Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and a fabulous destination for a historical holiday. Originally a part of Cambodia, the region became a part of Vietnam around the 17th century and later in the 19th and 20th centuries, was controlled by French colonists. You’ll notice that people often refer to Ho Chi Minh City as Saigon and that’s because it was the city’s original name up until 1975. Saigon played an important role as the U.S headquarters during the Vietnam War (also known as the Second Indochina War). It was after South Vietnam’s loss in the war that Saigon was combined with a few other surrounding areas and renamed Ho Chi Minh City, after the country’s president.
Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon is a fascinating place with many interesting attractions to discover. You can find lots of good food, historic buildings, museums and more in this vibrant and lively Vietnamese City. Below, I’ve narrowed down a long list sites to my recommendation to 10 great historical things to do in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
1. Take a tour of the Independence Palace.
One of the most recognizable sites in Ho Chi Minh City is the Independence Palace (also known as the Reunification Convention Hall). Nine years after the French first launched an attack on Vietnam, they defeated the south of the country in 1867. To establish their authority over the new French colony, the building was constructed as the Governor’s Palace. The palace was later expanded and eventually taken over by the South Vietnamese President Ngô Đình Diệm when the French left the country in the 1950s. It was then that Diệm renamed the building the Independence Palace. Unfortunately, much of the original structure was damaged short after, when the palace was bombed by rebel pilots in an attempt to assassinate Diệm.
The Independence Palace has seen a lot over the years but it it is with the Fall of Saigon in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War/Second Indochina War that the building is probably most associated with. The infamous scenes of evacuations from the palace roof after the defeat of the city were some of the most remembered and harrowing images of the conflict. It was after this, that the building was ultimately renamed Reunification Hall. Today, visitors are able to take a tour of the building and learn about the important role it played during the many historical events it endured. The tour is extremely informative and provides an important insight into the Vietnam War/Second Indochina War from the perspective of the people of Saigon.
2. Explore the bustling Ben Thanh Market.
Ben Thanh Market is located in District 1 in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and is the oldest surviving market in the area. The market’s history dates back to the informal street market established by vendors in the 17th century. Later, the market was more officially established by French colonialists, although this original building burnt down in 1870. It was subsequently rebuilt and named Les Halles Centrales. Finally, in the year 1912 the market was moved to its current location and named the Ben Thanh Market.
Today, the market is open year-round, in both the daytime and in the evenings. It consists of over 1,500 stalls, where visitors can browse fruits and vegetables, dry goods, clothing, textiles, crafts and other souvenirs. I also highly recommend checking out the food stalls for something delicious to eat! The Ben Thanh Market has become a real symbol of the city and is definitely worth visiting whether you’re browsing, shopping or eating.
3. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office.
The Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office, also known as the Saigon Central Post Office, dates back to the 1880s and is one of the oldest remaining buildings in the city. The building was designed with French influences and is often thought to have been designed by Gustav Eiffel (who also designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris). However, the building was actually designed by Alfred Foulhoux. Today, the building still functions as a post office and is open to the public to explore. Both the inside and the outside of the building are beautifully ornate. I also love the bustle of the busy working office and its central location means you can easily pop in while exploring the city.
4. Try a traditional Vietnamese Pho.
Pho (pronounced “fuh”) is one of the most popular traditional Vietnamese dishes. The blend of noodles, broth, vegetables, meat and herbs has delighted taste buds around the world. And of course, if you’re looking to try traditional food while in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll want to make sure you at least one bowl of pho. The exact origins of pho are often disputed, although it is believed to date back to the French colonial period and to have taken influence from the French beef stew dish called Pot-au-Feu.
The dish then went on to gain global popularity as a result of emigrants leaving the country after the Vietnam War/Second Indochina War. Today, you’ll find pho all over Ho Chi Minh City, where it has its own characteristics that differentiate it from other areas of Vietnam. Pho Nam (pho from the south of the country) tends to have more ingredients, thicker noodles and be a little bit sweeter compared to the north. It would be impossible to recommend just one, or even a handful, of places to try pho… so I suggest eating whenever you can!
5. Admire the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon.
Not far from the Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office is the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon. The church, originally named the Church of Saigon, was established by French colonists in 1863 and has been an important part of the Catholic community in Saigon ever since. The original structure didn’t hold up so well and it was decided that the church needed to be rebuilt. A smaller competition was held to select the architect and won by Jules Bourard. He decided to base his design on the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, albeit with the intent to build a smaller version. By 1880, the new church had been completed, with the two bell towers having been added later on. Today, the cathedral is still an active church and visitors are free to explore both the inside and outside. You’ll also see the statue of the Virgin Mary out front which, in 2005, is claimed to have shed tears, attracting quite the crowd.
6. Learn about conflict in Vietnam at the War Remnants Museum.
The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City provides an important insight and perspective on the conflicts that have shaped the region. Originally opened in 1975, the museum covers both the First Indochina War (the conflict that took place in the 1940s and 1950s against the French colonists) as well as the Vietnam War/Second Indochina War, that took place from 1955 to 1975 between North Vietnam (supported by communist allies) and South Vietnam, supported by anti-communist allies, most notably the United States. With over 20,000 documents, artifacts and films, the War Remnants Museum is extremely informative and very well thought out. For the Vietnam War/Second Indochina War in particular, it really highlights the devastating effects it had on both the Vietnamese people and those on the side of the Americans. Some areas of the museum are emotionally tough to go through, but definitely worth it.
7. Explore Saigon’s culinary history on a food tour.
I believe one of the best ways to explore the culture of a region is through food, and Ho Chi Minh City certainly has a rich culinary history. Street food is particularly popular in Vietnam and you will find delicious food stalls across through many areas of the city. The tradition of street food in Vietnam is believed to date back to the early 1900s and even today you can find some stalls that date back over 70 years. One of the best ways to explore street food in Ho Chi Minh City is to book a food tour as you’ll get a guide who will be able to take you to all of the best spots known to locals. Scooter tours are particularly popular in Saigon and not only are they a lot of fun, but they are also a great way to experience the city. I went on a food tour with A.N. Tours and had a great time! What I loved most about the food tour is that I was able to try lots of different dishes. My favourite was definitely bánh xèo, a this traditional dish consists of a crispy pancake filled with meat, shrimp, vegetables and herbs.
8. Take a day trip to the Củ Chi Tunnels.
One of the most fascinating things I did in Vietnam was take a day trip to the Củ Chi Tunnels. Located approximately 1.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, the Củ Chi Tunnels are a network of tunnels that were used by the Viet Cong in the Vietnam War/Second Indochina War. Today, the over 120 km stretch of tunnels have been turned into a tourist attraction and war memorial. Visitors will be able to learn about the Viet Cong combat strategy, including the different weapons that were used and traps that were set across the region. You will also have a chance to crawl through sections of the tunnel and see what it would have been like to live and fight in them. The tunnels are very tiny, so I would only recommend if you are good with small spaces. And if you’re not, no worries! You can walk along the outside of the route for this portion of the tour. Overall the attraction was a really interesting insight into the conflict from the perspective of Viet Cong fighters.
9. Browse the Nguyễn Văn Bình Book Street.
This one is for all of my fellow readers! While the street isn’t that old (it was established in 2016), the Nguyễn Văn Bình Book Street is a book-lover and history-lovers paradise. This was one of my favourite places in Ho Chi Minh City because, as the name suggests, the entire street is dedicated to books. Book stalls are set up all the way along the road and the street is also lined with book shops and cafés just waiting to be explored. Whether you’re looking for your next novel, a book on the history of the region, a newspaper or magazine to look through, there is likely something for everyone on this street. The bustling, yet relaxing atmosphere is also great!
10. Take a wander down Nguyễn Huệ street.
This large pedestrian street is another central feature of the city and perfect for a stroll at any time of the day. The street stretches for over 600 metres and lined with hundreds of beautiful trees. The street is also lined with stores, restaurants, coffee shops and food stalls making it an ideal location to grab lunch. You’ll often also find various entertainment performances, such as dancing or music, taking place, especially if you visit in the evening. At the top of Nguyễn Huệ you’ll also find the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City (otherwise known as the city hall) as well as the President Ho Chi Minh Statue, which was unveiled in 2015 as a tribute to the Vietnamese leader.