🏛️ What to see in Ho Chi Minh City: 25 places, prices, hours and route for 2026

💡 In short:

The city is compact: all 25 sights can realistically be covered in 3-4 days without rushing.
Walk around the center: the Palace, cathedral, and post office are within one block of each other.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the Palace website.

Ho Chi Minh City fits into three to four days if you figure out in advance what to see. The city is spread out, but the historic core is compact: the Reunification Palace, the cathedral, and the post office are within one block of each other. Many people come for two days, only manage to see Ben Thanh Market and one temple, and then regret what they missed. Below are 25 sights, from central landmarks to the Cu Chi tunnels, with prices, opening hours, and route logic by district. A ticket to the Reunification Palace costs 80,000 VND from May 1, 2026 (as of: 09/2026, official Palace website). You can plan your day so that you fit in the temples, the observation deck, and the underground city.

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1. Reunification Palace

💡 In short:

The city is compact: all 25 sights can realistically be covered in 3-4 days without rushing.
Walk around the center: the Palace, cathedral, and post office are within one block of each other.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the Palace website.

Reunification Palace with fountain and lawn in Ho Chi Minh City

The Reunification Palace is considered the city's main historic address: it was here on April 30, 1975 that the Vietnam War ended. The building combines two styles, national and European. It is surrounded by an oval lake with lotuses and lilies, and an equally oval lawn is laid out nearby. On the grounds you will find tennis courts, a garden, a grove, and a gazebo for relaxing. Military vehicles that took part in the storming of the palace stand right on the lawn, so people are always taking photos at the entrance.

An adult ticket costs 80,000 VND and includes the exhibition along with the palace; for students and guests over 60 it is 40,000 VND (as of: 09/2026, official website). The palace is open from 7:00 to 18:00, and audio guides are available at the information desk. Go on a weekday morning: by midday the ticket counters are crowded, and guided tours run in small groups. Verified on 09/15/2026 on the official website.

The history of the site is tangled. The first building here was constructed in 1873 and named Norodom after the King of Cambodia. In 1945 it passed to Japan, then returned to the French. In 1954 Ngo Dinh Diem renamed it the Independence Palace. During the war the building was badly damaged, demolished, and rebuilt from 1962 to 1966. After the reunification conference in November 1975, the palace received its current name, and in 1976 it became a national monument. Locals call it the Dragon's Head: according to feng shui, the building stands on the spot of a lizard's head.

2. Bitexco Financial Tower

Bitexco Financial Tower seen from below against the sky

Bitexco Financial Tower is built in the shape of a lotus, the symbol of the country. It stands 262 meters tall, and its continuous glass facade creates the illusion of a building made entirely of glass. Inside there are restaurants, cafes, shops, a cinema, a food court, and the enclosed Saigon Skydeck observation deck on the 49th floor. A high-speed elevator takes you to the top in under 20 seconds.

The observation deck is open from 9:30 to 21:30, and an adult ticket costs around 240,000 VND (as of: 2025, Skydeck page). Come an hour before sunset: from here you can see the whole city, and the evening lights make for a brighter shot. Time on the deck is not limited, and at the cafe upstairs you can wait out the heat over ice cream. Once a year the management organizes a stair run from the 1st to the 49th floor, and tourists take part too. The interactive screens near the observation deck will tell you which attractions are nearby and how to get to them, and the souvenir shops sell magnets, calendars, and postcards featuring the tower. If you want a photo without glare, step back a couple of paces from the panoramic window and wait for the crowd to thin out.

3. Jade Emperor Pagoda

Pink entrance gate of the Jade Emperor Pagoda in Saigon

The Jade Emperor Pagoda is considered the most ornate and most visited in the city. Its second name, the Turtle Temple, comes from the pond in the courtyard where turtles swim. Tourists are allowed inside, but worshippers pray here, so keep quiet and do not disturb them. The courtyard has paved paths, flower beds and trees, and the air is heavy with incense and candles. Inside it is dark: light comes only through openings in the roof.

Take a look at the altar of the five Buddhas, where offerings are brought, and walk through the halls of the pagoda. A sacred banyan tree grows nearby: its branches root easily, so after years it is no longer clear where the main trunk is. The hall with the pond is believed to bring good luck, so the lotuses near the turtles are covered with coins. The best time for photos is early morning, before incense smoke fills the courtyard.

4. Central post office

Yellow facade of the Saigon Central Post Office with clock

The Central Post Office has been operating as intended since 1891 and also serves as an open-air museum. Here you can send a postcard to any country, make a call from an old-fashioned booth and get a commemorative stamp. The building combines colonial style with Eastern details. According to one version, Eiffel himself had a hand in the foundation design, so tourists spend a long time examining the metal structures.

For Vietnamese people the place is especially valuable: Ho Chi Minh worked here as a young man, and his portrait hangs opposite the entrance. Two maps are displayed on the sides: Saigon and its surroundings from 1892, and telegraph lines from the same period. Admission is free, and opening hours match postal hours, from morning to evening, seven days a week. An information center operates nearby, where you can get directions to other landmarks and museums.

5. Cu Chi tunnels

Interior view of a narrow Cu Chi earth tunnel

The Cu Chi Tunnels are an underground network over 150 km long that the Viet Cong used for surprise attacks. You will walk through a reconstructed section and see how people lived and fought here. The galleries begin near the village of Cu Chi, while storage facilities, a hospital, living quarters and kitchens were arranged on three levels and connected by narrow corridors. American forces sprayed defoliants inside and bombed the area, but some of the passages survived. Today it is one of the most visited sites in the country: some galleries have been restored, electricity has been installed inside, and the passages have been widened and reinforced.

Admission is paid and noticeably more expensive than a museum ticket. Ask for the official price at the ticket office of the Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc site: it is updated every year, and transfer is often included in the tour. The easiest way to get there is with an organized excursion: day trips to the Cu Chi Tunnels on GetYourGuide. From central Ho Chi Minh City the drive takes about two hours each way.

The catch: underground it is stuffy and there is not enough oxygen, and the narrow passages have to be crossed on your haunches. A large person will not fit inside: for such guests some of the rooms have been reconstructed on the surface. The complex has a hotel, a museum, a temple, restaurants and even a paintball field. There is also a quest: find the camouflaged tunnel entrance under your feet.

6. Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica with two spires on the street

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral was built by French colonists starting in 1877 to establish their faith in Indochina. Materials were brought from France: the stained glass was made in Chartres, the brick in Marseille, and the design was prepared by a French architect. Construction took six years. Six bells hang in the bell towers, tuned to all notes except F: they ring together only on Catholic Christmas.

In front of the entrance stands a four-meter statue of the Virgin Mary. She holds a globe and tramples a snake, a symbol of evil. The interiors are modest: wooden pews and a white marble altar with figures of angels. The walls of red Marseille brick have long become a local landmark: tourists and newlyweds of various faiths come here for photo shoots.

The cathedral is active, and entry is open during services. Before visiting, check on site whether the courtyard is open: restoration work is carried out in stages, and part of the facade is sometimes covered with scaffolding. Stop by at the end of the day, when the light is softer and the brick looks deeper in photos.

7. Dam Sen amusement park

Ride entrance and rules sign at Dam Sen Park

Dam Sen amusement park is considered one of the largest in the country and is designed for both children and adults. Rides, a water park, rock gardens, and succulent gardens sit compactly together here, and the paths are paved with tiles in different colors. The bridges are decorated with arches covered in vines and flowers. Locals come here to escape the bustle and meditate in the shade.

It is better to visit the water park on a weekday: there are few people, the changing room stalls and loungers by the pools are free, and there is no line for the slides. When you get hungry, grab a bite at one of the small restaurants serving Vietnamese and European cuisine. Tourists most often choose the floating restaurant Tu Ta, and you can relax in a vine-covered pavilion.

8. Suoi Tien amusement park

Entrance gate of Suoi Tien Park with dragons and stairs

Suoi Tien amusement park combines rides with Eastern culture. It opened on the site of a farm where pythons used to be bred, and in 1992 it was decided to create a complex dedicated to returning to national traditions. The center opened to visitors in 1995. Today the area reaches 50 hectares, and the government plans to expand the park further.

The grounds are decorated with sculptures of gods and animals, lotuses, and streams. You can rest on an improvised lotus-shaped bench in the middle of a lake, and visitors typically cross between the statues on walkways. Hunger is satisfied at the numerous restaurants serving Vietnamese and European cuisine. If you come with children, allow half a day for the park: the grounds are large, and you need comfortable shoes to cover them. Besides rides, scenes from Vietnamese history and festivals are shown here. Bring water and a hat: there are few trees, and the sun is out all day. Before it gets hot, cover the far part of the park, and by midday move toward the water and shaded pavilions, which makes the walk easier.

9. Tao Dan Park

Green street in Ho Chi Minh City with mopeds during the day

Tao Dan Park stands in the city center and suits those tired of the noise. There are no rides here, but you can relax in the shade of neat palms and lawns. The grounds are decorated with sculptures of animals and gods, bridges, small towers, and wall fragments, and climbing plants grow everywhere. City residents have made the park a favorite spot for running and sports.

In the mornings, bird lovers gather here and watch the birds on the grounds. Ordinary parks stay open until night, but Tao Dan empties right after sunset. Locals explain this with a legend about the ghost of a young man who walks here.

10. Rin Rin Park

Street in Ho Chi Minh City near the pedagogical university building

Rin Rin Park was created for solitude and meditation: there are no rides or playgrounds here, but the atmosphere is filled with calm. The garden was established as part of a friendship program between Vietnam and Japan. It was designed by the Vietnamese Ngo Tien, who lived in Japan for a long time and invested personal funds in the project, while Japanese artists helped with the design. The main idea is the unity of three elements: stone, fish, and plants. The beauty of stone should remain largely natural, with human work only complementing it.

Almost all materials were brought from Japan. Preparation took about six years: stones were selected and polished, bonsai and plants were prepared, and the actual construction took only six months. Next to each stone there is a plaque indicating where the element was brought from and which master worked on it. The center of the composition is a stream falling from the top of the largest stone, with fish swimming in the water. The grounds are sunken, so from the garden you see only trimmed trees, lawns, the stream, and the sky.

11. Zoo and botanical garden

Bonsai displays in the Saigon Botanical Garden

The zoo and botanical garden cover more than 20 hectares and are divided into two parts: the menagerie and the garden. Animals are kept in open enclosures surrounded by steel mesh, and especially dangerous specimens are fenced off with strong glass. A walkway is built over the crocodile pool, so you see the aggressive reptiles from above. A similar walkway runs over the habitats of hoofed animals, and tropical fish live in artificial ponds.

Many animals are listed in the international Red Book. The zoo conducts scientific work: in 2015, a cub of the endangered white Bengal tiger was born here, and in 2018 a wallaby arrived. They recently began breeding the crested argus, a bird that reproduces in captivity only here. The botanical garden continues the zoo: some trees and bushes are planted right next to the enclosures, creating the illusion of a dense forest. Many plants were brought from other countries and have also made it into the Red Book. There is a small lake with animal figures on the grounds, and the greenhouse with orchids and ferns keeps guests for a long time. The complex is open from morning to evening; check the exact ticket price at the ticket office before entering. Allow at least two hours for the visit: the grounds are large, and the paths wind between the enclosures and the garden. In the heat, animals hide in the shade, so see the animals in the morning and leave the rare plants and the greenhouse for the second half of the day.

12. Golden Dragon water puppet theater

Motorbikes on a street in Ho Chi Minh City near the pedagogical university

Water puppet shows are an ancient Vietnamese tradition: as early as the 11th century, peasants entertained themselves with puppet performances on flooded rice paddies. The first show was performed in the north of the country, in the Hong River delta. Today the tradition lives on: every day in Tao Dan Park, performances take place on a water stage. The show is so popular that it is better to book tickets in advance. The puppets speak Vietnamese, but the plot is understandable without translation.

The performance is accompanied by live music on ancient instruments: flutes, drums, zithers, violins, and gongs. The instruments are arranged so that the acoustics around the water stage are rich and full. The puppets are made using an old technique: a master carves a blank from wood, paints it, and coats it with waterproof lacquer, while seamstresses sew costumes that reflect each character's personality. Take seats in the front rows if you want to see the mechanics of the puppets. The performance lasts about an hour, which is enough for both children and adults. Before the start, the orchestra tunes its instruments, and the sound carries throughout the hall, so in quiet moments every strike of the gong can be heard. Bring cash if you plan to buy a program or a puppet figurine after the show.

13. Museum of Vietnamese History

Main entrance of the Museum of Vietnamese History with pagoda

The Museum of Vietnamese History welcomed its first visitors in 1929 and was then called the Blanchard de la Brosse Museum. It received its current name in 1979. The exhibition tells about the life of peoples dating back 300,000 years, about the Mekong Delta and South Vietnam. Artifacts are grouped by historical period and provided with information plaques. It will be interesting both to an ordinary tourist and to someone studying the culture of Southeast Asia.

14. People's Committee Building

Colonial facade of Ho Chi Minh City Hall with clock tower

The People's Committee Building was designed by the Frenchman Gardes, so in the middle of Asia you will feel like you are in the center of Europe. The building is decorated with columns and stucco, and the pink-brown walls look fresh even in the heat and humidity. From its construction in 1908 until independence, it served as the city hall, and later as the mayor's office. The building received its current name after the last Indochina war, and unofficially it is called Saigon City Hall.

You cannot go inside: the city administration is located here. But nearby, a cozy square with ponds and benches awaits you, and couples in love arrange dates at the bronze statue of the first president, Uncle Ho with children. There are many cafes around where it is pleasant to have coffee or tea. Prices here, despite the proximity to the administration, are quite affordable.

15. Opera house

Facade of the Saigon Opera House with grand staircase

The Opera house was built by the French, so its appearance clearly shows European architectural features. At first glance, you can see the resemblance to the Paris Opera. There is also an unexpected touch: the staircase often serves as an improvised stage, with performers acting on the steps while the audience sits below. In the evening, the lighting comes on and the building looks almost otherworldly.

The interiors are just as impressive: the ground floor is paved with patterned tiles, the second floor has parquet flooring, and the wooden seats are upholstered in crimson velvet. A staircase with wrought iron openwork railings leads upstairs. The acoustics are excellent, every seat in the hall has clear sound, the stage rotates, and the lighting meets modern standards. To see all this, you will need to buy a ticket to a performance. Tourists enjoy the AO show about the lives of modern Vietnamese people and their ancestors: acrobats, jugglers, gymnasts, and dancers perform on stage.

16. Vinh Nghiem Pagoda

Gate of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda with festive flags

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda was built from 1964 to 1971, designed by Nguyen Ba Lang with the needs of the country's Buddhists in mind. Many materials were brought from Japan through the Japan-Vietnam friendship association. The modern pagoda is ready to receive pilgrims at all times: the grounds have enough buildings where visitors can stay overnight, eat, and meditate, all managed by the city's Buddhist community.

The prayer hall is a seven-tier stone tower 40 meters high. A separate tower houses urns with the ashes of the deceased. The bronze bell, nearly 2 meters in diameter, is striking, and all the buildings stand on the shore of a lake. Services are held here daily and any tourist may attend, but it is important to respect the feelings of worshippers: women should cover their heads, and it is best to keep the body covered with clothing as much as possible. As a memento of your visit, the shops sell books and souvenirs, and the temple community gladly accepts donations.

17. Giac Lam Pagoda

Giac Lam Pagoda is considered one of the city's most beautiful temples and the first Buddhist temple in the south of the country. It was built from valuable types of wood and has welcomed worshippers since 1744. At first it was a small building for celebrating the lunar new year, and in 1772 Buddhist monks came here and built service and residential buildings for pilgrims. Even centuries later, the pagoda fits perfectly into the modern cityscape.

Gate of Giac Lam Pagoda and multi-tiered tower

To enter, you have to pass through an elaborately decorated gate. The structure is painted in warm yellow-brown tones and adorned with Eastern symbols, styrax leaves, and lotus flowers. The grounds contain more than a hundred Buddha sculptures made of stone, wood, bronze, and even concrete, all showing the stages of the country's development from the 18th century to the present day. The temple's relic is a ceramic vase shaped like a column. The library holds valuable manuscripts, and at the altar pilgrims leave notes with their wishes.

18. Thien Hau Temple

Incense spirals and burners in the temple courtyard

Thien Hau Temple stands in the city's Chinatown and was built by immigrants from China. They built it to thank the goddess Thien Hau for helping them travel by sea to their new home, which is why the building materials were also brought from China. The goddess protects fishermen and seafarers: before a long journey, people come here and leave spiral incense. The coil is hung from the ceiling and lit, and while the spiral burns, Thien Hau protects people with her prayers.

Visually, the temple differs from Vietnamese pagodas; Chinese culture is clearly felt here. The interiors are decorated with panels and carved wooden details. Near the altar, the goddess is guarded by her companions, who are sometimes considered demons, and a wooden boat is attached to the ceiling as a reminder of those for whom Thien Hau prays.

19. War Remnants Museum

Facade of the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City

The War Remnants Museum did not come together all at once. At first, there was a small exhibition for the 15th anniversary of the Vietnamese army in several old Saigon houses. In 1965, the buildings were occupied by the American military information service, and after 1975 the center got its premises back and changed its focus: it began showing evidence of the cruelty of war and the harm done to civilians. The name changed several times, and the museum received its current name in 1995. In 2002, a new building with modern equipment was constructed using public funds.

Today, the museum's main mission is to show how dangerous any war is. Thousands of people view the exhibition every day: the artifacts have labels in Vietnamese, English, and Japanese. The museum is open from 7:30 to 18:00 every day, including Tet, admission costs about 40,000 VND, and half that for students with an ID (as of 2025, museum website). If you read the captions, allow at least two hours: the halls with photographs and documents are hard to go through quickly.

20. Museum of Fine Arts

Yellow facade of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts occupies a typical colonial-era house. It was originally the residence of a wealthy Chinese merchant who made his fortune under French rule and wanted to live in a house of European architecture. He could not completely abandon national traditions: inside there are numerous staircases and passageways, and the inner courtyard is arranged according to feng shui. In 1987, the city authorities opened an exhibition here featuring works by local and international artists and sculptors.

The collection was built up gradually, and today it is the country's second-largest center by number of artifacts. All the exhibits are unusual and therefore interesting. If you want to bring home a souvenir or a painting, there is a contemporary art gallery on the ground floor. Admission is symbolically cheap by European standards, and an hour and a half is enough for a visit.

21. Museum of traditional Vietnamese medicine

The Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine tells the story of the 15th century, when China occupied the country and Vietnamese medicine acquired features of Chinese medicine. The exhibition is dedicated to this combined medicine, and it is a private collection. The creators tried to immerse visitors in a distant era: the history of medicine is depicted in paintings, and for a fuller experience you can step into a medieval operating room and pharmacy. Ancient recipes, medicines, and containers for storing them are on display. If the topic interests you, stop by on your way to the airport; the museum is located away from the center.

22. Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market grew out of a spontaneous 17th-century eastern bazaar and received official status in 1859. The old structures quickly fell into disrepair, and after a large-scale renovation the market reopened in updated form in 1914. Today it is one of the city's landmarks, visited by almost all tourists. The goal is simple: to look around, soak up the spirit of the East, and bargain.

Clock tower and main entrance of Ben Thanh Market

If you get hungry, grab a bite at one of the small cafes between the stalls; they serve both Asian and European dishes. If you want to buy something but dislike haggling, look for a shop with a Fixed Price sign: there the goods cost exactly what the price tag says. Come in the morning: during the day it gets stuffy under the roof, and by evening some of the rows close.

23. Tan Dinh Church

Tan Dinh Church was built by the French colonizers, and it is another piece of their legacy in the city. The building is in the Gothic style, and its main feature is a bright pink facade with white stucco. The bell tower holds five bells of different sizes with a total weight of more than 5 tons, and the central tower is decorated with a large clock. Numerous pointed spires add elegance to the building.

Street with motorbikes in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City

In the courtyard there are sculptural compositions depicting Christ and biblical scenes, and light enters through colored stained glass. On the walls, in addition to the faces of saints, there are five-pointed stars, symbols of Vietnam. Admission is free, but the church is active: choose a time between services and cover your shoulders and knees. The pink facade is photographed from Hai Ba Trung Street, where the full volume of the building fits into the frame.

24. Mariamman Temple

Mariamman Temple was built in the late 19th century and is the most visited Hindu temple in the country. It was built by Tamils who settled in a suburb of what was then Saigon, and they also raised the money for construction. Today community members are still the main worshippers, but the temple is also visited by Vietnamese Buddhists who recognize this religion.

Red facade of a Hindu temple with gopuram

The altar holds a statue of Mariamman, a goddess with many arms. She is surrounded by servants, Ganesha and lower-ranking goddesses, and incense constantly burns around the altar. The temple is always full of tourists, and that is no accident: people come here for vivid photos and a sense of calm. Shoes are left at the entrance, and it is best to cover your shoulders and knees.

25. Saigon River

The Saigon River carries a huge amount of cargo, but tourists love it for a different reason. On a riverboat or speedboat ride, you can see all of Ho Chi Minh City in a short time. Several tributaries flow into the Saigon within the city limits, and people have added canals to it, so a water tour shows not only the center but also hard-to-reach outskirts.

The city is especially striking at dusk, when the lights come on: parks and squares alternate with high-rises and pagodas, all lit with colored lanterns. Tour operators offer dozens of river routes, from a couple of hours to a full day. Take an evening cruise at sunset: the city opens up from a completely different angle, and it is a great way to end your trip.

If you want to see temples, markets and the river with a guide and no schedule hassles, the ready-made tours below will work well.

Tours and tickets in Ho Chi Minh

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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Ho Chi Minh City attractions on the map

To get your bearings, open the map below: all 25 sights are marked on it, and it is easier to plan your route by district rather than alphabetically.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many days should you set aside for Ho Chi Minh City?

Two days are enough for the center: Reunification Palace, the cathedral, the post office and Ben Thanh Market are all within walking distance. If you add the Cu Chi Tunnels, the zoo and amusement parks, plan for three to four days. Set aside one day for a trip outside the city and a sunset river cruise.

What should you see first?

Start with the historic core: Reunification Palace, Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office are all next to each other. On the second day, visit the War Remnants Museum and Ben Thanh Market. That way you will see both the colonial city and modern Ho Chi Minh City without unnecessary travel.

Is it worth going to the Cu Chi Tunnels?

It is, if you are prepared to spend about four hours on the road round trip. It is stuffy underground, the passages are narrow, and in places you will have to walk crouched down. Access inside is restricted for larger people; some of the shelters have been reconstructed above ground for them.

When is the best view from the Bitexco observation deck?

Come an hour before sunset: the deck is open from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm, and during the day the city is covered in haze. In the evening the lights come on, and the panorama is at its most vivid. Time at the top is not limited, so you can comfortably wait for the lights.

Do you need to buy tickets in advance?

Yes, evening shows sell out quickly. This applies to the water puppet theater and performances at the Opera House. Tickets for museums and the observation deck are almost always available, but on weekends it is better to arrive at opening time. At Ben Thanh Market, look for shops with a Fixed Price sign if you do not want to haggle.

In short: what to book

Ho Chi Minh City is easy to put together from three parts: the historic center, museums and parks, and trips outside the city. If you only have two days, take the center and the War Remnants Museum, and leave the river for the evening. If you have four days, add the Cu Chi Tunnels, the zoo and one of the theme parks. For families with children, Dam Sen and Suoi Tien are better choices; for photographers, the Bitexco observation deck and the pink Tan Dinh Church.

It is most convenient to look for accommodation in District 1, near Reunification Palace and Ben Thanh Market: from there you can walk to half of the sights on the list. See hotels in central Ho Chi Minh City on Trip.com.

Ho Chi Minh City: 25 places from the palace to the Cu Chi tunnels with prices and hours