Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Officially Ho Chi Minh City; almost everyone still says Saigon. The southern capital is louder, hotter, and more obviously modern than Hanoi — skyscrapers, a metro under construction, and a food scene that mixes northern, central, and southern Vietnamese with French colonial leftovers. The classic sights cluster in District 1: the Notre-Dame Basilica, the central post office, Ben Thanh Market. The Landmark 81 and Bitexco skydecks are the most-booked add-on, with a sunset cruise on the Saigon River close behind — and when the heat wins, the Vung Tau beach day trip is about two hours southeast. Stay long enough to do an evening on Bui Vien street, then escape to a rooftop bar for the air.

Visual Guides

Travel infographic guide poster: Landmark 81 & Bitexco Skydecks in Ho Chi Minh City — Landmark 81 & Bitexco Skydecks — read the guide & watch videos.

Travel infographic guide poster: Rooftop Bars & Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City — Rooftop Bars & Nightlife — read the guide & watch videos.

Travel infographic guide poster: Street Food & Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City — Street Food & Ben Thanh Market — read the guide & watch videos.

Travel infographic guide poster: Cafe Apartment & Specialty Coffee in Ho Chi Minh City — Cafe Apartment & Specialty Coffee — read the guide & watch videos.

Travel infographic guide poster: Saigon River Cruises in Ho Chi Minh City — Saigon River Cruises — read the guide & watch videos.

Travel infographic guide poster: Craft Beer Scene in Ho Chi Minh City — Craft Beer Scene — read the guide & watch videos.

Travel infographic guide poster: Vung Tau Beach Day Trip in Ho Chi Minh City — Vung Tau Beach Day Trip — read the guide & watch videos.

Travel infographic guide poster: Colonial District 1 Landmarks Walk in Ho Chi Minh City — Colonial District 1 Landmarks Walk — read the guide & watch videos.

Tourist map of Ho Chi Minh City showing District 1 landmarks — Notre-Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market — Tourist map — tap to enlarge.

Tourist map of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City — close-up of central landmarks and street layout — District 1 inset — tap to enlarge.

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon with twin red-brick neo-Romanesque bell towers rising above the central square as motorbikes stream past in warm afternoon light — Notre-Dame Basilica of Saigon.

The Saigon Central Post Office interior, an ornate French colonial hall with arched green-painted ironwork, vintage wooden phone booths, vaulted ceiling, and a large portrait of Ho Chi Minh — Saigon Central Post Office interior.

The iconic clock-tower facade of Ben Thanh Market above a busy street with motorbikes and cyclos passing in front and vendors with conical hats outside in warm evening light — Ben Thanh Market entrance.

Bui Vien walking street at night, a neon-lit backpacker district packed with bars, food carts, and travelers seated on plastic stools — Bui Vien walking street at night.

A Saigon street pho stall at dawn with steaming bowls of beef noodle soup, fresh herbs and lime, and a vendor ladling broth from a giant simmering pot for customers on tiny plastic stools — Saigon pho stall at dawn.

A banh mi street cart at night with a vendor slicing crusty baguette filled with pate, pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, and grilled pork in a warmly lit glass case — Banh mi street cart at night.

Where to stay: The most luxurious hotels in Ho Chi Minh City →

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Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

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