15 things must – do in Ho Chi Minh city

Having street food, taking photo with French architecture or wandering to go shopping are one of the must-do thing you can not miss when arriving in the Southern city.

1. City overview from the top of Bitexco tower: A new symbol of Saigon which is highest building will bring you many great experiences with the brilliant lighting system at night. The authentic signature is Skydeck, observation deck on the 49th floor. The height of the observation deck will create a chance for you to enjoy every single beauty and busy corner of the top busiest city in Vietnam

2. Driving under Thu Thiem tunnel : The very first underwater tunnel in Vietnam, a Saigon century The Saigon River Tunnel is the first underwater tunnel in Vietnam. This Saigon’s century work will bring you the feeling of strange and new. Every each end of the road (tunnel) has its own interesting difference feature. If there is a picture of the busy city at the end of the road in District 1, it will be a peaceful Saigon with green trees and the vast field in District 2.
   
   
   
3. Go sightseeing on Phu My bridge: Phu My bridge is the largest cable –stayed road bridge in Saigon connecting between District 7 and District 10. Apart from size, architecture and design, this bridge is also considered as the best and largest place with nicest view in Saigon. For safety reason, you are not well advised to join this area after 7 o’clock. If you want to go sightseeing, you should take part in a group of more than 5 people.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Conquering Cu Chi tunnel: Not only being the longest tunnel in our country, Cu Chi tunnel is also one of the top underground works in the world voted by CNN in 2013. There are 3 must- do things in Cu Chi tunnel you should try including conquer cellar adjacent to land where you have to lie on the floor to pass, enjoy boiled cassava, take a short nap on the hammock tied between 2 trees. Located in Cu Chi district, it is 25km far away from the city center. You can go there by motorbike, taxi, bus with the route Ben Thanh – Cu Chi (from 5am to 5 pm everyday).
   
   
5. Crossing over Saigon River: There are 3 choices for you to take a journey across Saigon River by waterway including meal on board, tour registration by boat/ canoe or cruise. Every choice has its own feature. However, it’s more convenient and cheaper to have a meal on board’ restaurants. If there is any further concern about price for the meal, you can buy buffet voucher at many restaurant on Saigon’s boat. It will cost you somewhere between 250.000 VND and 320.000 VND/ person depending on lunch or dinner.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Buying clothes with lower price: If you are a shopaholic, you should never forget those markets with  such as Nguyen Trai’s night market, Saigon Square, Taka Plaza, etc. With unexpected lower price, you will feel free to choose various kinds of pants, blouse, skirt or accessories which are restlessly  updated.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Visiting to shopping malls: It is more worth wandering in big shopping malls. Up to your budget, you can decide whether to by or not. However, window shopping is not prohibited here.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Enjoy junk food: It’s not easy to list all kinds of  snacks. One tip for you is that you do not have to find an exact address. Snack foods are all around every single corner of the city.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Taking photos: No need to pay attention to detail, Saigon is beautiful in every corner from the small and narrow street with blossomed flowers to the old French and Chinese architecture. Do not forget to capture the picture of solemn Notre Dame Cathedral, the elegance of Saigon Central post office,  the sophisticated Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh city, or the green of new urban area to share with your relative and friends.
   
   
   
   
   
10. Sipping a cup of coffee, the so-called “cà phê cóc”: Getting up early in the morning and wandering to the nearest alley. You can take a small plastic chair and enjoy a special Vietnamese coffee while observe the busy pace of Saigon’s life.
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. Experience Vietnamese coffee culture, named “bệt” café. A small piece of newspaper, a plastic cup of black coffee or some snacks in 30-4 park will bring you a strange feeling.
    
    
    
12. Renting a motorbike and then roaming through streets and alleys. A very strange Saigon will appear in front of you through the street vendors, the junk food stall in an alley, the old apartment buildings, the substandard housing and squalor and so on. Sometimes, at the end of your journey, it is all of sudden that you realize an unsleeping Saigon.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Paying a visit to typical works: You should find out more information about those typical French architectures in Saigon such as Notre – Damn Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh city Hall, Nha Rong Wharf or War Remnants Museum, etc.
    
    
    
    
    
14. Enjoy the city at night: Experiencing the city life at night is an interesting idea. There are 3 ways for you to choose including taking a motorbike, drinking coffee in the tall building with nice view or walking around the streets for foreigners (Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao streets in District 1)
    
    
    
    
    
    
15. Having a look at bridges: Saigonese usually flock to the bridges to enjoy the fresh air  blown from the river, and to go sightseeing. The following bridges are things that you should try such as Thu Thiem bridge (in Binh Thanh district), Phu My bridge (in district 7), Anh Sao (district 1)
    
    
    (Photos source: Internet)