Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is Vietnam at its most dynamic—an electrifying blend of commerce, culture, and constant motion. This high-octane metropolis powers the nation forward with its infectious energy. A chaotic, captivating whirl, HCMC breathes life into all who settle here—and visitors inevitably get swept up in the momentum.
Built in 1909 to honour the supreme Taoist god—the Jade Emperor (Ngọc Hoàng)—this richly atmospheric temple is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most captivating spiritual sites. Shrouded in thick incense smoke and lined with ornate carvings, it blends Taoist and Buddhist iconography in an almost otherworldly display of devotion.
The temple’s alternate name, Phước Hải Tự (“Sea of Blessing Temple”), reflects its Buddhist ties, echoed in the inscription above the main altar: “The light of Buddha shines on all.” Statues of mythic warriors, divine judges, and celestial beings made from reinforced papier-mâché populate its dark interiors.
Visitors enter a world of rich symbolism—where fearsome generals subdue dragons and tigers, and worshippers appeal to the Jade Emperor, guarded by the Four Big Diamonds. The Hall of the Ten Hells graphically portrays punishments for sin, while nearby, women pay homage to the City God for prosperity, performing rituals with red paper and candle flames.
In quieter corners, ceramic figures of 12 astrological mothers represent virtues and vices, overseen by Kim Hoa Thanh Mẫu, the matron of all women. Upstairs, shrines honour Quan Âm, the Goddess of Mercy, and Đạt Ma, the founder of Zen Buddhism.
Outside, a tranquil turtle pond brims with life—many shells etched with blessings for good fortune.
Visitor Info:
Entry: Free, with donation boxes throughout.
Dress code: Modest attire (shoulders and knees covered) is appreciated.
When to visit: Mornings are best to avoid crowds and enjoy a quieter, more reflective experience.
A sobering and essential visit for understanding Vietnam’s modern history, the War Remnants Museum offers a deeply moving account of the Vietnam War and its impact on civilians. Housed in the former US Information Service building, this powerful museum centers the Vietnamese perspective while featuring harrowing war photography—much of it sourced from American journalists and archives.
Grim exhibits document atrocities like the My Lai massacre, the use of Agent Orange, and the effects of napalm, presented alongside stories of resistance, survival, and global antiwar solidarity. Outside, visitors can examine US tanks, artillery, and captured aircraft, as well as reconstructed prison cells, complete with tiger cages and a French guillotine once used on political prisoners.
The museum also includes the powerful Requiem Exhibition, curated by war photographer Tim Page, which honors photojournalists killed during the conflict—both Vietnamese and foreign, including renowned names like Larry Burrows and Robert Capa.
Though emotionally heavy, the museum provides vital historical context and a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s enduring resilience. Visitors are advised to allow at least two hours and to prepare for some difficult but necessary material.
Visitor Info
Entry Fee: 40,000₫ (adults), 20,000₫ (ages 6–16), free for children under 6
Location: Former US Information Service building
Languages: Exhibits are labeled in both Vietnamese and English
Tip: Some exhibits may be distressing—take breaks as needed
Built between 1877 and 1883 during the French colonial period, Notre Dame Cathedral stands as a striking symbol of European influence in Ho Chi Minh City. Located opposite Đồng Khởi Street in the city’s old government quarter, this red-brick, neo-Romanesque church is easily recognized by its twin bell towers, each crowned with spires and crosses rising 60 meters high.
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the cathedral has long served as a spiritual and architectural focal point for the city’s Catholic community. While currently closed for renovation, its interior—when accessible—features beautiful stained-glass windows and walls lined with devotional tablets.
Even from the outside, the cathedral remains a popular stop for both worshippers and tourists, offering a glimpse into Vietnam’s colonial past and the enduring presence of Catholicism in the region.
Surrounded by swaying royal palms, the bold modernist architecture of Reunification Palace (also known as Independence Palace) makes it one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most iconic and atmospheric landmarks. Frozen in time since 30 April 1975, when Communist tanks crashed through its gates, this 1960s-era structure stands as a powerful symbol of the end of the Vietnam War.
Built on the site of the former French colonial Norodom Palace, the current building was completed in 1966 after the original was destroyed in an attempted coup. Designed by renowned Vietnamese architect Ngô Viết Thụ, the palace blends traditional Eastern symbolism with Western modernist flair, featuring sweeping reception halls, vintage furnishings, and even a rooftop helipad.
Inside, visitors can explore the president’s residence—complete with quirky mid-century décor—opulent meeting rooms, and a shag-carpeted card lounge that channels full Austin Powers energy. But it’s the basement that captivates most: a shadowy warren of bunkers, war rooms, radio equipment, and maps used during the war, preserved just as they were when Saigon fell.
Guided tours (in English and French) help bring the palace’s complex history to life, from its colonial roots to its dramatic role in one of the 20th century’s defining moments.
Visitor Info
Entry: Open daily unless closed for official events
Guided Tours: Free English and French tours available during visiting hours
Highlights: Presidential quarters, war bunker, rooftop helipad, and 1960s period details
Dating back to 1744, Giac Lam Pagoda is believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Ho Chi Minh City. Nestled in peaceful, garden-like grounds, it offers a tranquil escape from the city’s bustle. Its name—‘Feel the Woods Temple’—evokes its serene atmosphere, further enhanced by the sacred Bodhi tree in the courtyard, gifted by a Sri Lankan monk in 1953.
A graceful white statue of Quan Thế Âm Bồ Tát (Goddess of Mercy) stands nearby on a lotus blossom, symbolizing purity and compassion. Inside the temple, Vietnamese Buddhism blends with Taoist and Confucian influences, and visitors can observe a rich array of gilded statues, incense offerings, and symbolic imagery.
The main sanctuary houses a striking image of A Di Đà Buddha, surrounded by a glowing halo. Nearby sits a joyful statue of Ameda, the Buddha of Enlightenment, flanked by five playful children—representing wisdom, compassion, and joy.
Many locals visit Giac Lam to pray for healing. A revered bronze bell, believed to grant blessings when struck, stands ready to receive offerings and written petitions.
Visitor Info
Prayer Times: Daily from 4–5am, 11am–12pm, 4–5pm, and 7–9pm
Location: About 3km from Cholon; best reached by taxi or xe ôm (motorbike taxi)
Atmosphere: Quiet, spiritual, and steeped in centuries-old tradition
Housed in a majestic neoclassical mansion built in 1885, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum—formerly Gia Long Palace—is one of the city’s most beautiful colonial-era buildings. Set within elegant gardens, this former Revolutionary Museum offers a compelling journey through the city’s layered past.
Inside, exhibitions trace Saigon’s evolution through archaeological finds, antique ceramics, vintage maps, and cultural displays, including the marriage traditions of Vietnam’s diverse ethnic groups. The museum devotes significant space to Vietnam’s struggle for independence, especially on the upper floor, with artifacts and documents covering both the colonial and American wars.
Beneath the museum lies a little-known feature: a complex network of concrete bunkers and secret corridors that once linked to the nearby Reunification Palace. Though currently closed to the public due to flooding, these tunnels once housed kitchens, meeting halls, and living quarters. Notably, President Diem and his brother briefly took refuge here in 1963 before fleeing to their final destination, Cha Tam Church.
Outdoors, the museum grounds display relics of war, including an American F-5E jet—the very aircraft used by a South Vietnamese pilot to bomb the Presidential Palace on 8 April 1975, just weeks before the fall of Saigon.
Tucked behind a leafy facade and bursting with vibrant hues of red, gold, green, and yellow, this 1902 temple is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most ornately decorated places of worship. Dedicated to Quan Cong, a revered Chinese general symbolizing loyalty and righteousness, the temple is a striking example of traditional Chinese architecture and craftsmanship.
Inside, visitors are greeted by intricate woodcarvings embellishing the altars, columns, and lanterns, alongside elaborate brass ritual objects and ceremonial weapons. Incense coils hang overhead, releasing a sweet haze into the richly colored interior, while outside, the ceramic dioramas lining the roof brim with hundreds of delicate, expressive figurines.
Near the entrance stands a life-size statue of Quan Cong’s sacred horse. Before setting off on journeys, devotees make offerings, stroke its mane, and ring the bell tied around its neck for protection and good fortune.
Behind the main altar, a powerful statue of Quan Cong presides over the sanctuary, flanked by shrines dedicated to Ông Bổn (the guardian of happiness and prosperity) and Nam Ba Ngũ Hành (the Five Elements Goddesses), reflecting a blend of Taoist, Buddhist, and folk beliefs.
At the heart of Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant Chinatown, Binh Tay Market stands as a bustling hub of commerce and culture. Originally built by the French in the 1880s, the market was later rebuilt thanks to the generosity of Quach Dam, a Guangdong-born philanthropist whose statue once graced the courtyard and now resides in the Fine Arts Museum.
While much of the business here is wholesale, the market remains a popular stop for tour groups and curious travelers, drawn by its impressive clock tower, atmospheric central courtyard, and garden-lined walkways. Inside, the market is a maze of narrow aisles packed with textiles, kitchenware, dried goods, spices, and souvenirs.
English is rarely spoken, but you’ll find a warm welcome from the local vendors—especially if you pause for a traditional Vietnamese breakfast or strong coffee at one of the street-food stalls lining the perimeter.
