon, like all other cities, still has its romantic corners, ones reserved for a peaceful night walk, hand in hand with your most beloved ones. Anh Sao bridge, Mong bridge, Nguyen Hue street, just to name a few. Either a dimly lit space or a quiet, lonesome atmosphere, you can find almost anything in this amazing city. Saigon youth also enjoy a night out in one of the city’s most popular department stores; Diamond Plaza, Aeon Mall, are Bitexco tower are all considered iconic landmarks of the city. It is where you will find not only luxurious goods but also fancy dining and stylish ambiance. To find out more romantic getaways in Saigon, visit our previous article here.

9. Go to Saigon’s Amusement Parks

Suoi Tien, Dam Sen, Dam Sen waterpark, are some of the all-time favorites of Saigon citizens when it comes to entertainment. Hair-raising rollercoaster, frightening haunted houses, exhilarating waterpark – these places surely will match your standard of a perfect amusement park for the family. In addition, the parks are also occasional hosts of many music concerts as well as festivals of the year with the most well-known one: the Fruit festival held annually at Suoi Tien amusement park. Many celebrities would often give their performances here too. Visit Best 10 Amusement Parks in Saigon here.

9. Catch a Glimpse of Saigon’s Museums

Though Saigon’s museums are not considered world-class exhibitions, they still provide valuable insights into the city as well as the country’s history. War Remnants Museum, Museum of Vietnamese History, and Ho Chi Minh Museum of Fine Arts, just to name a few. These are exhibitions of ancient relics, haunting images of war, and even artworks from the King Generation. They offer a magnificent glimpse into the glorious yet tragic past of this urban city, a glimpse that anyone will regret to miss.

Address:

War Remnants Museum, 28 Vo Van Tan, W.6, District 3

Museum of Vietnamese History, 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ben Nghe, District 1

Ho Chi Minh Museum of Fine Arts, 97A Pho Duc Chinh, Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1