We had planned our Vietnam-Cambodia trip for a year and got a great tour package deal from Transpipol Travel and Tours. For the second time, this travel agency did not fail to arrange a packed itinerary that touched all the right bases. Our two-day visit in Vietnam provided the rich opportunity for us to expand our historical and cultural knowledge of the country.
with our English-speaking Vietnamese tour guide, Ben
We faced up to the past, tried local Vietnamese food, haggled for bargains in the markets, and traveled further afield. In this post, let me share with you the top 10 tourist attractions we visited in Ho Chi Minh, a city that’s always full of action. 🙂
Travel Guide: Top 10 Tourist Attractions We Visited in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
1. Cu Chi Tunnels
Admittedly, I was clueless about the US-Vietnam war prior to our trip. Maybe I was one of those students in History class who didn’t pay close attention to the topic. Hihihi. 😛 Anyway, visiting the Cu Chi tunnels was an eye-opener for me as the actual site gave a clear picture on the strength and hardships of the Vietnamese people against their foreign enemies in the last century.
how Vietnamese soldiers hid underground (in camouflage)
The 200-km long Cu Chi Tunnels feature meeting rooms, living quarters, kitchens, clinics, and hiding grounds which were used by Viet Cong-era soldiers and their families. Glorifying the guerilla warfare, the connecting tunnels were built only with simple tools like shovel, mattock, etc. in over two decades. Nasty and lethal boot traps were also assembled and strategically placed everywhere in camouflaged “spider hole” dugouts.
nail spike traps as primitive weapons
Now a point of interest and landmark for tourists, the Cu Chi Tunnels are presented basically as a huge war museum offering visitors a sneak peak at the dark past of Vietnam. This is a living tribute to the human will and Vietnamese peasants’ wartime ingenuity.
The tunnels were dug so deep so that American tanks would pass overhead without causing any damage. Several levels were designed to have effective air filtration systems (e.g. ventilation holes disguised as termite mounds) to help people breathe underground. Oil lamps were used as light.
We were game to do the tunnel crawl but could not get beyond 40 meters when sweat kept pouring down our faces. My 6′-tall boyfriend struggled with the “duck walk.” His knees almost got bruised while I managed to crawl out without stress. It’s one of those times when I’m grateful for being petite. Haha! It was a wonderful experience nevertheless. We almost felt the real vibe of being in war, hearing simultaneous gun shots in the background. Apparently, there’s a shooting range available for tourists to try out a number of guns.
2. Vietnam Handicapped Handicrafts
One of our quick stopovers included a site called Vietnam Handicapped Handicrafts. It’s a shop featuring the creativity and the fine art of lacquer painting. What’s surprising was that those assembling the pieces were mostly victims of the war who did not have the capacity to work anymore in corporate offices but were given the chance to still earn a living the decent way.
We learned that lacquer painting is practiced as an ancient Vietnamese art whereby a resinous substance from trees is utilized as varnish or glossy coating on the painting. The artists make the paintings for days and even months, depending on the materials used (usually egg shells and mother of pearls) and the size of the canvas. Finished products such as personal and home accessories are brought and displayed in the selling area. Unfortunately, taking of pictures inside is not allowed.
Address: Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Phuong 17, Q. Binh Thanh, Tp.HCMC, Vietnam
3. Reunification Palace
After lunch at Ngon 138 (food review on a separate post), we had a walking city tour which started from the Reunification Palace (also called the Independence Palace). Preserved almost exactly as it was in 1966, this government building is well developed with grandiose interior design and fixtures with text explanations in every room. It’s the former home of the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. We spent about half an hour viewing the rooms and lounges that are fit for royalty.
Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia | District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Open hours: 7:30 am – 11 am and 1 pm – 4 pm daily
Entrance fee: 30,000 VND per person
4. War Remnants Museum
Just walking distance away from the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum welcomes visitors to rediscover the atrocities of the war with research materials, photos, artifacts on the evidences and consequences that the invasion force had caused Vietnam.
Many people feel emotional and disturbed upon seeing the cruelty of foreign soldiers and horrific torture techniques that show the severity of the war. I was one of them, and there were times when I felt almost about to cry. The reality was harrowing indeed. The War Remnants Museum exhibits are very insightful and I recommend them to everyone who does not mind a bit of gore and saddening experience.
Address: 28 Vo Van Tan St, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Open hours: 7:30 am–12:00 pm and 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm daily
Entrance fee: 60,000 VND per person
5. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
This cathedral is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Vietnam. We didn’t step inside but were pretty satisfied seeing the French exterior design from the opposite street. It was interesting to learn that this Catholic structure was built piece by piece from France as it was meant to be an exact replica of Notre Dame in Paris. The Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral serves as a good reminder of religious servitude in a communist country.
Address: Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
6. Central Post Office
A few steps from the cathedral, the Central Post Office also counts with Gothic, Renaissance, and French influences. A three-minute stay outside to take photographs was enough for us. This is the place to go if you want to send letters and parcels, change or withdraw money from international ATMs, buy souvenirs like stamps and books, and view a range of collector coins and stamp sets. Also, if yellow buildings float your boat, the Central Post Office is a must-see! 😛
7. Opera House (Nha Hat Lon)
We spent some time in Vincom Shopping Mall and by the time we came out, it was already as dark as night but time was only around 5:40PM. We wandered around the area, found fancy shops and cafes and the Hanoi Opera House, which was built with magnificent neoclassical French-style architectural design. The Opera House is a hosting place where important meetings and conferences are being held for both national and international performing art groups. Lots of people were going in wearing formal attire to catch the scheduled shows in the theater. One could not get inside unless attending an opera or show.
Address: 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi, Vietnam
8. Cho Ben Thanh Market
We had dinner at Saigon Steak 123 and proceeded right away to the night market about 20 minutes away from our hotel. Cho Ben Thanh Market was filled of cheap finds and most of them were copy materials or fake designer goods. From clothing, bags, paintings/art works, and souvenirs to food, you can’t go wrong with this place if you love to shop, but be prepared to meet pushy vendors. When something catches your attention, don’t forget to bargain hard. Start as low as 50% of the price offered and haggle until the vendor agrees on the lowest possible price. 😉
Address: Intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao Avenues and Le Lai Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
9. The Laughing Buddha Temple (Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda)
On the second day of our Vietnam tour, we reached Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda near the fruit and vegetables market early in the morning. Now a major provincial destination for tourists and pilgrims, Vinh Trang Pagoda was built in 1849, but it did not look quite so old since it had been restored several times. The main highlight here must be the huge laughing Buddha. It was my first time to see a large seated Buddha with a happy face. 🙂 Gardens packed with flowers and shrubs, lotus pools, and tombs of the monks at the sides also looked well-arranged.
Address: 123 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ward 6, District 3
10. Mỹ Tho (Mekong Delta)
Ben led us to travel along the Mekong River, the world’s 12th longest river through Asia, for sight-seeing. We rode a motor boat and saw locals fishing with nets and small shacks with big fishing boats. This trip to Mỹ Tho enlightened us as well on how the villagers in Vietnam lived their daily lives in the Mekong Delta. Ben said that most of these rural people were left as orphans of parents who died during the war.
The Tortoise Island (Unicorn Island) was where we tasted different kinds of seasonal fruits, listened to a live Southern traditional music, and learned how coconut candies were was made from fresh coconuts in a local coconut candy farm. Next, we went to Thoi Son Island which is a bee farm where honey is abundant. We got to taste fresh honey from the bees, honey tea, royal jelly, sweet snacks, and some nuts.
On the other side of Thoi Son, long-tail boats on Tan Thach natural canal in Bến Tre transported us through the shadows of water coconut trees. An elderly man and his wife steered the boat with paddles gliding almost silently through the chocolate-brown water. In Bung Tat Village, we spent a wonderful lunch with fellow travelers in Vietnam who came from Singapore, Yvonne and her son, Justin. We enjoyed the assortment of Vietnamese food served. 🙂
Wrap Up
Before traveling to Vietnam, I was worried about not liking the places we would be visiting because I didn’t know anything about them unlike the more familiar Asian countries to me like China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. It was a country that shrouded an air of mystery and danger. In addition, only a small population of Vietnamese know how to speak in English. Language barrier, I assumed, would be a problem.
However, all my worries were gone as soon as we started exploring the city. Visiting Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam was like a time travel back to the old world. It surely made us more aware about its tumultuous history, colonial charm, and inspiring scenery. 🙂
We departed to Phnom Penh via a bus at 6AM on the third day. Watch out for my next blog entries for hotel reviews, restaurant reviews, and more travel experiences in Vietnam and Cambodia. 🙂
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
You explored Cambodia and Vietnam with much delight into your heart. Well, I think you enjoyed it very much!
Yup, I thought it was a nice idea to explore both Vietnam and Cambodia combined in one trip. With the adventure, you can somehow connect the dots and traces with their histories.
What really interest me about this article is the Cu Chi Tunnels. I would like to go and see them in person. Also Those spike traps look really painful. I feel for who those these traps were used on. Also that boat ride looks like a lot of fun.
Of course they’re painful. I admire the creativity and strategy of Viet Cong soldiers to fight against their enemies. Even if they did not have military tank and guns as the Americans had, they still won though many also died. The boat ride gave us a relaxing time. The air was so fresh. 🙂
I have never been to Vietnam, or anywhere in Asia, but I would love to visit one day. I grew up down the street from the sweetest lady who was from Vietnam. She used to tell the most interesting (and sometimes sad) stories about her homeland. It’s definitely on my bucket list!
Oh wow, it’s great to hear the story straight from a true Vietnamese. Sharing personal accounts is always relieving. I’m sure you will learn far more things when you visit the country than watch videos or view photos about it. 🙂
I was able to visit the Notre Dame, Post Office and the War Museum. The rest I have to visit the next time.
Those three are just close by one another. Yes, you have to visit all the rest next time. It will be worth it. 🙂
I’ve heard so much about how beautiful Vietnam is. I would love to visit it someday.
When you ask me before where is the best place to travel in Asia, definitely Vietnam was not even on the top of my list. However, my boyfriend suggested to take on an adventure with Vietnam and Cambodia and I was almost forced to book us a flight. In the end, I have no regrets. 🙂
Interesting places, I woullllld love to visit Vietnam.. Believe it or not, I haven’t been there but I heard its like a history trip.. Lots of places to see…
Im just wondering tho, hows the food situation!!!??
We have been to a number of Vietnamese restaurants and have only ordered their local food. My verdict is that our food and delicacies here are far better when it comes to taste, but Vietnamese cuisine is also not so bad. 🙂 I’ll post the food/restaurants reviews very soon!
That sounds like such an amazing place to visit. I would love the chance to get over there someday and see these places for myself.
Great! It’s really different when you’re there yourself rather than seeing the pictures from your computer screen. 🙂
I would love to visit Viet Nam. It’s such a historically rich country, and the architecture is beautiful.
Yeah, their buildings are mostly European-inspired and some are US-inspired. So at one place you will get to see French architecture side by side the tall buildings constructed by the Americans. It’s very interesting.
Traveling is a passion of my mine. I love when I can check out another culture. I hope one day I will make it there. It looks very interesting.
You’ll be charmed to learn about Ho Chi Minh’s turbulent past and also enjoy the modernization in the city both at the same time. 😀
I don’t know the past of Vietnam though your tour is pretty amazing. I find the dugouts scary and it makes me wonder if we (here in the Philippines) have that kind of traps back on WW2. The tunnel looks familiar, I think I’ve seen something similar here.
Those traps were made more than a decade so they’re really brilliant. I don’t think we have the same here. The designs of the tunnels were well thought out of.
What a beautiful place to visit, I would love to tour Vietnam one day. I doubt I’d be able to go into one of those tunnels though…
Going into the tunnel is just optional. We took the shortest route (40 meters) and we were both hoping to finally reach the end to catch some air. 🙂 I realized how lucky we are now that we don’t live in that age. Tough times indeed.
I’d love to visit and absorb some of the history. It would really be a once in a lifetime experience.
That’s for sure. 🙂 It will be a journey abounding in unforgettable history, enchanting culture, charismatic cities and divine natural beauty.
Vietnam is one place we want to visit someday. This reminds me of the Vitnam movie documentary that I watched not a long time ago.
It will be good to bring your kids so they can form clear pictures on their minds and it will be easier for them to understand history to interact with their classmates more in school.
Wow! This is really interesting! What an amazing opportunity!
Yes, we were lucky to have found a promo flight via Cebu Pacific Air for this one. 🙂
What a beautiful trip!! The history and culture you learned is amazing! I hope to travel there one day!
I recommend traveling to Vietnam on a weekend so you can get back to “normal routine” come Monday. A short two-day tour in Ho Chi Minh city will get you places.
Looks like you had a lovely visit in Vietnam. Loved viewing your pictures and the places you visited.
Thanks, Michele. Vietnam is arguably one of Southeast Asia’s most flamboyant, exciting and exotic countries. 🙂
Your pics are awesome!! I love that you have a great trip to Vietnam!!
Thanks, Ricci. 🙂 I was glad that we have covered all these places in one go. It was an all-encompassing exploration of HCM since we also had some free time to discover the city with our feet as travel guide at night.
What an incredible place to visit! I would love to take in the history!
I wasn’t interested about history initially. In fact, I hated hearing about those lessons because they’re too boring as compared to technology news, you know. 😛 My mindset was changed when we were there.
Thanks for sharing! I’ve never been to Vietnam but love their cuisine! I probably order Pho once a week 😉 so addicted
Whoa. I am not a fan of pho so much. Chinese noodles and Japanese ramen are still my favorites. 😛
Wow this looks like an awesome trip and like you had an amazing time! Your pictures are beautiful! Vietnam is on my travel bucket list!
It’s nice that you have a travel bucket list. Mine only contains Japan and Korea hahaha.
This looks like a great place to add to the bucket list of places to travel. This list is getting longer everyday thanks to all of the traveling I see bloggers doing. Keep it coming, I love to see it and live vicariously through you.
Thanks, Melissa. 🙂 I hope this post made you feel more inspired to fulfill your travel dreams.
the shooting range really would add to the vibe. Yee-ikes.
It was terrifying to hear gunshots because the shooting range was so close to where we stood.
These all look like indeed great tourist attraction to see. I would love to see the tunnels. It would be amazing to visit there some day.
Before going into the tunnels, you will be watching a short documentary film and you can choose the language (English, French, or Chinese). This is for all the visitors to have more ideas on what to expect and how the tunnels were made.
Thank you so much for sharing. It is always interesting to see life up close in other cultures around the world. These are certainly hotspots for visiting.
You’re welcome, Crystal. I have more posts to share about the restaurants we tried in Vietnam and also our itinerary in Cambodia. 🙂
This looks like a fun and interesting trip. I’m glad you were able to see so much!
Living in foreign country, or even just visiting, can be a life-changing experience. No one returns to their home country the same person as when they left. We were happy to see the best and the worst of Ho Chi Minh City in our short trip. 🙂
This is a really great travel guide. It looks like you all had a great experience. Thanks for sharing it.
You’re welcome, Bonnie! 😀
Those are fantastic pictures! Also, the art is beautiful. This sounds like a place I’d love to visit someday!
Thanks, Hillesha! When you’re ready to really get away from all the fancy stuff, a tour of a city with rich history, nature and art is within reach in HCM. 🙂
It looks like you had an amazing time! So many great photos!
Yes, we did! The photos don’t do enough justice. 🙂
I would love to visit Vietnam someday and I bet my husband would love to visit Vietnam too once he sees your photos of the tunnel. He so love history so I know he’d find that so interesting.
It will be fun if you can also try crawling into those tunnels to have a feel of what it’s like to be a Vietnamese soldier in those days during the war. The experience was so awesome. 🙂
This looks like beautiful places to visit. I love the photos. I have always wanted to go to Vietnam.
Thanks, Ann! 🙂 Needless to say, I kept jotting down notes and little tidbits of advice to bring home with me—and share with all of you.
I have always thought Vietnam was a pretty beautiful place. Those tunnels look like such a fun adventure to see.
In a place as historic as Vietnam or Ho Chi Minh City to be exact, you don’t have to look too far to find amazing art and architecture. There are many buildings that are inspired by the French and the Americans and it won’t look like you’re somewhere in Asia. 🙂
Wow, that looks amazing! All your photos are so beautiful. I’ve never been to Vietnam before. This makes me want to go check out all these wonderful places.
Thanks, Kathy! When you do get to visit Vietnam, bring a refillable water bottle and an umbrella. The sun can get brutal and sometimes it just rains suddenly.
Very interesting, particularly the war remnants museum and the tunnel. I am not clueless about the Vietnam war but of course in school we mostly learned about the U.S. side of things. I mean, we did learn about the protests against the war by U.S. people, but hardly learned about the effects this war had on the Vietnamese and the way they defended themselves.
Oh it’s great that you have insights about the US-Vietnam war and it will be cool to learn about the other side as well. Two countries tell a different story and perhaps, you will better appreciate all these when you visit the War Remnants Museum and the historic sites in the flesh. 🙂
It sounds like this was a very intersting and enlightening trip. There are may places I would like to travel, but I’d honestly never thought about Vietnam, although there is so much history there.
Vietnam is a great place to travel, but Ho Chi Minh city is not too easy to navigate because there are no trains and not a lot of buses to bring you to places. You can rather walk, take a taxicab, or hire a tuktuk driver.
Interesting to see perspective of the “other side” as far as the Vietnam War goes. It always amused me that the US, which won it’s revolution largely on the strength of guerrilla tactics, was so totally unprepared to have them used against us, both in Vietnam and then again in Iraq and Afganistan.
Yup, it’s cool that Americans also get to learn about the side of the Vietnamese soldiers and their people when they read about the history in the museum and the galleries.
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These are some very beautiful pictures. I have never been out of the country but this would be an eye opener.
The great thing about this tour is that these places are not only beautiful (for the camera) but also meaningful (for the soul). 🙂
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Really informative and outstanding blog! Thanks for sharing…
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading. 🙂