Ho Chi Minh City is a lavish and immense metropolis waiting for you to explore. This place contains a lot of exciting things, making people come here not to be curious and want to explore a lot. However, if you are still indifferent and need to know which places to explore in this vibrant city, let this article help you. Here are the top 10 tourist destinations in Saigon that Lily’s Travel recommends, which will make you take notice of.
Independence Palace
Reunification Hall, popularly known as Independence Palace. Currently, this is one of the tourist destinations of Saigon, with a long history associated with the national account. The magnificent work is highly famous, and the years of resistance are the regular working place of the Government apparatus of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Experiencing a brutal struggle against American imperialism, the Independence Palace was renovated on the old ground and officially completed in 1966. In 1976, the state recognized this place as a National Historic and Cultural Monument, and it was an honor to be on the list of the first 10 National Monuments in Vietnam in 2009.
The architectural style of Thong Nhat Hall is designed with oriental breath. The building has 2 basements, 1 ground floor, 3 main floors, 2 mezzanines, and 1 terrace to support the helicopter landing. When visiting this place, visitors can see the ancient artifacts preserved from the old regime until now. This is one of the places to go in Saigon, especially on April 30 and May 1 every year, everyone gathers here a lot to celebrate the day of the complete liberation of the South in 1975.
- Located at 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia in District 1’s Ben Nghe Ward.
- Hours of operation: 7h30 – 11h00 and 13h00 – 16h00 on weekdays
- Ticket price to visit Independence Palace: From 3000 – 30,000 VND/ticket/person (each type of visitor will apply different fares).
Read more: Unexplored places in Vietnam: Top the fantastic caves in Vietnam (Part 1)
Ho Chi Minh City Post Office
Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office is also a famous place in Saigon, shaking the city’s tourism market, the most in recent years.The extraordinary structure was constructed in 1886 by Gustave Eiffel, a well – known French architect. The process of construction and completion lasted for 5 years until 1891. Therefore, it is not strange if you realize that the architecture of the post office is like the buildings in Europe.
The Saigon Central Post Office makes a strong impression on visitors because it wears a prominent yellow shirt. The highlight is the antique clock installed right in the middle, above the door. The blue combination of the doorways looks ingenious, deep blue reduces the glare of the main background. Hoa Lo Prison is in the capital and the new Hanoi Newspaper Building, which also carries this unique design.
It’s just an outer cover. Deep inside, every detail in the post office building makes visitors surprised when they enter, because the beauty is like a palace, the ceiling of the arch soars to the sky. The extreme background captures hundreds of thousands of interactions.
- Address: 125 Paris Commune Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- Hours of operation: 8h00 – 17h00 daily
- Post office ticket price: Free
Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral has the full name Notre Dame Cathedral. This is a Saigon tourist destination that tourists often visit when visiting the magnificent city. The church is centrally located and considered a tourist symbol of District 1 and Ho Chi Minh City.
Coming here, you will immediately be attracted by the imposing architecture — the perfect combination of Roman and Gothic styles with a European touch. The interior consists of a central chamber and two auxiliary chambers, with two more rows of chapels. Overlooking the cathedral area, it looks dangerous, accommodating more than 1000 people.
A large, grassy campus with numerous food vendors serving delectable delicacies surrounds the chapel. The early sun is always soothing, which will make your heart light. The picture is beautiful with the “no dead corners” design, no matter where you stand in the corner. In particular, the right background of the church is rated the most beautiful.
Notre Dame Cathedral is a spiritual tourist destination. This place is not only a place to live, exchange and organize Masses for Catholic parishioners throughout the city, but also a symbol of the pride of most people here. If you are still looking for places in Saigon, Notre Dame Cathedral should be the preferred choice.
- Address: 1 Paris Commune, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- Operation time: 8:30 – 10:30, 14:30 – 15:30 from Monday to Friday
- Ticket price to visit Notre Dame Cathedral: Free
Read more: Tourist destination in Ho Chi Minh City: Top 10 tourist destinations you must go to in 2023 (Part 2)
Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Recognizing the walk on the Nguyen Hue walking street when coming to Ho Chi Minh City is necessary. This is a vibrant place where visitors can enjoy the rich life of the city’s people and participate in a variety of exciting entertainment activities on weekends.
Nguyen Hue walking street features a large fountain with hundreds of trees around, creating a fresh and fantastic space in the heart of District 1 – the busiest place in Saigon. In addition, coming here, visitors can also experience the typical and amazing Saigon street food that is sold along both sides of the road.
- Address: Nguyen Hue Street, District 1
- Opening hours: Open all day
- Price: Free
The best center Vietnam tour: Tour in Vietnam
Nha Rong Wharf
Do you remember the Doi Vien Handbook that mentions the historical event that took place in Nha Rong Harbor in 1911, where Uncle Ho – the beloved old father of the Vietnamese nation, decided to go to find a way to save the country to learn what he thought was “Quintessence and progress.” Currently, this place stores and displays many documents, artifacts, memories and photos related to the revolutionary career of the leader of Ho Chi Minh.
Nha Rong Pier is one of the places to go in Saigon that I want to suggest. Because this place has many profound meanings, learning is worth your time. You will gain a better knowledge of the Vietnamese people’s heroic past when you visit. Thereby, the more trust, love, remember and teach Uncle Ho’s great work. He always devoted himself to the country for the people. The people of Vietnam will forever remember Uncle Ho’s noble sacrifice.
- Address: 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Ward 12, District 4
- Hours of operation: 7h00 – 11h30 and 13h30 – 17h00 (Tuesday to Sunday).
- Ticket price for parking reference: 2000 VND/car/turn.
Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History
Thousands of domestic and international visitors are drawn to one of Saigon’s historical tourism attractions. Among them, the Vietnam History Museum was built in 1929 and is one of the most famous places in Ho Chi Minh City known by many people.
Visitors have seen thousands of historical artifacts, 25,000 books and precious documents since they first entered here. In addition to sightseeing and exploring, this is also a place for visitors to learn more about archaeology, history and ethnography. If you love history and want to find an ideal tourist destination to supplement your knowledge, the Vietnam History Museum is a great choice.
- Address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- Time of operation: 08:00 – 11:30 and 13:30 – 16:30 everyday
- Ticke price: You have to buy if you want to come in. The price is up to date
Saigon Opera House
The Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City was built in 1900 and restored for the second time in 1988. The current Saigon tourist destination is a typical cultural work dating back to the French colonial period. Located near the central location, this is an entertainment place for art lovers, offering unique and professional performances. Typically speaking dramas, Reform, Opera, Show The Mist,…
The opera house is a good tourist destination that you should go to. It is a unique architectural work showing ancient features, no less monumental. State-of-the-art technical facilities, high-quality audio equipment, spacious theater space, capacity of up to 1,800 people. Visitors reserve tickets to come here with their family to take in the expert performances of local and international art troupes.
- Location: Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- Hours of operation: 7:00 – 21:00 daily
- Reference ticket price: 700,000 VND/person depending on large and small events and performances.
Read more: Tourist destination in Ho Chi Minh City: Top 10 tourist destinations you must go to in 2023 (Part 1)
Cu Chi Tunnels
Tourist destinations near Saigon are always an excellent choice for short trips or weekends. One of the iconic historical Saigon sites, the Cu Chi Tunnels draw a sizable number of visitors each day.
The Cu Chi Tunnels served as a defense system and a base of resistance for the Vietnamese army and populace in the past. Many historical accomplishments, relics, and works connected to a period of valiant battle on the part of our troops and people are still preserved in this location. You can admire the working rooms, cellars, kitchens…
Cu Chi Tunnels is now known as a famous national monument and is an ideal attraction for many tourists visiting Saigon. This allows you to learn about the country’s history and gives you dramatic and unique experiences.
- Opening hours: 07:00 – 17:00
- Ticket price: 20,000 VND/Vietnamese, 110,000 VND/foreigner
Can Gio eco-tourism area
If you want to relax on the weekend and are looking for an eco-tourism area near Saigon? Can Gio is a famous place in Saigon that many tourists love. It is far from the city center, about 50 kilometers, about an hour and a half drive. Therefore, you can come here for sightseeing during the day.
Although such a short time, it may make you feel sorry because you have come here but have not hunted all the outstanding check-in points in Can Gio beach district. Visitors will have memorable moments when enjoying the salty atmosphere from the sea, exploring the Vam Sat mangrove forest, and visiting the crocodile farm, Monkey Island, and Bat Lagoon,….
- Address: April 30 tourist area, Thanh Thoi Street, Can Gio District
- Hours of operation: 8h00 – 17h00 on weekdays
- Ticket price to Can Gio tourist area: 35,000 VND/person.
Read more: Ho Chi Minh city places to visit: 7 must-see attractions
Southern Women’s Museum
If you still need to figure out where to go for a day trip, explore the Southern Women’s Museum immediately and experience everything related to the silhouette of Vietnamese women. This place will bring visitors an exciting journey, and the work is built to educate patriotism and preserve the beautiful cultural traditions of women.
After this, the Museum has developed into a remarkable destination in Saigon. With a large display area of up to 3,162m2 and 8 rooms to introduce artifacts, visitors can discover a lot of valuable artifacts, photos and documents. Additional noteworthy features are the President Ho Chi Minh memorial room and the collection of Vietnamese women’s traditional clothing.
- 202 Vo Thi Sau, Ward 7, District 3
- Opening time: 8:00 – 11:30 and 13:30 – 17:30
- Reference ticket price: 30,000 VND/adult
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