Saigon at the moment is home to a collection of 11 museums featuring all aspects of culture: from typical Fine Arts Museum to unique ones like the Geology Museum or Ao Dai Museum. However, if you would like to learn a bit about the dark yet glorious Vietnam wars, the War Remnants Museum is always at the top.

First of all, it is super approachable. It is stated that this is a lively record of the US-South Vietnam War with more than 20,000 artifacts including documents, photos, and weapons.

The War Remnants Museum comprises three floors. There is not much to see on the ground floor as the ticket box and donation room are placed here. The highlighted destinations are the “Tiger Cage” – a type of prison used to capture and torture prisoners during wartime, and its collection of combat airplanes and tanks.

The other two floors are where all the weapons and photos capture tragic moments that wars brought to both countries and whoever was involved. Please mind that the images could be disturbing and miserable.

Entrance ticket: 40,000 VND/person ($1.7)

Address: 28 Vo Van Tan St, District 3

Located in the outskirts of Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels is another historical witness of the Indochina War and Vietnam War. The whole tunnel is actually an underground city having all the needed facilities like hospitals, meeting rooms, kitchens, and hundreds of kilometers of road tunnels connected. The deepest layer is 10 meters under the ground and only about 0.8-meter high – enough for one crawling person at a time. Now, for visiting purposes, certain parts of the tunnel were expanded so you can go in the tunnel and imagine living in it for days or months.

There are local buses running between Saigon downtown and Cu Chi Tunnel. From District 1, it is easy to catch bus No.13 directly to Cu Chi Bus Station for only 7,000 VND (30 cents). From there, take the No.63 bus to get to the site.

Entrance ticket: 110,000 VND/person (included snacks)

Address: Tinh Lo 15 St, Phu Hiep Ward, Cu Chi District

There are many religions practiced in this populous city, yet, Buddhism is still dominant of all. In the heart of Saigon is sited an ancient pagoda, well-known for its sacredness.

This little pagoda remains solemn and mysterious in the middle of a bustling and chaotic city. Having been built since 1892 on a site of over 2,000 square meters, it took 16 years to complete all the details of the construction. Visiting this pagoda of 300 statues coming in all shapes and sizes will give you some understanding of the influence of Taoism on the architecture and religion of the Vietnamese. It is not a random fact that many people worship this religious site: this pagoda is believed to fulfill the prayers of having love and children with many successful stories spread through word of mouth.

The Former President of the United States – Barack Obama used to pay a visit to this sacred pagoda in 2016.

Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu St, District 1

Due to the fact that the Chinese had invaded Vietnam for a thousand years and the two countries share the borderline, Vietnamese culture is strongly influenced by Chinese people and up to now, over generations, there is still a huge population of Chinese people in Saigon. They gather mainly in districts 5, 10, and 11 with active and lively business activities and vibrant energy. The center of Chinatown is called “Cho Lon” meaning the Big Market. You will be amazed at the interesting juxtaposition of all the shops: a chaotic arrangement in a generally orderly picture, which is hard to put into words. This is also the wholesale market of the city so it would be an unforgettable experience to watch the merchants constantly picking up their goods while chit-chatting joyfully.

We recommend you to do a Pagoda tour because this walkable area has many long-standing pagodas which are rich in religious details and stories and of course very instagrammable. After a long course of exploring, it is best to sit down for a cup of iced coffee and some food. Chinatown has some of the best food; most of them are obviously Chinese foods which are slightly adjusted to suit the climate and also the palate of the local customers.

Another historical site in Saigon is the Independence Palace. This is where the former president of the Vietnam Republic – brothers Ngo Dinh Diem and Ngo Dinh Nhu stayed and worked – could be compared with the White House. Remained over 150 years despite the hand of time, the palace reveals a subtle combination between the Western and Indochina architect. There are over a hundred rooms on the campus with different settings; a rooftop where an airplane could land; and a system of strong tunnels which could bear heavy guns and bombs.

The Independence Palace plays an important role in the Vietnamese hearts and history because this exact site witnessed the revolutionary moment when the enemies declared unconditional surrender.

Entrance ticket: 40,000 VND/person

Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, District 1

Opening hours: 8 AM – 4:30 PM

This is the go-to place for the Saigoneers especially when the sun is out and the weather becomes cooler. There is not much to “do” but a lot to “see” here. Walking along this street will give you a sense of how the locals spend their nighttime. There is a lot going on in just less than 1 kilometer: people taking photos, young people practicing skating, water music performance, and more.

The most amazing thing (personally) is the Cafe Apartment. Located along the walking street, these old apartments were transferred into cafes and shops; when nights come, all the lights from the sign panos are lit making a stunning view itself. This is where people bring their dates, take photographs or get their work done. If you are into photography, this place is gold with every corner full of life and photogenic of course. Exploring the cafe apartment is like a treasure hunt: you browse through each floor and check out each cafe to see its decor; menu and view before deciding to settle in one. Most of the cafes have a small balcony facing the walking street, so you can sit here to enjoy the breeze while watching the world passing by under your feet.

Also, there is a cuisine complex called Saigon Garden where you can find fusion eateries, and take a sip of wine before heading back on the street.

This location offers free entrance; however, if you drive a bike, you will need to pay for the parking ticket at 10,000 VND.

The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the heritage sites remaining from the French colonial period. After 140 years since the day it was finished, this has become a cultural and religious symbol of not only Christians but also of the Saigoneers in general. The Cathedral was designed by a French architect named J. Bourad; therefore, the overall architecture was profoundly influenced by Western architecture with the breath of a combination of Roman and Gothic architectural styles.

Interestingly, all the materials used for building the cathedral were brought to the site from France; and apparently, only Christians were recruited to build the cathedral. And the Virgin Maria Statue standing in front of the cathedral was sent from Rome. There are many fascinating stories amid this statue such as she shed tears, which attracts flocks of people visiting in hope of witnessing the miracle moment. Everyday, this sacred location witnesses couples hand in hand, coming here for their wedding shooting with the hope that their marriage will be protected by Supreme Beings.

Notre Dame Cathedral however had suffered severe damage from time and weather and has been under overall maintenance. It is though still worth a visit for the surroundings and neighboring streets such as Han Thuyen St and Pasteur St, which still retain the French vibes.

Address: 01 Cong Xa Paris St, District 1

Right next to the cathedral situated the Central Post Office, which is also another French colonists’ construction and the largest post office in Vietnam. This building was designed by the world-famous architect Gustave Eiffel – the Father of the Eiffel Tower. People go there not only to embrace the unique architectural design but also to take a moment to immerse themselves in the nostalgic atmosphere.

Why don’t you come here, write a postcard and send it to your beloved ones?

Address: 02 Cong Xa Paris St, District 1

The market has everything you ever need. Ben Thanh Market is famous for its abundance of goods and local produce. This is an indoor market so it will keep you off the Saigon heat and still give you an authentic shopping experience. It will take you a long walk to fully explore the market and do not miss the food court as well as the meat and fish section to truly feel the lively and vibrant atmosphere going on.

At night, the surroundings turn into an open market with lines of shops selling fabric, clothes, leather products, and of course local street food. If you are looking for a place to buy souvenirs for your trip, this is it.

Address: Le Loi St, District 1

Lastly in the series of the French colonists’ heritage sites is the Opera House. Only a walkable distance from the former two buildings mentioned above, this location is magnificent in its design. There is a small square in front of the House where people sit down to admire the grand design of the city.

The Opera House hosts many outstanding and high-quality cultural performances in which “A O Show” is the highlight. It brings in a lot of cultural elements of the Vietnamese as Non La and bamboo trees. The show is absolutely impressive and totally worth every penny.

You can check out the trailer and show schedule here.

Address: 07 Dong Khoi St, District 1

Of all the savory dishes in the city, Banh Mi is the most likely to be tried in Saigon as it is perfect for takeaway while you are busy exploring the city. Banh Mi is basically a baguette with various stuffings inside like Vietnamese pork sausage, char siu, fried egg, and pickled vegetables. It is convenient, cheap, and tasty.

You can find Banh Mi everywhere along the streets; however, here are some outstanding places we would recommend:

1. Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
   Address: 26 Le Thi Rieng St, District 1
   Price: 58,000 VND ($2.5)
2. Banh Mi Hong Hoa
   Address: 54 Nguyen Van Trang, District 1
   Price: 30,000 VND – 40,000 VND
3. Banh Mi 362
   Address: 25 Tran Cao Van, District 1
   Price: 20,000 VND – 40,000 VND

Hu Tieu is originally a Mekong Delta noodle soup. Unlike Pho, Hu Tieu noodles are smaller and a bit harder. Hu Tieu soup is extracted from pork bones and vegetables. An adapted version of Hu Tieu is “Hu Tieu Nam Vang” which has sliced pork, minced pork, shrimp, quail eggs, and delicious soup.

Some good Hu Tieu restaurants are listed here:

1. Hu Tieu Nam Vang Thanh Dat
   Address: 34 Co Bac, District 1
   Price: 59,000 VND – 69,000 VND
2. Hu Tieu Nhan Quan
   Address: A68 Nguyen Trai, District 1
   Price: 85,000 VND – 120,000 VND

It is sometimes said that Saigon has no specialty. It is because Saigon is where people from all parts of the country come to seek jobs and a better living standard and over time, they also bring their local cuisine to this city. However, there is one dish that this city does better than anywhere else and it is Com Tam.

A typical Com Tam Saigon is a plate of steamed broken rice topped with grilled pork ribs, egg cake, sunny-side-up egg, and shredded pork skin with cucumber, tomato, and pickled carrots to balance the composition. To complete the taste, there is a small bowl of chili and garlic fish sauce served with the rice.

Here are some places you can get a good plate of Com Tam:

1. Com Tam Bui Saigon
   Address: 100 Thach Thi Thanh, District 1
   Price: 45,000 VND – 65,000 VND
2. Com Tam Moc
   Address: 85 Ly Tu Trong, District 1
   Price: 45,000 VND – 74,000 VND

Banh Xeo is a kind of crispy pancake that is eaten by being wrapped in a sheet of rice paper with some green herbs and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce. There are two versions of Banh Xeo: Banh Xeo in the South (Banh Xeo Nam Bo) is thinner, bigger, and less oily while Banh Xeo from the Central (Banh Xeo Mien Trung) is smaller, crispier and oilier.

Our recommendations for Banh Xeo:

1. Banh Xeo Nga
   Address: 251 Nguyen Thien Thuat, District 1
   Price: 50,000 VND
2. Co Ba Vung Tau
   Address: 40B Tran Cao Van, District 3
   Price: 115,000 VND
3. Amitabha Restaurant (vegetarian Banh Xeo)
   Address: 40 Nguyen Thai Hoc, District 1
   Price: 65,000 VND

This dish emphasizes the Southern cooking style with the use of fermented fish. A bowl of Bun Mam comprises shrimp, squid, grilled pork, and eggplant. This is going to be a real authentic cuisine experience in Saigon.

The best Bun Mam in Saigon could be found here:

1. Bun Mam 144
   Address: 144 Khanh Hoi, District 1
   Price: 75,000 VND – 85,000 VND
2. Bun Mam Mien Tay
   Address: 124 Tran Khat Chan, District 1
   Price: 45,000 VND

This is kind of an extreme food experience for a lot of people. Bun Dau Mam Tom comes in a small tray of boiled pork, deep-fried cubed tofu, fried “Nem” (Nem Ran or pork cake), and other toppings of your choice. The star of the dish is the dipping sauce Mam Tom – which is a fermented shrimp sauce. The smell of it is quite strong, but after you mix it with kumquat juice, a bit of sugar, and fresh chili, it will bring out the best taste of all the ingredients.

It is important to try this dish at highly hygienic restaurants, so here they are:

1. Bun Dau Homemade
   Address: 01 Nguyen Van Trang, District 1
   Price: 99,000 VND
2. Bun Dau A Chanh
   Address: 200 Cong Quynh St, District 1
   Price: 59,000 VND

Goi Cuon (fresh spring rolls) is a tasty and healthy snack. Each roll features vegetables, a few rice noodles to guarantee the carb intake, and a slice of pork and shrimp. Just that simple but when you combine with the soybean paste and broken peanut sauce, it is going to make the most refreshing snacks.

Goi Cuon is often sold by the small vendor ladies. Some favorite Goi Cuon places favored by the locals here:

1. Banh Cuon Hong Hanh
   Address: 17A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1
   Price: 7,000 VND/roll
2. Quan Chay Chi Cu (vegetarian Goi Cuon)
   Address: 07 Tran Dinh Xu, District 1
   Price: 5,000 VND/roll

Oc which means snails and is the most loved dish/snack (whatever you call it) in the local’s heart. And it is obvious that Saigon is Oc paradise. There is even a whole area in which every single house on every single street sells Oc. There are numerous types of Oc together with other kinds of seafood like shrimp, squid, and fish. Oc is a “hanging-out” food that people often opt for when they want to drink a couple of beers at night time. Order 1 – 2 dishes at a time as the food comes in big portions. And do not forget to grab some beers.

Some popular places to go for Oc are below:

1. Oc Dao
   Address: C79 Nguyen Trai, District 1
   Price: 35,000 VND – 65,000 VND
2. Oc Khanh
   Address: 25 Nguyen Binh Kiem, District 1
   Price: 35,000 VND – 65,000 VND

Bo Kho is a traditional party dish in Vietnam, but people will always have a way to bring it into their daily meals. This is a version of beef stew in the Vietnamese way: beef is stewed in a pasty soup seasoned with spices and coconut milk. Bo Kho is often eaten with Banh Mi (baguette), rice noodles, or egg noodles. The shiny and tasty soup together with tender beef cubes will definitely win your heart.

Follow these recommendations for you Bo Kho tries:

1. Bo Kho Co Mai
   Address: 25 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1
   Price: 59,000 VND – 69,000 VND
2. Bo Kho Di Ut An Do
   Address: 194/5 Vo Van Tan, District 3
   Price: 45,000 VND – 50,000 VND

Last but not least, street foods in Saigon are varied; they are more like snacks that students and officials love to eat together during their break. That is Banh Trang Tron (a game-changing snack) which is a bag of rice paper strips, shredded green mango and herbs, dried beef and shrimp, and quail eggs. It may sound like a strange combination but trust us; it could be your next favorite street food ever.

Other examples of street food are “Do Chien” and “Coc Oi Mia Ghim”. The former ones are basically deep-fried meat and fish balls, while the latter are mobile carts selling multiple types of fruits shaken with sweet and spicy salt.

To close this section, we would like to inform you about the street calls which you will hear a lot when you are here. We would call it the all-in-one cart as in these little mobile three-wheel bikes, and you can find grilled dried squids, grilled corn and sweet potatoes, stir-fried corn with butter, boiled baluts, and so on. You would find it annoying at first when the calls go through the night then become missing them when you leave.