With its somewhat chaotic appearance, featuring tangled black wires that locals call "black noodles," this neighborhood is vibrant and one of the remnants of life in Saigon before it became Hô Chi Minh City and modernized. The old buildings, where Vietnamese families still reside today, provide a glimpse into local life that you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Don’t hesitate to climb the external staircases of the buildings for a better view. You’ll notice that residents sometimes bring their scooters up to the fifth floor due to the lack of parking on the street. The most sought-after apartments in this area are those on the ground floor, as they allow for the opening of a business. You’ll find numerous cafes and street food stalls in this area. And if you hear roosters crowing, you’re not dreaming! Residents of Old Saigon keep chicken coops on their balconies or on the rooftops of the buildings.

If you want to experience local life, head to Hô Chi Minh's flower market. This vibrant market is filled with the scents and colors of countless flowers. From orchids to lilies, you'll find a wide variety of blooms, including bouquets made from money! Vietnamese people gift these types of bouquets for birthdays, weddings, or graduations. The market continues with street food stalls and clothing vendors if you wish to extend your visit.

This striking memorial commemorates the Buddhist monk Thích Quảng Đức, who self-immolated on June 11, 1963, to protest against the oppression of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government. Located in District 3, at the intersection of the streets where Thích Quảng Đức set himself on fire, the monument serves as a poignant reminder of the spiritual and political struggles that have shaped the country.

Located right next to the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon and designed by Gustave Eiffel, the Central Post Office is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. This beautiful building showcases French colonial architecture and still functions as a post office today. Inside, you can purchase lovely postcards, stamps and souvenirs from Vietnam while admiring its stunning interior.

Located just a few steps from the Cathedral and the Central Post Office, Nguyen Van Binh Street, also known as the “Book street”, is a charming pedestrian area lined with bookstores and cafes. Whether you’re a book lover or simply looking for a relaxing place to stroll, away from the buzzing scooters, this street is perfect for a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. You’ll find a wide selection of books, including English editions, making it an excellent spot to immerse yourself in Vietnam’s literary culture.

Vietnam is famous for its unique coffee culture, and Hô Chi Minh City is the perfect place to immerse yourself in it. As avid coffee lovers, we naturally tried out several types of coffee, carefully following the advice given by locals, and found two perfect places for you to experience it too. 

Traditional Vietnamese coffee is served with an individual filter that is placed directly on the cup. It is served with sweetened condensed milk and can be enjoyed hot or cold. We also tried the coconut coffee, which is lighter, and above all the famous egg coffee (not at all light!). 

Egg coffee is made with two egg yolks, to which condensed milk and sugar are added, all poured over an espresso. A creamy drink that can be eaten for breakfast or dessert! A unique ritual is to eat the creamy layer with the tea spoon, before merging it with the rich espresso.

The best places to try these drinks are Little Hanoi Café and The Old Compass Café, where you can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere while tasting these local specialities.

No visit to Vietnam is complete without savouring the local cuisine! Start your day like a true local with a bowl of pho or noodle soup for breakfast. For lunch, be sure to try the Vietnamese savoury pancakes (bánh xèo) at Bánh Xèo Ngoc Sơn, served with fresh salad leaves and herbs. To beat the sweltering Vietnamese heat, be sure to grab a freshly squeezed sugarcane juice from a street vendor. The flavours of Hô Chi Minh City's street food scene are sure to leave a long lasting impression on your taste buds!

For an authentic and unique local experience, we strongly recommend booking a scooter tour of the city with student guides. The concept? Local students drive you around the city on their own scooters and take you on a tour of the city's historical and cultural sites, off the beaten path. They will share anecdotes about Vietnamese history and culture, while answering your questions with humour. On top of that, you’ll experience what it's like to ride a scooter in Vietnam. 

Some tours combine city sightseeing with stops at the best street food stalls that you're unlikely to find on your own. 

Many local university students offer low-cost tours. We booked our tour via Get Your Guide the day before we arrived in Hô Chi Minh City.

This museum offers a sobering look at the impact of the Vietnam War through photographs, exhibitions and military equipment. The War Remnants Museum presents a powerful narrative of the war from the Vietnamese perspective, highlighting the experiences of both civilians and soldiers. Be warned, the museum can be emotionally intense to visit, but it offers an important understanding of the country's history and resilience.

If you have a little more time in Hô Chi Minh City, why not dedicate a day to an excursion to the Mekong Delta? Just a few hours from Hô Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta is a vast network of rivers, swamps and islands. A day trip to the Mekong offers a chance to explore this unique ecosystem. You'll get to see traditional floating markets, visit small local villages and even take a boat trip through lush canals surrounded by coconut palms. It's an unforgettable way to experience the natural beauty of southern Vietnam. Many day tours departing from Hô Chi Minh City are available via Get Your Guide.