9 best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City you don’t want to miss

9 best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City you don’t want to miss

From temples and history museums to underground tunnels, these are the top attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh City, perfectly blends history, culture, and cuisine. Known as a focal point during the Vietnam War, the city has plenty of history, museums and landmarks to explore. But that’s not all — there are so many things to do in Ho Chi Minh City with it also boasting colorful temples, authentic entertainment, and tasty street food. Top attractions in thecity include the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre, the Ben Thanh Market, and much more, and this guide fills you in on all the best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City’s top places to visit at a glance

The top sights in Ho Chi Minh City for history lovers: Cu Chi Tunnels and the War Remnants Museum.

Best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City with kids: Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater, and Ben Thanh Market.

The best places to go for art in Ho Chi Minh City: Cao Dai Temple and the Municipal Theatre.

Top attractions in Ho Chi Minh City for spectacular views: Bitexco Financial Tower and Landmark 81.

Best places in Ho Chi Minh City for history

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Photo: Quý Nguyễn

With over 20,000 exhibits the War Remnants Museum provides a sobering insight into Vietnam's past

1. War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum is a sobering but fascinating visit for history lovers. With a focus on the Vietnam War and the Vietnamese people, the museum offers invaluable insight with over 20,000 exhibits, including artillery, armor, artifacts, photographs, and historical documents.

Highlights

The ground floor contains an interesting collection of historical posters and photographs from around the globe supporting the anti-war movement.

Address and opening hours

Phường 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City 700000. Open daily, 7:30 AM–5:30 PM.

Discover the War Remnants Museum and more

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Photo: Christian Haugen

The Cu Chi Tunnel network was used by the Viet Cong soldiers

2. Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels are a vast underground network used by Viet Cong soldiers during the war. Exploring this historic place gives you a peek into Vietnamese history and you get a glimpse into what the soldiers who lived and worked in the tunnels went through.

Best time to go

Vietnam's dry season is from December to April, when lower humidity and less rainfall make it easier to explore the tunnels. This is also the peak tourist season. To avoid crowds, explore the Cu Chi Tunnels on weekdays.

Address and opening hours

Phú Hiệp, Củ Chi, Ho Chi Minh City. Open daily, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels

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For an encompassing dive into the history of Ho Chi Minh City visit the Museum of Vietnamese History

3. Museum of Vietnamese History

With over 43,000 documents and artifacts spanning thousands of years available, the Museum of Vietnamese History, aka HCMC History Museum, is one of the best attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Visitors can take a deep dive into the history and culture of the city and its surrounding region all in one location.

Highlights

One unique exhibit is the mummified body of Xom Cai, a female aristocrat believed to be a relative of the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty. The preserved body discovered in a tomb reveals the burial customs of the 19th century.

Address and Opening Hours

2 Đ. Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 8:00 AM–11:30 AM, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM; Mondays, closed.

Explore the Museum of Vietnamese History

Best places in Ho Chi Minh City for art

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The Cai Dai Temple is a place of worship for the 3rd largest religion in the city

4. Cao Dai Temple

Caodaism is the third-largest religion in Ho Chi Minh City, after Buddhism and Roman Catholicism. It originated in 1926 in Southern Vietnam. The Cao Dai Temple, also known as Tay Ninh Holy See, is an ornate architectural masterpiece. It’s a vibrant and colorful building where worshipers wear white robes.

Insider tip

Spot the "divine eye,” the official symbol of Caodaism. There are over 50 throughout the temple, including on the blue globe in the central chamber.

Address and opening hours

Phạm Hộ Pháp, TT. Hoà Thành, Hoà Thành, Tây Ninh 80606. Open daily, 24 hours.

Learn more about the Cao Dai Temple

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The Saigon Opera House hosts many performances including dance and musicals

5. Municipal Theatre, Ho Chi Minh City

The Municipal Theatre, or Saigon Opera House, is one of the best places in Ho Chi Minh City to see local entertainment. The 1898 building hosts many top shows, including contemporary dance and musical performances.

Highlights

One of the venue's most popular shows, the Vietnamese Bamboo Circus, combines circus performance art with live music and bamboo to showcase Vietnamese culture, and it's one of the top attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.

Address and opening hours

07 Công trường Lam Sơn, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 710212. Showtimes vary.

Discover the Municipal Theater, Ho Chi Minh City

Best places in Ho Chi Minh City for families

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The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater dates back to the 11th century

6. Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater

The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater is the largest water puppet theater in the city. The whimsical yet traditional Vietnamese art dates back to the 11th century. Stories are told through music and live puppeteers standing in water throughout the 45-minute event.

Insider tip

Book tickets in advance. The box office sometimes sells out.

Address and opening hours

55B Đ. Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh. Showtimes vary.

Visit the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater

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The Ben Thanh Market has over 1,500 booths with food and crafts

7. Ben Thanh Market

Family members of all ages will find treasures at the Ben Thanh Market, which has close to 1,500 booths and is famous for its buzzing atmosphere, traditional cuisine, spices, and handicrafts. Visitors can try a variety of street foods, like banh mi (savory-filled baguette) and dragon fruit smoothies, while shopping for the ultimate souvenirs.

Insider tip

Haggling is common practice, so get into the spirit of negotiation.

Address and opening hours

Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Open Monday–Sunday, 6:00 AM–6:00 PM. The Night Market runs from 6:00 PM–10:00 PM.

Explore the Ben Thanh Market

Best places in Ho Chi Minh City for views

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Visit the Bitexco Financial Tower building to enjoy panoramic views

8. Bitexco Financial Tower

Enjoy panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City from the Saigon Skydeck on floor 49 of the Bitexco Financial Tower. The city’s iconic building and one of its tallest is also one of the best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City for spectacular views.

Insider tip

You'll find traditional Vietnamese costumes at the Saigon Skydeck's Ao Dai Museum.

Address and opening hours

2 Đ. Hải Triều, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000. Open Monday–Sunday, 9:30 AM–9:30 PM.

Visit the Bitexco Financial Tower

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Landmark 81 is the tallest building in Vietnam and has a multi-story observation deck

9. Landmark 81

For one of the best sights in Ho Chi Minh City, head to Landmark 81, the tallest building in Vietnam. From the multi-story observation deck (floors 79–81), soak up stunning views of Ho Chi Minh City, which are particularly spectacular at sunset.

Insider tip

Looking for a luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City? This iconic building is home to Vinpearl Landmark 81, complete with an infinity pool, on-site dining, and, of course, gorgeous views.

Address and opening hours

720A Điện Biên Phủ, Vinhomes Tân Cảng, Bình Thạnh, Hồ Chí Minh 72300.

Best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City: FAQs

What are the must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City?

The Co Chi Tunnels, the Ben Thanh Market, and the Bitexco Financial Tower are the best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City.

How many days should I spend in Ho Chi Minh City to see all the top sights?

Three days and two nights is the ideal time to see all the top sights, so a long weekend in Ho Chi Minh City works well.

What is the best time of year to visit Ho Chi Minh City?

Travel during the dry season, from December to March, to experience all the best attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, including the many outdoor sights.

What is the best way to get around the sights in Ho Chi Minh City?

There are many varied forms of transport, so the best way to get around Ho Chi Minh City is largely a personal preference. Visitors can travel by taxi, bus, bicycle, scooter, and motorcycles in Ho Chi Minh City.

What are the best places to go shopping in Ho Chi Minh City?

Shopping at the Ben Thanh Market is one of the top attractions in Ho Chi Ming City. Visitors will love the lively atmosphere and variety. Also, the Saigon Centre shopping mall is the largest shopping space in Ho Chi Minh City.

Read more about Ho Chi Minh City