Once called Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a thriving modern cosmopolitan city. The locals are welcoming and there’s so much to do, it’s hard to pick where to start.

Find your ideal Ho Chi Minh City vacation rental with FlipKey, so you can explore this exotic Vietnamese vacation destination.

About Ho Chi Minh City

First things first, ignore everything you know about Saigon. That includes all the movies you’ve watched too!

Not only has the name changed, the city has too! It’s evolved into an exciting destination with few remnants of its dark past.

However, you can go see the historic elements of Ho Chi Minh City – there are plenty of temples and pagodas for you to visit.

The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is between November and March. Definitely avoid April as that’s the hottest month of the year and you won’t be able to explore the city.

Humidity is at its worst between May and December. But that can be fixed with a bit of air-conditioning!

What to do

The Cu Chi Tunnels area must see. They’re a labyrinth of connecting tunnels deep underground that were used by the Viet Cong as hiding spots.

Afterwards, enjoy the fresh air and take a boat trip along the Mekong Delta. If you’ve seen ‘Apocalypse Now’ or ‘The Deer Hunter’ you might recognise a place or two. There are several tours you can take while in Ho Chi Minh; from a four-hour evening tour of the city, to a cyclo tour of Cholon (Chinatown), you’ll never be bored!

Even if you don’t take the tour, ride in a pedal-powered cyclo at least once. You may get hooked! Visit the Binh Tay Market, where you can buy spices, food and clothes. It’s great for souvenir shopping and understanding the culture.

Make a point of visiting the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was built from materials imported from France. See the Jade Emperor Pagoda, built in 1909, with its Taoist and Buddhist statues and artistry.

Top Ho Chi Minh City travel tips

Ho Chi Minh City is served by Tan Son Nhat Airport, located 7 km northwest of the central city.

From the airport, take a bus into the city (buses run every 15 or 20 minutes). 

While in the city, you can travel by bus, motorbike taxi or taxi. Take your pick!

Go out onto the streets and sample the delicious (and cheap) street food. You really should try the Bun thit nuong, a classic street-food dish: barbequed pork, lettuce and cold noodles. Yum! You’ll find buckets full of iced green tea on the streets, too. Just help yourself. Great if it’s a really hot, humid day!

Sit on a plastic chair on the sidewalk and watch the bustle of the city while snacking on a banh mi, (a sandwich). Browse and book a Ho Chi Minh City vacation rental with Flipkey.