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HO CHI MINH CITY

Ho Chi Minh City, also called Saigon, is the place where I spent most of my time in Vietnam so far. I know the city very well already and I have plenty of recommendations for good coffee and food for you . Make the most of your days here with my Saigon recommendations!

What to do

Ho Chi Minh City is huge! So where to stay when you just have a few days here? 

I recommend you to stay in District 1 as most of the famous sights are found here.

If you have some more time, go to modern District 2 with Southeast Asia's second highest building (Landmark81), District 3 with Turtle Lake, the pink Church (Tan Dinh Church) and Tan Dinh Market, District 5 with some Chinese influences seen in Ba Thien Hau Temple and Ten Thousand Buddha Temple and District 10 with Flower Market and Ho Thi Ky Nightmarket to see the local life bustling around this area. 

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President Ho Chi Minh Statue

The statue of Ho Chi Minh in front of the City Hall is 7,2 m high and surrounded by a flower garden. It symbolizes affection and respect to the founder of the nation.

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People's Committee Building

This famous building was built in French colonial style. It's also called Ho Chi Minh City Hall and used for important meetings and conferences nowadays. 

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Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Famous pedestrian street and probably the only pedestrian street I know in Ho Chi Minh City. It can be very busy during the nighttime.

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The Cafe Apartment

This nine stories building on 42 Nguyen Hue Street is famous for its many coffeeshops inside. You can go there for coffee and food during the day or the nighttime. 

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Independence Palace

It used to be the home and the workplace of the president of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). When the North Vietnamese Army entered its gates on April 30, 1975 and Saigon fall, the Vietnam War ended. 

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War Remnants Museum

The museum contains exhibitions about the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War. It's one of the most popular museums in Vietnam and worth a visit to learn and to remember. 

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Saigon Central Post Office

The building was constructed in late 19th century when Vietnam was part of French Indochina.Apart from the city's Post Office, there are also some souvenir shops as it's a famous tourist attraction. 

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Ho Chi Minh City Book Street

This street is one of the oldest streets in the city. Apart from bookstores, there are also souvenir- and coffeeshops. Ban Coffee is maybe the most popular coffee-book-shop and it's a nice vibe to enjoy the atmosphere. 

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Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon

The cathedral was established by French colonists in late 19th century. It's currently under construction and temporarily closed (2024).

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Ben Thanh Market

A famous market hall with a long history where you can buy souvenirs, clothes, local foods and there is also a food court. It's a touristy place and if you want to discover a local market, you'll find plenty of them around the city.

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Tan Dinh Market

This market is more local and close to Tan Dinh Church. I lived in this area for three months and I feel like it's more local but be aware that the vendors might charge you higher prices just because you're foreigners.

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Tan Dinh Church

The "Pink Church" was built in Romanian architectural style. 

If you come to visit, please be aware of formal clothing and remember the opening times (closed every day between 12 and 2 pm).

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Ten Thousand Buddha Temple 

There are three large Buddha statues surrounded by thousands of smaller statues. It's a  Buddhist temple with Chinese influences in District 5.

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Ba Thien Hau Temple

Ba Thien Hau Temple was built in 18th century to honor a sea goddess. It's constructed in a typical Chinese style. 

 

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Phap Hoa Pagoda

This is my favorite pagoda in the city as it is so peaceful, especially during the night time when the lanterns will be light up in the trees. 

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Xa Loi Pagoda

This is my favorite pagoda in the city as it is so peaceful, especially during the night time when the lanterns will be light up in the trees. 

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Ho Thi Ky Flower Market

Vibrant nightmarket and one of the biggest flower markets in the city. On the parallel street you'll find lots of street vendors selling Vietnamese Pizza, Sugarcane Juice, Avocado Ice Cream and much more! It's also fun to discover the local area in District 10.

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Binh Quoi Village

A green oasis in the city and nice to have some nature around you. 

You can get here by taxi as it's a bit far from the center. 

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Thao Dien

I like Thao Dien, District 2, because of its more relaxed vibe. Many expats and foreigners live here. To me, it's an interesting place where East meets West.

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Little Japan Town

When you come to this area in District 1, you'll feel like you're in a lively street of izakayas in Tokyo. Lights, signs and music make you experience Japanese culture & foods like Ramen, Sushi, Sashimi and Tempura.

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District 10

District 10 is an area where you can just go for a walk, try some street food and experience the life of the locals. Especially the apartment buildings are interesting where you can see small ramps to push up motorbikes.

Museum of Traditional Vietnamese
Medicine

I studied pharmacy so I'm very interested in herbal medicine. I went to the museum once but I want to go back soon as it's so interesting! 

First, you watch a short movie for introduction and then you start on the 4th floor to discover the exhibitions. I loved every floor, especially the 5th floor because the house is so beautiful. You can learn about plants, practice and theories of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine. In the ground floor, they also have a little shop where you can buy tea and other products to support your health.

Google Maps

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Unique Experience:
Street Food Tour

This is the best way to discover the streets and local life in Saigon. You can either do a walking tour or motorbike tour which is an unique experience itself already. 

Please contact me if you need any recommendation for Food Tours in Saigon!

My favorite streetfoods
& restaurants

Food is sold everywhere in the city - you won't be hungry here! Here are the most famous dishes that you should try.

  • Pho: probably the most famous soup in Vietnam that you can eat all day long (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

  • Hu Tieu: Breakfast Soup with meat and seafood 

  • Bun Thit Nuong: Cold Rice Vermicelli salad with grilled meat and herbs

  • Com Tam: typical street food in Saigon made of broken rice and grilled meat

  • Banh Mi: famous Vietnamese sandwich filled with meat or tofu, vegetables and spicy sauce

  • Banh Xeo: thin tumeric-rice pancake filled with meat, seafood or vegetables, eaten with a variety of herbs

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Pho

Pho Chay Nhu

Great local vegetarian restaurant with traditional Vietnamese food. Here you can try some vegetarian Bánh bèo (photo!)

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Banh Mi

Banh Mi Xanh

They have an amazing vegetarian Banh Mi!

It has lots of tofu and normally one is enough for two people. 

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Com Tam

Ca Phe Do Phu - Bao Tang Biet Dong Saigon

This place is very special because you can experience an interior design as it was during the Vietnam war and an underground bunker. 

Also, you can get traditional Vietnamese coffee and Com Tam for breakfast. 

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Bun Thit Nuong

Quan Chay 103

One of my favorite places for vegetarian versions of traditional Vietnamese food. They have good herbal tea, too and it's close to Ben Thanh Market.

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Banh Xeo

Banh Xeo at Ho Thi Ky Nightmarket

This lady is so lovely. I met her on my first day when I first came to Saigon. She makes a really good Banh Xeo in the local area around Ho Thi Ky Nightmarket. 

How to eat Banh Xeo? Wrap the pancake in herbs and dip it in Fish Sauce!

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Vegetarian Restaurant

Chay Khai Tam

This local restaurant is close to my favorite pagoda in Saigon, Chua Phap Hoa. The food is cooked by a lovely lady and I love everything here!

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Banana Sticky Rice

Chuoi Nep Nuong

Chuoi Nep Nuong is grilled sticky rice with banana wrapped in banana leaves served with sweet coconut cream. It's so delicious and one of my top street food recommendations!

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Papaya Salad

Papaya Salad in Le Van Tam Park

Eat Papaya Salad in the Park! This salad is famous in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. In this version, it comes with shrimp crackers and beef jerky (you can ask them not to put it if you're vegetarian). 

They are street vendors and normally sell it in the park and beside the road. You can sit down in the park after you got your order.

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Coconut Water

Dua Tac 250 Pasteur

To me, nothing is more refreshing than Coconut Water! On Pasteur Street, you can get it with Coconut meat and sit on little plastic chairs on the side walk while observing the motorbikes passing by.

 

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Avocado Icecream

Kem Bo

One of my most favorite Vietnamese desserts is Avocado Ice Cream (Kem Bo). You can get it in many places around the city and all across Vietnam. I can recommend the one from Ho Thi Ky Nightmarket because it has the unique District 10 flair when you sit down there to enjoy it. It's also the first Kem Bo I've ever tried - and I love it since then!

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Vegan Restaurant

BON'S VEGAN 

They have a really good Bun Cha here, a dish that is famous in Hanoi but that's not all - also try their soups, banh mi and nut milk! 

The restaurant is located in a small, cute alley.

My favorite coffeeshops

Coffeeshops are not just for coffee, they are part of Vietnamese culture. You can see people drinking coffee everywhere and at any time. Most of them are light up at night which makes them even more beautiful. Apart from delicious coffee you can also get tea, soda and smoothies here. Some places also offer food. 

My list of Favorite Coffeeshops is a recommendation for you from my own experiences here. It is not for advertisement and I don't get paid for mentioning these places. 

The first place that I recommend is a very special one for me as I got my first Coconut Coffee there. 

Please klick on the photos to get the locations on Google Maps.

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Cong Ca Phe

Cong Ca Phe is a chain with coffeeshops spread all across Vietnam. They opened their first coffeeshop in 2007. Here, I tried my first Coconut Coffee in Vietnam and I love it since then. You should definitely try it!

I recommend you to go to this one as it is located in a historical building in District 1, close to the City Hall and the Statue of Ho Chi Minh. 

Google Maps

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Cafein & Nicotin

In the same building with Cong Ca Phe, you can find this special tearoom with a beautiful view to Notre Dame Cathedral. They offer traditional tea sets and coffee in a nice ambience.

Google Maps

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Hat Ca Lan

This coffeeshop is hidden in a small alley and you need to walk up a small stair to get there. They do very good Vietnamese Coffee and a cute cat is part of the team!

Google Maps

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AVOCAFE

This place is close to the Turtle Lake. They offer coffee with Avocado Smoothie on top. It might sound a bit unfamiliar, but it tastes nice. You can enjoy it while sitting on a small chair on the sidewalk as the local people!

Google Maps

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Cu Tren Cay Coffee

This means "Owl on the Tree" - you'll see why as soon as you enter this place. It's like a green island in a busy local area. Their drinks are amazing and I recommend you to try Cà phê muối (Salted Coffee) here. You can go there by motorbike or taxi as it's a bit far away from the city center but close to Landmark81. The area around Landmark81 is nice to take a walk in the nighttime. 

Google Maps

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Sim's Farm 

I love this cute little place by the river! 

It's normally quiet there and the balcony is so nice to relax. 

Google Maps

Barista Course

If you want to learn more about coffee (farming, roasting, grinding, preparing) I can recommend you VCR - Vietnam Coffee Republic. I did their 3-days Barista Course and I learned a lot but you can also do just one day. Also, you can get high quality coffee beans here to bring home. 

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About me

Xin chào, I'm Anni and I'm happy in Vietnam!

I want to take you on this journey with me and share my love for this beautiful country with you.

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