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Looking for the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City? You’ve come to the right place.
Ho Chi Minh (also known as Saigon) is a busy city with tons of things to do. Since your time is limited and you can’t do them all, it’s important you pick things you’ll love!
Luckily, we’ve spent tons of time here and narrowed down the best experiences. They range from exploring the Mekong Delta by kayak, seeing the Cu Chi tunnels, and out-of-this-world food tours.
There’s something for everyone on this list so don’t go anywhere and keep reading for the 10 best things to do in Ho Chi Minh!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did in Ho Chi Minh was this tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta. We learned so much as we explored this historic place with our guide, and they took care of every detail of the day. Check out the 5,400 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: This tour is popular, so book your spot here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before it takes off.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
- 1. Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels
- 2. Eat your way through the city
- 3. Take a boat ride on the Mekong Delta
- 4. Learn how to cook authentic Vietnamese food
- 5. Learn all about the city from a local guide
- 6. Visit the Black Virgin Mountain and Cao Dai Temple
- 7. Take a day trip to the beach in Mui Ne
- 8. Explore Ho Chi Minh at night
- 9. Escape the city and explore the Mekong Delta by bicycle, boat, and kayak
- 10. Learn about Ho Chi Minh City’s history on a U.S. Army Jeep tour
- Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Price: $76 USD – $299 USD per person
- Duration: 10 hours approximately
- Time: 7:30 am, 7:45 am
- Highlights: Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and take a boat ride down the Mekong Delta, shoot rifles used during the war (if selected), and travel by limousine from Ho Chi Minh
- Inclusions: Round-trip transportation from your accommodation, English-speaking guide, all entrance and activity fees, traditional Southern Vietnamese lunch, water, beer, travel insurance
- Rating: 5 stars (check the 5,700+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
We loved this full-day tour because it checks off two of Southern Vietnam’s top attractions in a single day. It even has both private and group options making it perfect for solo travelers or those in a group.
I have to say that traveling by limo is the kind of VIP status I like in a tour, and it made the trip from Ho Chi Minh incredibly comfortable. Especially after a long day, relaxing in a cushy air-conditioned vehicle for the return trip is the way to go.
Our guide was fantastic and made our visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels come to life through fascinating stories from the war. Jumping into the tunnels and seeing the living quarters was easily the highlight of the tour for me! History buffs will especially get a lot out of this section since it’s all so well-preserved and hands-on. There’s even the opportunity to shoot old rifles!
I especially enjoyed the second half of the day when we took a slow boat down the Mekong Delta and followed it up with a rowboat to a village hidden down small canals. The scenery here is incredibly lush and the villagers even treated us to a performance of traditional music.
We loved how well put together and comfortable this tour was and can’t recommend a better way to see two of South Vietnam’s best stops, it’s an easy first addition to this list!
Book this tour with THOUSANDS of 5-star reviews here!
2. Eat your way through the city
- Price: $49 USD per person
- Duration: 4 hours approximately
- Time: 5:30 pm, 6 pm, 6:30 pm
- Highlights: Eat a wide variety of Vietnamese food out of the tourist zones, hear the history of Vietnamese cuisine and Ho Chi Minh City, see a side of Ho Chi Minh only a local can show you
- Inclusions: Round trip transportation from your accommodation, English-speaking guide, all food and drinks
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check the 2,300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
As major foodies and two people who love to get out of tourist trap areas, we couldn’t have been happier with this food tour!
Our local guide, Charlie, took us to areas we would have never found, and even if we had, we wouldn’t know what to order! If you want to experience why Vietnamese food is world-renowned this tour should be at the top of your list.
We loved that this tour was private, so we could talk to Charlie the entire night about Vietnam, the city, and its food. He was so friendly and made sure to double-check any dietary restrictions before ordering!
The amount of food we tried was staggering and each was unique. Pork noodle soup, BBQ seafood, bahn mi, spring rolls – I was in foodie heaven! I especially appreciated that Charlie kept feeding us beer and rice wine. A little buzz makes food taste even better if you ask me.
What really impressed me though was Charlie’s vast knowledge of both the food we were eating and the history of the areas we were in. As someone who likes to learn the story behind the food and the city, I was eating up every word he said!
As far as food tours go, this is as good as it gets. If you’re a foodie, don’t miss out on the chance to experience one of the best tours you can take while in Vietnam!
Book this top tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you take off.
3. Take a boat ride on the Mekong Delta
- Price: $75 USD – $160 USD per person
- Duration: 8 hours approximately
- Time: 7:30 am – 11 am
- Highlights: Float along the Mekong River, visit a traditional village, see the largest pagoda in the Mekong Delta, visit a coconut candy-making shop
- Inclusions: Round-trip transportation from your accommodation, English-speaking guide, all entrance and activity fees, traditional Southern Vietnamese lunch
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check the 200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
The Mekong River is the most important in all of Southeast Asia and taking a boat down it is sure to be the highlight of anyone’s trip in Vietnam. We think this day trip is great for groups who want to save money or people who prefer private expeditions.
Right off the bat, I loved that this tour broke up the 1.5-hour ride to the Mekong with a visit to Vinh Trang Pagoda, the largest on the Mekong!
After that, it’s a nonstop adventure on the Mekong and I appreciate that there are unique stops most other tours miss. Seeing things like a boat-building workshop gives a cool look into daily life on the river.
However, it’s places like the local village we visited that really made this experience special. Visiting a bee farm, watching cultural performances, and eating a traditional lunch were just a few of the highlights for me. Everyone we encountered was so friendly and loved it when we wanted to jump in and learn their way of life!
The latter half of the day was accessible only by paddle boat down small jungle canals. This was very different from the hustle and bustle of the city! Visiting “the land of coconuts” was such a treat (literally!) with my favorite part being a stop at a coconut candy-making shop.
If you’re looking for the ultimate Mekong River experience this is it. See a local side of the Mekong few people do and book your spot today.
Check availability and book this tour here, before it sells out!
4. Learn how to cook authentic Vietnamese food
- Price: $55 USD per person
- Duration: 4.5 hours approximately
- Time: 9 am, 2 pm
- Highlights: Make traditional Vietnamese food with a local chef, take a guided tour of a wet market, and bring home a Vietnamese cookbook with recipes for the meals you make
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, all ingredients, 4-course meal (vegetarian on request), complimentary cocktail, cookbook
- Rating: 5 stars (check the 300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Attention all foodies! If you’d like to take home the secrets necessary to make world-class Vietnamese food I have you covered. This cooking class is the Michelin Star of cooking experiences and even gives you a specialized cookbook with over 25 recipes to bring home with you.
I loved that it started with a guided tour to a local wet market to see where everyone in the area gets their ingredients. Wet markets are chaotic, to say the least, but I felt safe and enjoyed going to areas I would never go to on my own. Ann was a phenomenal guide and taught us so much about the market and food culture in Vietnam!
After exploring the market it was off to Ann’s kitchen to make some delicious food. All of the ingredients were waiting for us in a clean environment that had me feeling like a professional chef.
She was incredibly patient as she guided us through making multiple dishes, but by far my favorite was the iconic dish Pho Ga. I was grateful that it was a small group experience that way she could give everyone one-on-one attention when they needed it.
I can confidently give this cooking class the chef’s kiss and I was beyond impressed with the quality of the food we learned how to make. This one does have a tendency to sell out so act fast and reserve your spot today!
Don’t miss out – book this food tour here and get FREE cancellation before you go!
5. Learn all about the city from a local guide
- Price: $89 USD per person
- Duration: 8 hours approximately
- Time: 8 am, 8:30 am, 9 am
- Highlights: See the highlights of Ho Chi Minh in comfort, visit Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Saigon Opera House, Ho Chi Minh’s largest Chinatown, Ba Thien Hau Temple, Ben Than Market
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, round trip air-conditioned transportation, lunch, all entrance fees
- Rating: 5 stars (check the 250+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If your time in Ho Chi Minh is short or you’re just looking for a convenient way to see all of the city’s top sites this tour was made for you. We loved the fact that it was all-inclusive so from the moment we were picked up we didn’t have to worry about anything.
Our guide, Tony, was about as excited to give the tour as we were to take it, and his knowledge of the city was astounding. One of the things we most love about Ho Chi Minh City is its French Colonial architecture and seeing it through the eyes of Tony was such a delight. The Central Post Office and Saigon Opera House in particular stood out as some of the prettiest buildings we saw!
At every stop was a history lesson that gave depth to the city. History buffs won’t want to write this one off since it takes you through some of the most important areas of the city like the War Remnants Museum. I especially enjoyed the old planes and helicopters there.
We ate lunch at a local restaurant, explored markets, and even had the opportunity to shop for some souvenirs. It was such a well-rounded experience and having Tony with us every step of the way made us feel comfortable in this sometimes overwhelming city.
Reserve this tour now and pay later when you book in advance here.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Visit the Black Virgin Mountain and Cao Dai Temple
- Price: $99 USD – $188 USD per person
- Duration: 11 to 12 hours approximately
- Time: 6 am to 9:30 am (depending on tour chosen)
- Highlights: Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, Cao Dai Temple, and ride a cable car up Ba Den Mountain
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, round trip transportation in air conditioned vehicle, lunch, water, tea and snacks
- Rating: 5 stars (check the 200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
It’s no secret that the region around Ho Chi Minh is packed with incredible activities so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are tons of breathtaking things to see. We took this full day tour because it visited a few places that we’d never heard of, and after doing some research, we were excited to go see them for ourselves!
We really appreciate that there are options for both small group and private tours depending on what you need. You can also choose to pay only for certain destinations if you’ve already been to other ones which is nice so you don’t have to tread over familiar ground.
While the whole day was incredible I have to say that the first stop at Ba Den Mountain (Black Virgin Mountain) was my favorite because of the cable car ride. The views were stunning and on a clear day you can see all the way into Cambodia!
Following the views of the mountain was the serene Cao Dai Temple. I really enjoyed learning about the religious practices of local people from our guide and even having the chance to watch it happen in real time.
The final stop of the day was the Cu Chi Tunnels used in the Vietnam-American war. I couldn’t believe it when we were told these tunnels went for 70 kilometers (43 miles)!
This tour is great if you love to see some of the less visited sites near Ho Chi Minh City and are on limited time!
Check availability and secure your spot on this full-day tour here!
7. Take a day trip to the beach in Mui Ne
- Price: $62 USD per person
- Duration: 12 hours approximately
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Visit the beautiful beach town of Mui Ne, take a jeep on white sand dunes, stop at a fishing village, see the “fairy stream”, catch the sunset at the red sand dunes
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, round-trip transportation on a luxury sleeper bus, entrance fees, free professional photos
- Rating: 4.5 (check the 350+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
I love vibey beach towns so when I found this tour to Mui Ne I just couldn’t say no!
Mui Ne is about 3.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, so I really liked that we got to travel in comfort on a sleeper bus. Once I woke up from my snooze we were at the beach and ready for fun.
The first thing I noticed was the iconic Vietnamese basket boats floating offshore and while the fishermen may disagree with me, I think they are super cute. After snapping some photos it was off to the white sand dunes to ride around in a Jeep and soak up the sun!
We saw that you could rent an ATV here if you want to ditch the Jeep and tear up the sand on your own. There are also sandboards for rent if you have the need for speed.
Our day also included a cultural stop at a fishing village where we saw thousands of boats and the nearby “fairy stream” which we got to walk down barefoot. The views here are just amazing and it’s a photographer’s dream.
The latter half of the day was my favorite since we got to hang out on the iconic red dunes as we waited for sunset. As you can imagine, it was epic!
Amazing views, beachside adventures and more wait for anyone who makes the trip to Mui Ne. So what are you waiting for? Book your spot on this tour now!
Book this tour here and get flexible cancellation and payment options!
8. Explore Ho Chi Minh at night
- Price: $79 – $89 USD per person
- Duration: 2.5 hours approximately
- Time: 6 pm to 8 pm
- Highlights: Private guided tour of Ho Chi Minh’s top sites at night, ride around in an open-top jeep
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, round trip transportation, drinks in the jeep, drink at a sky bar
- Rating: 5 stars (check the reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Ho Chi Minh comes even more alive at night and there is no better way to experience it than on a tour of the city. If you want to see the city’s top sites while escaping the heat of the day and from a unique perspective I can’t recommend this evening tour enough.
What I think makes this such a cool experience is getting to have a beer, look at the city all lit up, and go from place to place with a local guide. It’s got tons of history and culture, but its also just such a fun way to see the city.
I had seen some of the places we had went to before but never at night. Trust me when I say places like the Saigon Opera House and Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral are even more stunning in the evening!
While food isn’t included our guide offered to take us to his favorite local spots which were insanely cheap anyway. Bui Vien Street is loaded with food stalls and I highly recommend trying a few things. As a sweet little bonus, the night also included a stop to an awesome sky bar with killer views of the city.
You really cant go wrong with this tour and since its available every day of the week its easy to fit into any travel itinerary!
Check out the glowing reviews and book this tour here!
9. Escape the city and explore the Mekong Delta by bicycle, boat, and kayak
- Price: $109 USD per person
- Duration: 9 to 10 hours approximately
- Time: 7 am
- Highlights: Enjoy the Mekong Delta by boat, kayak, and bicycle, visit the Cai Be floating market, see local farms and villages
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, round trip air-conditioned transportation, water, lunch, use of bicycles and safety gear, all entrance and activity fees
- Rating: 5 stars (check the 250+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
The Mekong Delta is without a doubt the most impressive river in Southeast Asia. So what better way to experience it than on an impressive tour, such as this bike, boat, and kayak adventure?
We were swooned by this tour from the start and with fantastic variety, it was easily one of the best tours we took in Vietnam. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast this was made for you.
What stood out to us was how much we got to see and interact with local people in an organic way. Taking a boat out to places like the Cai Be floating market and nearby farms felt natural and the interactions were genuine. If you haven’t been to a floating market before, Cai Be is sure to impress -everyone there is incredibly friendly!
The middle of the day was one of my favorite parts since I love the chance to hop on a bike for some relaxed riding. It was all flat and roughly 20 km (12.5 mi)! Biking is such an interactive way to take in the Mekong and the stunning natural scenery on its banks.
After our ride, it was time for kayaking. While boat rides are fun there’s something about being so close to the water that is even more enjoyable. I loved stopping along the river with our guides to learn about the history and nature of the area and sadly, before I knew it, it was time to head back.
Book this tour with over 250 5-star reviews here, before it fills up!
10. Learn about Ho Chi Minh City’s history on a U.S. Army Jeep tour
- Price: $56 to $89 USD per person
- Duration: 4 hours approximately
- Time: 7:30 am to 9 am, 1:30 pm, 6 pm to 7 pm
- Highlights: See the bucket list locations of Saigon in a restored U.S. Army Jeep and get more out of each stop with a private guide
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, round trip transportation, water and beer, all entrance fees
- Rating: 5 stars (check the 750+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you’re looking for a bang for your buck sightseeing tour of Saigon, but don’t want to spend all day driving around – look no further than this Jeep tour. It hits everything you need to see, comes with a private guide, and is one of the best ways to be introduced to the city.
Open-air Jeeps are cool enough already, but what about one that used to be an old Army Jeep? I have to say that I’m a sucker for stuff like that and I know all of you history buffs will be too.
Speaking of history this tour takes you to places like the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace, which are must-see places if you’re curious about Vietnam’s view on the war. Especially with a private guide, there is so much to learn.
I also love that it stops at the prettiest buildings in the city such as the Central Post Office and Saigon Opera House which boast stunning French Colonial architecture. As a nice bonus, you also get to see the Emperor Jade Pagoda which Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism inspired.
With how much you see in such a short time this is my top pick for people on a time crunch in Saigon. It runs every day of the week and with multiple start times throughout the day, it can fit into even the busiest of schedules.
If you want to see the best city sights – book this tour with HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews!
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City is jam-packed with places to stay, it can quickly become overwhelming when trying to find the perfect place! We prefer to stay in District 1, as it’s close to a lot of HCMC’s top sights. Best of all, you can get a very nice hotel without breaking the bank, so I’ve left a few different suggestions below!
Luxury – $$$
Park Hyatt Saigon is my first choice if you’re looking for a luxury stay. It’s a large hotel with great service, and you have a range of rooms to choose from – but they are all modern and luxurious! They have a large outdoor pool and two onsite restaurants, and the hotel is walking distance to the top sights in the area.
Prices range from $250 to $600+, depending on which room you choose and the time of year you visit. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Bay Hotel Ho Chi Minh is a moderately priced hotel, with comfortable and classy rooms. It’s walking distance to the Opera House, so you’ll be centrally located in the city. They offer a range of room types, and you can enjoy the restaurant or room service, the pool, and the fitness center.
Room prices range from $50 to $220 USD and can be reserved on Booking.com.
Budget – $
You don’t have to spend your whole travel budget for a nice stay! The Ohio Hotel & Apartment offers comfortable king sized rooms for only around $25 USD a night. They are clean, comfortable, and modern, and actually a great price for the quality you get! It’s located near the Notre Dame Cathedral and Reunification Palace, so you’re close to Ho Chi Minh’s best things to do.
Check availability and book this hotel on Booking.com.
For more options, check out all the hotels in Ho Chi Minh City here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Ho Chi Minh is a lively place and a quintessential Southeast Asia city! We have visited here multiple times and truly never get bored. I know if you follow this list, you’ll never be bored either! This truly gives you a feel for the authentic side of Saigon and beyond, so go have fun!
If you found this post helpful, be sure to check out our other Southeast Asia guides. We love sharing our favorite places and travel experiences with others and have resources for cities all over the world. I’ll leave a few related posts below to inspire your travels!
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