This is Ho Chi Minh City, but for the millions who live here and cherish it, the city is still lovingly called Saigon. Known as the beating heart of southern Vietnam, it’s a destination where the past and future meet in fascinating ways. With its French colonial landmarks, sacred temples, bustling street markets, and glittering skyscrapers, Ho Chi Minh City offers endless sightseeing opportunities for travelers.
Here, history and modernity coexist—you’ll find war relics and ancient pagodas standing beside luxury malls and rooftop bars. Locals sip strong Vietnamese coffee in hidden alleyway cafés while the city’s youthful energy races forward with ambition. For visitors, this makes Ho Chi Minh City not just a stop on the map, but a place of relentless energy, profound history, and unforgettable discovery.
The City of Two Names: Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon?
To understand Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing, you first need to grasp its dual identity. Officially named Ho Chi Minh City in 1976 to honor the revolutionary leader who reunified Vietnam, the city carries deep national pride and political significance.
Yet, for locals and long-time residents, the name Saigon is still alive and well. You’ll hear it in daily conversation, see it on shop signs, and feel it in the historic core of the city—especially in District 1, where colonial-era architecture and bustling markets create a sense of nostalgia. To truly know the city is to embrace both names and both identities: one that looks back at history, and another that drives toward the future.
Contrasts of Past and Future
One of the most striking parts of sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City is experiencing its contrasts. This is a city where French colonial elegance stands shoulder-to-shoulder with glass skyscrapers, and where history whispers even as the motorbikes roar past.
- The Past: Step inside the Notre Dame Cathedral or the Saigon Central Post Office, iconic symbols of French colonial design. Wander through the Reunification Palace, frozen in time from 1975, and you’ll understand why Saigon was once called the “Pearl of the Far East.”
- The Future: Just beyond these historic landmarks, the Bitexco Financial Tower and Landmark 81 dominate the skyline. Beneath them, the streets pulse with millions of motorbikes, a vivid reminder of the city’s entrepreneurial drive and nonstop forward motion.
This constant interplay of past and present is what makes Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing unforgettable.
The Culinary Capital of Vietnam
If you ask locals what defines their city, most won’t point to a building or a monument—they’ll point to a dish. Food is the soul of Saigon, and it has rightly earned its reputation as a world-class culinary capital.
- Street Food First: From a steaming bowl of phở to a plate of cơm tấm (broken rice with grilled pork), the city’s best meals are often served on plastic stools along crowded sidewalks. Eating street food is not just a meal—it’s a ritual, a way of life.
- Coffee Culture: No Saigon travel guide would be complete without mentioning coffee. From a simple cà phê sữa đá (strong iced coffee with condensed milk) from a street vendor to a latte in one of the city’s many artistic cafés, coffee fuels daily life here.
For food lovers, Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing is incomplete without tasting its bold, flavorful, and authentic street eats.
The Gateway to Southern Vietnam
Beyond its own attractions, Ho Chi Minh City serves as the perfect launchpad for exploring Southern Vietnam.
- Củ Chi Tunnels: Just a short trip away, these underground passages tell the powerful story of Vietnam’s wartime resilience. Crawling through the narrow tunnels is a must-do for history buffs.
- Mekong Delta: A breathtaking contrast to the urban chaos, the Mekong Delta offers floating markets, lush rice paddies, and a slower, more traditional pace of life. It’s an unforgettable excursion for those wanting to see Vietnam’s rural beauty.
With its central location and excellent transport connections, Ho Chi Minh City is more than a destination—it’s the gateway to countless adventures.