Guidebook for Hồ Chí Minh City
Food Scene
I go here because of the outdoor seating and comfortable chairs. The Vietnamese version of Starbucks. They are ubiquitous.
238 locals recommend
Highlands Coffee
364 Cộng HòaI go here because of the outdoor seating and comfortable chairs. The Vietnamese version of Starbucks. They are ubiquitous.
M2C cafe
44B Lý Tự TrọngRight next door to the apartment. Tends to attract a lot of hipsters.
Japanese-owned and very international clientele. Good place to "people-watch".
79 locals recommend
La Fenetre Soleil
44 Lý Tự TrọngJapanese-owned and very international clientele. Good place to "people-watch".
Restaurant run by former Vietnamese street children. They are fantastically friendly, the food is great, and the French decor is fitting.
12 locals recommend
Quán Ăn Hương Lài
38 Lý Tự TrọngRestaurant run by former Vietnamese street children. They are fantastically friendly, the food is great, and the French decor is fitting.
Great place to pick up some Vietnamese spring rolls at lunch. Wide variety.
13 locals recommend
Wrap&Roll
66 Hai Bà TrưngGreat place to pick up some Vietnamese spring rolls at lunch. Wide variety.
Barbecue Garden
96B Lê Thánh TônVietnamese barbeque, mmm.
Around the corner from the apartment on Pasteur, Nha Hang Ngon is popular with Vietnamese and expats.
225 locals recommend
Taste Saigon Tour
160 PasteurAround the corner from the apartment on Pasteur, Nha Hang Ngon is popular with Vietnamese and expats.
Another Highlands Coffee, but in a more interesting location behind the Opera House. Expect a good mix of Western businessmen, travelers, and Vietnamese working from laptops.
238 locals recommend
Highlands Coffee
364 Cộng HòaAnother Highlands Coffee, but in a more interesting location behind the Opera House. Expect a good mix of Western businessmen, travelers, and Vietnamese working from laptops.
Great place for a ca phe sua da (iced coffee with milk). Head up the stairs once past the enclosed art gallery.
68 locals recommend
L'Usine Shop
151 Đồng KhởiGreat place for a ca phe sua da (iced coffee with milk). Head up the stairs once past the enclosed art gallery.
Bun Saigon
73 Lý Tự TrọngEasy place to grab bún chả (phở's noodle neighbor). I prefer it to Pho24 next door.
Good place to sit outside across from the park. Prices are higher, however.
44 locals recommend
Au Parc
23 Hàn ThuyênGood place to sit outside across from the park. Prices are higher, however.
Great place to grab a banh mi or sticky rice. Good fruit smoothies too. A local favorite.
64 Hàm Nghi
Great place to grab a banh mi or sticky rice. Good fruit smoothies too. A local favorite.
180 Pasteur
Another coffee place around the corner from the apartment.
Sightseeing
This was the former palace of the South Vietnamese government, left in tact after its overthrow in 1975. It's an interesting throw-back to that era (if you can handle the propaganda).
1160 locals recommend
Independence Palace
135 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa This was the former palace of the South Vietnamese government, left in tact after its overthrow in 1975. It's an interesting throw-back to that era (if you can handle the propaganda).
English service is at 9:30AM on Sundays. Otherwise, mass is at 5:30AM, 6:30AM, 7:30AM, 4PM, 5:15PM, and 6:30PM on Sundays in Vietnamese. Weekday services are at 5:30 AM and 5:00 PM.
1155 locals recommend
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
01 Công xã ParisEnglish service is at 9:30AM on Sundays. Otherwise, mass is at 5:30AM, 6:30AM, 7:30AM, 4PM, 5:15PM, and 6:30PM on Sundays in Vietnamese. Weekday services are at 5:30 AM and 5:00 PM.
Great architecture across the street from the Cathedral.
832 locals recommend
Saigon Central Post Office
02 Công xã ParisGreat architecture across the street from the Cathedral.
Iconic symbol of Saigon, formerly the Hôtel de Ville. Snap a photo next to the statue of Ho Chi Minh which stands in the park across the street. Located across the street from the apartment.
228 locals recommend
People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City
Số 86 Lê Thánh TônIconic symbol of Saigon, formerly the Hôtel de Ville. Snap a photo next to the statue of Ho Chi Minh which stands in the park across the street. Located across the street from the apartment.
Grab a drink on the Skydeck of Saigon's tallest building.
30 locals recommend
Bitexco Financial Management Office
19 Nguyễn HuệGrab a drink on the Skydeck of Saigon's tallest building.
Nice place to see Vietnamese art in an interesting French colonial building.
482 locals recommend
Hồ Chí Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
97A Phó Đức ChínhNice place to see Vietnamese art in an interesting French colonial building.
Walk around this building, which was used as a courthouse during the colonial era and continues to serve as one today.
Ho Chi Minh City People's Court
131 Nam Kỳ Khởi NghĩaWalk around this building, which was used as a courthouse during the colonial era and continues to serve as one today.
Housed in a former colonial estate, the museum itself is not very impressive, but the tanks and jets housed outside are worth a look. Steps from the apartment.
264 locals recommend
Ho Chi Minh City Museum
65 Lý Tự TrọngHoused in a former colonial estate, the museum itself is not very impressive, but the tanks and jets housed outside are worth a look. Steps from the apartment.
Lots of turtles in the pond and incense everywhere. My favorite pagoda in town. Expect it to be busy during Tet.
256 locals recommend
Ngọc Hoàng Pagoda
73 Đường Mai Thị LựuLots of turtles in the pond and incense everywhere. My favorite pagoda in town. Expect it to be busy during Tet.
Shopping
Shopping mall can be accessed through the doors on Ly Tu Trong. Go down the escalators for many food options.
57 locals recommend
Vincom B
Shopping mall can be accessed through the doors on Ly Tu Trong. Go down the escalators for many food options.
Great place for souvenirs. There are lots of tourists and the vendors can sometimes be pushy. Best to arrive in the early morning. Food stalls set up each night around 7PM on the streets outside.
1702 locals recommend
Ben Thanh Market
Đường Lê LợiGreat place for souvenirs. There are lots of tourists and the vendors can sometimes be pushy. Best to arrive in the early morning. Food stalls set up each night around 7PM on the streets outside.
Arts & Culture
Fantastic colonial architecture. Check online for upcoming performances.
687 locals recommend
Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City
07 Công Trường Lam SơnFantastic colonial architecture. Check online for upcoming performances.
Everything Else
Backpacker area. Good if you like cheap beer and interesting travelers. Not my thing, but worth a look nonetheless.
12 locals recommend
De Tham
Đường Đề ThámBackpacker area. Good if you like cheap beer and interesting travelers. Not my thing, but worth a look nonetheless.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great place to grab a drink and take in the views. I believe there is a dress code, however.
877 locals recommend
Chill Skybar
76A Lê LaiGreat place to grab a drink and take in the views. I believe there is a dress code, however.
Another rooftop bar at the Caravelle Hotel. Easily walkable from the apartment.
24 locals recommend
Caravelle Hotel
19-23 Lam Son SquareAnother rooftop bar at the Caravelle Hotel. Easily walkable from the apartment.