Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city and economic/financial centre of Vietnam. For many international travellers, Ho Chi Minh City is their springboard en route to other destinations within Vietnam. Having said, Ho Chi Minh City itself is a fascinating destination. With interesting sites and activities that warrant further explorations. Here, we bring you the Top Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City!

Ho Chi Minh City was formerly known as Saigon. And can be traced back to at least 1859, when the French colonized southern parts of Vietnam. The French colony was called Cochinchina, and Saigon was made the capital of this colony in 1862.

The French colonial period lasted till 1954, when the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) was established with Saigon as its capital. This was to last till 1975, at the conclusion of the Vietnam War, with victory for North Vietnam. As a result of the war, Vietnam was reunified and Saigon was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City, in reference to the North’s inspirational leader Ho Chi Minh. The capital of reunified Vietnam would follow that of North Vietnam and remain at Hanoi.

Being an important city since the French colonial days, Ho Chi Minh City is rich in history. Unsurprisingly, a number of its older building/structure takes on French architectural influences. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
How it works: The full article is featured in the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Download the app to your mobile device to read the article offline and create a self-guided walking tour to visit the sights featured in this article. The app's navigation functions guide you from one sight to the next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Sights Featured in This Article

Guide Name: Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
Guide Location: Vietnam » Saigon/HoChiMinh City
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Allan See Toh
Read it on Author's Website: http://www.balukootravel.com/things-to-do-in-ho-chi-minh-city/
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Ben Thanh Market
  • Ho Chi Minh City Hall
  • Saigon Opera House
  • The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
  • Saigon Central Post Office
  • Independence Palace
  • War Remnants Museum

Insider Tips for Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam

Saigon’s Hidden Gems: A River of Faith

Saigon’s Hidden Gems: A River of Faith

While Ho Chi Minh City is nowadays associated with its glitzy modern buildings, the waterway that flows through Nhiêu Lộc–Thị Nghè Channel into the Saigon River is its soulful older sister.
Herein lies a trail of spiritual sanctuaries that tell the story of Saigon’s diverse identities. From Catholic churches to Buddhist stupas and monasteries, this is where where the roar of motorbikes...  view more
Walking Around Ho Chi Minh City - Day 1

Walking Around Ho Chi Minh City - Day 1

Here’s the first in a series of my suggested routes for walking around Ho Chi Minh City; Vietnam’s largest and most populous city and capital of South Vietnam. Immerse yourself in the bustling energy, vibrant culture, rich history, and extraordinary attractions of this crazy metropolis, formerly known as Saigon. From the peaceful Tao Dan Park and historical Reunification Palace to the lively...  view more
Airport Bus to Ho Chi Minh City

Airport Bus to Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon) is the largest city and the economic/financial centre of Vietnam. The city is served by Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), which is the busiest airport in Vietnam.
Top 20 Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

Top 20 Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

These 20 things to do in Ho Chi Minh City will give you a good idea of what there is to see and do in Saigon. On this list, you’ll find a good mix of historic, cultural and fun experiences, all of which you can enjoy during your stay in this fast-paced city.
The Museum Trail of Saigon

The Museum Trail of Saigon

While Saigon is often celebrated for its high-octane, modern energy, beneath the relentless pulse of the modern metropolis lies a city of storied wallls.
In order to truly understand Saigon, one has to step into its many great museums: standing in the shadow of a fighter at the War Remnants Museum, exploring the command centers beneath the Independence Palace, or admiring the predecessor culture...  view more
Some Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in Vietnam

Some Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in Vietnam

What do you do with twelve exhausted travellers who have arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at six in the morning – too early to check into their hotel? Take them to Trung Nguyen Legend coffee shop to drink Vietnamese coffee.
Insider Tips Overview