The top 9 must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City will awaken your senses and make you fall in love with this vibrant city, adding a deeper meaning to your Vietnam journey.
Hey there, fellow explorer! If you’re dreaming of buzzing streets, steamy pho bowls, and that electric mix of old-world charm and modern hustle, Ho Chi Minh City is calling your name. As someone who’s wandered these chaotic, captivating lanes more times than I can count—chasing sunsets on motorbikes and getting lost in lantern-lit alleys—let me tell you: the must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City are what make this place unforgettable. We’re talking hidden pagodas whispering ancient secrets, war-torn museums that tug at your heartstrings, and grand colonial gems that feel like stepping into a history book.
Ho Chi Minh City, or Sài Gòn as the locals still call it with a wink. The attractions in Ho Chi Minh City blend French elegance, Vietnamese resilience, and a dash of chaos that keeps you coming back. These 9 top attractions were evaluated based on surveys of visitors from around the world to Ho Chi Minh City. The ranking considers the feeling a place evokes – where it offers something new, sparks conversations over a cup of iced milk coffee, and leaves you with truly memorable photos and lasting memories.
1. Jade Emperor Pagoda – Must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City
Hidden in the urban bustle, Jade Emperor Pagoda feels like a quiet escape. Built in 1909 by the Cantonese community, this Taoist temple bursts with color—think statues of the Jade Emperor, turtles symbolizing longevity, and dragons guarding sacred spaces. Incense fills the air, monks chant softly, and a pond with turtles adds a serene touch.
For travelers, it’s a gentle intro to Vietnam’s spiritual side, far less touristy than the big hitters, but every bit as soul-stirring. Wander the courtyards at dawn, and you’ll catch locals offering fruits to the deities; it’s raw, real, and profoundly peaceful.
- Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu Street, Dakao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
- Entrance Fee: Free (donations appreciated)
2. War Remnants Museum
War Remnants Museum delivers a powerful punch, making it a standout among must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Housed in colonial buildings, it tells the Vietnam War’s story through photos, artifacts, and survivor accounts. Tanks and planes sit in the courtyard, while the “Requiem” exhibit honors fallen journalists. The displays are intense, showing the human cost of conflict and the nation’s resilience. It’s a must for understanding Vietnam’s past, leaving visitors reflective and ready to hear locals’ stories over coffee afterward.
- Address: 28 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM daily
- Entrance Fee: 40,000 VND (about $1.60 USD)
3. Notre Dame Cathedral
Standing tall like a pink-hued postcard from another era, Notre Dame Cathedral is a beacon of French colonial flair amid the attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Consecrated in 1880, its twin bell towers chime over the backpacker buzz of District 1, drawing you in with red bricks imported straight from Toulouse and stained-glass windows that dance with light.
I love lingering on the steps here, watching vendors hawk coconuts while the bells toll, it’s that perfect clash of old Europe and vibrant Vietnam. Inside, during mass, the echoes of hymns blend with street life outside, creating a moment of quiet reverence. For first-time visitors, it’s an easy anchor: snap the iconic shot, then stroll to nearby cafes for people-watching. Under renovation until 2027, it’s still a stunner—proof that beauty endures.
- Address: 1 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM daily (open for masses; limited access during renovation)
- Entrance Fee: Free
4. Reunification Palace
Step into the Reunification Palace, you’re walking through Vietnam’s pivotal chapter, one of the top must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. This modernist marvel, once the South Vietnamese presidential digs, froze in time on April 30, 1975, when North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates, ending the war.
My favorite? The rooftop helipad, where the last desperate evacuations unfolded. It’s eerie, inspiring, and a nudge to reflect on unity over division. Families love the guided audio tours; couples, the manicured gardens for a breather. It’s compact, so slot it into a morning, emerge ready to toast peace with a beer (bia hơi) nearby.
- Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM daily
- Entrance Fee: 65,000 VND adults (about $2.60 USD), 15,000 VND children (about $0.60 USD)
5. Giac Lam Pagoda
If you’re craving a whisper of the old Saigon, Giac Lam Pagoda delivers – one of the oldest attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, dating back to 1744. Nestled in a leafy Tan Binh neighborhood, this Mahayana Buddhist haven boasts seven stories of gilded Buddhas, ancient stupas, and gardens where frangipani blooms scent the air. Locals flock for full-moon rituals; you’ll catch them burning paper offerings and chanting under lantern glow.
For travelers, it’s a peaceful contrast to the urban grind, perfect for meditation or simply sitting with a cup of lotus tea. It’s off the main tourist trail, which means authentic vibes and zero crowds. Come at dusk for that golden-hour magic.
- Address: 565 Lac Long Quan Street, Ward 10, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
- Entrance Fee: Free
6. Ho Chi Minh City Museum
The Ho Chi Minh City Museum is like flipping through a love letter to Sài Gòn’s evolution – a gem among the must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City that’s often overlooked but endlessly rewarding. Housed in a 1880s French mansion (once the governor’s digs), it spills stories of rubber barons, revolutionaries, and everyday heroes through artifacts, photos, and recreated colonial salons.
Touch the brass cannons from the Gia Long era, or pore over Cham relics that hint at pre-colonial roots; it’s a timeline that makes the streets outside click into place. I’ve lost afternoons here, emerging with a deeper affection for this resilient metropolis. Ideal for rainy days, with English labels and a cafe for debriefs.
- Address: 65 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
- Entrance Fee: 30,000 VND (about $1.20 USD)
7. Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda
Deep in Chợ Lớn’s Chinatown pulse, Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda shines as a kaleidoscope of devotion is one of those attractions in Ho Chi Minh City that surprises with its intricate beauty. Built in 1902 for the Fujian community, it’s a shrine to Guan Gong, the warrior god, decked in swirling incense coils, gilded altars, and wooden carvings so detailed they tell tales on their own.
For foodies and culture seekers, it’s a gateway to District 5’s dim sum heaven. It’s compact yet mesmerizing, especially during festivals when lanterns light up like fireflies. A true local’s favorite.
- Address: 184 Hung Vuong Street, Ward 12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
- Entrance Fee: Free
8. Binh Tay Market
Forget the tourist traps, Binh Tay Market is where Sài Gòn’s real rhythm thumps, a top pick among must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City for anyone craving authentic vibes. This 1928 gem in District 6’s Chinatown sprawls with over 1,000 stalls hawking everything from dried squid to silk scarves, under a clock tower that chimes like a heartbeat.
Dive into the chaos: haggle for cheap jeans, sample jackfruit chips, or watch fishmongers splash in the wet market; it’s sensory overload in the best way. My pro tip? Go early for the freshest produce and friendliest banter; it’s where I scored my favorite conical hat. Less polished than Ben Thanh, but that’s the charm—pure, unfiltered Vietnam. A half-day here, plus street eats, is pure joy.
- Address: 57A Thap Muoi Street, Ward 2, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM daily
- Entrance Fee: Free
9. Central Post Office
Capping our list is the Central Post Office, an architectural love note from 1886 that’s effortlessly one of the attractions in Ho Chi Minh City you can’t miss. Designed by Gustave Eiffel’s crew (yep, Eiffel Tower fame), its vaulted ceilings, vintage phone booths, and massive maps make sending a postcard feel like a ceremony.
I adore the nostalgia: The whir of fans, clerks stamping envelopes, tourists tracing routes on the 1890s floor mosaic. It’s still buzzing as a post office, so grab stamps for home or just people-watch over gelato from the stand outside. For romantics, it’s peak Sài Gòn whimsy; snap that obligatory shot with the yellow facade gleaming. Free and fabulous, it’s the gentle close to a whirlwind day.
- Address: 2 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Mon-Fri), 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Sat), 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Sun)
- Entrance Fee: Free
Vietnam Sai Gon Central Post Office
In conclusion, having explored the Top 9 Must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with Lux Travel DMC, we can affirm one thing: this beautiful, bustling metropolis is always ready to offer visitors a mosaic of wonderful and diverse experiences.
Therefore, instead of worrying about which places to prioritize, simply relax and allow yourself to fully immerse yourself in these fantastic attractions in Ho Chi Minh City
