

Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City: Attractions and Activities

By TaraKai
July 20, 2026

Ho Chi Minh City is a great destination for Filipino travelers who enjoy food, history, shopping, nightlife, cafés, and city views. Many popular attractions are close together in the city center, while the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta are easy to visit on day trips.
Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City: Quick Guide
Activity | Best For | Location | Suggested Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Independence Palace | History and architecture | City center | 1 to 2 hours |
War Remnants Museum | History and museums | District 3 | 1 to 2 hours |
Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral | Architecture and photos | District 1 | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
Ben Thanh Market | Shopping, food, and souvenirs | District 1 | 1 to 2 hours |
Nguyen Hue Walking Street | Evening walks and photos | District 1 | 1 to 2 hours |
Saigon Skydeck | City and sunset views | District 1 | 1 hour |
Landmark 81 | Skyline views and shopping | Binh Thanh | 2 to 3 hours |
Saigon River Cruise | Couples, families, and night views | Saigon River | 1 to 3 hours |
A O Show | Culture and live performances | Saigon Opera House | Around 1 hour |
Ho Chi Minh City Food Tour | Vietnamese food and local streets | Different districts | 3 to 4 hours |
PHP estimates use an exchange rate of around 1 PHP to 426 VND. Actual rates may change.
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1. Explore Independence Palace

Independence Palace is one of the most important historical attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Visitors can explore meeting rooms, underground bunkers, old communication equipment, government offices, and the palace grounds. Audio guides and guided tours may also be available.
About Independence Palace
Opening Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Location: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ho Chi Minh City
Cost: 80,000 VND for adult general admission, around PHP 188
Best For: History, architecture, and first-time visitors
The current admission includes the palace and the exhibition about its history. A palace-only ticket is also available for 40,000 VND. Official visiting information
2. Visit the War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum contains photographs, documents, military vehicles, aircraft, and exhibits connected to the Vietnam War. Some displays are emotional and may not be suitable for young children, but the museum provides important historical context.
About the War Remnants Museum
Opening Hours: Daily, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Location: 28 Vo Van Tan Street, Ho Chi Minh City
Cost: 40,000 VND for adults, around PHP 94
Best For: History lovers, museums, and educational visits
Try to allow at least one to two hours. The official museum website lists daily opening hours, while ticket sales normally end before closing.
3. See Saigon Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral

Saigon Central Post Office

Notre-Dame Cathedral
Saigon Central Post Office is one of the city’s most photographed buildings. Inside, you can see its high ceiling, old maps, yellow walls, souvenir stalls, and working postal counters.
Notre-Dame Cathedral is located just across the road. The cathedral is still undergoing restoration in 2026, with work expected to continue into 2027 or later, so exterior views and visitor access may be limited. Restoration update
About Saigon Central Post Office
Opening Hours: Usually from morning until early evening
Location: 2 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ho Chi Minh City
Cost: Free entry
Best For: Architecture, photos, and short sightseeing stops
Visit early in the morning if you want fewer people in your photos. Ho Chi Minh City Book Street is also nearby.
4. Shop and Eat at Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market is a popular place to buy Vietnamese coffee, dried fruit, handicrafts, clothes, bags, spices, snacks, and souvenirs. Food stalls inside also serve pho, spring rolls, rice dishes, desserts, and fresh fruit drinks.
About Ben Thanh Market
Opening Hours: Day market usually operates around 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Nearby evening stalls may remain open later
Location: Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh area, Ho Chi Minh City
Cost: Free entry
Best For: Shopping, local food, and souvenirs
Ask for the price before ordering or buying. Bargaining is common at some souvenir and clothing stalls, but remain polite and compare prices before paying.
5. Walk Along Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a wide public area surrounded by hotels, restaurants, cafés, shops, and old buildings. It becomes busier in the evening when locals come for walks, photos, performances, and street food.
The Café Apartment at 42 Nguyen Hue is one of the most popular stops. The building contains small cafés, dessert shops, and restaurants on different floors.
About Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Opening Hours: Open all day. Cafés and shops have separate schedules
Location: Nguyen Hue Boulevard, Ho Chi Minh City
Cost: Free to explore
Best For: Evening walks, cafés, street photos, and people-watching
The area is close to the Saigon Opera House, City Hall, Bach Dang Wharf, and Metro Line 1’s Opera House Station.
6. Enjoy City Views at Saigon Skydeck

Saigon Skydeck is located on the 49th floor of Bitexco Financial Tower. From the observation deck, visitors can see the Saigon River, city buildings, roads, and nearby districts.
Visit in the late afternoon to see the city during daylight, sunset, and early evening. Opening hours may change, so check the selected date before booking.
About Saigon Skydeck
Opening Hours: Daily hours vary. Last admission is usually around 45 minutes before closing
Location: Bitexco Financial Tower, 36 Ho Tung Mau Street, Ho Chi Minh City
Cost: Usually around 200,000 to 250,000 VND, approximately PHP 470 to PHP 590
Best For: City views, sunset, couples, and photography
7. Visit Landmark 81 and Vinhomes Central Park

Landmark 81 SkyView offers wide views from the upper floors of one of Vietnam’s tallest buildings. The surrounding complex has a shopping mall, restaurants, cafés, and Vinhomes Central Park beside the Saigon River.
About Landmark 81
Opening Hours: Usually around 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Location: 720A Dien Bien Phu Street, Binh Thanh area, Ho Chi Minh City
Cost: Ticket prices vary by date and package
Best For: Skyline views, shopping, families, and sunset photos
You can reach the area using Metro Line 1 and get off at Tan Cang Station. Visit the park for free if you do not plan to enter the observation deck.
8. Take a Saigon River Cruise

A Saigon River cruise is a relaxing way to see the city skyline. Available options include affordable water bus rides, sightseeing cruises, sunset cruises, speedboat trips, and dinner cruises with live entertainment.
About Saigon River Cruises
Opening Hours: Departure times depend on the cruise operator
Location: Bach Dang Wharf and other river piers
Cost: From around 15,000 VND for selected water bus trips. Dinner cruises and private tours cost more
Best For: Couples, families, city views, and evening activities
Book a sunset or dinner schedule if you want to see Landmark 81, Bitexco Tower, and other buildings light up after dark.
9. Watch the A O Show at Saigon Opera House

The A O Show combines acrobatics, contemporary dance, traditional music, bamboo props, and stories about life in Vietnam. It is performed at the historic Saigon Opera House on selected dates.
About the A O Show
Opening Hours: Show dates and starting times vary
Location: Saigon Opera House, 7 Cong Truong Lam Son Street, Ho Chi Minh City
Cost: Ticket prices depend on the seating category
Best For: Culture, live shows, couples, and families with older children
The performance lasts around one hour without an interval. Check the official show calendar before arranging your evening itinerary.
10. Join a Ho Chi Minh City Food Tour

A food tour is a good way to try Vietnamese dishes while exploring streets outside the main tourist areas. Depending on the tour, you may travel by walking, scooter, or private vehicle.
Popular foods to try include pho, banh mi, com tam, banh xeo, fresh spring rolls, Vietnamese coffee, and local desserts.
About Ho Chi Minh City Food Tours
Opening Hours: Most tours start in the late afternoon or evening
Location: Routes may cover District 1, District 3, District 4, and nearby areas
Cost: Depends on the tour, transport, and food included
Best For: Food lovers, first-time visitors, and small groups
Check whether hotel pickup, food, drinks, helmets, and insurance are included before booking.
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More Things to Do Near Ho Chi Minh City
Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels are an underground network used during wartime. Visitors can enter selected tunnel sections, see hidden entrances, learn how people lived underground, and explore historical displays.
Opening Hours: Usually daily, around 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Cu Chi area, outside central Ho Chi Minh City
Cost: Entrance and tour prices vary. Check whether admission is included in your package
Best For: History, outdoor activities, and half-day trips
Travel time from the city center can take around 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic and the tunnel site.
Take a Mekong Delta Day Trip

A Mekong Delta tour commonly includes a boat ride, small village visits, tropical fruit, local food, coconut products, and a rowing boat experience. My Tho and Ben Tre are among the most common destinations for day tours from Ho Chi Minh City.
Opening Hours: Most tours leave early in the morning
Location: My Tho, Ben Tre, and other Mekong Delta areas
Cost: Depends on transport, meals, activities, and group size
Best For: Nature, boat rides, local culture, and full-day trips
Visit Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve

Can Gio is a good day-trip choice for travelers who want nature and wildlife. Activities may include mangrove boat rides, monkey viewing, seafood stops, and visits to historical areas.
Opening Hours: Attraction hours vary
Location: Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City
Cost: Depends on transport, entrance tickets, and activities
Best For: Nature, families, wildlife, and outdoor trips
Secure Your Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
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Suggested One-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
Morning: Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum
Lunch: Vietnamese food near District 1
Afternoon: Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Sunset: Saigon Skydeck or Landmark 81
Evening: Saigon River cruise, A O Show, or a street food tour
Tips for Filipino Travelers in Ho Chi Minh City
- Use Grab for convenient car and motorbike bookings. Check the vehicle plate before entering.
- Metro Line 1 is useful for reaching Ben Thanh, the Opera House area, and Tan Cang near Landmark 81.
- Keep small Vietnamese dong notes for markets, food stalls, and small purchases.
- Be careful with your phone and bag near busy streets and markets.
- Cross roads slowly and predictably. Avoid making sudden movements in front of motorbikes.
- Wear light clothes and comfortable shoes because the weather is usually warm and humid.
- Bring an umbrella during the rainy season, generally from May to November.
- Philippine passport holders can currently visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 21 days, but always check the latest entry rules before departure.
- Complete the required Philippine eTravel registration within 72 hours before departure and before returning to the Philippines.
- Buy a Vietnam eSIM before arriving so you can use Grab, maps, and translation apps immediately.
FAQs: Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
-
What is Ho Chi Minh City best known for?
Ho Chi Minh City is known for Vietnamese food, historical museums, French-style buildings, busy markets, cafés, nightlife, river views, and nearby attractions such as the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta. -
How many days do I need in Ho Chi Minh City?
Three to four days is a good starting point. Spend two days exploring the city and use another day for the Cu Chi Tunnels or Mekong Delta. -
Is Ho Chi Minh City expensive for Filipino travelers?
Ho Chi Minh City can be affordable. Local meals, public transport, museums, and coffee are reasonably priced, while observation decks, dinner cruises, and private tours cost more. -
What are the best free things to do in Ho Chi Minh City?
Free activities include visiting Nguyen Hue Walking Street, exploring Ben Thanh Market, seeing the Central Post Office, walking around Vinhomes Central Park, and enjoying the Saigon River from Bach Dang Wharf. -
What can I do in Ho Chi Minh City at night?
You can walk along Nguyen Hue Street, take a Saigon River cruise, visit a rooftop bar, join a food tour, watch the A O Show, explore Bui Vien Walking Street, or see the skyline from Landmark 81.
Related products
Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
- ● Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City: Quick Guide
- ● 1. Explore Independence Palace
- ● 2. Visit the War Remnants Museum
- ● 3. See Saigon Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral
- ● 4. Shop and Eat at Ben Thanh Market
- ● 5. Walk Along Nguyen Hue Walking Street
- ● 6. Enjoy City Views at Saigon Skydeck
- ● 7. Visit Landmark 81 and Vinhomes Central Park
- ● 8. Take a Saigon River Cruise
- ● 9. Watch the A O Show at Saigon Opera House
- ● 10. Join a Ho Chi Minh City Food Tour
- ● More Things to Do Near Ho Chi Minh City
- ● Suggested One-Day Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
- ● Tips for Filipino Travelers in Ho Chi Minh City
- ● FAQs: Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
I enjoy exploring new destinations, testing travel products, and sharing useful travel tips that help Filipino travelers enjoy smoother and more comfortable trips.
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