Explore 10 destinations that travelers should not miss when visiting Ho Chi Minh City, especially those who want to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s largest city.
Ho Chi Minh City – also known as Saigon – is the largest cultural and tourism center in southern Vietnam. The city is home to numerous historical relics, museums, and architectural landmarks that reflect the country’s struggle for national reunification as well as the achievements of the city named after President Ho Chi Minh.
1. Independence Palace
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Independence Palace is recognized as a Special National Monument and remains one of the most popular attractions in Saigon. The building was designed in the nostalgic architectural style of the 1960s, showcasing the skill and creativity of its architects.
The palace contains more than 100 rooms, each decorated according to its specific function. These include offices, a credentials presentation room, a strategic war command room, a ballroom, living quarters for the presidential family, a cinema room, and a library.
Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
2. Ao Dai Museum
Travelers interested in learning about one of Vietnam’s traditional garments can visit the Ao Dai Museum. The museum preserves and honors the stories of the Vietnamese ao dai across different historical periods.
Located about a 30-minute drive from the city center, the museum offers a peaceful green environment combined with the nostalgic character of traditional Vietnamese architecture. The Ao Dai Museum is a unique project dedicated to preserving documents and artifacts related to the ao dai – the traditional costume of Vietnamese people. It also reflects the cultural values and spirit of Vietnamese women.
Address: 206/19/30 Long Thuan Street, Long Phuoc Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
3. War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum conducts research, collects artifacts, preserves historical materials, and displays exhibits related to the consequences of war.
Visitors can view documents, photographs, and artifacts that portray the devastating impacts of the struggle for national independence and reunification in Vietnam. The museum also conveys messages about the determination to protect independence and freedom, as well as the value of peace and friendship among nations.
Address: 28 Vo Van Tan Street, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
4. Ho Chi Minh City History Museum
This building was originally constructed by the French nearly a century ago, in 1929, in the “modernized Indochinese” architectural style.
The museum houses collections representing thousands of years of Vietnamese history and culture. More than 43,000 documents and artifacts are preserved here, including 12 National Treasures displayed in the exhibition halls, offering invaluable historical knowledge.
Address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
5. Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts was established in 1987 and officially opened to the public in 1991. It is an interesting place to explore the city’s art scene, featuring magnificent architecture that blends Eastern and Western influences.
Visitors can see many remarkable works of art here, including ancient bronze sculptures from southern Vietnam, ancient Champa sculptures, statues from Central Highlands tombs, Vietnamese ceramics from the 11th to the 20th century, southern Vietnamese fine arts from the 18th to the 20th century, and contemporary artworks.
Address: 97 Pho Duc Chinh Street, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
6. Landmark 81 SkyView
Landmark 81 was inspired by the image of a traditional bamboo bundle. It is currently the tallest tower in Vietnam.
Standing at 461.2 meters, the building allows visitors to admire panoramic views of the city through its transparent glass observation system, capturing the entire urban landscape from above.
Address: 720A Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 22, Binh Thanh District (now Thach My Tay Ward), Ho Chi Minh City
7. Saigon Special Forces Monument System
This historic site commemorates the achievements of the Saigon Special Forces. It includes a secret basement that once stored nearly two tons of weapons used in the attack on Independence Palace during the 1968 Tet Offensive.
The house has been recognized as a National Historical – Cultural Relic. Visitors can also explore other sites within the Saigon Special Forces relic system scattered across the city, including the Saigon – Gia Dinh Intelligence and Special Forces Museum, secret mailboxes and floating bunkers, and hidden weapon storage tunnels.
Address: 287/70 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ward 5, District 3 (now Ban Co Ward), Ho Chi Minh City
8. Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels are a must-visit attraction in Saigon and are often described as a unique wartime wonder – an underground labyrinth.
Approximately 250 kilometers of tunnels spread beneath the ground like a spider web. The system includes trenches, firing positions, combat bunkers, living quarters, meeting rooms, medical stations, food storage areas, wells, and kitchens.
Visitors can learn about real historical events that took place within the tunnels, including underground battles between Vietnamese soldiers, local residents, and invading forces during the period from 1945 to 1975.
Location: Phu Hiep Hamlet, An Nhon Tay Commune, Ho Chi Minh City
9. Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon
Notre-Dame Cathedral (officially the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception) is the largest and most distinctive cathedral in Saigon.
This architectural landmark features two bell towers that rise 60 meters high. Construction began on October 7, 1877. The cathedral attracts many visitors who come to explore the site and take photos.
Address: 01 Cong Xa Paris Street, Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
10. Saigon Central Post Office
The Central Post Office is a historic French building designed in Gothic architectural style and is one of the city’s most notable landmarks.
The building was ranked second among the world’s 11 most beautiful post offices by the American magazine Architectural Digest. The Saigon Post Office remains open daily to serve both residents and visitors, offering services such as timed parcel delivery, flowers, gifts, express shipping, and souvenirs.
At the entrance stands a large clock with a classic design. Inside the post office, visitors can see two maps illustrating the history of Saigon’s communication system. The map on the right shows Saigon and surrounding areas in 1892, while the map on the left displays the telegraph lines of Vietnam and Cambodia in 1936.
The interior also features a variety of unique souvenirs and postage stamps on display.
Address: 02 Cong Xa Paris Street, Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City