Top 12 Attractions

Street Food

Ho Chi Minh City is one of the world’s great street food cities. The food happens on tiny plastic stools on the pavement, in market stalls, and in hole-in-the-wall shops that have been cooking one dish for 50 years. The best food is almost always the cheapest.

Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa

The most famous bánh mì in Saigon, possibly Vietnam. Located on Lê Thị Riêng Street in District 1, the queue starts at 3 PM and wraps around the block by 5 PM. At 73,000₫ it’s officially the most expensive bánh mì in Saigon, but the fillings justify it: layers of cold cuts, chả lụa (Vietnamese ham), pâté, butter, and pickled vegetables piled so high the bread can barely close. One sandwich can feed two people.

Cơm Tấm — Saigon’s Signature Dish

Broken rice (cơm tấm) is Saigon’s most important meal. Originally a poverty food — broken rice grains were cheaper than whole — it became the city’s defining plate. The standard order is cơm sườn bì chả: grilled pork chop, shredded pork skin, and steamed egg meatloaf on broken rice with fish sauce and pickled vegetables. Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền (District 3, Bib Gourmand) serves 3,000+ plates daily. Open 7 AM–9 PM, closed Tuesdays. 50,000–70,000₫.

Bánh Xèo 46A

The most famous bánh xèo in Saigon. At 46A Đinh Công Tráng in District 1, this Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant has been cooking enormous turmeric crepes since the 1970s. The bánh xèo arrives sizzling, loaded with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. Wrap pieces in lettuce leaves with herbs and dip in nước chấm. The southern version is much larger than the central Vietnamese style.

Phở — Saigon vs Hanoi

Saigon phở is different from Hanoi phở, and locals have strong opinions. Saigon broth is sweeter (rock sugar), cloudier, and served with a plate of herbs: Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime, hoisin sauce, and sriracha. Hanoi phở is cleaner, clearer, and served with just chilli and lime — purists say the broth should speak for itself. Both are excellent. Key HCMC phở restaurants:

• Phở Hoa (Pasteur Street, District 3) — Bib Gourmand, since 1968. Normal 90,000₫, large 105,000₫. Fluorescent lights, brusque service, extraordinary broth
• Phở Lê (Nguyễn Trãi, District 5) — Southern-style, 8-hour broth. Popular with locals. Wall Street Journal “crowd pleaser”
• Phở Quỳnh (Phạm Ngũ Lão) — 24-hour, near backpacker district. Try the phở bò kho (beef stew phở). 69,000₫
• Phở Minh — Bib Gourmand, since 1945. Traditional beef noodle soup, one of the oldest in the city

Coffee Culture

Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer (after Brazil), and the coffee culture in Saigon is unlike anywhere else. The default order is cà phê sửa đá: strong Vietnamese robusta coffee dripped through a phin filter into sweetened condensed milk, poured over ice. It’s intense, sweet, and addictive.

Vietnamese Coffee Styles

• Cà phê sửa đá — Iced coffee with condensed milk. The default. 20,000–35,000₫
• Cà phê đen đá — Black iced coffee (no milk). Stronger, more bitter. 15,000–25,000₫
• Bạc xỉu — White coffee: less condensed milk, more coffee. Saigon term (Hanoi calls it cà phê nâu)
• Cà phê trứng — Egg coffee: whipped egg yolk with condensed milk and coffee. Originally a Hanoi invention, now available at specialty shops in HCMC
• Cà phê cốt dừa — Coconut coffee: blended with coconut cream. Trendy, refreshing

Where to Drink

• The Workshop (District 1) — Saigon’s specialty coffee pioneer. Third-wave pour-overs, single-origin Vietnamese beans. Spacious industrial space on the 2nd floor. 65,000–120,000₫
• Shin Coffee — Quality arabica focus, multiple locations downtown. Specialty from 35,000₫. Three-storey flagship in District 1
• Cafe Apartment (42 Nguyễn Huệ) — An entire 1960s apartment building converted into 20+ tiny cafes across 9 floors. Each floor is different. The building itself is the attraction
• Cộng Cà Phê — Communist-themed chain with kitsch propaganda decor. Good coconut coffee. Tourist-friendly prices. Multiple locations

Michelin & Fine Dining

Vietnam’s Michelin Guide launched in 2023 covering Hanoi and HCMC. The 2025 guide (latest) features 181 establishments across Vietnam, with HCMC having the highest concentration. No 2- or 3-star restaurants yet — all are 1-star.

Bib Gourmand Highlights

HCMC has 24 Bib Gourmand restaurants — the most of any Vietnamese city. These are where you eat every day:

• Phở Hoa — Since 1968, Pasteur Street. The benchmark for Saigon phở
• Phở Minh — Since 1945. One of the oldest in the city
• Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền — 3,000 plates/day. Saigon’s broken rice champion
• Bánh Xèo 46A — Giant sizzling crepes since the 1970s
• Bún Bò Huế 14B — Only bún bò Huế on the list, District 4
• Xôi Gà Number One — Sticky rice with chicken and crispy shallots
• Bún Thịt Nướng Hoàng Văn — Charcoal-grilled pork vermicelli perfection

Districts & Where to Stay

District 1 (Tourist Centre)

Where most visitors stay. All the major sights (War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market), plus the backpacker quarter around Phạm Ngũ Lão/Bùi Viện and the upscale area around Đồng Khởi Street. Walkable, noisy, and full of life.

• Best for: First-time visitors, sightseeing, nightlife
• Budget: Hostel 150,000–300,000₫, hotel 800,000–2,000,000₫, luxury 3,000,000–10,000,000₫+

Cho Lon / District 5 (Chinatown)

Saigon’s Chinatown is one of the largest in the world. Thiên Hậu Pagoda, Bình Tây Market (the real wholesale market, far more authentic than Ben Thanh), Chinese herbal medicine streets, and some of the best Chinese-Vietnamese fusion food in the city. Less touristy, more raw.

• Best for: Food explorers, temple lovers, authentic markets
• Getting there: Metro Line 1 doesn’t reach here yet. Bus 1 from Ben Thanh or Grab (20,000–40,000₫ from D1)

District 3

Increasingly popular with visitors who want a local neighbourhood feel. Tree-lined streets, excellent cafés (The Workshop’s original location), and residential architecture mixing French colonial villas with Vietnamese shophouses. Good cơm tấm and phở restaurants. Walking distance to District 1.

• Best for: Repeat visitors, café culture, local atmosphere

Thảo Điền / District 2 (Thu Đức City)

Saigon’s expat hub across the river. International restaurants, craft beer bars, yoga studios, and a more relaxed pace. CieL (Michelin 1★) is here. Connected to District 1 by the Thu Thiêm tunnel and multiple bridges. Good for families and longer stays.

• Best for: Expat scene, international dining, families

District 4

Former working-class district becoming a food destination. The narrowest streets in HCMC, packed with seafood restaurants, hậu (oyster) spots, and Bún Bò Huế 14B (Bib Gourmand). Walking distance from District 1 across the bridge. Go for dinner, not accommodation.

Bình Thạnh (Landmark 81)

Home to Landmark 81 (461m) — Southeast Asia’s tallest building. The SkyView observation deck (420,000–810,000₫ depending on day/package) offers the best views. The Vincom Center mall at the base has luxury shopping. Pearl Plaza and Vinhomes Central Park give a sense of modern Saigon.

District 7 (Phú Mỹ Hưng)

A planned modern neighbourhood in the south. Korean and Japanese restaurants, international schools, spacious apartment living. Feels like a different city. Not for tourists unless you want to see what “new Saigon” looks like.

Nightlife

Bùi Viện Walking Street

Saigon’s backpacker strip closes to traffic after 7 PM on weekends and becomes a chaotic, neon-lit party. Bia hơi (fresh beer) from 15,000–25,000₫, cheap cocktails, loud music from competing bars, and plastic stools on the pavement. It’s messy and fun if you’re in the mood. Not for a quiet drink.

Rooftop Bars

• Chill Skybar (26th floor, AB Tower) — Saigon’s most famous rooftop. 360° views, international DJs, chic crowd. Cocktails 150,000–250,000₫. Smart-casual dress code
• Saigon Saigon Bar (Caravelle Hotel, 9th floor) — Historic rooftop where war correspondents filed their stories. More refined, live music, classic cocktails. 200,000–350,000₫
• Social Club (Hotel des Arts) — Creative cocktails, refined atmosphere, stunning views

Craft Beer

HCMC has a growing craft beer scene. BiaCraft (District 1) is the OG craft beer bar with 30+ taps. Heart of Darkness (behind Bitexco) brews on-site and has a great vibe. East West Brewing (District 1) is a full brewpub with food. Pasteur Street Brewing started in Saigon and now has multiple taprooms. Craft pints: 80,000–150,000₫.

Day Trips

Cu Chi Tunnels

The 250 km tunnel network used by the Việt Cộng during the American War, 70 km northwest of HCMC. Two sites open to visitors: Bến Dược (more authentic, less crowded) and Bến Đình (more tourist-oriented). Entry 125,000₫ at both sites. You can crawl through widened tunnel sections, see booby trap displays, and fire AK-47s or M16s (extra charge, ~60,000₫/bullet).

• Getting there: Organised tour from ~800,000₫ (half-day, includes transport and guide). Public bus 13 to Cu Chi town + xe ôm to tunnels (cheapest but slowest). Grab: ~400,000–500,000₫ each way
• Tip: Go early (7 AM) to beat the heat and crowds. Wear closed shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. The tunnels are genuinely claustrophobic

Mekong Delta (Mỹ Tho & Bến Tre)

The standard day trip covers Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre: motorboat on the Mekong, sampan through narrow canals, visits to coconut candy workshops, honey farms, fruit orchards, and a delta-style lunch. Tours from ~750,000–1,500,000₫ per person including transport, guide, and lunch. 2 hours from HCMC.

Vũng Tàu

Beach town 2 hours from HCMC by hydrofoil (Greenlines, from ~250,000₫ one way). The beach is decent, the seafood is good, and it’s where Saigon’s locals go on weekends. Christ statue (32m, taller than Rio’s), lighthouse, Whale Temple, White Palace. Better as an overnight than a day trip.

Cao Đài Temple (Tây Ninh)

The surreal Holy See of Caodaism — a syncretic religion fusing Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam, founded in 1926. The temple (1955) is architecturally extraordinary: painted dragons, the all-seeing eye, and a colour scheme that would make a Las Vegas designer blush. Noon prayer ceremony is the highlight. 100 km from HCMC.

Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere

UNESCO-recognised mangrove reserve 50 km south of HCMC. Monkey Island, Hoa Ca crocodile reserve, and kayaking through mangrove channels. Full-day tours from ~750,000₫. A good option if you want nature without travelling far.

Getting Around

Metro Line 1 (NEW — Opened December 2024)

Saigon’s first metro line finally opened on December 22, 2024, after years of delays. The Bến Thành–Suối Tiên line runs 19.7 km with 3 underground stations (Bến Thành, Opera House, Ba Son) and 11 elevated stations. It’s clean, air-conditioned, and transformative for a city that previously relied entirely on motorbikes and taxis.

Airport to District 1

Getting Around the City

• Grab — The default for tourists. GrabCar (4-seater) for most trips, GrabBike for fast solo travel. District 1 to District 3: ~30,000–50,000₫. Always agree the Grab price in-app before getting in
• Xe ôm (motorbike taxi) — Traditional option. Cheaper than Grab but agree price first. Helmets provided but driving style may terrify you
• Walking — District 1 is walkable, but crossing the street is an art form. Walk steadily at a constant pace — the motorbikes will flow around you. Do NOT stop suddenly or run
• Cyclo — Tourist tricycles. Atmospheric but overpriced. Agree fare before — 100,000–200,000₫ for a ride around District 1

Practical Information

Visa

E-visa: Available to all nationalities, 90 days, single or multiple entry. Apply at evisa.immigration.gov.vn. Visa-free: 45 days for 25+ countries (expanded August 2025 to include 12 more EU countries). The 30-day gap between visa-free entries has been removed — you can re-enter immediately.

VNDAC (Digital Arrival Card)

Mandatory from May 1, 2025. All foreign visitors must complete the Vietnam Digital Arrival Card online 1–7 days before arrival. Free of charge via the official portal (thithucdientu.gov.vn). This replaces the old paper arrival/departure form.

Currency & Payments

Vietnamese Đồng (VND/₫). $1 ≈ 26,000₫ (April 2026). Cash is king for street food, markets, and small shops. Cards accepted at hotels, malls, and mid-range+ restaurants. ATMs everywhere but charge 30,000–65,000₫ per withdrawal. Use Techcombank or VP Bank ATMs for lower fees.

Safety

HCMC is generally safe for tourists. The main risks are bag snatching (motorbike thieves grabbing phones and bags — keep bags on the inside of the pavement, don’t use your phone while walking near the road) and traffic (crossing the street requires faith). Petty scams at tourist markets — normal precautions. Violent crime against tourists is rare.

Weather

Two seasons: dry (December–April, 30–35°C) and wet (May–November, 28–33°C with afternoon downpours). The rain is intense but brief — typically 30–60 minutes in the afternoon, then it clears. Best time: December–March (dry, slightly cooler). Avoid Tet (Vietnamese New Year, February) unless you want to experience the holiday but accept that many restaurants/shops close for a week.

SIM & Connectivity

Buy a Vietnamese SIM at the airport: Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone. ~100,000₫ for 30 days with 3–5GB/day. 4G/5G coverage is excellent in the city. Free Wi-Fi in most cafés and restaurants.

Tipping

Not expected or customary. Some upscale restaurants add a 5–10% service charge. Rounding up taxi fares is appreciated but not required. Never tip at street food stalls.

Budget Guide

What’s New in 2026

• Metro Line 1 operational — opened December 22, 2024. Bến Thành to Suối Tiên, 19.7 km, 14 stations. Fares 7,000–20,000₫. The city’s first mass transit. Nikkei Award winner 2025
• VNDAC mandatory — Vietnam Digital Arrival Card required for all foreign visitors from May 1, 2025. Free, completed online 1–7 days before arrival
• Visa expansion — 45-day visa-free extended to 12 more EU countries (August 2025). 30-day gap between entries eliminated. E-visa now 90 days for all nationalities
• Michelin 2025 — CieL and Coco Dining earn 1 star (HCMC’s newest starred restaurants). 24 Bib Gourmands in HCMC
• Notre-Dame renovation — extended to 2027. Exterior viewable, interior closed except for worship services
• Cu Chi Tunnels price increase — standardised at 125,000₫ for foreign visitors (up from 110,000₫)
• Landmark 81 SkyView — weekend/holiday pricing increased to 500,000–810,000₫. Weekdays remain more affordable at 420,000₫
• Tết 2026: Vietnamese New Year falls on February 17 (Year of the Horse). Many businesses close for a week. Expect crowd surges before and after

Explore More

If you’re flying to Vietnam, check our other Southeast Asian guides:

• Hanoi City Guide 2026 — Old Quarter, egg coffee, phở bò, Hạ Long Bay day trips
• Bangkok City Guide 2026 — Street food capital, temples, rooftop bars
• Singapore City Guide 2026 — Hawker centres, Gardens by the Bay, Michelin street food

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ho Chi Minh City worth visiting in 2026?

Absolutely. The new Metro Line 1 has made getting around easier, the Michelin Guide has put the food scene on the global map (5 starred restaurants, 24 Bib Gourmands), and the city remains one of the cheapest major destinations in Asia. You can eat world-class food for $3 a meal. The energy, the history, and the street life are unlike anywhere else.

How many days do I need?

Three to five days. Day 1: District 1 sights (War Remnants, Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame exterior, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh). Day 2: Food crawl (phở, bánh mì, cơm tấm, bánh xèo) + coffee culture + Cho Lon. Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels or Mekong Delta. Day 4–5: Deeper food exploration, nightlife, District 4 seafood, cooking class.

Is HCMC safe?

Generally safe. Main risks: bag snatching from motorbikes (keep bags on the inside, don’t use phone near the road), traffic (crossing streets requires a steady pace — don’t stop or run), and tourist market scams. Violent crime against tourists is rare. Bùi Viện is safe but chaotic at night.

Should I call it Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon?

Locals call it “Sài Gòn” in conversation. Officially it’s Ho Chi Minh City (renamed 1976). The airport code is SGN. Tan Son Nhat is the airport name. “HCMC” is the common abbreviation. Use whichever you like — everyone understands both.

What should I eat first?

Walk to a cơm tấm restaurant and order cơm sườn bì chả (50,000–70,000₫). Then find a street-side cà phê sửa đá (25,000₫). For dinner, queue at Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa (73,000₫) or go to Bánh Xèo 46A. Total cost: under 200,000₫ ($8) for three extraordinary meals and a coffee.

How do I cross the street?

Walk at a steady, constant pace. Do not stop. Do not run. Do not hesitate. The motorbikes will flow around you like water around a rock. Make eye contact with oncoming bikes when possible. Start with quiet streets and build confidence. It genuinely works — the first crossing is terrifying, the tenth is routine.

Can I use the new metro?

Yes. Metro Line 1 (Bến Thành–Suối Tiên) opened December 2024. Useful for reaching Landmark 81 and eastern districts. It doesn’t reach the airport, Cho Lon, or most tourist areas. Day pass 40,000₫. For most visitors, Grab is still the primary transport.

When is the best time to visit?

December–March: dry season, slightly cooler (30–32°C), best weather. Avoid Tết (February 17, 2026) unless you want the holiday experience — many businesses close for a week. The wet season (May–November) brings dramatic afternoon downpours but they’re brief. HCMC is a year-round destination.