Learn what to expect from the Ho Chi Minh City

When planning a trip to Vietnam, learning which city you will explore is important. Saigon is one of the most popular places people visit, and there are several reasons for that. Ho Chi Minh City is a wonderful travel attraction with finger-licking street food. 

This guide will give you all the necessary information about the city, the places you should visit, the activities you should do, and the food you can try. The most important for traveling is when you should travel; if it is urgent, the options are fewer, but if you have enough time, then why not plan smartly by researching and gathering most of the things that can make your travel itinerary cool and exciting? Find out everything below this line and travel to Ho Chi Minh City with friends and loved ones. 

About Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is one of Vietnam's most famous travel attractions. Its alternate name is Saigon City, which is considered to be the most populous in the country. It can also be seen in the country's total GDP, where almost a quarter of the contribution comes from this city. In terms of economy and growth, Ho Chi Minh City is also the country's largest financial center, and tourism plays a significant role in the city's growth. 

Ho Chi Minh City got its name from a revolutionary Vietnamese politician, Ho Chi Minh, who also served the country as the first president and founder of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, also called Uncle Ho. It is located in the south-eastern region, sharing its borders with Tây Ninh Province, Bình Dương Province, Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province, Long An Province Đồng Nai Province. The South China Sea is 15 km from the city. 

With the tropical climate, Saigon city has specifically tropical savana, where almost 150 out of 365 people have rainfall, and these usually fall between May and November. December to April can be called the driest time in the city, and the temperature may go above 35 °C. 

Best time to stay in Ho Chi Minh City

Traveling during the peak or off-season is just a matter of your plan. Some people love to travel during the traveling season; some like to travel during the off-season when flight prices are lower than usual. In Saigon, the rainy season can be the perfect time to enjoy water-based activities or choose spring or autumn for sightseeing and exploration. 

Peak time: You should consider traveling between December and April because during this time, you can expect a range of things such as:

• The weather is pleasant and dry, perfect for exploring local attractions and having fun outdoors.
• It is the time of the lunar year, which means you will witness festivals and celebrations.
• Rush is expected to be one of the city's top tourist attractions. 

Off-season: During this time, weather can go extreme, and heavy rainfall can be expected.

• The weather may not be suitable for exploring the city, and most people avoid this season, so the crowd is less.
• Travelers who like rain and seek water sports may find it suitable.
• Due to less tourism, hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and airlines offer great discounts on their packages and fares during this time. 

Must-to-do activities in Ho Chi Minh City

• Wandering on the streets of the city. A night walk around Nguyen Hue Street is one of the things you must try.
• Go to the Benthanh Street Food Market and eat and repeat. It is 9 km from the city center, and you can find more than 1.5k stalls in various categories, including food, clothes, souvenirs, electronics, accessories, etc.
• Boating: Several lakes and rivers offer boating opportunities; you can take a tour of the Mekong Delta boat tour to explore Ho Chi Minh City's forest and rivers.
• Adventurous activities: Activities such as indoor surfing, shooting, go-karting, etc.
• If you are a music lover, you should not miss watching a show at Saigon Opera House. There are also many music festivals that you can attend there.
• Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens can be the perfect place to take your family and friends on an adventure and spend time. 

Places you should not to miss in Saigon City

You must go sightseeing or explore Vietnamese culture. Ho Chi Minh City has hundreds of places to explore that will tell you the stories of Vietnam, its heritage, and also moments to capture in your camera with friends and family, 

War Remnants Museum: This museum was opened in 1975 and holds atrocities of the Vietnam War. Millions of tourists reach out every year to learn about Vietnam's painful, historic struggle that led them to independence. 

• Timings: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
• Distance: 8 km from the city center
• Entry Fee: The fee is free of staff; otherwise, it will be charged slab-wise, ranging between VND 20K and 40 K.

Cu Chi Tunnels: In the time of war, people of the Vietnamese Congress were using Cu Chi tunnels as a hideaway. These tunnels are part of an intensive underground network, and some of it has been used to make tourists experience the conditions of that time. Claustrophobic people should not visit Cu Chi tunnels.  

• Timings: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Distance: 40 km from the city center
• Entry Fee: The fee is somewhere VND 90K

Saigon Skydeck at Bitexco Financial Tower: Looking to make your Instagram post or story? This sky deck is perfect for filling your comments with followers' love. Bitexco Financial tower is ranked 4th largest in the country and famous for its lotus-shaped structure, where the sky deck gives you a 360-degree view of the city. 

• Timings: 9:30 AM - 9:30 PM
• Distance: 10 km from the city center
• Entry Fee: The fee varies between VND 130K to VND 250K

Special food to try in Ho Chi Minh City

Your Vietnam trip is incomplete if you don't try these famous and delicious, mouth-watering cuisines and street food while staying in Saigon City. Find some of them below. 

• Pho: A Vietnamese cuisine that is infused with aromatic spices and served with fresh herbs.
• Banh Mi: You must try street food in Ho Chi Minh City, a creative egg roll in Vietnamese style.
• Beef Noodle Soup (bun bo) is a classic that can be easily found on the market.
• Rice Noodle Soup (hu tieu): Made in Vietnamese style, this rice soup has something to be loved.
• Banh xeo (Crispy pancakes) are made with a rice flour batter, turmeric juice, and coconut milk. They are a different but delightful experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to reach Ho Chi Minh City?

The cost normally depends on the route and how conveniently you are traveling to a place, and air travel is costlier than any other way. Your Ho Chi Minh City trip may cost you nearly $500 to $2500, depending on fare type or packages, but you can easily find great deals that would be cheaper. The cost of traveling and wandering in Ho Chi Minh City through public transportation would be standard. 

Is Ho Chi Minh City safe to visit?

Millions of passengers explore Ho Chi Minh City yearly, and they have their own experiences, but you can be assured of being safe here.

What are the top sites to visit with family?

Ho Chi Minh City has many family-friendly places that you should visit, such as Dam Sen Water Park, Artinus 3D Art Museum, Suoi Tien Theme Park, and Can Gio Mangrove Forest.