Ho Chi Minh is an amazing city. It’s a place with a rich heritage, amazing people, and a lot of fun stuff to do. Every part of this city is a fascination to those who have never visited before. The scenery is beautiful, the architecture is magnificent, and the food and music are out of this world.
If you plan to visit, here are the 7 best things to do in Ho Chi Minh:
1. Sample Their Coffee
If you’re a lover of coffee, then Vietnam is the place to be. Being the biggest exporter of coffee in the world, coffee is sold everywhere. Get to sample some black coffee with a touch of ice (ca phe da) and a rich chocolate taste. You can also try out their iced milk coffee, better known as ca phe sua da.
2. Walk Around Dong Khoi
Dong Khoi is a stretch of bars and shops which extends from the Notre Dame Cathedral up the Saigon River. It has a rich history behind it. Get to listen to the amazing stories about how the young American GIs in the 1950s went to the go-go bars as you enjoy the colonial facade.
3. View The Jade Emperor Pagoda
If there’s a Vietnamese Pagoda you must see, it’s the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Built by Buddhists and Taoists in the 1900s, this is a breathtaking scenery to view. The interior is lined with intricate deities and ornate carved panels bordered with lotus fruit and flower offerings concealed with incense smoke. The statue of Quan Am on the roof terrace is a must see as well.
4. Visit The Reunification Palace
After the exit of the French in 1954, Ngo Dinh Diem built an independence palace as a display of the country’s strength but was later pulled down when an assassination was being planned against him. A replacement to the building was constructed in the 1970s and renamed as the Reunification Palace.
The most fascinating part for you to see is the garden where the tank which crashed through the palace gates during Saigon regime’s fall is.
5. Get Dressed Up For Lam Son Square
Considered as the most prestigious address in the city, Lam Son Square is the place to be for a culture night. The classy Hotel Continental is a must visit as well where you can get to sample their famous cocktails that were previously served to the French High Society.
Get to visit the Municipal Theatre for an amazing cultural experience. This superb 100-year-old building hosts both local and touring dances as well as theatre and opera companies.
6. Visit Chinatown
You’ve probably read or heard about Chinatown but never thought you’d go there. Now you can. Chinatown in District 5 area of Ho Chi Minh City has a lot of amazing things in it. There are numerous markets, pagodas, and temples. It’s more fascinating to visit during the Chinese New Year when so many exciting celebrations are happening.
7. Visit Nguyen Hue Boulevard
The Nguyen Hue Boulevard is a long, wide, broad street where small musicians come to play their music and street artists perform. There is a cinema on location where you can watch movies in their original versions. This place has colorful fountains, cafes, and restaurants, and it hosts most events that happen in Ho Chi Minh City.
Conclusion
This city has a lot to offer. Here are some more amazing things to do in Ho Chi Minh.