Ho Chi Minh city or Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam. After being colonized by French way back in 1859, the city has now progressed from the past horrors of war and bloodshed to become one of the most popular tourist spots. Visitors can find modern skyscrapers as well as ancient pagodas and temples here. The recommended way to reach is by landing at the Tan Son Nhat Airport, only 6 km away from the city. Toursim in Ho Chi Minh city is booming throughout the year, especially during the Dry Season (December - April). However, the Monsoon Season (May - November) is frequented by budget travellers as it is considered to be the tourist off-season. This travel guide should help visitors explore this South Vietnamese gem - Ho Chi Minh city. 

By Air:

The best way to reach Ho Chi Minh City is via flight, especially for international visitors. Landing at Tan Son Nhat Airport is your best bet. There are multiple taxi and bus options to take visitors into the city centre, which is only 6 km away.

By Road:

A time consuming way to reach, visitors have to travel via car or bus through the Moc Bai border which is 6 hours away from Saigon.

By Rail:

The journey via train to Saigon Railway Station is not recommended due to the gruelling length of the trip. From Hanoi to Saigon, the Reunification Express takes nearly 40 hours to reach. 

Dry Season (December - April):

This is ideally the best time to visit due to the reduced humidity and rainfall experienced. It is also festival time, with Christmas, New Years and Lunar Year Festival celebrations taking place. 

Monsoon Season (May - November):

Although humidity and rainshowers can increase during this period, normally the showers experienced tend to be moderate and periodic. This is the off-season for most tourists, making it ideal for budget travellers looking to explore the city.

Check out Binh Tay Market:

The market is home to some of the best produce and street food stalls in all of Vietnam. This two-floor building is buzzing with energy all day long and should not be missed. 

Visit the War Remnants Museum:

A historic structure, where visitors flock to learn more about the horrors of the Vietnam War via photo exhibits and scriptures. There are also real military tanks and airplanes for visitors to observe.

Visit the Cao Dai Temple:

Exploring this spectacular temple is one of the best things to do in Saigon. The temple is built in dedicaiton to the Cao Dai religion which draws influences from other religions like Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism to name a few.

Enjoy the delicious street food:

The street food is iconic in Vietnamese culture and is the reason why a lot of people visit the country. The best places in the city are the Bus Station Street Food, Thai Street and Ben Thanh Street Food Market.

The top Ho Chi Minh City food dishes are healthy, flavoursome and are visual delights, available at affordable rates. Some of the vital components of Vietnamese cuisine includes rice, noodles, seafood and meat. The city has an increasing number of luxury hotels and restaurants coming up, but the heart of this cuisine can be found in the roadside stalls and food markets. Banh Mi, Pho noodles and Oc (shellfish) are arguably the three most iconic dishes in the city.

Ho Chi Minh City’s shopping prospects extend beyond just boutique stores and basic shopping centres. The best place for truly embracing the local culture is the set of street markets, dispersed across the city with local sellers hawking fresh food stuff, Vietnamese Coffee beans, everyday provisions, and Vietnamese street food at affordable prices. The best shopping spots in the city include the Ben Thanh Market, Cholon, and An Dong Market. Visitors ready to shop for a good bargain will definitely not be disappointed here.