Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
Around Ho Chi Minh City
Vibrating with energy, innovation, and traffic – lots of traffic – Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, the name comes from the Khmer word “Prei Kor”. Nowadays, HCMC is the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. A freewheeling, cosmopolitan metropolis, HCMC's dynamic cityscape draws together old and new Vietnam in the most compact of spaces, representing the city’s past as well as its future. There are some highlights of Saigon such as Ben Thanh market, Reunification Palace, Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedrals, flower market
Cu Chi Tunnels
The labyrinthine tunnels in Cu Chi, located just 60 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, stretch nearly all the way to the border with Cambodia. Built over a period of 25 years starting from 1948 during the war against the French, the tunnels were a vital communication network, connecting remote villages, and helped the Vietnamese soldiers evade the French army. These same tunnels later became hideouts for the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. The tunnels were preserved after 1975, and are now a historical relic where visitors can explore the claustrophobic tunnels themselves, and clearly imagine the circumstances and environments in which the soldiers fought. Visiting the Cu Chi tunnels is a great way to develop a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s history.
Mekong Delta
One of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, the Mekong Delta is a vast, maze-like flood plain interwoven by tributaries and distributaries of the massive Mekong River. The Mekong River is the twelfth largest river in the world, and beginning in China, its course runs through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia before finally reaching the sea in Vietnam’s southernmost region. Known locally as “Cuu Long Giang,” or, “The River of Nine Dragons,” the Mekong River Delta is a must-see destination for any visitor staying in Ho Chi Minh City. The region is known for its natural beauty, unique culture, and delicious, fresh food. Visitors can take a short, 1-day trip to My Tho or Ben Tre province, or choose for a lengthier 1-night stay in Can Tho, the largest city in the region. If the sleepy tourist can wake up early in the morning, they can take a trip to the floating market, where they can take a boat ride into a vast, interlocking market made up of boats and rafts, where fresh food is sold every day.
Foodie Tour
Saigon is known as a “foodie’s paradise” by many, and for good reason. Vietnamese cuisine is a combination of five fundamental flavors: salty, sweet, bitter, sour and spicy. The cuisine is different in every region in Vietnam: plain in Ha Noi, spicy in Hue, and sweet in the Mekong Delta. In Ho Chi Minh City in particular there is a strong influence from Chinese and French cuisine, making the city's culinary palate very diverse. Take a foodie tour in Ho Chi Minh City on the back of a scooter and end your evening enjoying cold beers and delicious food with friends.
À Ố Show
The A O Show, or the Bamboo Circus, takes place a few nights a week in Saigon’s architectural icon: The Ho Chi Minh City Opera House. Witness incredible acrobatic feats and feel the energy of a once-in-a-lifetime thrilling performance. You’ll be shouting “Ahhhh!” and “Ooooh!” and laughing along with the rest of the energized audience. After the show you may be lucky enough to get pictures with the cast, who continue the performance in the lobby. Please contact us for available dates and seats.
Cooking Class
Being a center of culinary culture, Ho Chi Minh City offers ample opportunities to learn to cook food like a local. Starting at a local market early in the morning, the cooking class will let you go along with a guide and be a part of the process from market to table. After you visit the market you will return to the cooking area, where everything is prepared for you. The guide will teach you through detailed, step-by-step instructions in fluent English how to prepare various Vietnamese dishes. At the end of the day everyone will gather together and celebrate and try the food. For the aspiring chef, the guide will also hand out recipe books so you can try out what you learned back home.