Attractions of Ho Chi Minh City with a photo and a map. What to see - a guide to Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City South Capital Vietnam, the city that is usually the first to meet tourists coming to Vietnam. A large city does not sleep day or night. Here you can find a variety of hotels, cafes and restaurants, a large number of parks and attractions.
About the city
Ho Chi Minh City has a large number of nightclubs, SPA salons, as well as a whole tourist area called Pham Ngu Lao(Pham Ngu Lao), where night life haunts the Vietnamese, accustomed to going to bed early.
If you come to Vietnam for a budget holiday, then come to Pham Ngu Lao Street, almost any taxi driver, motorcyclist and young students will understand its name. Look at the map, the link to which is given below, how to get to this famous street.
How to get thereBy the way, the 152 bus that travels from the airport to the center of Ho Chi Minh City is usually full of tourists who prefer to find a hotel on this street or close to it.
There are also quieter areas in Ho Chi Minh City, where there are few entertainment venues, but many expensive restaurants and shops. It is not so noisy here in the evening, but more often you can hear calm music coming from cafes and restaurants.
For example, next to the opera house in Ho Chi Minh City, there are many 5 * hotels. Ho Chi Minh is a city where everyone will find entertainment to their liking and pocket.
Prices in Ho Chi Minh
Pho soup, beloved by the Vietnamese, can be bought for 20,000 VND, a baguette for 15,000 VND, rice with chicken for 20,000 VND, fruit also from 20,000 VND and more. When buying a SIM card, part of the money will be on its balance, calls are very inexpensive.
In general, in Ho Chi Minh City you can find both cheap and expensive goods from large manufacturers. When buying goods and souvenirs, be sure to bargain. If you are not interested in bargaining, then it's okay, souvenirs are already inexpensive, but if you have a desire to save money, then ask for a discount and they will definitely give it to you.
Be careful when buying tea or coffee, because. they can deceive you on weight, that is, they will tell you a price that is tempting for you for 100 grams, and in the end they will sell 50 grams. Checking the real weight, unfortunately, is quite difficult, but if it is possible to weigh the goods on the counter nearby, try to check.
Also, be careful when agreeing to a motorcycle taxi service, be sure to name the price, for example, show a bill of 20,000 VND for the trip and indicate the street on a pre-printed sheet that has the name in both English and Vietnamese. The Vietnamese simply think that since you are a tourist you have a lot of extra money, but this is not always the case, and it is difficult for them to understand.
If you plan to visit attractions in Ho Chi Minh City by taxi on your own, be sure to print out a photo and the name of the attraction in English and Vietnamese at your hotel.
Prices for hotels are very different, you can find a hotel from $10 and up. Perhaps even cheaper housing can be found on Pham Ngu Lao Street.
Prices for excursions are also inexpensive, a trip to neighboring cities on tourist buses will be especially cheap.
Ho Chi Minh City Photos
Many tourists arriving in Ho Chi Minh City stay here for only one day, believing that there is nothing more to do here. But Ho Chi Minh City is interesting not only as a city where you can buy cheap tours, but also a city that has many attractions and beautiful parks.
Saigon(also officially known as Ho Chi Minh City or in Vietnamese as Sài Gòn) is the most booming city in Vietnam. In this post, I’m going to talk about 22 of the best sights to see in Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City. Get ready to dodge motorcycles, navigate market lanes, incense at temples, and squat on the sidewalk with a plate of hot noodles. But first, let's start with useful information. First, where is the best place to stay when you are in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam?
Where to Stay in Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City
While I was in Saigon, Vietnam, I went around some of the most popular areas to live in.
Dong Khoi: a good choice
Many large 5-star hotels are located in the Dong Hoi area of the city Saigon Ho Chi Minh. It is known as one of the most prestigious areas of the city. Here you will find famous chains such as the famous hotel. If you want to stay in an expensive 5-star hotel surrounded by French colonial architecture and pompous cafes, Dong Hoi is the best choice to accommodate.
Saigon photo.
Pham Ngu Lao (District 1)
On foot
Due to the endless stream of motorcycles that occupy the streets and even sidewalks, Saigon is not exactly comfortable and pleasant for walking. Walking in the city of Saigon is like an obstacle course: you have to dodge oncoming objects, jump over fences, go around the sprawling tents. Despite everything, hiking are one of better ways exploring any city, when you can stop at any time and in any place, go to a cafe or relax.
The most popular means of transport for Ho Chi Minh City residents is a motorbike (also known as a scooter). By number of scooters Saigon Ho Chi Minh City It can easily be called "the scooter capital of the world." The number of scooters in the city is amazing.
There are two ways to join the motorcycle army:
- Rent a motorcycle - if you have the confidence that you are ready to be part of this crazy traffic. There are many motorcycle rentals, especially in the Pham Ngu Lao area. Average cost $10 per day. However, be careful, motorcycles are also stolen in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Motorcycle taxis - on every corner of every street in Saigon, you can see men lying on motorcycles, sometimes sleeping, sometimes just looking at the road. These are motorcycle taxi drivers. The cost of the trip starts from 20-40.000 VND.
local bus
The bus system in Saigon city is good but quite confusing. However, it is a very cheap and safe way to get around the city. The biggest difficulty in using buses in Saigon is figuring out that all streets are one-way, but you can study the map of the pair bus routes, and at least move up and down the main streets.
Taxi
Before you head to Ho Chi Minh City, it's worth reading up on taxis in the city so you know what to prepare for.
Saigon photo.
There can be "fake" taxis in Ho Chi Minh City, and drivers sometimes drive in circles to wind up the meter. But in general, taxis are a fairly reliable way to get around, and even some of the drivers are quite friendly (not all).
Attractions Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Binh Tay Market
Binh Tai Market - one of the main official markets, has lower prices than Ben Than. 
It is located in the Cholon district of Ho Chi Minh City, also known as China Town. The market itself is very similar to Ben Than and even many of the things that are sold are similar. However, the Binh Tai market is visited by a large number of local Vietnamese, so the prices are lower and there are fewer tourists. If you come in the morning between about 6 am and 8 am, you will see an incredible market full of food and fresh Vietnamese products. At the Binh Tai market, you will find literally everything that is made or produced in Vietnam, from clothing to food. There is a huge department for cooking Vietnamese dishes, utensils, nuts, spices and tools. Here, as well as in Ben Than, there is a kind of small food court where you can try delicious, simple and affordable Vietnamese cuisine.
Address: Bình Tây Market, 57 Tháp Mười, 2, Quận 6, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 6am - 7pm daily (main indoor market), 5am - 9am (outdoor morning market)
How to get there: The market is located in District 5, and the easiest way to get there is by taxi. The fare from Ben Than Market is around VND 110,000 and the journey time is 15 minutes.
Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Thien Hau temple
Thien Hau Temple is dedicated to Thien Hau, the mistress of the sea. Located in Chinatown (District 5). When you visit Thien Hau Pagoda, you get the impression that you are in China. 
From the outside, the pagoda does not look very impressive. However, as soon as you take a step inside the temple, you will see its beauty, which is revealed through intricate details and carvings, incredible sculptures, reliefs carved on the upper section of the roof of the temple, depicting scenes from everyday life. Once all this was colorful, but over time it burned out, and because of the incense smoke, the sculptures look ancient. Surprising in the temple are giant incense coils that burn slowly, filling the temple and the air around with smoke. 
Address: Thiên Hậu Temple, 710 Nguyễn Trãi, phường 11, Quận 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 8am – 4:30pm daily
The entrance is free
How to get there: The temple is located in Cholon, District 5. The easiest way to get there is by taxi.
Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Ho Chi Minh Museum
When visiting the museum on a weekday morning, there are no people in it (unlike the museum of war victims, which was packed to capacity). Here you can safely walk and enjoy the exhibition. Most of the exhibits show the history of the city Saigon — Ho Chi Minh City, and there are also a number of exhibits of Vietnamese culture. The Ho Chi Minh City Museum is an amazing neoclassical mansion built in 1885 with large columns and wooden staircases.
Saigon photo.
Address: Hồ Chí Minh City Museum, 65 Lý Tự, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8am – 5pm daily
Entrance: VND 15,000
How to get there: The Ho Chi Minh Museum is located near the Dong Hoi area, a short walk from Notre Dame de Saigon. 
Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Bitexco financial tower
Bitexco financial tower is the most tall skyscraper V Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This is one of the most recognizable buildings in Ho Chi Minh City.
The most popular Bitexco financial tower as an attraction, thanks to the gorgeous view of Ho Chi Minh City from the upper floors. On the ground floor of the tower there is a small shopping center with several cafes. Most of the building is occupied by offices.
There are two ways to visit the Bitexco Financial Tower and get a chance to see the city from above:
- Saigon Skydeck (Saigon Skydeck). Observation deck, located on the 49th floor, which offers a panoramic view of the city.
- Eon Cafe is located on the 50th floor. To avoid paying admission fees observation deck, you can visit the Eon cafe and bar, although the prices are too high. Here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city of Saigon with a cup of coffee or something stronger.
Address: 36 Hồ Tùng Mậu, Bến Nghé, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: 9:30 - 21:30 daily (observation deck), 11:30 am - 23:00 daily (cafe)
Entrance: Saigon Skydeck Observatory - VND 200,000 In a cafe, a small cup of ristretto will cost 130,000 VND
How to get there: from the Ben Than market on foot, the tower can be seen from afar
Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Palace of Independence (Palace of Reunification)
This museum is still used today for official government meetings and events, and the Palace of Independence was the former residence of the president. South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. After purchasing your ticket, you can go inside and walk through several floors, see all kinds of rooms, including conference rooms, dining rooms, and royal family rooms. Each room inside the Palace of Independence is furnished with original chairs and tables. After inspecting several floors and a helipad, you can go to the basement, where scary offices, control rooms and bunkers are located.
It was very interesting to visit the Palace of Independence in Ho Chi Minh Vietnam especially walking in a dark and creepy basement. And also to the palace kitchen, where the old computers are still standing. Independence Palace is one of the main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City.
Address: 135 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Bến Thành, Quận 1
Opening hours: 7:30 - 11:00 and 13:00-16:00 daily. However, the Palace may be closed on official days.
Entrance: VND 30,000
How to get there: From Ben Than Market you can walk there in about 10 minutes, it is located right in the center of Saigon in District 1.
Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
Welcome to Paris. An important cathedral and famous landmark in Ho Chi Minh City is North Dame Cathedral, the center of French colonial heritage in Saigon, Vietnam. The cathedral is beautiful, with two 40-meter towers and a statue of the Virgin Mary in front of it. Here you get great photos with the Virgin Mary in front of the cathedral. Inside, you can see magnificent stained glass windows, wooden benches and classic floor tiles. Weddings are often held in the Cathedral of Norte Dame de Saigon.
Saigon photo.
The cathedral still holds services on Sundays. When I first came, it was lunchtime and the gates were locked. I had to return another day.
Address: Bến Nghé, tp. Hồ Chí Minh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8:00–11:00 and 15:00–18:00 weekdays (Sunday service starts at 9:30 am)
Entrance: free
How to get there: from the Palace of Independence, go northeast through the park. North Dame de Saigon Cathedral is located on the northwest side of Dong Hoi Street, next to the old post office.
Central Post Office
Saigon photo.
Directly across the street from Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral in one city square is also famous monument- the building of the Central Post Office, built back in 1886. Like many other buildings in Saigon, it is made in the French colonial style. One of the main reasons why the post office is one of the best attractions Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City is because it was designed by Gustave Eiffel (the man who also designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris). The Central Post Office is not only a center of attraction for tourists, it is also fully used and operational. Among tourists, the post office is popular with those who like to send postcards to friends from all over the world (especially popular among the French and Italians).
In the Saigon post office, I loved the tiled floors and the huge map on the walls in the form of murals.
Address: 2 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: 7:00 - 19:00 pm on weekdays, 7:00 - 18:00 on Saturdays, 8:00 - 18:00 on Sundays.
The entrance is free
How to get there: Across the street from Notre Dame de Saigon Cathedral
Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Museum of War Victims
Museum of War Victims is not a place of entertainment in the city 
Ho Chi Minh City, visiting it can be quite difficult and leaves a sad impression. This is a place where you can remember the brutal and terrible consequences of the war. Much of the War Victims Museum consists of photographs and exhibitions of various events from the Vietnam War. There is a life-size model of the prison with numbers for prisoners and torture devices for prisoners of war. On the territory of the museum complex there are military weapons, tanks and aircraft.
For visitors with children, there is a playground where they can be left. I do not recommend taking children here.
Address: 28 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 6, Quận 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: from 7:30 - 12:00 and from 13:30 - 17:00 daily
Entrance: VND 15,000
How to get there: the War Victims Museum is located northwest of the Palace of Independence and can be reached on foot in 10 minutes.
Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Opera
The Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City was built in 1897 and is considered one of the best buildings in the French colonial style, which has been perfectly preserved to this day.
Address: 7 Công trường Lam Sơn, Bến Nghé, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Entrance: Prices range from VND 504,000 – VND 1,176,000
How to get there: The Opera House is located on Dong Hoi Street.
Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Dong Hoi
Dong Khoi Street and Saigon Square is an upscale area of Saigon city. Along Dong Hoi Road are exclusive boutiques and designer shops. There are also several modern shopping centers such as Vincon, many international and specialty shops and 5-star hotels such as Hotel Majestic Saigon.
But along with upscale shops and hotels, Dong Hoi Street is also just a pleasant place to stroll. Walking around Dong Hoi, you can feel that you are somewhere between France and Vietnam. In addition to this, Dong Hoi Street is a huge contrast of old and new, modern and traditional in Saigon, Vietnam.
Address: Dong Hoi Road
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden are located in the same 
location, and the entrance fee is charged immediately for visiting both attractions. In my opinion, the zoo is not too big and it seems that the animals are not very well here, and the cages are not in the best condition. Looks like it's in need of a major overhaul. However, in the Saigon zoo you can see tigers and elephants (which seem to want to escape ...). As for the botanical garden, I liked it. Beautiful vegetation, lots of shade and coolness - a great place to relax from crazy city. You can come here with children. There is even a restaurant to eat in case you get hungry while walking.
Address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Str., Ward Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: from 7:00 - 19:00 daily
Entrance: VND 20,000
How to get there: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street, take the bus down the street and get off in front of the bridge. Or you can take a taxi
Phyto Museum (museum of traditional Vietnamese medicine)
In the museum, you will find a collection of over 3,000 Vietnamese medicinal 
funds to a collection of manuscripts, teaching aids and manuals used in traditional Vietnamese medicine. After visiting the museum, you can enjoy a free cup of tea on the ground floor at the gift shop.
In general, I was pleasantly surprised by the phyto-museum, and I recommend it to broaden my horizons.
Address: 41 Hoang Du Khuong Str., Ward 12, Distric 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8:30 – 17:30 daily
Entrance: VND 50,000
How to get there: Distric 10, the easiest way to get there is by taxi
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh attractions. Sun Art Gallery
This is a contemporary art gallery. Sun Art is a place where artists can learn and develop their 
creative talents surrounded by other artists. On the ground floor you will find a small library with a collection of books on contemporary art. There are also a number of rotating exhibitions on the first and second floors.
Address: 48/7 Me Linh Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: from 10.30 to 18.30 Tuesday - Saturday, closed - Sunday and Monday
The entrance is free
How to get there: The art gallery is located in the area, right across the river from the Saigon Zoo.
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh attractions. Turtle Lake
What to do at night in Saigon? Visit North Dame Cathedral or turtle lake. Moreover, the turtle lake is not a real lake with turtles, it's just a fountain with sculptures of turtles. However, this place is English language called Turtle Lake.
Both locations are the center of attraction for nighttime street food vendors, snacks and more. Also, a huge number of Vietnamese come here at night to spend time and chat. If you want to catch this whole celebration of life, come here from 20:00-22:00.
How to get there: Turtle Lake is located northwest of Notre Dame Cathedral, at the intersection of Vo Van Tan and Pham Ngoc Thach streets.
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh attractions. Ben Than Market
This is probably the most important and central attraction of Ho Chi Minh City. 
It is a bustling market crowded with tourists and has a huge number of stalls.
Here you can easily get lost for several hours among the shops of clothing, souvenirs, Vietnamese dishes. Since this market is located in the tourist area Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the prices here are also for tourists.
On the nearby streets from the Ben Than market is the main transport hub and a large business district, where life is always in full swing. In the evening, very close to Ben Than, they close the roads to traffic and open a night market with several restaurants and tourist shops.
Address: ê Lợi, Bến Thành, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: from 6:00 am - 18:00, night market from 18:00 - 00:00
The entrance is free
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh attractions. Phu Mai Hung and Star Bridge
Phu Mai Hung is an upscale development in Saigon's District 7, located 6 km south of Ben Than Central Market. This area is quieter, there is less traffic, there are shopping centers and cafes, as well as wide, spacious, uncluttered sidewalks.
Phu Mai Hung has many pleasant restaurants serving Vietnamese and international cuisines, fast food eateries from Lotteria to Dominoe, and many Korean restaurants.
Apart from the restaurants, modern malls and shops that fill Phu Mai Hung, one of the main attractions in the area is the Star Bridge. This bridge spans the lake and is illuminated by flashing lights of all colors of the rainbow.
Address: Tôn Dật Tiên, Tân Phú, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
How to get there: taxi
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh attractions. Water Puppet Theater
Water puppet theater originated in the northern part of Vietnam (Halong Bay area), but its performances can also be seen in the city of Saigon. Most of the performances depict scenes from Vietnamese culture, rural life, folklore and history.
One of the most famous and touristy places where you can see the Vietnamese water puppet theater in Ho Chi Minh City is the Golden Dragon.
Address: 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: 17:00 and 18:30 daily, ticket sales from 8:30 – 11:30 and from 13:30 – 19:30
Entrance: VND 160,000
How to get there: The theater is located at the back of Tao Dan Park on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Road, just a short walk from the Independence Palace.
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh attractions. Museum of Vietnamese History
There are dozens of museums in Ho Chi Minh City, but the Museum of Vietnamese History is one of the most important. Inside you will find sculptures, ceramics and porcelain showing the history of Vietnam. The exhibits date back to around 2000 BC. There are also well-preserved mummies that were discovered in District 5, in the heart of Saigon.
The Vietnam History Museum is right next to the Saigon Zoo and is very popular with Vietnamese students.
Address: Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Bến Nghé, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8:00 - 12:00 and 13:30 - 17:00, closed on the first Monday of each month
Entrance: 15,000 VND for entry, 40,000 VND for the opportunity to photograph, water puppet theater - 35,000 VND
How to get there: The Vietnam History Museum is right next to the zoo Saigon
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh attractions. Rooftop bars
Shri Restaurant and Lounge is one of the most popular rooftop bars. Other bars where you can enjoy a drink overlooking the city are the Hotel Continental and the Hotel Majestic. Every year, new skyscrapers are built in Ho Chi Minh City and rooftop bars open.
Address: Shri, 72 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, 6, 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: Shri Restaurant and Lounge - from 10:00 - 00:00 am from Monday to Saturday and 16:30 - 00:00 on Sundays and public holidays.
Cost: Rooftop bars are overpriced, dinner for two is VND850,000
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh attractions. Art Museum
Museum fine arts- one of the best preserved monuments of architecture in the whole city, located opposite the giant carousel at the Ben Than market. Inside the museum, you will discover a large collection of art, paintings and sculptures. One can spend an hour or two browsing the art exhibitions at this museum. If you are tired, there is a beautiful courtyard in the middle of the building where you can relax on a bench and just enjoy the silence.
The Fine Arts Museum is one of the top attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.
Address: 97 Phó Đức Chính, Nguyễn Thái Bình, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: from 9:00 to 17:00 from Tuesday to Sunday
Entrance price: 10,000 VND
How to get there: the museum is located directly opposite the carousel at the Ben Than market.
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh attractions. Jade Emperor Pagoda
The Jade Emperor Pagoda is one of the most important Taoist temples in Saigon, Vietnam. Inside the temple is a statue of the Jade Emperor, seated surrounded by other deities and statues.
Address: 73 Mai Thị Lựu, Đa Kao, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: 7:00 – 18:00 daily
The entrance is free
How to get there: The Jade Emperor Pagoda is located off the Dien Bien Phu Highway, north of Ben Than and close to the river.
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh attractions. Vietnamese street food
Saigon is a foodie's paradise, thanks to the delicious flavors, abundance, quantity and variety of foods.
Because Saigon Ho Chi Minh City- most Big city in Vietnam, there are a huge number of people who came from other regions of the country and brought their own 
and national characteristics. Street food is a major part of Vietnamese culture. Thanks to the affordable price, food has become a way for the Vietnamese to spend time with friends. You will find a huge number of eateries in every neighborhood, along every street and on every corner of Ho Chi Minh City.
Hot bowls of soup and banh mi sandwiches are common and remain very popular, but there are dozens of other tasty Vietnamese dishes here as well. For example, bun rieu, com tam suon, banh khot, and bo la lot.
This was a list of the top 22 attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. As soon as you arrive in the city Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, you will be surrounded by a sea of motorcycles, delicious street food and interesting places for lighting. If you decide to plan your trip to Saigon, I recommend reading other articles.
Read the latest articles from my blog .
We came to Ho Chi Minh City in March and spent 4 days here. We mostly walked around the city center, visiting objects that would be interesting to see while in Saigon. Plus, Ho Chi Minh City was our first city in Vietnam, and with increased attention we studied not only the metropolis itself, but also a new country for us. I warn you right away, the post will be very voluminous, with a basic description of each attraction of Ho Chi Minh City, a huge number of photos, marks on the map, prices and coordinates. From the article you will also learn why Ho Chi Minh City is called Saigon, in which area to choose a hotel, where to eat, what to see, how to get, move around and other useful information. You can immediately go to the question of interest by clicking on the link in the menu.
Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City? A bit of history
Ho Chi Minh is a famous politician in Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam - Thanh phố Hồ Chi Minh) - although not the capital of Vietnam, but the most Big City in a country of about 8 million people. This metropolis is named after the famous Vietnamese politician and communist - Ho Chi Minh. But it wasn't always like that. After the colonial countries of the Indochinese peninsula gained independence from France in 1954, two different Vietnamese states were formed: South and North Vietnam. So, if Hanoi was the main city in the north, then the current Ho Chi Minh City is the capital of South Vietnam, only it was then called Saigon (Vietnam. – Sai Gòn, from the name of the river on the banks of which the city is located). In 1976, after the unification of the country, the capital of South Vietnam lost its status and was renamed in honor of the first president of North Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh (ironically, or what?). But locals decades later, they still call Ho Chi Minh City Saigon. On transport routes, various signs you can also find the old name. In general, Ho Chi Minh is the official name of the city, Saigon is historical and sincere.
Sights of Ho Chi Minh City with photo
The main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City can be seen in 1-3 days, for a more complete and thorough examination of the metropolis and its environs, it will take at least a week. Most of the attractions are located in the city center. You can easily get around them on foot, especially if you try to optimize the route. For this, a map of Saigon with marked remarkable objects on it and a small guide will be provided below, but for now I will list the main things to see in Ho Chi Minh City and show photos of the sights.
— Buildings and architecture
In the old center of Ho Chi Minh City, many buildings in the French colonial style have been preserved, but the city has modern buildings and skyscrapers, as well as various interesting temples and pagodas. Now we will see them.
— — Cathedral of Our Lady of Saigon (Notre Dame de Saigon)
Notre Dame de Saigon is one of the most visited attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Cathedral Our Lady of Saigon is a Catholic temple built in 1877-1883. during the French colonization. Many compare it to Notre Dame de Paris in France. My opinion is that they are similar except for the name and a little external form(from afar). Style, decoration, era of construction - all this is very different. Be that as it may, it is very pleasant to feel a piece of Europe in Asia (especially to us, who missed it during the nine months of traveling in Southeast Asia 🙂). In front of the cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary, who stands with her feet on a snake.
- Address: Parisian Square (Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh).
- Coordinates: 10.779865 N, 106.69915 E
- Visit cost: for free.
- Temple opening hours: hedgehog 5.00-11.00 and 15.00-17.30. Time for tourists to visit: Mon-Sat. 8.00-11.00 and 15.00-16.00. Service Schedule: Mon-Sat. 5.30, 17.00, Sun. 5.30, 6.30, 7.30, 9.30, 16.00, 17.15, 18.30.
paris square 
Notre Dame de Saigon 
— — Saigon Central Post Office
Next to Notre Dame de Saigon, there is another colonial building - the building of the city post office, erected in 1886-1891. according to the architectural design of Gustave Eiffel himself. The post office is active, it will be interesting to go inside. Here you can not only send a parcel, but also buy souvenirs, call your relatives. By the way, many classic telephone booths have built-in ATMs.
- Address: Parisian Square (2 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh).
- Coordinates: 10.779865 N, 106.70018 E
- Visit cost: for free.
- Working hours: Mon.-Fri. 7.00-19.00, Sat. 7.00-18.00, Sun. 8.00-18.00.
Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office 
Central post office inside 
ATMs in phone booths — — Municipal Opera House (Saigon Opera House)
Saigon Opera theatre is a very beautiful building in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. In accordance with the schedule, the popular acrobatic show “A O Show” takes place here in the evenings.
- Website"A O Show": aoshowsaigon.com
- Address: 7 Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Coordinates: 10.776829 N, 106.70327 E
- Visit cost: depends on the ticket price for the show.
- Working hours: according to the schedule of programs and shows.
Saigon Opera House 
Fountain at the theater 
Invitation to the acrobatic show "A O Show" — — City Council Building (City Hall,city Hall)
The former city council building is one of the most beautiful buildings in colonial Saigon. They are not allowed inside, photos can only be taken from the outside. Many tourists and travelers praised the well-maintained territory near the municipality, especially noted the beauty against the backdrop of evening illumination. To our regret, as of March 2015, the entire street in front of the City Hall was completely renovated in Ho Chi Minh City. There was nothing left in the place of the cozy and pleasant square. 🙁 I would like to believe that after the complete restoration of this part of the city, it will become no less beautiful as it was before.
- Coordinates: 10.776492 N, 106.70087 E
- Address: Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh.
Former City Hall 
Square near City Hall under renovation 
And the whole street is under repair ... — — Palace of Independence (Palace of Reunification)
The Reunification Palace is a former presidential palace. Visitors can walk through the rooms and galleries that characterize the history of this building. On the ground floor, in a special room, you can watch a 25-minute documentary film "The Palace of Independence - a historical witness." On the territory there are copies of military equipment.
- Website: dinhdoclap. gov. vn
- Address how to get there: 106 Nguyen Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. From Benh Thanh market 15-20 minutes on foot.
- Coordinates: 10.776955 N, 106.69539 E
- Visit cost: adults - VND 30,000 ($ 1.5), students - VND 15,000 ($ 0.75), schoolchildren - VND 5,000 ($ 0.25). For group visits from 20 people there is a discount.
- Working hours: daily 7.00-11.00 and 13.00-16.00.
Palace of Independence (Reunification) — — The building of the Supreme People's Court
Interesting old building in the French colonial style.
- Address: 131 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường Bến Thành, Bến Thành, Hồ Chí Minh.
- Coordinates: 10.775668 N, 106.69803 E
— — Benh Thanh Market
Benh Thanh Market can also be attributed to the architectural sights of Ho Chi Minh City. At the same time, here you can buy all kinds of souvenirs, national costumes, various varieties of Vietnamese coffee and tea, dried fruits and seafood, and other local delicacies. But, it should be remembered that the market is designed for tourists, you will be constantly beckoned and forced to buy something at a very high cost. Know that the first price for a product named here, with the ability to bargain, can be knocked down by 2-6 times! Another highlight of the Benh Thanh market is that it serves as an excellent reference point for public buses from the center of Ho Chi Minh City to other parts of the city. Just on opposite side square and there is a stop.
- Address: Lê Lợi, Bến Thành, 1 Hồ Chí Minh, Việt Nam.
- Coordinates: 10.772445 N, 106.69812 E
- Visit cost: for free.
- Working hours:≈7.00-19.00, from 19.00 to 24.00 the evening street market starts around the building.
Benh Thanh market square 
Market range 
— — Skyscraper Biteksko(Bitexco Financial Tower)
Biteksko is the tallest skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City. Its height is 262 meters, it has 68 floors. The inspiration for the shape of the building is the lotus bud, the national flower in Vietnam. On the 49th floor, there is an indoor observation deck "Saigon Skydeck" with a 360˚ view. You can enjoy the views at the bar on the 50th floor by ordering something from the menu.
- Sites: bitexco.com.vn, bitexcofinancialtower.com
- Address: 36 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC. 10 minutes walk from Ben Thanh market.
- Coordinates: 10.771748 N, 106.70448 E
- Visit cost: Observation deck Skydeck 49th floor: adults - VND 200,000 ($ 10), children 4-12 years old and seniors over 65 years old - VND 130,000 ($ 6.5). Bar on the 50th floor: drinks from $8.
- Working hours: Skydeck is open 9.30-21.30, ticket office closes at 20.45.
Bitexco Financial Tower 
— — Jade Emperor Pagoda (Emperor Jade Pagoda)
The Jade Emperor Pagoda is a Taoist temple built in 1909. There is a small reservoir with turtles on the territory, for which the pagoda is sometimes called the Turtle.
- Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu St, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Coordinates: 10.791699 N, 106.69787 E
- Visit cost: for free.
- Working hours: all day.
At the Turtle Pagoda 
in the temple — — Pagoda Jacques Lam (Giac Lam Pagoda)
Jacques Lam Pagoda is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Ho Chi Minh City. Built in 1744
- Address: Lạc Long Quân, Tân Bình, Ho Chi Minh City. Located outside the central part of Ho Chi Minh City.
- Coordinates: 10.778912 N, 106.64922 E
- Visit cost: for free.
- Working hours: all day.
— Museums
There are a lot of museums in Saigon, but only the most popular ones, which are located in the tourist center of Ho Chi Minh City, will be listed here.
— — Museum of the aftermath of the war
The museum is dedicated to the consequences of military actions by the United States. Archives of documents, various collections, photographs are collected and stored here. A large number of military equipment is presented on the territory of the museum.
- Website:baotangchungtichchientranh.vn
- Address: 28 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Buses: No. 28 (from Ben Thanh market), No. 14, No. 6.
- Coordinates: 10.779371 N, 106.69217 E
- Visit cost: 15,000 VND ($0.75), discounts for children, students, disabled people.
- Working hours: daily 7.30-12.00 and 13.30-17.00.
— Vietnam History Museum
Here are collected collections of exhibits from ancient times (including the Tyam culture) to the 20th century.
- Website:www.baotanglichsuvn.com
- Address: Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh.
- Coordinates: 10.787871 N, 106.70499 E
- Visit cost: 15,000 VND ($0.75).
- Working hours: Tue-Sun 8.00-11.00 and 13.30-17.00, Mon – day off.
— Ho Chi Minh City Museum
Ho Chi Minh Museum, currently holding and preserving 45,666 exhibits grouped into 133 thematic collections of interesting materials from various historical periods: flags, administrative documents, radios, cameras, wooden furniture, statues of folk religion, exhibits that related to historical figures, weapons, zinc Cochin coins of the 18th century, silver bars (from the middle of the 17th century to the middle of the 20th century), high-denomination money (from the middle of the 18th century to the middle of the 20th century), Indochinese coins, forms for printing paper money of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
- Website: hcmc-museum.edu.vn
- Address: No. 65 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. You can get there by bus No. 04, 18, 36 from the Ben Tan market, walking from there in 15-20 minutes.
- Coordinates: 10.776091 N, 106.69971 E
- Visit cost: schoolchildren - VND 2,000 ($ 0.1), adults - VND 5,000 ($ 0.25), foreign citizens - VND 15,000 ($ 0.75).
- Working hours: daily 8.00-17.00.
— — Women's Museum (Southern Vietnam Women Museum)
The exhibition is dedicated to Vietnamese women and their role in society and the history of the state.
- Website:www.baotangphunu.com
- Address: 202 Võ Thị Sáu, phường 7, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam.
- Coordinates: 10.784404 N, 106.68811 E
- Visit cost: for free.
- Working hours: Mon.-Fri. 7.30-12.00 and 13.30-17.00, Sat, Sun – day off.
— — Ho Chi Minh Museum
Here is an exposition related to the life and death of Ho Chi Minh. Exhibition halls located on 3 floors. The museum has a small but very pleasant park, from here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Saigon River embankment.
- Address: Số 01 Nguyễn Tất Thành, Phường 12, Quận 4, TP. Hồ Chi Minh.
- Coordinates: 10.768281 N, 106.70679 E
- Visit cost: 10,000 dong ($0.5).
- Working hours: no information.
Ho Chi Minh Museum: view from the bridge 
The territory of the Ho Chi Minh Museum 
Around the Museum 
Exhibits at the Ho Chi Minh Museum — Parks and places for walking and recreation
Saigon places of entertainment, recreation and walks will be listed here. In many of them you can spend half a day - a day.
— — Zoo and botanical garden
This is truly a wonderful place! In the Ho Chi Minh Zoo, you can enjoy walking for hours. There are giraffes, rhinos, elephants, crocodiles, many species of artiodactyls, monkeys, birds, reptiles and other animals. Also available Botanical Garden and attractions. On weekends, performances are tripled on the stage.
- Website: saigonzoo.net
- Address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Str., Ward Ben Nghe, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Coordinates: 10.788345 N, 106.70629 E
- Visit cost: adults - 50,000 dong ($ 2.5), children - 30,000 dong ($ 1.5).
- Working hours: daily 7.00-18.00, admission until 17.00.
Ho Chi Minh Zoo and Botanical Garden — — Puppet theater on the water "Golden Dragon"
Traditional Vietnamese water puppet dance. The show is accompanied by live national music and songs.
- Website:goldendragontheatre.com
- Coordinates: 10.776241 N, 106.69247 E
- Address: 55 B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Visit cost: 7,5$.
- Working hours: performances start at 17.00, 18.30, 19.45. Lasts 50 min.
— — Pham Ngu Lao Street Area (Pham Ngu Lao street)
There is a park along Pham Ngu Lao Street. Both tourists and locals like to walk here. In the evenings, children and teenagers play various games. But this street is not popular for this. The whole area is interesting, which is surrounded by the streets of Pham Ngu Lao, Do Quang Dau, Bui Vien and De Tham. There is a special atmosphere of Saigon here. To feel it, you need to dive deep into one of the narrow streets and walk through the labyrinths, where the buildings stand at a distance of 1.5-2 meters from each other. Here, every door is open and you can observe the life of the Vietnamese. And when it gets dark, a huge number of small tables and stools are set up along Bui Vien Street, where crowds of backpackers gather to chat over a bottle of local Saigon beer.
- Address: Pham Ngu Lao, Do Quang Dau, Bui Vien, De Tham streets and lanes inside.
- Coordinates: 10.768686 N, 106.693336 E
- Visit cost: for free.
- Working hours: around the clock.
Park along Pham Ngu Lao Street 
End of Pham Ngu Lao Street (Or maybe the beginning :)) 
Bui Vien street 
We lived on one of these streets 
Tourist area in the evening - - Amusement parkSuoi Tien
Attractions, water park, ice and other palaces.
- Website:suitien.com
- Coordinates: 10.862741 N, 106.80295 E
- Address: 149ABC Nguyen Duy Duong Street, Ward 3, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Located on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, from Ben Thanh market can be reached by bus number 19.
- Visit cost: adults - 90,000 VND ($ 4.5), children - 45,000 ($ 2) + each attraction is paid separately.
- Working hours: Mon.-Fri. 7.00-17.00, Sat-Sun. 7.00-18.00, holidays 7.00-23.00.
— — Damsen Amusement Park (Dam Shen,Dam Sen Park)
Amusement park and other entertainment.
- Website:transhsondautot.com
- Coordinates:
- Address: 3 Hòa Bình, phường 3, Hồ Chí Minh. Located far from tourist center Ho Chi Minh City. You need to drive from Ben Thanh market by bus number 11.
- Visit cost: no information.
- Working hours: no information.
— — Damsen Water Park (Dam Shen,Dam Sen Water Park)
Aquapark.
- Website:damsenwaterpark.com.vn
- Coordinates: 10.764523 N, 106.63871 E
- Address: 03 Hoa Binh Street, Ho Chi Minh City. From Ben Thanh market by bus number 11.
- Visit cost: adults - 130,000 VND ($ 6.5), children - 90,000 ($ 4.5); after 16.00: adults - 110,000 VND ($ 5.5), children - 80,000 ($ 4)
- Working hours: Mon-Sat. 9.00-18.00, Sunday, holiday 8.30-18.00.
— — Le Van Tam Park
A city park where tourists are not a frequent visitor. Here, the people of Saigon are massively involved in sports. So, if you stay in Ho Chi Minh City for a long time, you can join them. 🙂
- Address: Võ Thị Sáu, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh.
- Coordinates: 10.788245 N, 106.69369 E
- Visit cost: for free.
- Working hours: around the clock.
Sights of Ho Chi Minh on the map of Vietnam
The map of Saigon below is divided into several layers-sections, which, for convenience, can be turned on / off in the menu on the left. The layers are grouped as follows: "Buildings and architecture", "Parks and recreation and entertainment", "Museums", "Other objects".
If you have little time and you don’t know what to see in Ho Chi Minh City, then I recommend walking around the sights that are concentrated in the city center (follow the map). All of them are located not far from each other, if desired, you can handle it in one day.
Before you walk, ask for a paper map of Ho Chi Minh City at your hotel reception. When you walk around the city, it is convenient to use the offline mobile application with maps.me maps.
What to see around Ho Chi Minh City
To go to explore the distant sights of Ho Chi Minh City, it is best to book an excursion in one of the many offices in the Pham Ngu Lao street area. You can go to some places on your own on a motorbike (rent $ 5 per day) or public transport. We didn’t drive around the area, so I’ll just list what you can see:
- Cu Chi Tunnels.
- Dai Nam Amusement Park.
- Mekong Delta.
- Monkey Island Can Gio Island.
- City of Vung Tau. In that wonderful city we traveled within independent travel for 2 days.
Attractions around Saigon on the map Vietnam:
Excursions in Ho Chi Minh City in Russian
In Ho Chi Minh City, excursions around the city and the surrounding area can be booked both on the spot at travel agencies and in advance.
Photo walk in the center of Ho Chi Minh City
In this section, I want to post different photos Ho Chi Minh City, which are not related to specific attractions, but which give a general idea of \u200b\u200bwhat the center of Saigon looks like.
Embankment of the Saigon River 
KFC gives a gift)) I hope these photos will help you orient yourself among what you can see in the center of Ho Chi Minh City.
Precautions on the streets of Saigon
In Vietnam, although the crime rate is not high, you should not forget about elementary security measures. In the tourist area of almost any metropolis, incl. and Ho Chi Minh, bags should be worn over the shoulder, because. otherwise, they are easy to rip off while passing by on a motorcycle. Do not put money and valuables in easily accessible pockets. In crowded places, remove the backpack from your back. Carefully cross the street, because. Traffic in Saigon is very chaotic.
Do not forget about various kinds of "suckers". IN tourist places they will constantly force you to buy glasses, shout “hey, motorbike” (in order to give you a lift), in the evening, near each cafe, invite you for dinner, massage, etc. When buying any trinkets or services, be sure to bargain.
molesters One day a guy with a box ran up to us and, right on our way, began to glue Kostya's tattered sandals. On our attempts to go further, resistance and the phrase "no need" did not react. As a result, he took off Kostya's shoes and began to wash them with a strange liquid, which, judging by the dirty consistency, he used repeatedly. This comrade never touched on the topic of money, but we understood that now we would have to pay. At that moment, we only had large denominations of 100,000 dong ($ 5) and 10,000 ($ 0.5) in small change. When, after a couple of minutes, the guy finished what he was not asked for, as expected, he demanded money. He did not name the price, but 10,000 was very little for him. In view of his pride, he did not take money at all and became very offended with us.
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
In Ho Chi Minh City, it is best to rent a hotel near Pham Ngu Lao Street, which I wrote about earlier. Firstly, there are many tourist offices, so taking a tour or buying a ticket will not be a problem. Secondly, they are accustomed to tourists here, so there will be no problems with communication in English. Thirdly, in this area it is interesting to walk along the streets and hang out with backpackers. Fourthly, there is the Ben Thanh market nearby, from which you can get to any part of the city by bus. Fifth, here are the lowest prices for hotels in Ho Chi Minh City. Sixth, there are a large number of cafes and restaurants. The hotel can be booked on Booking. How to book a hotel on your own wrote.
If you wish, you can look for housing on the spot near the same Fa Ngu Lao street. In budget hotels, the price is $ 15-25 per night per room. If this does not suit you, then most likely they will ask you to name your price. Bargaining is appropriate here, calmly drop $5, and then look at the situation. Before staying at the chosen hotel, ask to see the room, check if the price includes the use of air conditioning, check the speed of the Internet in the room. Be sure to pay attention to the presence of clubs or karaoke nearby so that there are no problems with sleep later.
We travel light, everyone has only one small backpack with a volume of 25-30 liters. Therefore, recently we have been practicing searching for a hotel on the spot. In fact, I didn’t have to look for a long time, because. a local resident fished us out of the crowd and offered us housing for $10. The room was small, clean, with internet. For the use of air conditioning, the cost of housing increased by $ 2 per day. In March, it gets very hot and stuffy in Ho Chi Minh City, so we could not do without air conditioning.
Where and at what prices to eat in Saigon
In the Pham Ngu Lao street area, there are a huge number of cafes with Vietnamese and Western cuisine. Prices range from VND 35,000-40,000 ($1.5-2) for local Pho soup to VND 150,000 for the rest of the menu. Vietnamese food tends to be cheaper. In simple pizzerias, the cost of a small pizza starts at 100,000 dong ($5). Beer "Saigon" is offered in cafes at prices from 10,000 ($ 0.5) VND per bottle. In small shops in the neighborhood, it will also cost 15-20,000 dong ($ 0.75-1). The illogical difference in cost was quite logically explained: an empty bottle is left in the cafe, which in itself has a price. 🙂
Food in cafes in the Pham Ngu Lao street area But we, nevertheless, love to eat in non-tourist restaurants. It is in such places that you can taste the real taste of national dishes. We found a great street food court with Vietnamese food at VND 30,000-50,000 ($1.5-2.5) with huge portions of deliciously cooked food, with lots of greens and various spices to boot. This place is located directly opposite the entrance to the observation deck "Saigon Skydeck" of the largest skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City Biteksko. Here is a photo of the cafe.
Authentic food court in front of Biteksko Tower How to get to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam
Let's start with what Ho Chi Minh City has international Airport, accepting direct flights from Russia and other countries. There are often discounts and sales for flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities. Compare airfare prices among various airlines and agents can be done using the calendar low prices below.
If you have never booked a plane ticket, or have booked it, but still do not really understand how to search correctly cheap airfare I advise you to read the article.
In the afternoon from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city center go public buses. After six or seven in the evening you will have to take a taxi. Before boarding, agree on the price per kilometer with the driver and watch the meter. If you want to take care of the road from the airport to the hotel (or other place) in advance, you can pick up and book a transfer on the website kiwitaxi/hoshimin.
From other cities in Vietnam and neighboring Cambodia you can not only fly by plane, but also get there by bus or train. We ourselves got there, in advance.
For a trip to Vietnam, you can make medical insurance via the Internet among the most popular agencies on the site Sravni(the policy will come to the post office within 2-10 minutes).
This concludes my great post. If you suddenly forgot something, or want to add something, write in the comments to the article. I will tell a lot more about Vietnam and other countries South-East Asia if you are interested - subscribe to the news!
Walking around Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam
Marina and Konstantin Samorosenko
Hello! We, Marina and Konstantin Samorosenko, are the authors of this travel blog. All information provided on the website free. But if you want thank the authors, take part in fundraising for an expensive hearing restoration surgery our son Elisha. Details and our history can be found.
The area of Pham Ngu Lao Street known as the “backpacker area” or the “budget traveler area”, Pham Ngu Lao is a very convenient place in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), where you can find cheap accommodation, inexpensive food, nightclubs and buy tickets to other places in Vietnam. I would even go so far as to say that Pham Ngu Lao Street is reminiscent of the world-famous one, many budget travelers spend most of their time in the Pham Ngu Lao area. Pham Ngu Lao is the ideal location to explore the heart of Saigon. With your permission, I will call Ho Chi Minh City by its old name of Saigon. Pham Ngu Lao Street is located in District N1. Many districts do not have a name, but are simply numbered.
This area has everything a traveler needs and the central location with close proximity to markets and places of interest makes this area a very convenient stopover. From to Pham Ngu Lao street there is a bus N 152, it takes about 20 minutes to go.
The Pham Ngu Lao area consists of two parallel streets - Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao - and several small connecting lanes. Located in the center of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), this area is ideal for hiking to parks, markets and the main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City. Most of the sights in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), I would even say that most of them are located within walking distance northeast of Pham Ngu Lao. The Reunification Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral can be reached on foot in 15 minutes. Ben Thanh Market is a 10-minute walk from the area.
The Pham Ngu Lao area has a huge number of budget accommodation options. Travelers can easily bargain, room prices are usually easily negotiated. But personally, I had to go around about 8 guesthouses before I found a suitable option for myself. Always check if the air conditioner, TV, refrigerator, etc. are working. I rented a room supposedly with air conditioning, but the air conditioner did not work, but I paid for a room with air conditioning. Often in some guesthouses there are no windows, or the windows end up facing the wall of the next building. In principle, this is a problem for all of Vietnam, regardless of the city.
While hotels and guesthouses can be found along Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien streets, best deals by location, there is on the main road. An unnamed budget hotel avenue connects the western end of Pham Ngu Lao to DQ Dau, and great deals can be found at a variety of hotels along the narrow aisle. Another, wider mini-street connects Pham Ngu Lao with Bui Vien, restaurants and hotels are everywhere on both sides of the street.
There are carts selling baguettes, street food and even kebabs dotted around Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao. There are also establishments called “Pho24”, which are constantly offline, open around the clock for anyone who wants to taste a cup of the famous Vietnamese Pho noodle soup (in fact, it is a regular Thai noodle soup). There are several expat-owned establishments that offer different types of pizza, Italian food, etc. Also in the street area, beer in cafes and bars is not much more expensive than in stores. By the way, I recommend Saigon beer - excellent beer, I really liked it.
Bars around the Pham Ngu Lao area are just as easy to find and are on almost every corner. Pham Ngu Lao's most famous bars offer a wide variety of local beers and a great atmosphere. Both Pham Ngu lao and Bui Vien streets are literally lined travel agencies offering trips to the Mekong Delta and bus tickets in the direction of Hanoi, Nyachang and even to Cambodia and Laos.
The high concentration of tourists on Pham Ngu Lao Street attracts a higher concentration of scammers and thieves who want to make money on travelers. Although in general the area is quite safe, although you should be careful in the roadside park after dark.
Travelers passing through the Pham Ngu Lao area are constantly surrounded by scoundrels trying to rent motorbikes, sell drugs and even solicit prostitutes. Most of the people who approach you all the time tend to be looking for a way to lighten your pockets, so stay on the lookout.
Pham Ngu Lao street on Google map.
Anyone who comes to Vietnam on his own will most likely face the problem of moving around the country, because. the stay of most tourists is not limited to the two capitals of Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi).
In this review, I want to talk about such a wonderful transport as the Sleeping Bus (Sleeping Bass, literal translation is "sleeping bus"), common in Southeast Asia. Specifically, about the buses of the transport company FUTABusLines
We were lucky to use the services of this transport company in March 2014, when we needed to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang.
We had two options to go to Nha Trang (Nha Trang is a more understandable name for the Vietnamese):
- by plane, travel time approximately 1 hour, cost $50 + taxi to airports (i.e. another $10 each)
- on the bus, slipping basses in this direction leave every hour or half an hour, travel time 6-8 hours, ticket price $ 10
We smiled at a more exotic and most importantly cheaper option. Moreover, long-distance buses leave mostly in the evening and we did not lose the daytime part of our precious vacation.
So, if you also want to leave Ho Chi Minh City for Nha Trang, Dalat, Mui Ne or other resort on a sleeper bus, follow these recommendations:
1. How to find the bus station