17 Unique Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) is a daunting destination for first-time visitors. Not only is this place massive – it has an estimated population of 12-13 million – but it’s chaotic and frenetic. On top of that, it’s not always easy to get information about what to actually do in this city. When I first visited HCMC as a backpacker, I ticked off all the Lonely Planet’s major recommendations of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City: the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Bui Vien Walking Street (aka backpacker street) and the Benh Than Market. But honestly, I didn’t really know what else to do. So I did what most travelers do – I left after three days.

I can fully understand why most travelers opt to either spend a few fleeting days in the city or choose to skip Saigon altogether. But now that I’ve had the chance to live here for the better part of a year, I can honestly say that this city is well worth spending a chunk of time in. There are countless things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. From hidden speakeasies and cafes to some of the world’s best food to incense-filled pagodas, there’s more than enough activities and attractions to keep you entertained for days on end. You just have to know where to look – and luckily I’m here to help!

My intention for this guide is to focus on areas that most tourists don’t know about. And while many of the things I list are popular, they might not be known among total newbies. These are the places I recommend to my family and friends who visit. With that said, I still recommend hitting up all the major hot spots I mentioned above. I just feel like most guides only focus on those attractions, so there’s no real need for me to go into them here.

Anyway, if you’re bound for HCMC and already feeling confused, here’s my insider’s guide on unique things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

17 Unique Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Explore the Shops in 14 Ton That Dam

I have a thing for old, M.C. Escher-esque buildings. Lucky for me, Saigon is full of them. I found this baby while exploring the nooks and crannies of the tourist center of District 1. It’s a bit hidden and it feels kinda awkward to walk inside an area where people actually live, but it’s well worth seeking out and exploring this beautifully rundown apartment complex.

Once you get inside, it is a bit mazelike but you will find all sorts of cool bars, boutiques and cafes hidden in what honestly feels like an abandoned building/perfect setting for a horror movie. To get inside just walk up the dark stairway to your right. Otherwise, you might not figure out how to reach the actual shops.

2. Take Photos of Tan Dinh Church (aka Pink Church)

This church is perhaps the most festive one I’ve ever laid eyes on. With its flamboyant pink paint job, it’s no wonder why this church is one of the most Instagrammable places in Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Dinh Church is located in District 3 (which is about a 15-minute drive from District 1) but if you like quirky buildings, it’s well worth journeying out there. Make sure to take a peek inside the church too because it’s even more colorful than the outside! Fun fact: The church was built in the 1870s but was refurbished and repainted in a vibrant shade of pink in 1957. Why? I’m not exactly sure.

3. Seek Out Saigon’s Hidden Cocktail Bars

HCMC has so many cools bars and speakeasies, but they’re not always easy to find. The only reason I’ve visited most of them is because my in-the-know Vietnamese friends take me to them. You can expect all the traditional cocktails, but from my experience, many of these bars also serve really unique drinks that incorporate untraditional ingredients. Sure I’ve had martinis and Moscow Mules, but I’ve also sipped cocktails that feature peanut butter (kinda yum), spicy peppers (super yum), dill and coconut water (not at all yum) and so much more. Some of them were awful but most were shockingly amazing and the atmosphere of these places is always really cool. Here’s a great guide to Saigon’s hidden bars.

4. Get Lost in Cholon (Saigon’s Chinatown)

Did you know that Ho Chi Minh City is home to Vietnam’s largest Chinatown? Before I moved to HCMC I spent nearly three years living in Beijing, China, so I was super excited when I found out about it. I spent an entire day wandering around Cholon when I first got here. And I must say, being in Chinatown gave me all sorts of warm, fuzzy feelings. Red lanterns, ornate temples, dim sum…it felt so familiar! This place is huge and there’s no way to take it all in during one visit. But it’s well worth exploring if you have the time.

5. Visit Saigon’s Incense-Filled Temples

Speaking of Chinatown, Cholon is also home to some of the city’s most picturesque Buddhist temples. I recommend taking the 20-minute taxi ride from District 1 to Cholon (District 5) for the temples alone. I’ve been to Thien Hau Temple, Nghia An Hoi Quan Pagoda and Ong Bon Pagoda, which I highly recommend. However, there are so many more I have yet to explore. If you’re interested in going temple hopping in Cholon, here is a great guide.

And if you’re interested in delving into Saigon’s various religious sites — including mosques, Caodaist temples and Hindu temples, Saigon Religions Tour by Motorbike might be the perfect option. And it’s on the back of a motorbike, which always makes things more exciting!! It not only stops off in Cholon but takes you to a few other far-flung districts as well.

6. Photograph and Explore The Cafe Apartment

“The Cafe Apartment” (aka 42 Nguyen Hue) is not really a secret but I always recommend a visit to anyone who’s stopping off in the city. This decaying nine-story complex once housed American military officers during the Vietnam War. Fast forward 60 years and dozens of boutiques, cafes and restaurants now occupy the former apartment units. Exploring the halls and different shops is super fun. And the views from the ninth floor are pretty great. Also, make sure to check out the exterior from the Nguyen Hue Walking Street, which is right across the street. There’s a good reason this building is the most Instagrammable place in town.

7. Sip on Craft Beer

The craft beer scene in Ho Chi Minh City is booming. It seems like every month, there’s a new place serving up super unique brews around town. I haven’t tried them all but I have been to a handful of them. One of my favorite spots is the rooftop terrace of Pasteur Street Brewing Company. Like so many craft breweries in HCMC, Pasteur incorporates ingredients from different areas of Vietnam into their beers – think pepper from Phu Quoc Island and Marou chocolate from Tien Giang. My all-time favorite beer here in HCMC is their ultra-tart Passionfruit Wheat Ale (which is also available in a canned version in some convenient stores around town!).

8. Eat Pho But Eat All the Other Things Too

OK, OK, I know Vietnam is famous for pho but there are so many other noodle soups and dishes to try. Definitely get some pho but don’t be afraid to sample other foods too. Since I’m a vegetarian, things are more limited for me. But carnivores, get out there and eat because this city has some amazing options. For a super comprehensive guide to Saigon’s street food check out this post by Jodi at Legal Nomads. Unlike me, she eats meat and she knows what’s up when it comes to Vietnamese food. If you’re a vegetarian, you’re in luck because I wrote a whole guide to Saigon’s best vegetarian restaurants.

9. Take in the View from a Rooftop Bar

When most tourists visit HCMC, they visit the observation deck on the 49^th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower (the second-highest building in HCMC). Honestly, I still haven’t made it up there. I suppose the VND200,000 ($10) fee just turned me off from it. But I do love a good view and luckily there are tons of great rooftop bars in the city where you can take in the view with a fruity cocktail in hand. Chill Skybar is the most high-end rooftop bar in town, though do be aware that there is a dress code. Alternately Shri Bar offers panoramic views of the city and is much more mellow. There are a bunch of options though. Here is a great guide written by the amazing Vietnam Coracle.

10. Stroll Along the Saigon River

I’ll be honest. HCMC is crazy, chaotic and really, really loud. But there are hidden areas around the city that are kinda peaceful. It took me a few months to find the little pedestrian pathway that lines the Saigon River but it’s right downtown and it’s super convenient for visitors. The walkway is a great place to go for a jog or a lazy stroll. There are also little exercise machines that many older Vietnamese people use during the evenings when things cool off. Plus, you get to glimpse life on the river.

11. Snap a Selfie at Mong Bridge (aka Rainbow Bridge)

Gustave Eiffel (yes, the man behind the Eiffel Tower) built this bridge in Saigon in 1882. Though it was once used for vehicles, it is now a pedestrian-only bridge that spans the river and links District 1 with District 4. In recent years it’s become a super popular spot to snap wedding photos and selfies. It’s located right downtown, just down the street from Bitexco Tower. It’s also a great starting off point to the Saigon River pedestrian pathway (see above).

12. Chow Down at the Ben Thanh Street Food Market

The Ben Thanh Market is one of the more famous tourist attractions in HCMC and I’ve been there a bunch of times. But what I didn’t realize is that the Ben Thanh Street Food Market is located a block away. Seriously, it took me months of living here before I stumbled across this place. The Benthanh Street Food Market is an ultra-hip dining hall that consists of dozens of trendy eateries cooking up everything from Vietnamese to Mexican to Vegan southern comfort food (they have fried “chicken”!!). There’s no shortage of food options in HCMC, but if you’re visiting the Ben Thanh Market and looking for a unique place to stuff your face, this place is definitely worth a visit.

13. Take a River Cruise

For those who don’t know, HCMC is located on a bunch of rivers. Because of how industrial the area is I didn’t really have high hopes for a river tour, but it was actually really cool. Not only was I able to finally escape the bubble that is the tourist center of District 1, but I was able to glimpse all sorts of different areas of the city – from the undeveloped District 9 to the more posh District 2. The tour was super educational and really opened my mind up to how big and varied this city is and just how rapidly it’s developing. Plus, I have a thing for boats and there was unlimited free beer and locally grown cashews. I highly recommend the river tour I did — the Saigon Sunset Cruise Experience.

14. Marvel at the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City has a surprising number of churches and they are really pretty! Although the Pink Church (see above) is the most colorful of the bunch, the Notre-Dame Cathedral is the most iconic. It was completed in 1880 by French colonists. Fun fact: Rumor has it that the statue of the Virgin Mary (located in front of the church) shed tears in 2005, causing people to flock to the cathedral. Anyway, this is just one of the many amazing buildings to see when visiting HCMC.

15. Send a Postcard at the Saigon Central Post Office

Like the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office is yet another ultra-touristy thing to do. It’s literally right across from the Notre-Dame Cathedral, so it’s definitely worth dropping in. It might be a tourist attraction but the Post Office is fully functional. It’s actually kind of funny to watch all the tourists taking photos while the employees help people mail and ship their letters and goods. I’ve heard it’s actually a very efficient place to ship trinkets back home from. My friend shipped a propaganda poster back to California. It took a while, but was super cheap and did get there! Another friend suggests sending postcards from the Post Office, which is a fun way to let family and friends back home keep up with your travels.

16. Visit Book Street

Just down the street for the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Post Office is what has been dubbed “Book Street.” If you’re in the area it’s definitely worth taking a stroll down the cute, quiet and pedestrian-friendly street. Located on Nguyen Van Binh, the alley is basically lined with bookshops and vendors selling cute trinkets and, of course, books. There are also a few cafes in case you want to take a break from sightseeing and do a little reading…or coffee drinking.

17. Get a Caffeine Fix at a Saigon Cafe

Vietnam is famous for its coffee so it’s not really a shocker that HCMC would have a kickass cafe culture. But seriously, the cafes here are off-the-charts awesome. As a freelance writer and someone who works remotely, it’s really nice to have so many options when it comes to different places to work from. Plus, I love coffee and tea, so it’s a win-win for me.

I wrote a whole article dedicated to where to find the best cold brews in HCMC. But the article also highlights some of the hippest coffee shops in the city, from Vietnam Coffee Republic to The Workshop to [a] Coffee Shop. There are also plenty of coffee shops hidden in old apartment buildings. You honestly can never predict when you’re going to stumble across a hip cafe in this town, but rest assured it will be often.

So what do you say: Does Ho Chi Minh City seem like the type of city you’d like to visit?