11 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City

You can have so many things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. From wandering through timeless alleys to temples infused with an intoxicating incense or negotiating designer stuff at 21st century styled skyscrapers, there are so many things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. The ghosts of the gruesome past dwell in the buildings that were witness to the turmoil generations ago, but the beauty of the urban ambiance of Ho Chi Minh City blends seamlessly into the two worlds into one hell of a tourist spot. Here are a few things to do in Ho Chi Minh City and some way to make the most of your visit.

Sai Kung Grassland Park is one of the most historic and oldest buildings in this city of Vietnam. Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is not just a historical monument but a melting pot of culture that symbolizes the city named Uncle Ho. Built at the same time with the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden are considered testimony to the history of the country. The vitality and typical cultural values of the city have given Saigon Zoo and Botanical garden a distinctive ethos, which is second to none. Built on 23 March 1864, as the Botanical Garden was constructed by the Governor-General of Indochina Pierre-Paul De la Grandiere.

It was conceived to enhance the culture and activities of plant and animal conservation. It was also proposed to serve as a research project for Indo Chinese scientists Mr. Louis Adolphe Germain, a veterinarian in the French Army, was assigned the task of expanding almost 12 hectares of wasteland in the North East of Thi Nghe canal as a breeding ground for animals and trees. The project was finally completed in 1865 with several rare animals and plants imported from neighboring countries like India, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. A must include in your things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, a trip to this place guarantees a soothing tryst with nature.

A boat tour around Ho Chi Minh City on the Saigon River gives you the chance to visit the diverse lifestyles that surround the bustling metropolis. The Saigon River flowing from Cambodia through South Vietnam is joined by the Dong Nia River and the Ben Cat River at Ho Chi Minh City. It merges into the South China sea close to the Mekong Delta. The banks are dotted with villages, settlements of ancient houses, skyscrapers, and underground passages that date back to the Vietnam War. The river is still a working river and used as a mode of transportation. One of the star attractions in the things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, a cruise on the river will get you up, close and personal with sites like Cu Chi tunnels, hidden canals, and the Mekong Delta. Several tour operators offer cruises as private charters or part of a group. Some cruises even offer dinner and fire dancing on board. The day trips also take you through historical and cultural hotspots in Vietnam that can be only accessed by boat.

There are rides, attractions, shows all the things that you would want in an amusement theme park. But there is something that is oddly strange and missing. In communist Vietnam, you cannot afford to see a Disney. If you want to head to the “happiest place on Earth,” then Suoi Tien Theme Park, set on the fringes of Ho Chi Ming City, is the place to go. One definite addition to the list of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City- the place is a burst of terror, humor, fun, and frolic- all in one. An amusement park based on a Buddhist theme with colorful statues of mythical creatures like tortoises, phoenixes, and dragons and also shrines and edifices of Buddha- this place is an entertainment gala for visitors.

The water park has lethargic rivers where you can ride on boats shaped like dogs and turtles. Families can enjoy waterslides at the artificial Tien Dong Beach that emerge from beards of mouths of huge Buddhist sages. There is a big farm that has over 1000 crocodiles, which can be fed by visitors. Visitors can feed raw meat attached to fishing poles. Unicorn Palace is an underground attraction that can be visited by older visitors. Don’t get fooled by the name, and it is a walk-through tunnel that displays the nine levels of hell as per Buddhist philosophy. Locals flock to this attraction to light incense at the prayer halls within the attraction, especially during festive occasions. The entrance fee to the attraction is just USD 5 for adults and USD 2.50 for children under 12.

A water-based theme park in Vietnam, Dam Sen features water slides, wave pools, and several other thrilling activities for all ages. The amusement park, which is a must on your things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, is located in District 11 in proximity to the city center. It is a popular retreat for locals and tourists to seek respite from the scorching heat and school holidays. Kamikaze is a perfect ride for the thrill-seeker- 19 meters in height, it is a fast-paced water slide. The Flying Fox will fulfill your desires of hanging over a large mass of water from a 10-meter-long cable.

Little children can enjoy the play area, which has colorful slides and massive statues of hippos and elephants spitting water jets. The best thing about Dam Sen is the well-trained lifeguards who are on patrol at all times to let parents have some relaxing time when kids are playing. The Dam Sen Cultural Park is situated just next door and has about 30 types of attractions. These include roller coasters, mini zoo, botanical gardens, butterfly farm, monorail, and miniature lakes. The highlight is the huge Roman Square with a musical fountain and theatre. Dam Sen is open on all days of the week except Tuesdays, and the entrance fees range from USD 10- USD 25 depending upon the height of the visitors.

Part of a massive war museum in Ho Chi Minh, the Chu Chi Tunnels, offers a sneak preview of the underground life led by Vietnamese soldiers in 1948. Spread over 120 km with underground tunnels, trapdoors, kitchens, living areas, armory, hospitals, command centers and storage facilities, a visit to the Chu Chi Tunnels must feature in your things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. The highlight of the tour is the expansion of the tunnels done by the Vietnamese soldiers during the Chi-Chi carpet-bombings to include air filtration systems. An iconic attraction, there are plenty of activities to do when you visit the place.

The best is to follow the narrow routes of the underground tunnel that leads visitors to a short film about how the tunnel works. Parts of the tunnel are widened and cemented to help visitors crawl and feel comfortable rather than undergo the same harrowing experience of the past. The crawl is not perfectly suited for visitors with breathing difficulties, although it does have emergency exit points at every 10 meters for safety. The tunnels also have a shooting range where you can fire M16 rifles. The restaurant that served food to the Vietnamese soldiers still exists, and tour operators operate a half-day tour to explore the place.

If you want a tryst with Buddhist culture, then visit the Linh Ung Pagoda. The largest pagoda in scale and artistry, the architecture of this attraction makes it the sole reason for you to include it in your things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. The place is famous for the tall and might statue of Lady Buddha, which stands at 67 meters in height. It is a spectacular place that gives visitors to achieve a state of calm by enjoying the vast ocean that adjoins the wonderful coastal road. The Linh Ung Pagoda strikes the perfect balance between traditional and modern architecture of pagodas in Vietnam.

The three-entrance gate, the main chamber, and the house of the ancestors lend a fantastic appeal to this attraction. Legend has it that the statue of the Lady Buddha is the incarnation of the “Goddess of Mercy” who guards and protects the fisherman and offers the strength to face natural disasters like storms, waves, and high tides. As you enter the pagoda, you will see the 3-door gate that opens to a lovely courtyard that is home to several kinds of bonsai trees and 18 statues with an aghast expression. A perfect place to take photos to put up on Instagram or Facebook. You can then proceed towards the statue and enjoy the view of the magnificent ocean and the coastal strip. You have to climb a few steps down to enjoy the panoramic view. The best time to visit this place is between 6 pm and 8 pm when you can catch fishing boats trying to catch fish.

It is considered to be the oldest temple in Ho Chi Minh City, with a serene atmosphere to its existence. Set amidst peaceful garden grounds, the Chinese characters that comprise the name of the temple mean “Feel the Woods temple.” The Bodhi tree- sacred to Buddhists located in the front garden is a gift from a Sri Lankan monk. Close to the tree is a glistening white statue of Quan The Ambo Tat (Goddess of Mercy) on a blooming lotus signifying purity. The bronze bell when rung is said to answer all prayers. The main sanctuary in the next room has the A Di Da Buddha statue with its resplendent halo. Ameda, the fat laughing statues with kids climbing over him, represents the Buddha of Enlightenment, Wisdom, and compassion. Prayers are held daily at fixed times, and the place is perfect for the sick and elderly.

Also known as Tortoise Pagoda, the shrine was built in the 20^th century by Cantonese, who migrated from the Guangzhou province in China. This pagoda is a testimony to the Mahayanist branch of Buddhism, which is widely practiced in Vietnam. A wonderful heritage site to add on to your things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, the main hall has the Emperor Jade Chua Ngoc Hoang or the God of Heavens, who reigns supreme. He decided with the help of his two assistants, who can enter the higher realm. The ones who do not go past this gate will meet the forbidding “God of Hell” who sends sinners to the different levels of hell.

A life in agony is gruesomely represented by the intricate carvings on the walls that depict the punishments that await sinners in hell. In a different hall, you can see the Goddess of Fertility Kim Hua surrounded by women and children. The deity is believed to bless childless couples with offspring. The Goddess of Mercy” Kuan Yin” lies in another hall. The pagoda is a working shrine and temple in use by locals who come diligently to offer prayers, flowers and light candles and joss sticks. The passages to the temple are filled with a fragrance and add to its heavenly charm. There is a tortoise pond in the portico where you can feed animals that contributes to the rituals.

Founded in the early 19^th century, Quan Am Pagoda is one of Cholon’s most colorful temples. The temple is named after Quan The Am Bo Tat, the Goddess of Mercy. She is believed to be the “Bodhisattva who Listens to the Cries of the World” and the temple is a testimony to her infinite compassion. The statue of the Goddess lies behind an ornate exterior and is widely worshipped in Tibet in the form of Dalai Lama. The roof is decorating with fantastic ceramic scenes that depict the traditional figures that appear in Chinese stories and dramas. The temple is also adorned with gold and lacquer panels at the entrance.

A beautifully preserved remnant of the French architecture, the functioning Central Post office has a neo-Baroque façade and an interior with a theme of science running through. The building was designed by Alfred Foul houx and had lovely arched windows and wooden shutters. Every aspect from the intricate marble floors, antique telephone booths, looping arches reminds us of the importance of the post office in the days when the post was an important medium of communication.

The walls are painted with two maps in the region that show the telegraph lines crossing Vietnam and Cambodia and also the map of the Saigon region in 1892. The experience is fascinating as the Post Office is still functioning with old fashioned pots of glue used to sticking stamps to letters. Get yourself a letter written in English, Vietnamese, or French by Duong Van Ngo-the octogenarian. Souvenirs like postcards and lacquerware are sold at small gift shops. Definitely a thing to do in Ho Chi Minh City, a visit to the post office will take you back in time to an era where communication took place.

Reunification Palace served as the base of Vietnamese general Ngo Dinh Diem. A tank that belonged to the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates and ended the Vietnam War. The palace is still in a time warp where you can see the original tanks used to capture the palace. The Palace also served as the home and workplace of the French Governor of Cochin-China. Dense gardens, secret rooms, antiques, and old furniture along with a command bunker, the palace is a wonderful place to spend time. With five different levels dedicated to war artifacts and displays, it is a definite feature of your things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

A visit to this museum is a very sober and somber experience yet an important and significant one. The museum has exhibits of the Vietnam War and the First Indochina War with the French colonists. You will get a chance to go through military vehicles, weapons, machinery, artillery, and photographs that relive the entire experience. The exhibits are displayed starkly, and the horrors of war are so explicitly displayed for everyone to see. Graphic photographs have been displayed to show the dark effects of the chemical weapons used by the USA from napalm, phosphorous bombs, and agent orange.

Lively and bustling Ho Chi Minh City is a top value-for-money destination in Southeast Asia. Formerly known as Saigon, the city is a noisy, hot yet dynamic place that rarely sleeps and has a very complex history and culture for you to soak up. From scarfing down to street-side joints to visiting epic attractions, Ho Chi Minh City is filled with gems for you to have a great time. So, don’t miss these incredible attractions when you are there.