Markus & Eleanor’s guidebook
Convenience Stores
Co.opMart Cống Quỳnh
108A Cống QuỳnhLarge local supermarket; accepts foreign credit cards.
Circle K
71 Nguyễn Thái BìnhSmall convenience store with everything you could need; free WiFi.
Nightlife
Phố đi bộ Bùi Viện
Main tourist street with lots of bars and restaurants.
If you want to go to a place where you can find yourself singing to familiar melodies and dancing with the locals, Fang pub is the one for you! Every night from 9 PM to midnight, the local bands will rock the stage with various English hits from the billboards,
together with many famous Vietnamese songs from the 2000s.
31 locals recommend
Fang Pub
If you want to go to a place where you can find yourself singing to familiar melodies and dancing with the locals, Fang pub is the one for you! Every night from 9 PM to midnight, the local bands will rock the stage with various English hits from the billboards,
together with many famous Vietnamese songs from the 2000s.
This is a double-level roof top bar on 41 Nguyen Hue. The cozy and romantic design with colorful lights, candles, and long bench seats lining the edge of the rooftop turns the bar into an ideal hang out spot after work for many expats and locals.
186 locals recommend
Broma Not A Bar
41 Nguyễn HuệThis is a double-level roof top bar on 41 Nguyen Hue. The cozy and romantic design with colorful lights, candles, and long bench seats lining the edge of the rooftop turns the bar into an ideal hang out spot after work for many expats and locals.
This ever popular District 3 establishment is a hit with locals and expats, serving up more craft beer than anywhere else in the city. Prices are on par with most craft beer joints, $5-$7 a pint, but the options are endless.
28 locals recommend
BiaCraft Artisan Ales
1 Lê Ngô CátThis ever popular District 3 establishment is a hit with locals and expats, serving up more craft beer than anywhere else in the city. Prices are on par with most craft beer joints, $5-$7 a pint, but the options are endless.
This is the most popular sky bar in Saigon because of its expansive glowing outdoor bar section offering views over Saigon. This 1,000-square meter bar comes with Western-style decoration. There is a walk-in liquor cabinet, which displays more than 300 types of brands, in the sleek dining area. Every day, a Vietnamese or international DJ plays music starting at 9:30 PM. Last but not least, don’t forget to dress up if you decide to go to Chill Skybar as they have a strict dress code.
877 locals recommend
Chill Skybar
76A Lê LaiThis is the most popular sky bar in Saigon because of its expansive glowing outdoor bar section offering views over Saigon. This 1,000-square meter bar comes with Western-style decoration. There is a walk-in liquor cabinet, which displays more than 300 types of brands, in the sleek dining area. Every day, a Vietnamese or international DJ plays music starting at 9:30 PM. Last but not least, don’t forget to dress up if you decide to go to Chill Skybar as they have a strict dress code.
Lush Nightclub has been hailed as Ho Chi Minh City’s premier nightclub in Ho Chi Minh since its inception in 2004. It is the best place to mingle with party-loving crowds who are always dressed to impress and not afraid to spend a little cash.
283 locals recommend
Lush
2 Lý Tự TrọngLush Nightclub has been hailed as Ho Chi Minh City’s premier nightclub in Ho Chi Minh since its inception in 2004. It is the best place to mingle with party-loving crowds who are always dressed to impress and not afraid to spend a little cash.
Street Food
Our top spots when it comes to food in the city; you won't be disappointed!
One of our favorite dishes in Vietnam! This wrap and roll dish is the perfect combination of fresh ingredients and grilled meat. Make your own mouthwatering roll by putting lettuce, herbs, vegetables and grilled pork sausage into a rice paper. It is served with either Nuoc Mam (Fish sauce) or homemade peanut dip.
6 locals recommend
Nem Nướng Oanh Vy
TK32/13 Nguyễn Cảnh ChânOne of our favorite dishes in Vietnam! This wrap and roll dish is the perfect combination of fresh ingredients and grilled meat. Make your own mouthwatering roll by putting lettuce, herbs, vegetables and grilled pork sausage into a rice paper. It is served with either Nuoc Mam (Fish sauce) or homemade peanut dip.
Pho Hung
243 Đường Nguyễn TrãiGreat Pho restaurant with huge portions and amazing broth
Crispy Vietnamese Pancake; a must try when you are in the South of Vietnam!
Vietnamese Crepe Ngọc Sơn
103 Ngô QuyềnCrispy Vietnamese Pancake; a must try when you are in the South of Vietnam!
One of our favorite food places in Saigon! Very cheap and super delicious bowl; perfect for a quick lunch or dinner
21 locals recommend
Bún Thịt Nướng Kiều Bào
139 Đề ThámOne of our favorite food places in Saigon! Very cheap and super delicious bowl; perfect for a quick lunch or dinner
What makes this dish special and unique are the betel leaves. Seasoned ground beef is wrapped in piper lolot leaves from the Piper sarmentosum plant, then placed over a charcoal grill to cook. This is another wrap and roll dish where you roll your own ricepaper with lettuce, herbs, beef in betel leaf and vegetables into your own delicious snack. It is often served with the infamous Mam Tom (Shrimp paste) but can also be eaten with Nuoc Mam (Fish Sauce).
6 locals recommend
Hòa - Bò Lá Lốt & Mỡ Chài
91 Cô GiangWhat makes this dish special and unique are the betel leaves. Seasoned ground beef is wrapped in piper lolot leaves from the Piper sarmentosum plant, then placed over a charcoal grill to cook. This is another wrap and roll dish where you roll your own ricepaper with lettuce, herbs, beef in betel leaf and vegetables into your own delicious snack. It is often served with the infamous Mam Tom (Shrimp paste) but can also be eaten with Nuoc Mam (Fish Sauce).
This dish is loved by most Vietnamese but can be considered as dare food for foreigners. The highlight of it is Mam Tom - Shrimp paste.
Bún Đậu 46
60 Cao Bá NhạThis dish is loved by most Vietnamese but can be considered as dare food for foreigners. The highlight of it is Mam Tom - Shrimp paste.
Restaurants
Legit restaurants with great service and high table and chairs.
The service will blow your mind! The staff is extremely friendly and the food is amazing.
32 locals recommend
Den Long - Home Cooked Vietnamese Restaurant
130 Đường Nguyễn TrãiThe service will blow your mind! The staff is extremely friendly and the food is amazing.
Vo Roof Garden
113 Nguyễn HuệGreat roof top restaurant/bar with authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
The food is great paired with a really good vibe from the open atmosphere and colorful lanterns of the restaurant.
265 locals recommend
Secret Garden Restaurant
158 PasteurThe food is great paired with a really good vibe from the open atmosphere and colorful lanterns of the restaurant.
Western Restaurants
Double B is truly a paradise for pasta devotees! Located in a small alleyway in District 1, this restaurant is well-known among the local community and it is definitely one of our favorite restaurants. Coming to this lovely-decorated restaurant, you can choose to sit on the open air garden, on the adorable balcony or stay cool in the air-conditioning room. Don't miss their signature Double B spaghetti, spaghetti with cheesy meetballs, spaghetti carbonara and their tuna salad.
11 locals recommend
Nhà hàng Mì Ý Double B
TK40/24 Đ. Trần Hưng ĐạoDouble B is truly a paradise for pasta devotees! Located in a small alleyway in District 1, this restaurant is well-known among the local community and it is definitely one of our favorite restaurants. Coming to this lovely-decorated restaurant, you can choose to sit on the open air garden, on the adorable balcony or stay cool in the air-conditioning room. Don't miss their signature Double B spaghetti, spaghetti with cheesy meetballs, spaghetti carbonara and their tuna salad.
Modern and comfortable space; perfect for a short break. There is a beautiful art gallery on the first floor of the apartment where it is located in!
14 locals recommend
The Loft Cafe & Bistro
26 Lý Tự TrọngModern and comfortable space; perfect for a short break. There is a beautiful art gallery on the first floor of the apartment where it is located in!
Fancy some American style BBQ and craft beer? It’s time to head to Quan Ut Ut! This BBQ restaurant is well-known by both locals and expats in Saigon. If you get lost in their big menu, go for the combo or ask for recommendations. Ribs are the superstar dishes at Quan Ut Ut.
100 locals recommend
Quán Ụt Ụt - American BBQ & Craft Beer | Q.1
168 Đường Võ Văn KiệtFancy some American style BBQ and craft beer? It’s time to head to Quan Ut Ut! This BBQ restaurant is well-known by both locals and expats in Saigon. If you get lost in their big menu, go for the combo or ask for recommendations. Ribs are the superstar dishes at Quan Ut Ut.
Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants
Hum restaurant has succeeded in capturing the spirit of a traditional pagoda. Visitors are greeted by a zen, cozy space highlighted by a small pond brimming with colorful lotus blossoms. Hum has now become the prime spot for those who love eating delicious vegetarian food.
138 locals recommend
Hum Vegetarian, Café & Restaurant
32 Võ Văn TầnHum restaurant has succeeded in capturing the spirit of a traditional pagoda. Visitors are greeted by a zen, cozy space highlighted by a small pond brimming with colorful lotus blossoms. Hum has now become the prime spot for those who love eating delicious vegetarian food.
If you want to grab some food in a rustic and cozy restaurant, 3 La Vegan Restaurant is where you should go. All of the dishes cooked and served in Vietnamese style. What we love the most here are 3 La spring roll, Com Tho (fried rice), Diep Cuon (mushroom and vermicelli wrapped in lectuce) and Lau Thai (Thai hot pot).
Nhà Hàng Chay 3 Lá
32A Cao Bá NhạIf you want to grab some food in a rustic and cozy restaurant, 3 La Vegan Restaurant is where you should go. All of the dishes cooked and served in Vietnamese style. What we love the most here are 3 La spring roll, Com Tho (fried rice), Diep Cuon (mushroom and vermicelli wrapped in lectuce) and Lau Thai (Thai hot pot).
Sightseeing
The main attractions of Saigon.
If you’re at all bothered by aggressive shopkeepers, then you should probably avoid this one. It’s interesting, but make no doubt about it, there will be women grabbing your arms and shouting at you in shrill voices to come to their shop. If you find something you like, bargain - bargain hard. A 30% markup for foreigners is pretty well expected.
1702 locals recommend
Ben Thanh Market
Đường Lê LợiIf you’re at all bothered by aggressive shopkeepers, then you should probably avoid this one. It’s interesting, but make no doubt about it, there will be women grabbing your arms and shouting at you in shrill voices to come to their shop. If you find something you like, bargain - bargain hard. A 30% markup for foreigners is pretty well expected.
For history buffs, the Independence Palace or Reunification Palace is an absolute must. This is the site of those famous images of tanks crashing through gates during the Fall of Saigon in 1975. Aside from the stunning grounds and impressive architecture, the inside of this building almost feels like you’ve gone back in time. You can see where the southern government operated the executive branch during the Vietnam War – even the bomb bunker in the basement, where the maps still hang on the walls.
1157 locals recommend
Independence Palace
135 Nam Kỳ Khởi NghĩaFor history buffs, the Independence Palace or Reunification Palace is an absolute must. This is the site of those famous images of tanks crashing through gates during the Fall of Saigon in 1975. Aside from the stunning grounds and impressive architecture, the inside of this building almost feels like you’ve gone back in time. You can see where the southern government operated the executive branch during the Vietnam War – even the bomb bunker in the basement, where the maps still hang on the walls.
If you only have one day in Ho Chi Minh City, make time to visit this building. The elegance of this area is something to see, especially next to the colossal trees in 30/4 Park and the colonial post office next to it.
1155 locals recommend
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
01 Công xã ParisIf you only have one day in Ho Chi Minh City, make time to visit this building. The elegance of this area is something to see, especially next to the colossal trees in 30/4 Park and the colonial post office next to it.
The Saigon Central Post Office is one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Saigon, with charming colonial architecture and ornate decorations forming the backdrop for newlywed photo-shoots, school trips, and city tours. Moreover, it is a beautiful remnant of Vietnam’s complicated past.
832 locals recommend
Saigon Central Post Office
02 Công xã ParisThe Saigon Central Post Office is one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Saigon, with charming colonial architecture and ornate decorations forming the backdrop for newlywed photo-shoots, school trips, and city tours. Moreover, it is a beautiful remnant of Vietnam’s complicated past.
For one of the best looks at social and dating life in Ho Chi Minh City, head to Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Here you’ll see families enjoying time together and young couples chatting away and taking tons of selfies.
115 locals recommend
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
22 Nguyễn HuệFor one of the best looks at social and dating life in Ho Chi Minh City, head to Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Here you’ll see families enjoying time together and young couples chatting away and taking tons of selfies.
The Bitexco Financial Tower is an unmistakable landmark. Make sure to visit the Sky Deck to enjoy the views of this buzzing city.
487 locals recommend
Bitexco Financial Tower
2 Hải TriềuThe Bitexco Financial Tower is an unmistakable landmark. Make sure to visit the Sky Deck to enjoy the views of this buzzing city.
Established in 1975, this has been and still is the most visited museum in Vietnam. It was once named as the Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes. A compelling museum telling stories of the events during the war and even its aftermath. This museum examines the scars of the Vietnam War through well arranged exhibits of pictures, documents, and artifacts. The experience can be gruesome enough to leave a lasting memory - especially Monsanto’s Agent Orange section. You’ll leave the museum thinking one thing: war is hell.
1053 locals recommend
War Remnants Museum
28 Võ Văn TầnEstablished in 1975, this has been and still is the most visited museum in Vietnam. It was once named as the Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes. A compelling museum telling stories of the events during the war and even its aftermath. This museum examines the scars of the Vietnam War through well arranged exhibits of pictures, documents, and artifacts. The experience can be gruesome enough to leave a lasting memory - especially Monsanto’s Agent Orange section. You’ll leave the museum thinking one thing: war is hell.