French colonial architecture. War remnants. Street food. Water thrills. The things to do in Ho Chi Minh City are as contrasting as the city itself.
1. Cu Chi Tunnels
Travel 70km outside the city to experience one of Ho Chi Minh City's most popular attractions. At the Cu Chi Tunnels, you'll be crawling through tight spaces in complete darkness — it's not for the faint-hearted.
This vast underground tunnel system originally stretched all the way to the Cambodian border. First dug during the Indochina War (1945–1954), it was famously used by Viet Cong guerrillas during the Vietnam War to house troops, transport supplies, receive medical treatment and mount surprise attacks.
Today, you can go underground at two sites: Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc. Most visitors head to Ben Dinh for a more authentic experience. On arrival, you'll watch a short black-and-white film covering the history, then head into the bush as your guide points out disguised booby traps, concealed trapdoors and a hidden tank.
Then it's time to go under. There's a 140m stretch of tunnels to crawl through — expect around 10–15 minutes in hot, humid darkness. Escape routes are available throughout if you need them. If you're claustrophobic, don't stress: you can skip the tunnels entirely or choose a shorter, wider section to explore. The tour above ground is fascinating in its own right.
The trip takes around 1.5 hours by car. Taxis are the most expensive option, while the local bus is the cheapest but takes around 2.5 hours each way. Most visitors book a tour with transport included for around 130,000 VND. You'll find plenty of tour operators in District 1, particularly around the backpacker hub of Pham Ngu Lao Street.
2. War Remnants Museum
For a sobering — and essential — look at life during the Vietnam War and its lasting impact on the country, the War Remnants Museum belongs on every Ho Chi Minh City itinerary.
Outside the entrance, you'll find tanks, planes, bombs and weapons on display, but it's the photographs inside that are most affecting. Many document the brutality of war in confronting detail, offering an unflinching look at the realities of conflict. There are also sections dedicated to the prison camps on Phu Quoc and Con Son islands, the French colonial period and various conflicts with China.
It's worth starting at the top floor and working your way down — the more emotionally challenging material is on the upper levels, with lighter content toward the ground floor. The museum is in District 3 and entry costs around 40,000 VND.
3. Ho Chi Minh Square
Right at the heart of the city in District 1, Ho Chi Minh Square is an oasis of tranquillity away from the busy roads packed with motorbikes and the bustling shopping districts. This famous landmark is a marvel of French colonial architecture and an ideal place to sit for a little quiet time away from the noise.
There's a statue of Ho Chi Minh at the centre, standing in front of the city hall built by the French in 1927. Visit in the early evening and you'll be treated to soft lighting and the sounds of local musicians drifting over the traffic noise.
4. Reunification Palace
Also known as Independence Palace, the 1960s architecture is hard to miss — but it's the eerily deserted halls that make this a true relic of the past.
The building is deeply associated with the fall of Saigon in 1975. The first communist tanks to enter the city rolled through its gates, and a Viet Cong flag was raised in what became an iconic image. Today, you can walk the empty corridors and explore the meeting rooms on the ground floor, reception rooms on the first floor, and the telecommunications centre and war room in the basement.
5. Water parks
Ho Chi Minh City isn't just a city of history — there are plenty of activities to round out your historical itinerary, including some great water parks. After a hot day of sightseeing, they're hard to beat.
Dam Sen Water Park: Spread across 3,000m² of water-based fun, with highlights including the Blue Dragon Slide, Kamikaze Slide, Black Thunder Slide and a 10m high rope swing. Located in District 11. Entry is 80,000 VND for those under 1.4m and 120,000 VND for anyone taller.
Suoi Tien Water Park: This District 9 park offers plenty of water action alongside a roller coaster for those who prefer dry land thrills.
Thien Than Water Park: Set across 600m² in Nha Be District, with a 9m high slide and a 400m lazy river.
Cu Chi Water Park: The perfect way to cool off after crawling through the Cu Chi Tunnels. There's also a zoo on site.
6. Street food tour
A Ho Chi Minh City street food tour is one of the best ways to experience two of the city's highlights at once — the food and the streets themselves — typically done by motorbike. You'll hop on the back of a local scooter and zip across multiple districts with an English-speaking guide. It's arguably the easiest way to throw yourself into the hustle and bustle of the city, particularly given Vietnam's reputation for some of the best street food in the world. Ho Chi Minh City is packed with kerbside stalls and eateries serving up authentic Vietnamese dishes at every turn.
For a DIY street food tour, head to District 4 and wander the narrow streets and local markets — this is a true taste of local life, well beyond the tourist trail. Don't miss Đường Vĩnh Khánh and its selection of seafood restaurants and vendors, packed with locals. Snails are especially popular here — head to the bustling Lo J KTT alley to get your fill.
Best foods to try in Ho Chi Minh City:
Bún bò Huế: A beef noodle soup distinct from the phở you'll find across Vietnam
Spring rolls: A Vietnamese classic
Bánh mì: The beloved baguette sandwich, and arguably the country's top street food
Nước mía: Cold sugarcane juice flavoured with cumquat, hugely popular in Ho Chi Minh City
Grilled oysters with black pepper sauce
Vietnamese coffee: A local staple made with strong drip coffee and condensed milk — so good you'll be craving it long after you leave
Round things off with a Saigon beer alongside your meal. If you're into craft beer, the city also has a growing scene worth exploring at many of its rooftop bars.
Ho Chi Minh day trips
As well as immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of the city, a true Vietnamese adventure awaits just a few hours away. Some of our favourite tours and day trips from HCMC include:
Mekong Delta day trips: Visiting the rural cities of Ben Tre and My Tho offer a glimpse into Vietnamese countryside living. Ben Tre, the Capital of Coconuts, sits across the river from the more developed My Tho. Between them are four inhabited islands, home to bee farms and coconut lolly factories.
Cai Be floating market: Just two hours from the city, the Cai Be floating market is one of the few examples of this traditional Vietnamese way of life left.
Can Gio Mangrove biosphere reserve: Just 2.5 hours south of the city, this huge area of wetlands, mangroves, and salt marshes is just waiting to be explored. You can brave the waters in the rowboat – there are king cobras and saltwater crocs – or you can take the sensible option and head up to the 25m-high observation tower.
Now you know how you’ll be spending your time in Ho Chi Minh City, it’s time to decide how best to get around, the districts to visit, and where to spend your holiday cash with a little shopping.
Mekong River Cruise Mekong River Cruise
