Unveiling the Charms of Ho Chi Minh City's Culture, Cuisine, and History

August 17, 2023

Day 1: Arrival and City Exploration

  • Ideal Dates: Anytime from November to April when the weather is relatively cooler and less rainy.
  • Hotel: Consider staying in District 1, which is the city center and provides easy access to many attractions. Recommended options include Rex Hotel, Caravelle Saigon, or Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint.
  • Activities:
  • Start your trip by exploring the bustling Ben Thanh Market for some local shopping.
  • Visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the history of the Vietnam War.
  • Take a leisurely walk around Nguyen Hue Walking Street, an iconic pedestrian boulevard.
  • Must-Go Food Places:
  • Pho Hoa Pasteur: Enjoy a bowl of authentic pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup.
  • Banh Mi Huynh Hoa: Try the famous Vietnamese sandwich, banh mi, at this popular street food stall.
Rex Hotel Photo credit: Long Nguyễn
War Remnants Museum Photo credit: Krishnan Venkiteswaran
Pho Hoa Pasteur Photo credit: youngeun lim

Day 2: Historical Sites and River Cruise

  • Activities:
  • Explore the Reunification Palace, a significant historical site.
  • Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, stunning examples of French colonial architecture.
  • Enjoy a relaxing Saigon River cruise in the evening to see the city lights.
  • Must-Go Food Places:
  • Bun Thit Nuong Cô Liêng: Try bun thit nuong, a delicious grilled pork noodle dish.
Reunification Palace Photo credit: 김정환
Saigon River cruise Photo credit: nguyen 3B
Bun Thit Nuong Cô Liêng Photo credit: Quán Ăn Cô Liêng

Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels and Local Cuisine

  • Activities:
  • Take a half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the underground network used during the Vietnam War.
  • Return to the city in the afternoon and explore the Bitexco Financial Tower, offering panoramic city views.
  • Must-Go Food Places:
  • Com Tam Ba Ghien: Sample com tam, broken rice topped with various ingredients.
Cu Chi Tunnels Photo credit: İbrahim Doğan
Com Tam Ba Ghien Photo credit: Đình Thi Hoàng

Day 4: Mekong Delta Day Trip

  • Activities:
  • Join a guided day trip to the Mekong Delta to experience the rural side of Vietnam.
  • Explore local villages, take a boat ride along the river, and enjoy tropical fruit tastings.
  • Must-Go Food Places:
  • Enjoy the fresh seafood at local riverside restaurants in the Mekong Delta.
Mekong Delta Photo credit Nguyen Duc Long
Seafood at local riverside restaurants Photo credit: Karunen Vencatasawmy

Day 5: Cultural Immersion and Departure

  • Activities:
  • Visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, a beautiful Taoist temple.
  • Spend some time at the quirky Saigon Outcast, a creative space with art installations, live music, and more.
  • Wrap up your trip with souvenir shopping or a relaxing spa treatment.
  • Must-Go Food Places:
  • Pho Phuong: Have another serving of pho at this renowned eatery.
Jade Emperor Pagoda Photo credit: hoang nghia dang
Pho Phuong Photo credit: D Dang

Previous post

Next post

There is no previous post.
There is no next post.

Latest posts