Ho Chi Minh City attractions. What to see in Ho Chi Minh? Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine. Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Thien Hau temple

What to see in Ho Chi Minh in a few days, how to get around the city, which hotel to choose, and where to buy souvenirs and clothes. Attractions, store addresses, a map with marks and a lot of photos in today's post.

Most independent travelers who go to Vietnam usually begin their acquaintance with the country from Ho Chi Minh City. Here it is summer and warm all year round, unlike Hanoi. In addition, the southern capital has many attractions and excellent shopping.

Time in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is 3 hours ahead of Moscow and 4-5 hours ahead of Kyiv. Below on the clock is the exact time in Ho Chi Minh City at this minute.

Ho Chi Minh Airport

The airport in Ho Chi Minh City is called Tan Son Nhat Airport. It is small and easy to understand its device.

Russians who plan to stay in Vietnam for up to 15 days do not need a visa and can immediately go through border control. Ukrainians, Belarusians, as well as those citizens of the Russian Federation who plan to stay in the country for 16 or more days, should worry about a visa to Vietnam in advance. Ordering online is easy and takes only 10 minutes. And already in Ho Chi Minh City, upon arrival to the border control, you need to look at the immigration office. It is located directly in front of the border guards on the left side.

I advise you to fill out a visa application form in advance and do not forget to take photos with you. .

How to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city center?

You don't have to spend much time to get from Tan Son Nhat Airport to the center of Ho Chi Minh City. The airport is located just 6 km from the central streets, right in the city. If you arrive at night, then the only option to get to the hotel is a taxi. The cost is 8-10 dollars, although arrogant Vietnamese taxi drivers may try to rip off all 20 from you, blatantly deceiving that there is a double rate at night. It is not true. Look for a taxi driver who will agree to a normal flat rate or who wants to ride on the meter.

If you arrived in Ho Chi Minh between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., you can take a bus to the center. There is a bus stop right outside the airport. You need bus number 152. It runs every half an hour and costs 4,000 VND ($0.20).

No matter how you get to the center, by bus or taxi, exchange some currency for Vietnamese dongs in advance.

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh?

We have stayed in Ho Chi Minh City 4 times. Once, when Arina was just a baby, they even rented a studio by the day with a real kitchen, a stove and a refrigerator, which cost us $25 a day.

Whatever type of accommodation you choose, it is better to settle in the city center in the area of ​​​​the Ben Thanh Market or on the backpacker street Pham Ngu Lao (Pham Ngu Lao). Another interesting place in which we liked it so much is Hoang Lien Hotel. Hotel next to Central Park. A double room with a window, air conditioning, bath and breakfast (decent buffet) costs $20. Near a chic park, many budget cafes, as well as all the sights of the center. It is better to pay a couple of dollars more and book a room with a window.

Free WiFi is available in almost every Vietnamese budget hotel. But if you settle in a hotel "with stars", then most likely you will have to pay for the Internet separately.

What to see in Ho Chi Minh City: attractions

The main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City are located in the city center and can be explored in a few hours. Any hotel will give you free map cities, guided by which you will go to see the local interesting things.

Notre Dame Cathedral

The current church was built in the late 19th century. interesting building in french colonial style.

The entrance is free. The temple is open on weekdays from morning until sunset.

Reunification Palace

Former residence of the king South Vietnam. You can go inside, see the decoration of the palace, take a walk around the neighborhood.

Entrance fee 15,000 VND ($0.75).

The palace is open to visitors daily from 07:30 to 11:30, from 13:00 to 16:00.

city ​​hall

Another attraction is the Palace of Culture. There is a beautiful square next to it, and in the surrounding neighborhoods there are several shopping centers, many small shops and cafes. They are not allowed inside the building, but tourists are photographed against its background. It is better to come here closer to sunset to take great photos. By the way, the building is beautifully illuminated even in the dark.

On the way, you will meet several more military museums where you can look at Vietnamese tanks and aircraft.

If you flew to Ho Chi Minh City with children, then this cultural program try to add two almost mandatory items:

Ho Chi Minh Zoo and Botanical Garden

An amazing place that we visit every time we come to the southern capital of Vietnam. You can wander around the zoo all day, feeding from the hands of different animals. Take some cabbage or carrots with you to feed the kids and lambs in a special pen for young animals. We also fed giraffes there. They eat the pods from the tree that grows near the cafe opposite.

The zoo will be interesting not only for children, but also for adults. Here you can hide from the midday heat, take a walk among exotic flowers and trees, sit on the shores of lakes.

From the city center, a taxi to the zoo usually costs no more than 60,000 dong ($3).

Entrance to the zoo costs a little more than $0.5. The zoo is open until 6pm.

Damsen Park

Large amusement park with a mini zoo and a large water park. We call it Vietnamese Disneyland because they hold parades of cartoon characters similar to Disney ones.

The park has a huge lotus lake and many interesting sculptures. Be sure to take a ride on the Ferris wheel to see Damsen from above.

On the territory of Dam Sen Park there are many cafes with inexpensive food, there are also restaurants of a higher class.

Dam Sen Park is located a little away from the center of Ho Chi Minh City and you can get there either by taxi for 130-150 thousand dong ($ 7-8) or by bus number 11 from Ben Thanh market for 4 thousand dong ($ 0.2). Travel time is about 30-40 minutes, given the Saigon traffic jams.

Ben Thanh Market (ChoLon, Ben Thanh)

In the evening you can go to Ben Thanh market. There is a lot of exotic food and fruits, all kinds of souvenirs and clothes. Can do a lot interesting photos and taste Vietnamese street delicacies.

I would not advise you to buy something there in the first days after arrival. You still do not know the prices at all and you will probably be deceived. So, on my first day in Vietnam, I bought a strange dimensionless dress at the Ben Thanh market for as much as 600,000 dong ($30), although in a nearby store it was sold for only 100,000 ($5). If you decide to buy something, bargain hard, do not hesitate to bring down the price several times.

If you stay in Ho Chi Minh for another day, you can go on a tour of the Mekong River. By boat you will go through the jungle to very colorful Vietnamese floating villages.

How to move around the city?

Even if you are a skilled scooter driver, I would not recommend getting behind the wheel of a motorbike in Saigon. Traffic in this southern capital of Vietnam is dense and chaotic, and it is very difficult to deal with local unspoken rules.

The Vietnamese are very careless and unpredictable drivers, so it is better to use buses or taxis in Saigon.

How to cross the road in Ho Chi Minh City during rush hour?

You can stand for half an hour near the crossing in the hope that the flow will someday stop in front of you. It is useless to hope for it. Begin to calmly move along the transition in small steps very slowly. Scooter drivers will drive around you. The main thing is not to make sudden movements and be predictable. It's scary the first time. If you think you can't cross the road on your own, ask an employee of the nearest hotel or a policeman to transfer you. Or wait for the Vietnamese and go next to them.

Why do people in Saigon wear face masks?

Maxi is worn mainly by motorbike riders to protect themselves from exhaust fumes. Also, women completely cover their face, arms and legs during the day, fearing to lose their white skin. In Vietnam, tanned skin is a sign that you have to work hard and hard in the fields and behind the sales counter. Real ladies have a creamy skin tone and never tan.

Ho Chi Minh City became the transit point of our journey from Koh Samui to Nha Trang. In this post I will talk about those sights of Ho Chi Minh that we managed to visit in 2.5 days. I will also tell you about my impressions of this city.

Ho Chi Minh became the second point of our trip from Koh Samui to Nha Trang. Check out our on how we got from Koh Samui to Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh met us with primordial chaos on the road. This is a city where the streams of bikes and cars merge into a living river, in which you can stay afloat only by feeling the energy of this place.

The city has a very tough atmosphere. Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is a modern anthill. Its air is saturated with exhaust gases, vanity and fatigue.

Behind was Koh Samui and the country of smiles. Now, on a grand scale, like against a wall, we were hit by a wave of a completely different life.

Instead of palm trees, the sea and friendly faces, we were greeted by skyscrapers, masked locals and complete indifference to strangers.

To say that Ho Chi Minh City is an inhospitable city for tourists is an understatement.

It is difficult to communicate in the city. The locals hardly speak English. We were lucky, and we found a Russian-speaking taxi driver, and most do not know any language other than Vietnamese. In such conditions, finding something in the city becomes a problem.

We managed to find a map of the city, in a local magazine stand, and we were guided by it.

Sights of Ho Chi Minh City.

For 2.5 days in Ho Chi Minh we visited four attractions: the Military Museum, the Museum of Independence, Notre Dame de Saigon Cathedral and the Central Postal office. I will tell about them.

Waking up in the hotel, we first went to look for what to eat in Ho Chi Minh City. Local hamburgers were a real discovery for us. They consist of a very tasty French bun, in which they put just a little bit: cucumbers, tomatoes, bacon, sausage, pate, sauce, herbs, etc. the set is different for different sellers, but we really liked the taste. After Koh Samui, we missed good bread.

Such a hamburger costs only 15,000 dong, which is about 25 Russian rubles. You can buy them in such mobile trays.

After we refreshed ourselves, we went to see the first attraction in Ho Chi Minh City - the military museum.

We walked along the main streets. Unlike dirty Koh Samui, where anything is lying on the streets, it was very pleasant to get into cleanliness, and there were also symbols from my childhood all around. Ho Chi Minh City for a Russian person will always be a breath of nostalgia with pioneer ties, parades and red flags.

Finally, we found the Military Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. It was formerly known as the US War Crimes Museum. In fact, he remained so in the understanding of the locals, but after the restoration of diplomatic relations with America, Vietnam decided to make a small nod to the former enemy.

The Military Museum in Ho Chi Minh City is open daily from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. Then comes a break. The museum opens again from 13:30 to 17:00.

Entrance to the military museum is paid - 15,000 dong (about 30 rubles). Almost all attractions in Ho Chi Minh City are paid. Be prepared for this.

In front of the entrance to the museum there is equipment from the Vietnam War.

There are helicopters here.

Fighters.

Bombers.

Artillery.

Lots of technology.

And even a boat.

Air bombs, with which the Americans generously watered the local land.

To the left of the entrance is a small prison.

It has a guillotine.

Torture cages.

Camera samples.

Instruments of torture.

The place is very difficult.

The museum itself includes an exhibition of photographs of the aftermath of the American bombings.

Stands with posters of those times.

And this is the form of an American soldier who is sick with the “Vietnamese syndrome”. Now many former US soldiers repent of their crimes.

See a walking tour of the military museum in Ho Chi Minh City.

The coordinates of the Military Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.

28 Vo Van Tan Street

The next attraction was the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Saigon.

This is a gift from the country's French past.

Vietnam was once a French colony. In order to prove the greatness of the Christian faith over Buddhism and to influence the speculation of the subjects, the colonial authorities decided to build a majestic cathedral.

The best specialists from Europe were invited for its construction. The stone was brought from overseas, but still the cathedral is inferior in color to the colorful temples of Asia.

Temple Notre Dame de Saigon was built in 1880. So far it has been in good condition.

Notre Dame de Saigon Cathedral is not only a famous landmark of Ho Chi Minh City, but also a place for mandatory photo sessions for local newlyweds.

It is full of tourists from all over the world.

Immediately in front of the cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary. It also attracts many lovers to take photos. In 2005, they claim that the statue was crying. Thousands of people gathered to watch it.

We did not get into the temple itself. it works until 16:00. Working hours from 8-11:00. Then a break until 15:00 and then only another hour of work.

The entrance is free.

Take a walk around the area with us.

Temple of Notre Dame de Saigon.

Near the Notre Dame Cathedral, there is another attraction - this is the Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City.

The central post office in Ho Chi Minh City is always full of people. Mostly these are tourists who came to look at the cathedral, and one came here to take pictures and buy stamps with souvenirs.

The Central Post Office is an example of French colonial architecture.

On the sides of the entrance, along the walls, there are meeting booths with clocks showing the time in different cities peace.

A map of Vietnam hangs above them, and on the opposite wall, as I understand it, is an old map of Ho Chi Minh City.

Souvenir shops and currency exchange work here.

In the central part of the post office there is a workroom.

A large portrait of Ho Chi Minh is watching the bustle around with a smile.

Take a walk around Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office with me.

If you stand with your right side towards the central post office, and with your left side towards Notre Dame Cathedral and go straight, then after 300 meters you will get to another attraction of Ho Chi Minh City - the Palace of Independence.

We went to the Independence Palace, also called the Reunification Palace, on the last day of our stay in Ho Chi Minh City in the morning.

It works from 7:40 to 11:00. Then a break. It opens again at 13:00 and is open until 16:00.

Paid entrance. The cost is 30,000 dong.

The Palace of Independence (Reunification) stands on the site of the previously demolished palace of the rulers of South Vietnam.

It was demolished and rebuilt in 1962. The last president of South Vietnam lived on the third floor of the Palace of Independence. In 1975, Viet Cong tanks moved in here. Soon a red flag appeared over the palace building. Tanks are now standing in the park nearby.

Soon, an act of reunification for all of Vietnam was signed at the Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City. After that, the palace became known as the Reunification Palace.

There is a park around the palace. Here you can walk under the shade of trees.

Take pictures with the equipment of the Vietnam War.

In the palace itself there are various halls for solemn meetings.

There is also a small garage. Look at this old executive class Mercedes.

You can walk around the Palace of Independence in this video.

Reunification Palace coordinates.

Address: Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Bến Thành, Quận 1

After viewing the palace, we went home to collect things.

A taxi driver came for us and we went to the airport. In I wrote that we were taken from the airport to the hotel on a coupon for 200,000 dong. The return trip on the meter via Vinasun taxi turned out to be not only cheaper (only 120,000 dong), but also three times faster. Maybe this was influenced by the fact that we had a Russian-speaking driver and we had a good chat with him about life on the way

During these days we did not have time to visit all the sights of Ho Chi Minh City. We planned to get to the zoo and the historical museum. Will update this article next time.

At the end of our post about the sights of Ho Chi Minh City, I will give a small report on the budget of our stay for 2.5 days in Ho Chi Minh City.

Food, groceries and food for Alina - 2200 rubles. Here we could not resist and sat in a Vietnamese cafe for a bit 🙂

Entertainment - 400 rubles. There are museums here and we tried Vietnamese beer.

Taxi - 1100 rubles.

Hotel — 1020 rubles

Total - 4720 rubles. Compare our travel expenses from Koh Samui.

Subscribe to blog news to find out in the next post how much it cost us to move from Koh Samui to Nha Trang.

At the end, general impressions of Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City is not suitable for long stays especially with children. It's a terrible atmosphere and hustle and bustle. This city literally sucks energy. Therefore, two or three days for a cursory inspection of local attractions is enough to taste this city and not greatly upset the harmony inside.

After Ho Chi Minh City, we seriously thought about what kind of place Vietnam was worth going to. on Koh Samui seemed like heaven on earth, which we left.

In the next post, you will learn how we got from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang and our impressions of this city.

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Ho Chi Minh City is one of the main industrial, commercial, transport and tourist centers of South Vietnam.

He is considered major metropolis and consists of nineteen districts and five rural counties.

Ho Chi Minh on the map of Vietnam in Russian

Ho Chi Minh City is located south of the state. This is a very picturesque area - the Mekong Delta. The city occupies more than two thousand square kilometers in area, the famous Saigon River flows in its center. Here you can quite clearly feel the separation of the wet (May-November) and dry (April-December) seasons.

The air temperature varies slightly, on average it ranges from twenty-five to thirty degrees.

History of occurrence

During its existence, the city renamed several times. It originally belonged to Cambodia and was called Prey Nokor. It was conquered by the Vietnamese in the seventeenth century and became Saigon. In 1975 it was named after the country's legendary leader Ho Chi Minh. Now residents often call it Southern capital, and, thanks to the great French colonial heritage - the East.

Start education modern city gave a little fishing village, whose location was saigon coast. Its inhabitants were Khmers - immigrants from Indochina. It was a very advantageous location geographically. Merchants from China, Laos, Cambodia and some other countries located nearby could get here along the Mekong flowing near. The ever-increasing volume of trade contributed to the active prosperity and growth of the settlement.

In the seventeenth century in this territory settled Vietnamese, and in the second half of the eighteenth she was captured by troops. The French have made a huge contribution to the improvement of this land. They drained the swamps, began building houses and roads. All this time, a war was waged with the local population, which ended only in 1954, when the French left the area.

Read also about the weather on popular resorts Vietnam by month.

Then for fifteen years the city was under occupation United States of America. After that, he was liberated by North Vietnamese (communist) troops. At this time, it continued its development already in the local national traditions, and to date, Ho Chi Minh City attracts a huge number of tourists who want to know the features of the country and get acquainted with its cultural and historical heritage.

How to get there?

Getting to Ho Chi Minh City is quite easy:

• The capitals, as well as major cities of many countries, including, are connected by direct flights to international Tan Son Nhat located in Ho Chi Minh City;

That is why direct air traffic will be the most economical and comfortable option.

• You can also transit flights passing through Bangkok;
• Being in Vietnam, you can easily and for a short time get to Ho Chi Minh City by bus or train.

You can select plane tickets using this search form. Enter departure and arrival cities, date And number of passengers.

Attractions with photo

In the city, there are still many ancient architectural objects, monuments that have historical meaning, as well as exquisite natural places. As a result of the special historical development of the city in its culture, mixture of cultural traditions Vietnam, France and America.

That is why a visit to Ho Chi Minh City will leave an indelible impression that will remain in your memory for a long time.

Tran hung dao statue



The monument is located in the central part of the city near the embankment of the Saigon River and is surrounded by numerous skyscrapers, against which it looks unusual and quite colorful.

Chan hung dao is considered the great commander of Vietnam, under whose leadership, it was possible to repel three major invasions of the Mongol-Tatars, who came to this territory from the north of the country. Then he led the tsarist army and, with popular support, on the ninth of April, one thousand two hundred and eighty-nine, completely liberated the entire country from the Mongol troops. To this day, this day is a national holiday.

Monument to Ho Chi Minh

Monument commemorating the great Vietnamese ruler Ho Chi Minh, installed on the central square of the city against the backdrop of the building of the People's Assembly. The people of Vietnam today treat this politician with great warmth and respect, who did everything possible for the country's prosperity. The locals affectionately call him Grandpa Ho.

The fact that an elderly man holds a sleeping little girl in his arms gives a special trepidation to the monument. It seems that looking into the distance, he thinks about her future fate and the future of the whole country.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Saigon - Notre Dame de Saigon

This cathedral belongs to main attractions Ho Chi Minh City. Its construction began by the French in 1877 and lasted about six years. The architects tried to introduce the foundations of European culture into the country and outshine the local temples with the grandeur of the structure.

Most building materials and interior items were brought from France and other countries. Their quality, as well as the craftsmanship of the builders, allow the building to maintain its integrity and fresh appearance to this day.

Notre Dame de Saigon is the most beautiful and a large European temple among Asian countries. Numerous tourists constantly come to visit the cathedral, on the Place de Paris Commune. The newlyweds of the country have already become the main tradition of holding photo sessions near the pinkish walls of the building.

In front of the temple there is a small beautiful park where you can see the statue of the Virgin Mary, which reaches four meters in height. This beautiful place for a leisurely stroll.

The bell towers of the cathedral are decorated six bells, one of which calls daily, and the rest only at Christmas. The choir also sings and the organ plays. The interior of the building is characterized by modesty, but at the same time, beauty, which is mainly given to it by magnificent stained-glass windows. The main, important piece of furniture can be considered a white marble altar, which is decorated with carved angels.

Tien Hau Temple



While in Ho Chi Minh's Chinatown, Cholon, you can visit the temple, which was erected by the Chinese in the second half of the eighteenth century in honor of Goddess Tien Hau(Mazu), which patronizes sailors and fishermen. It is treated with respect in almost all South Asian countries, especially in China.

On the roof of the temple, there are numerous porcelain figures depicting scenes from ancient Chinese legends. Above the iron gates are placed theatrical models made of carved wood and numerous Chinese lanterns.

The open areas of the courtyard of the building are equipped incense burners, at the end is an altar. The temple has a calm and peaceful atmosphere, probably due to the numerous burning incense.

Anyone who comes here can purchase and leave spiral incense in the pagoda. It will smolder for a month, the Vietnamese believe that at this time luck will accompany them in all matters. And if you put a few coins in a donation box, then Tien Hau will be a reliable protector on the road.

Zach Vien Pagoda

Zac Vien Pagoda is located on the outskirts of the city near Lake Sen. It was built in the middle of the eighteenth century and was originally an ordinary hut with a thatched roof. And only a few centuries later it acquired its present form.

The large hall of the pagoda houses the Buddha sculptures, beautiful wooden engravings and sculptures depicting the cultural and daily life of the Vietnamese people.

Now the building serves as an art and history museum, which is open to tourists. The monks living on the territory of the pagoda will help excursion on this Buddhist building and will tell a huge number of myths and legends that the people have put together about the pagoda during its operation. To date, it is considered the most sophisticated and beautiful architectural monument of Ho Chi Minh City.

Jade Emperor Pagoda

The construction of the Jade Emperor Pagoda or Ruler began in 1909. It is dedicated to the god of heaven Ngoc Hoangu. But the inner halls of the building are filled not only with his statues, but also with sculptures of other Buddhist deities. The pagoda is constantly visited by a huge number of tourists, they strive to feel its contrast. The exterior of the building is decorated in a bright pink color that evokes positive emotions.

But once inside, visitors are often confused. This is especially felt in a small room, which is called hellish. In addition to the statue of the Devil, here you can see ten circles of hell which are depicted on the wooden walls. They often give eerie thoughts to visitors, and they leave the premises in a gloomy mood. But when you enter the courtyard of the pagoda, it quickly passes, thanks to the beautiful vegetation, fragrant flowers and the many turtles that live there.

Historical Museum



IN historical museum Ho Chi Minh is brought together thousand years of history the entire state. It contains many historical artifacts, household and religious exhibits. They let you see the depth historical events, cultural heritage and characteristics of the life of the local population.

The museum was founded in 1929 and was originally called Blanchard de la Brosse Museum. Of the most interesting expositions for visitors, one can indicate ancient statue Buddhas, mysterious nineteenth-century mummies and a unique collection of antique pottery.

Asian Women's Museum

This is a rather unique museum, which was organized relatively recently, in one thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven. Numerous exhibits of his collections tell how Asian women live and what contribution they make to the history of the country's development.

Here you can get acquainted with national dresses, jewelry, household appliances and other things that play an important role in the life of Asian women.

The museum is often the venue for various conferences And seminars where you can watch documentaries and read letters, drawings and prints related to Asian women. The building occupies more than two thousand square meters, on which twenty-five thousand unique historical items are located.

War Crimes Museum

The War Crimes Museum is very popular but is shocking sight. Here are photographs and documents that testify to war crimes that were committed against the inhabitants of the country. In the open areas near the building you can get acquainted with the American military equipment and weapons. All this, indeed, causes the saddest emotions.

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden in Ho Chi Minh City was founded in the middle of the nineteenth century, when the French dominated here. Its territory covers about twenty hectares of land, on which about two thousand trees and shrubs grow, many of which are already over a hundred years. They were brought here from various countries of the world.

Visiting this natural site, you can see more than thirty species of cacti and the same number of bonsai, and about twenty varieties of orchids regularly bloom here. Thanks to great view vegetation and fresh air, the Botanical Garden has become one of the favorite places for walking not only among local residents, but also among tourists.

Vietnam National Water Theater



Watching any performance of this unusual theater will bring a lot of positive emotions and leave an unforgettable experience. This exotic national art and vibrant show is the pride of the country. It is believed that the first water performances were held as early as the tenth century. Their peasants came up with, in order to somehow entertain yourself after work.

Initially they were carried out on flooded rice fields , where water not only made it possible to hide the puppeteers and the puppet control mechanism, but also made it possible to create additional effects (waves, splashes).

Currently, performances are held on stages, which are specially equipped pools.

The puppeteers are behind a screen and control the puppets with long levers hidden under the water. It seems that wooden puppets, whose height reaches one meter and weighs more than five kilograms, move through the water with ease.

Plots performances are usually taken from national fairy tales and legends, which often have hidden meanings. During the performance, the orchestra plays and the singers who are next to the stage sing. Performances contain a large number of scenes flowing smoothly from one to the other.

Short excursions



To get around all the sights of Ho Chi Minh City a week is not enough, but a well-planned route will help you visit most of them.

Where to go in 1 day?

If a day trip to Ho Chi Minh City is planned, then it is recommended to visit the main, most interesting sights of the city, concentrated in its center:

1. should start with the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame;
2. After visiting the cathedral, go to Reunification Palace;
3. You can then go to Central Mosque;
4. From the mosque to Thien Hau pagoda located in Chinatown;
5. In conclusion, it is worth going to the nearby Bien Thanh market where you can buy interesting, food, clothes and other goods.

Or you can devote the whole day to a large amusement park and. Forty kilometers from the city there is a huge entertainment Dai Nam park. It is the largest in the country, and getting around it on foot is a difficult task.

For ease of movement Several buses and mini-trains travel here, as well as a bicycle rental. The park has a huge number of different attractions, including a pool with water slides. You can take a break during the walk in the cafe.

What to see in 2 days?

If you plan to spend two days to get acquainted with Ho Chi Minh City, then it will be more convenient to take sightseeing tour around town.

A sightseeing tour usually starts from the Central Square, includes a visit to several temples, the port of Nha Rong, the post office, the lacquer factory and the Ben Thanh market.

You can also use guide services who will advise the most interesting places to visit. If you managed to see the main ones in one day, then the second can be devoted to a trip to entertainment and shopping centers.

Those who do not like organized excursions can visit the sights of interest on one's own, for convenience, knowing in advance how to get to them, and making a route.

With kids

In order for the trip to become interesting for children, they must be taken to Nai Dam or Suoi Tien entertainment centers or to a performance in a water park.

Also, a trip should not be complete without a visit. the oldest Asian zoo located in Ho Chi Minh City. It began functioning in one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five years. Now it is home to more than five hundred and fifty species of fauna, including quite exotic ones.

Animals are housed in large cages, aviaries or indoors under glass. Equipped for reptiles special terrarium. Since walking around the zoo often takes the whole day, for the convenience of visitors, there are several cafes on its territory where you can eat and relax.

• The attractions of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) are museums, theaters, monuments, parks, pagodas, temples and churches, leisure parks, famous markets and even shopping centers and restaurants. And I will tell you about the most interesting ones on this page.

  I must say right away that in this sample I included only those objects that are located within a radius of 15 km from the city center.

  What to see in Ho Chi Minh?

  Ho Chi Minh City is multi-faceted and diverse. Thanks to the rich past, there are many different monuments of architecture, culture, as well as religious sites and places for outdoor recreation.

  Conventionally, they can be divided into several categories:

  1. Pagodas, temples and churches
  2. Markets and shopping centers
  3. Amusement parks and water parks
  4. Ana's restaurant

  So, let's look at them in more detail.

  State and public buildings

  As an Asian city, Ho Chi Minh City pleasantly surprises travelers with a neighborhood of strict European-style buildings, artsy old buildings, as well as ultra-modern high-rise buildings. Here are the most iconic and interesting ones.

  1 . Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập)

  A symbol of the unification of the southern and northern parts of the country. Previously, this place was the residence of the governor, the government house, the presidential palace. The building acquired its final appearance in 1966 (architect Ngo Vi). 10 years later it was named a National Cultural and Historical Relic.

  • Feature: end was announced here Vietnam War
  • Known as Independence Palace among tourists
  • Address: 135 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 07:30-11:00, 13:00-16:30
  • Ticket price: 40.000 VND

  

  
  

  2. People's Committee Building (Trụ sở Ủy ban Nhân dân)

  Built in 1908. It was originally the Hotel De Ville. Now it is the City Hall. The building features magnificent architecture in the colonial style. It is not accessible to tourists, but it is an excellent backdrop for photos, especially when illuminated in the evening.

  • Known as Ho Chi Minh City Hall among tourists
  • Address: 86 Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, Quận 1

  
  

  3. Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office (Bưu điện Hồ Chí Minh)

  A modern post office, in which the local population and tourists are provided with a full range of relevant services. The building is very beautiful - a vivid example of colonial architecture of the late 19th century.

  • Known among tourists as the Saigon Central Post Office
  • Address: 125 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 07:00-19:00, Sat. 07:00-18:00, Sun. 08:00-18:00

  

  

  4. Bitexco financial tower

  68-storey skyscraper. It houses offices, a shopping center and a restaurant. On the 49th floor there is a 360˚ observation deck (aka Saigon Skydeck). From the 58th to the 60th there is a museum-club-bar "Heineken".

  • Feature: tallest business building in the country
  • Known among tourists as Bitexco Financial Tower
  • Address: 36 Hồ Tùng Mậu, Bến Nghé, Quận 1
  • Opening hours of the observation deck: Mon.-Sun. 09:30-21:30
  • Ticket price: 200.000 VND (adults), 130.000 (children, seniors)
  • Opening hours of the bar "Heineken": Mon.-Sun. 15:00-21:30

  

  
  

  Cultural attractions

  Ho Chi Minh is rich in cultural sites. Thematically, they can be divided into four groups.

  • Museums
  • Hu art galleries
  • Theaters and circus
  • Statues and monuments

  Now more about each group.

  Museums

  The city has many museums of various kinds: historical and military, art, cultural.

  You will find a list of the most important and interesting ones below.

  Located in the industrial suburb of Saigon - at the Kuchi ride. This is a large number of underground tunnels created by local residents during the Vietnam War. Historical place. Partly due to the actions of the guerrillas who fought in this underground city with American soldiers, the United States was forced to stop hostilities and withdraw its troops from Vietnamese territory. The total length of the catacombs is more than two hundred kilometers. In some areas, their maximum depth reaches 15 meters. A trip to Kuchi is an opportunity to see with your own eyes the realities of a monstrous war that lasted 25 years.

  • Feature: these are the only underground tunnels in the world created during military operations and without any special technical devices
  • Known as Cu Chi Tunnels among tourists
  • Address: TỈNH LỘ 15, Phú Mỹ Hưng, Củ Chi, Hồ Chí Minh
  • Ticket price: 70.000 VND (adult), 20.000 (children)
  • How to get there: by buses No. 13 and No. 94 (with transfers) or by taxi

  
  
  

  
  

  2. Vietnam History Museum (Bảo tàng Lịch sử Việt Nam)

  Built in 1926. It is the first museum in South Vietnam. It has been in operation since 1979. The expositions of this museum show all periods of the development of the state, starting from the prehistoric.

  • Known among tourists as
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 08:00-11:30, 13.00-17:00
  • Ticket price: 20.000 VND

  

  
  

  3

  Built in 1890. Initially, exhibitions of local delicacies were planned in the building. However, it was so beautiful that it became the residence of the governor. After 5 times changed their owners. Since 1999, this museum has been operating in it, the expositions of which tell about the history and culture of the country. Military equipment is exhibited in the adjacent territory.

  • Known among tourists as Ho Chi Minh City Museum
  • Address: 65 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 07:30-18:00
  • Ticket price: 3 0.000 VND

  
  
  

  4. War Victims Museum (Bảo tàng chứng tích chiến tran)

  The exhibits tell about the crimes committed during the Vietnam War. Behind the walls of the building is an exhibition of captured American military equipment of those years. The museum topped the "Top 25 Museums in Asia" in 2017, the winner of "Travellers' Choice" in 2014 and 2017.

  • Among tourists is known as
  • Address: 28 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 6, district 3
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 07:30-12:00, 13:00-17:00
  • Ticket price: 40.000 VND (students, military, veterans - 50% discount)

  

  
  

  Located on the banks of the Saigon River, a 5-minute walk from the city council building. The materials of the museum tell the story of the life and struggle of Ho Chi Minh, the country's main political figure. The exposure is simple. If someone is looking for interactive - you should go to other institutions.

  • Known among tourists as Ho Chi Minh Museum
  • Address: 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh, District 4
  • Opening hours: 07:30-11:30, 13:30-17:00
  • Ticket price: 15.000 VND

  
  

  6. Ton Duc Thang Museum (Bảo tàng Tôn Đức Thắng)

  It tells about the life of one of the presidents of Vietnam - Ton Duc Thang, as well as the development of communism in the country. The museum has an important ideological significance for the education of the younger generation. Located in close proximity (600 meters) to the Saigon Opera.

  • Known among tourists as Ton Duc Thang Museum
  • Address: 5 Ton Duc Thang Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
  • Opening hours: Tue-Sun. 08:00-11:30, 13:30-16:30, Mon. - day off

  

  

  7. Museum visual arts(Bảo Tàng Mỹ Thuật)

  It occupies one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, built in the colonial style - the former mansion of a Chinese merchant. This is one of the most popular city museums. Lovers and connoisseurs of classical art will like it. Included in the Top 10 Best Museums in Vietnam 2017. Inside there is a cafe and a gift shop. Cons: There is no air conditioning in the building.

  • Known among tourists as Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
  • Address: 97A Phó Đức Chính, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bìn, Quận 1
  • Opening hours: Tue-Sun. 09:00-17:00, Mon. - day off
  • Ticket price: 10.000 VND

  

  
  

  8. Asian Women's Museum (Bảo tàng Phụ nữ Nam Bộ)

  Founded in 1985. Illustrated tells about the cultural traditions of women in Vietnam. The halls showcase their ancestral crafts and tell stories about their lives and exploits during the Revolution and the Vietnam War.

  • Known among tourists as the Southern Women's Museum
  • Address: 202 Võ Thị Sáu, Phường 7, district 3
  • Opening hours: 08:00-11:30, 13:30-16:30

  
  
  

  Located in an old 6-storey building. Its numerous exhibits (about 3,000) will tell you everything about the development of medicine and pharmaceuticals in this country. The museum has modern audio-video equipment. By the way, just like some other museums in the city, it is the winner of Travelers’ Choice in 2015. It is located 3 km from the Military Museum.

  • Feature: the first private museum in the country
  • Known among tourists as FITO Museum
  • Address: 41 Hoang Du Khuong Street, Ward 12, District 10
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 08:30-17:00
  • Ticket price: 120.000 VND (adults), 60.000 VND (children)

  
  

  

  10. Museum of Illusions Artinus 3D (Khu Triển lãm Tranh 3D Artinus)

  It is a gallery of images in 3D format, against which you can take a picture and become part of this picture. Suitable for visiting with children, but adults will also like it. Photos can be printed on site.

  • Address: Số 2, Đường số 9, Tân Hưng, District 7
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 09:00-18:00, Sat-Sun. 09:00-20:00
  • Ticket price: 200.000 VND

  
  

  Art galleries

  It may seem surprising to many, but they are in Ho Chi Minh City. And believe me, they deserve to visit them and even, if desired, purchase a painting by one of the local artists. So, before you the most interesting salons of the city.

  1. Vietnam Art Gallery

  Founded in 2011. It will be of interest to art lovers, as well as gallery owners in other countries. Offers a wide range of paintings by Vietnamese artists.

  • Address: 80 Nguyen Hue St., District 1

  
  

  2. Gallery of the photo artist Couleurs d'Asie by Réhahn

  Exhibition of photographs by the world famous French photographer Réhahn. Exhibited impressive photos of representatives of the ethnic groups of the region - those whose traditions and very existence are in danger of extinction.

  • Address: Floor 1, 151/7 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, 10 minutes walk from the main market
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 08:30-21:30

  
  

  

  Works since 2009. Works of young sculptors and painters are exhibited here. It also regularly hosts curatorial exhibitions of emerging Vietnamese artists.

  • Address: 27 Trần Nhật Duật, Tân Định, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sat. 11:00-18:00, Sun. 12:00-17:00

  

  
  

  4 Lotus Gallery

  Founded in 1991. Mostly the works of young artists are presented here. The gallery opens up new names and promotes traditional and contemporary Vietnamese fine arts to the world. Located 300 meters from Ben Thanh market.

  • Address: 100 Nam Ki Khoi Nghia St, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 09:00-18:00

  

  
  

  Theaters and circus

  As such, there are two theaters in the city. One represents classical art, while the second shows all the beauty of the authentic and traditional. In addition, there is a circus building in Ho Chi Minh City.

  It has the status of a municipality. It is located in a beautiful building built by the French in 1897. A large-scale reconstruction carried out in 1998 completely changed its external and internal appearance. Now it is modern in all respects the temple of Melpomene. On its stage, performances of ballet troupes, opera singers of world renown are held, various events of a national scale are held.

  • Known among tourists as Saigon Opera House
  • Address: 07 Công Trường Lam Sơn, Bến Nghé

  
  

  

  An unusual show for Europeans. The tradition of such performances originated in the 11th century - they depict the beliefs and customs of Vietnam. In addition, the puppet theater is a tool for educating nationalism and strengthening the cultural identity of young people. It is located a few hundred meters from the Palace of Independence.

  • Feature: actors perform in a pool filled with water
  • Known among tourists as Golden Drag on Water Puppet Theater
  • Address: 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 17:00, 18:30, 19:45
  • Ticket price: 170.000 VND

  

  
  

  

  Works since 1959. The performances combine dancing, elements of kung fu wrestling and acrobatic numbers. The basis of the presentations national histories, legends and beliefs of Vietnam. Performances are held daily, but keep in mind that the circus often goes on international tours. Located 10 minutes walk from the main market.

  • Address: 283/27 Pham Ngu Lao Street
  • Ticket price: 340.000 VND

  
  

  

  Statues and monuments

  To learn more about the history of my country, visit monuments of great importance to the people of Vietnam.

  Erected to a Buddhist monk revered as a bodhisattva. In 1963, in protest, he publicly set himself on fire at a crossroads in Saigon, because at that time the government regime was persecuting the followers of this doctrine. The monument is installed at the intersection of Cach Mang Thang Tam and Ng uyen Dinh Chieu streets.

  • Known among tourists as The Venerable Thich Quang Duc Monument
  • Address: Corner of Cach Mang Thang Tam/Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street

  
  

  Dedicated to the outstanding commander and military theorist Chan Hyng Dao. In the XII-I century, he led the army of the Viet in the battle against the Mongols. April 9 (when the Dai Viet army crushed them) is a public holiday in Vietnam. The monument stands on Ton Duc Thang street.

  • Known as Tran Hung Dao Statue among tourists
  • Address: Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe, Ho Chi Minh City

  
  

  Pagodas, temples and churches

  Vietnam has centuries of history. Many peoples lived here - with their own beliefs and traditions. This is reflected in the existing temples, pagodas and mosques.

  All religious buildings in the city can be divided into the following groups:

  • Christian
  • Buddhist
  • Hindu
  • Musulmanian

  Below I have listed the most interesting shrines from each group.

  Christian

  Christian churches in Ho Chi Minh City are, first of all, the legacy of the French colonialists, as well as the result of European cultural influence.

  There are two in total.

  1. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

  The current Catholic church. Built in 1880. It is an example of beautiful Romanesque architecture. By the way, all the materials for its construction were brought from France, which in those days, you see, was not an easy task. However, until 2020 it will only be possible to look at the cathedral from afar - it is closed for reconstruction. And it is located next to the main post office of the city, it is impossible to pass by.

  • Known among tourists as Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
  • Address: 1 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1

  

  

  Its European name is the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Gothic style of the building and the unusual bright pink color of the facade attract the attention of travelers. The temple dates from the end of the 19th century.

  • Known among tourists as Tan Dinh Church
  • Address: 289 Hai Bà Trưng, ​​Phường 8, District 3

  
  

  

  Buddhist

  Most of the temples and pagodas in the city are, of course, Buddhist. I will tell you the most important for locals and the most popular with visitors.

  See below for all the details.

  Built in 1956. One of the largest in the city. The pagoda houses the sacred relics of the Buddha. The complex also includes the highest bell tower in Vietnam - 32 meters.

  • Known as Xa Loi pagoda among tourists
  • Address: 89B Bà Huyện Thanh Quan, Phường 7, District 3
  • Opening hours: 07:00-11:00, 14:00-17:00

  
  
  

  Current Buddhist temple complex. Here is the central association of Buddhists of the country. Built in 1971. The group of buildings includes a 40-meter 7-storey tower (tourists are not allowed to enter it).

  • Known as Vinh Nghiem Pagoda among tourists
  • Address: 339 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường 14, Quận 3

  
  

  

  3. Jade Emperor Pagoda (Chùa Ngọc Hoàng)

  Year of construction - 1909th. The most famous and beloved by pilgrims pagoda of the city. Created in honor of the supreme Taoist god Ngoc Hoangu. Located in the center, 1.5 km from the city zoo.

  • Feature: in one of the halls of the pagoda, childless couples pray for heirs
  • Known among tourists as Jade Emperor Pagoda
  • Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu, Da Kao, District 1

  

  
  

  Built in 1744. The oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City. Contains an impressive collection of Buddha statues and figurines.

  • Feature: on the territory of the garden, broken around the pagoda, there is a bodhi tree, sitting under which Gautama Buddha himself was enlightened
  • Known as Giac Lam Pagoda among tourists
  • Address: 565 Lạc Long Quân, Phường 10, Tân Bình

  

  
  

  Built in 1760. Dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau - the mistress of the sea. The architecture of the building is dominated by the Chinese style. Decorated with excellent wood carvings.

  • Known as Ba Thien Hau Temple among tourists
  • Address: 156 Đường Võ Văn Kiệt, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bìn, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 08:00-16:30

  
  

  

  Hindu

  Erected at the end of the 19th century in honor of the goddess Mariamman, who is worshiped by adherents of Hinduism. A bright structure, decorated with various sculptures of deities.

  • Known as Mariamman Hindu Temple Saigon among tourists
  • Address: 45 Trương Định, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 07:00-19:00

  
  

  Muslim

  It was built in 1935 by adherents of Islam who came from India. It attracts with its elegant architecture. Located within walking distance of the Opera House.

  • Known among tourists as Saigon Central Mosque
  • Address: 66 Dong Du Street, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 08:00-20:00

  
  

  natural attractions

  The most interesting places for outdoor recreation are on this list.

  It was opened in 1869. One of the largest in Vietnam. Includes places where animals are kept, a territory with plants, an amusement park, an orchid garden, lakes. It is one of the oldest and continuously operating zoos in the world.

  Known among tourists as

  • Address: 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Bến Nghé, Quận 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 07:00-17:00
  • Ticket price: 8.000 VND (Mon-Fri), 12.000 VND (Sat-Sun)

  

  
  

  Large, functional, green park in the city center. On its territory there are restaurants, cafes, a cinema, a swimming pool, a play area for children. It is located behind the Palace of Independence, not far from the Mariamman Temple.

  • Address: 80 Truong Dinh, District 1

  
  
  

  Opened in 1983. Named after the little Vietnamese patriot Le Van Tam.

  Big enough, comfortable green Park. Island fresh air in the metropolis. A favorite vacation spot for citizens - many of them come here to play sports. An orchestra plays here in the evenings. Located in area No. 1, 1 km from the Asian Women's Museum.

  • Known as Le Van Tam Park among tourists
  • Address: Hai Ba Trung Street

  

  
  

  It was opened in 2014. A Japanese-style park with rocks, carp swimming in ponds, and 500-year-old bonsai trees. Covers an area of ​​20,000 m2. There is a Japanese restaurant in the park.

  • Feature: stones, building materials and even fish - all brought from Japan
  • Known as Rin Rin Park among tourists
  • Address: 87/8p đường Xuân Thới Thượng 6, ấp Xuân Thới Đông 1, xã Xuân Thới Đông, huyện Hóc Môn
  • Ticket price: 50.000 VND

  

  
  

  

  The main water artery of this region. Its length is 25 6 km. The former name of the city comes from it. It flows through the entire city and has many branch canals. In addition to cargo transportation, there are many river excursions along the Saigon River that allow you to enjoy excellent views. Evening walks are especially popular among tourists.

  

  
  

  6. Dong Tam (Đồng Tâm) snake farm

  It is located quite far from the city - 70 km, but definitely worth a visit. It is part of a large nursery located in the town of the same name Dong Tam. There is a garden on the territory, medicinal plants grow. Here they not only breed snakes and study poisons, but also create medicines based on them. There is also a scientific medical center, a museum, a zoo. In the local shop you can buy snakeskin products, medicines and cosmetics.

  • Feature: here is the official museum of snakes, the only one in the country
  • Known to tourists as Dong Tam Snake Farm
  • Address: Cầu, Tỉnh Tiền Giang, Trung An
  • Ticket price: 25.000 VND
  • How to get there: only on your own (nothing goes to the farm from public transport)

  
  

  
  

  

  The decision to create it was made by the government of the country back in 1978. This was dictated by the need to deal with the consequences of the Vietnam War. Indeed, as a result of the use of chemical weapons by the Americans, a significant part of the unique mangrove forests was destroyed. The reserve is located in the coastal region, 40 km from the city, in the province of Longan. It occupies an area of ​​almost 80 thousand hectares. The base is a natural wetland formed as a result of the overflow of the Dong Nai and Saigon rivers. It is a unique ecosystem - more than two hundred different biological species (including saltwater crocodiles) live in the water part, forests, swamps and fields, fifty rare plant species grow.

  • Feature: first of
  • Known among tourists as
  • Address: Rừng Sác, Cần Giờ, Hồ Chí Minh
  • How to get there: by taxi, by boat

  
  

  
  

  Natural landmark of Vietnam. It is located in the southwest of the country. Its territory is almost 40 thousand km2. Delta is not only a combination of river tributaries, wetlands, rice fields, floating markets, and villages and cities located here. This is an important agricultural region of the country. By the way, the Kanzo mangrove forests and the Dong Tam snake farm are geographically part of it. The Mekong Delta is ideal for lovers of eco-tourism. unusual nature, rare species of flora and fauna, the original life of local residents, not spoiled by civilization ... This and much more attracts tourists here, the number of which is growing every year.

  • Known among tourists as
  • Ticket price: depends on the chosen excursion
  • How to get there: by boat

  
  

  
  

  

  Markets and shopping centers

  And now I will tell you about the most interesting places in the city in terms of shopping. Someone likes to visit markets, and someone likes large stores.

  Here are the most popular ones.

  Markets

  Founded in the 17th century. Authentic South Asian market. The most famous both in the city and in the country. After the closing of the day market, the night market unfolds its rows around, with numerous cafes. Located in area No. 1, at the intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao and Le Lai streets.

  • Known among tourists as
  • Address: Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao Avenues and Le Lai Street, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 06:00-18:00 (day), 18:00-24:00 (night)

  

  
  

  It is more designed for local residents and the prices here are lower than for similar goods in the Ben Thanh market. However, the main reason why you should come here is the widest range of various fabrics among all the markets in the city. Located 500 meters from Le Van Tam Park.

  • Known as Tan Dinh Market among tourists
  • Address: Tan Dinh Ward, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 05:00-23:00

  

  
  

  Vendors, in addition to various tools and building materials, offer real military antiques, as well as military shoes and clothing. Popular with history buffs and numismatists. You can buy rare items that have been preserved since the war with the Americans. He spread his ranks 500 meters from the city's art museum.

  • Known as Dan Sinh Market among tourists
  • Address: 104 Yersin Street, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 07:00-17:30

  

  
  

  4. Russian market

  Located in the city center, in a large two-story building. So by and large, this is more of a shopping center, not a market. Especially loved by Russian tourists (hence the name) for the fact that the range of goods is designed specifically for them - sizes, types of clothing, and prices are reasonable.

  • Known among tourists as Russian market
  • Address: 28 Vo Van Kiet Street, Co Giang Ward, Area No. 1
  • Opening hours: 09:00-20:00

  
  
  

  Shopping centers

  Opened in 1999. One of the biggest in the city. Includes an entertainment part and a huge number of shops with premium goods. The main difference from other centers is the jewelry stores that sell real certified jewelry.

  Located next to the Ben Thanh market - shimmering like a diamond in the sun, the building is impossible not to notice.

  • Address: 34 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 09:30-22:00

  

  
  

  Opened in 2010. Attracts tourists with a convenient location. Almost 300 shops offering products of world brands and numerous restaurants operate on its squares. Prices are quite high compared to other trading platforms. But on the ground floor there is a good and inexpensive bookstore.

  • Address: 72 Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, District 1
  • Opening hours: 09:30-22:00

  

  
  

  It occupies the first floors of one of the city's skyscrapers. Upscale and very European. It contains shops of the most famous, expensive and luxurious world brands, as well as excellent restaurants. It is not difficult to walk, only 650 meters from Bitexco - and you are there.

  • Address: 65 Le Loi Boulevard, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Thu. 09:30-21:30, Fri.-Sun. 09:30-22:30

  

  

  Opened in 2016. Refers to a Japanese concern with a 180-year history, especially widely known in Asian countries. Modern center with excellent shops and restaurants. You can buy Japanese-made goods. It is a 5 minute walk from Ben Thanh Market.

  • Address: 92-94 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe ward, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 09:30-21:30, Sat-Sun 09:30-22:30

  
  
  

  As you can see, in Ho Chi Minh City you have ample opportunities for shopping: whether it be luxury brand items, local crafts, food or souvenirs.

  Amusement parks and water parks

  1. Dai Nam Amusement Park
  2. Suoi Tien Amusement Park
  3. Dam Sen Amusement Park

  So let's get started.

  1. Dai Nam Amusement Park (Lạc Cảnh Đại Nam Văn Hiến)

  Located 40 km from the city center. Located on the territory of the country's largest tourist complex, which is called the Vietnamese "Disneyland" (aka Dai Nam Wonderl and). The park is located on 450 (!) hectares and was opened to the public in November 2008.

  It includes: a zoo, a water park (or, as the Vietnamese call it, an artificial sea), an amusement park, the Golden Temple ... You can’t list everything! And all this - against the backdrop of impressive natural landscapes, with mountains, rivers, lakes and a huge amount of greenery. For the convenience of visitors - internal transport services. After all, you can’t walk much on such a large territory on foot.

  To enjoy everyone types of entertainment One day is definitely not enough for you. Therefore, it is better to set aside a few days to rest here, especially if you plan to visit Dai Nam with children.

  • Known as Dai Nam Amusement Theme Park among tourists
  • Address: 13, Hiệp An, Thủ Dầu Một Bình Dương
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 08:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 08:00-18:00
  • Ticket price: from 20.000 VND to 200.000 VND
  • How to get there: bus number 616 or taxi

  

  
  

  
  

  Located 18 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. Works since 1995. It occupies an area of ​​50 hectares. The choice of attractions in the park is huge: both for adult visitors and for the smallest. Among the most popular are the Ferris wheel, winter house, fear room, monorail, roller coaster. On the territory of the park there is a farm with crocodiles (you can feed them for a fee), a water park (not very big) and a small zoo. You can also watch the performance of trained dolphins, it takes place 5 times a day. Like other Saigon amusement parks, it is better to come to Suoi Tien on weekdays. Weekends are very crowded and noisy - many tourists do not like it.

  • Feature: the entertainment orientation of the park is combined with the religious one. There are many active temples, Buddhist sculptures and statues, including the famous statue of Avalokiteshvara.
  • Known as Suoi Tien Cultural Amusement Park among tourists
  • Address: Phường Tân Phú, Quận 9
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 08:00-17:00
  • Ticket price: 90.000 VND (adults), 45.000 VND (children). Each attraction must be paid separately.
  • How to get there: by bus number 1 9 or by taxi

  
  

  

  
  

  3. Dam Sen Amusement Park (Công viên Văn hoá Đầm Sen)

  Opened in 2008. Like Suoi Tien Park, it is spread over 50 hectares. There is a water park, a sports center, an entertainment center, a lake with lotuses, gardens with birds and orchids, a contact mini-zoo. There are even caves and thickets with dinosaurs (quite realistic, I must say) and, of course, many attractions scattered throughout the territory. The favorable location of the park attracts not only local residents, but also many "transit" tourists - those who have a few free hours waiting for a transfer at the airport. To spend them here would be absolutely the right decision.

  • Feature: here is the best water park in the city
  • Known among tourists as Dam Sen Cultural Park
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 07:30-18:00, Sat-Sun. 07:30-21:00

  
  

  
  

  4. Dam Sen Water Park (Công viên nước Đầm Sen)

  Part of the Dam Sen park. It is the largest in Ho Chi Minh City. The water park is equipped with modern equipment, which is constantly updated. Artificial rivers, a 3,000 m2 swimming pool with sea waves, hydromassage and children's pools, a variety of extreme slides and more… More than 30 types of proposed water activities will satisfy the taste of the most demanding visitor.

  By the way, there is an excellent restaurant on the territory of the water park, which can accommodate up to 1,000 people. In general, there are many places where you can eat. With security, too, everything is in order - this is monitored by a team of professional rescuers.

  • Special Feature: Dam Sen Water Park was named Top 10 Best Water Parks in Asia in 2014
  • Known among tourists as Dam Sen Water Park
  • Address: 3 Hòa Bình, Phường 3, Quận 11
  • Opening hours: Mon., Wed., Thu., Fri., Sat. 09:00-18:00, Tue. - day off
  • Sunday and holidays - 08:30-18:00
  • Entrance ticket price: 150.000 VND (for adults over 140 cm), 110.000 VND (for children whose height is from 80 to 140 cm). Everyone below is free.
  • For visitors arriving after 16:00, tickets cost less - 120,000 VND (adult) and 80,000 VND (children).
  • How to get there: by bus number 11 or by taxi

  
  

  

  Restaurants

  There are hundreds of places to eat in Ho Chi Minh City. The choice is huge. This is an incredible amount local cafes and eateries. These are ubiquitous fast food restaurants such as Mcdonald's, KFC, Burger King, Lotteri a and others. These are restaurants haute cuisine specializing in Pan-Asian and European dishes. There is everything, even French confectioneries, which invariably cause delight and surprise among European travelers.

  I will name you a few establishments that will be especially interesting to visit.

  High cuisine restaurant. Impressive. Delight. Charm is cool.

  • Cuisine: Asian, European, Vegetarian, Fusion
  • Feature: dinner in absolute darkness
  • Address: 180D, Hẻm 178 Hai Bà Trưng, ​​Da kao, District 1
  • Opening hours: 11:30-14:30 (lunch), 17:30-23:00 (dinner)

  
  

  

  If you want to spend one day in Paris while in Asia, this is the place for you. It is easy to find - literally a hundred meters away from Ben Thanh market - and you are there.

  • Cuisine: classic French pastries, desserts
  • Address: 23 4 Le Thanh Ton, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sat. 07:30-19:30, Sun. 07:00-14:30

  
  
  

  High cuisine restaurant. Visitors can enjoy a covered terrace and a cozy open area overlooking the Saigon River. Breathtaking views, romantic setting. The restaurant can be reached not only on foot or by transport, but also by river, by boat.

  • Cuisine: Pan-Asian
  • Feature: located on the river bank
  • Address: 38 Nguyễn Ư Dĩ, Thảo Điền, District 2
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 08:00-24:00

  

  
  

  They serve the best steak in town and have a great atmosphere - but you have to pay a hefty price for it. Awarded "Travellers' Choice-2017"

  • Cuisine: South American
  • Address: 74/1 Hai Bà Trưng, ​​Bến Nghé, District 1

  
  

  

  

  A cult place for lovers of real music. It is located 250 meters from the main post office.

  • Cuisine: American/Indian
  • Address: 39 Le Duan Street, District 1
  • Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 11:00-24:00

  

  
  

  

  , Trụ sở Ủy ban Nhân dân Thành phố Hồ Chí, UBND Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh) currently functions as a public institution (the city council meets here). Despite the fact that you won’t be able to enter the building, it’s worth coming here to see its architecture.

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 there, how to get 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 City (Vietnam - Thanh phố Hồ Chi Minh) - although not the capital of Vietnam, but the largest city in the country with a population 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 after decades 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 a distance). 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.

— — 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, ATMs are built into many classic telephone booths.

• 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.

— — Municipal Opera House (Saigon Opera house)

The Saigon Opera House is a very beautiful building in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. In accordance with the schedule, in the evenings there is a popular acrobatic show A O Show.

• 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.

— — City Council Building (City Hall,City Hall)

The former city council building is one of the beautiful buildings 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 want to believe that after full recovery this part of the city will become no less beautiful than it was before.

• Coordinates: 10.776492 N, 106.70087 E
• Address: Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh.

— — 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.

— — 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 the opposite side of the 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 evening starts to work street market around the building.

— — Skyscraper Biteksko(Bitexco Financial Tower)

Biteksko is the most tall skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh. 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.

— — 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.

— — 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 are 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.

— 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! At 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. There is also a 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.

— — 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.

- - 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. It is located far from the tourist center of 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 by yourself on a motorbike (rent $ 5 per day) or by 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. We went to this wonderful city as part of an independent trip 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 various photos of Ho Chi Minh that are not related to specific attractions, but which give a general idea of ​​\u200b\u200bwhat the center of Saigon looks like.

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.

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 voice the price of $ 15-25 per day 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. Dishes vietnamese cuisine are usually 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. 🙂

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.

How to get to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

Let's start with the fact that Ho Chi Minh City has an international airport that receives 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 using the low price calendar 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 do 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 of Southeast Asia, if you are interested, subscribe to the news!

Walking around Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

Marina and Konstantin Samorosenko

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