If you're looking for a European-style travel destination that's budget-friendly and not too far from Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City is an option you shouldn't overlook. As one of Vietnam’s largest and most visited cities, it offers a complete travel experience—from budget shopping spots and vibrant food districts to stunning accommodations and rich historical and cultural landmarks. With its charming attractions, Ho Chi Minh City will make you feel like you're traveling through Europe.

Today, Traveloka has handpicked the hottest attractions in Ho Chi Minh City—must-visit check-in spots for anyone traveling to Vietnam. Consider this your ultimate travel plan, all set and ready to go! Just book your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, pack your bags, and get ready for an unforgettable trip!

One of the largest churches in Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Dinh Church is a stunning example of Roman-style architecture. Its pastel pink facade makes it a unique and photogenic landmark. Unlike the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, this spot is less crowded, allowing visitors to take beautiful and distinctive photos without much hassle.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VZqMYq6EjigTSNw18

A must-visit for pizza lovers, Pizza 4 P’s is one of the most popular restaurant chains in Ho Chi Minh City. With 10 branches in the city and more in Da Nang and Hanoi, this pizzeria is known for its high-quality ingredients. Most ingredients are imported from Italy, and the restaurant even produces its own cheese to ensure top-notch quality. The vegetables are also organically grown in-house for a completely fresh and safe dining experience.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2cz9myopMWDDHNZS6

Housed in a beautiful colonial-style building, this museum is filled with fascinating artworks. It offers a quiet and intimate atmosphere, perfect for art enthusiasts. Even if you're not particularly interested in art, the museum's aesthetic design makes it an excellent spot for photography.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2swkDKnvLkyZ3rQY9

Located in Hotel Nikko Saigon, La Brasserie is a seafood buffet restaurant that offers a premium dining experience. For around 1,600 THB per person, guests can enjoy a vast selection of fresh seafood, including French oysters served with three types of salt, giant lobsters prepared in over eight flavors, and both blue crabs and sea crabs. The lamb steak section is also highly recommended, and the buffet is all-you-can-eat with no time limit.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2swkDKnvLkyZ3rQY9

This charming rooftop cafe on the 4th floor of a building is designed like a lush garden. It offers a tranquil setting where guests can enjoy drinks and desserts surrounded by greenery. A balcony area also provides a breathtaking panoramic view of Ho Chi Minh City, making it a popular check-in spot for tourists. However, be mindful not to disturb other guests while taking photos.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pK1vz77Jm4uUNA2x6

Standing 68 stories tall, this modern skyscraper is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City. It houses offices, shopping centers, and restaurants, but the highlight is the observation deck on the 49th floor. For approximately 200,000 VND per person, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city from above.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UCFnbULhUZPrayM87

Near the Bitexco Financial Tower, this famous street is a paradise for bubble tea lovers. Lined with over 10 well-known bubble tea brands, including KOI Thé, Gong Cha, and The Alley, it’s a must-visit for those who enjoy milk tea. One of the must-try options here is Phuc Long Coffee & Tea Express, a renowned Vietnamese tea brand that offers a unique local taste.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CcCoCWR5S2mHJaTX6

If you're tired of local malls, Takashimaya Vietnam is a great alternative. This Japanese department store was established before Siam Takashimaya in Thailand and offers a luxurious shopping experience. The grand interior is filled with high-end brands and an extensive selection of products, making it a great place to shop till you drop.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CcCoCWR5S2mHJaTX6

Many visitors come to greet Uncle Ho, but some also check in at Ho Chi Minh City Hall due to its beautiful colonial-style architecture. Though tourists are not allowed inside, you can still stroll around the area and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the city. It’s a great spot for a relaxing walk and photos.

📍 Location: Google Maps

This restaurant serves southern Vietnamese home-style dishes. The ambiance makes you feel like you’re visiting an old friend for dinner. Recommended dishes include "Mango Juice" (a house specialty), crispy salted fish in Vietnamese style, and stuffed bitter melon. For a true Vietnamese experience, don’t forget to try the fresh spring rolls, which are traditionally eaten whole rather than cut into pieces.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zGYXiaQYZfSoEZEn8

As the name suggests, this restaurant is somewhat hidden, making it a secret gem. The interior is decorated in a charming Old Vietnamese style, with colorful fabrics and beautiful dishware that make great souvenirs. The food here is authentically southern Vietnamese, with standout dishes like stuffed fried bitter melon, lemongrass-stuffed minced pork, and crispy rice cakes topped with minced pork.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1bXej22SpSm4uu1C7

This cafe offers a variety of teas, especially fruit teas made from high-quality ingredients. The café has a relaxing atmosphere with a large balcony where you can enjoy a drink while watching the hustle and bustle of the city beneath the shade of large trees.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SturTBWLt9gUzXDX8

Located on the rooftop of the Hotel Des Arts Saigon, the Social Club offers a luxurious dining experience with stunning views of the city. The restaurant's interior is perfect for photos, and the surrounding scenery is breathtaking. You can even bring a swimsuit and enjoy a drink by the pool. The fusion of Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine served here is worth trying for something unique.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VF9hJzBSU1cxJSoc6

One of the main shopping streets in Ho Chi Minh City’s downtown, Dong Khoi Street is great for fashion lovers. It features unique stores, like "L’usine," which combines a boutique, gallery, café, and souvenir shop. The street also has high-end international brands, perfect for those looking to splurge.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ifYvBEohTALBCqEN7

In addition to being a popular photo spot, the Saigon Opera House is a venue for live performances, offering an experience beyond just a building with colonial-style architecture. Built in 1897, the opera house regularly hosts various performances, and if you're lucky, you may catch a show while you’re in town. For a truly memorable experience, buy tickets to watch a performance and enjoy the cultural richness.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LXtyiSAU816nwksH8

Cao Dai is a unique religion in Vietnam that blends elements from Buddhism, Christianity, and other belief systems. The temple’s stunning architecture combines Chinese and Western influences, with intricate artwork throughout. It is a peaceful place for reflection and an excellent location for photography, as visitors can explore its beauty and serenity in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HXv2GQDcH4fwk3HA6

Another iconic landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, this Catholic cathedral is made of red bricks and features twin towers at its entrance. The Romanesque architectural style gives it a distinctly French feel. Construction took six years, and the cathedral remains a favorite spot for tourists to take photos, particularly of the beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary, which was brought from Rome.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aE943ArYfNcQ2pan6

This stunning pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City is often mistaken for a Thai temple due to its beautiful and delicate architecture, as well as the dragon sculptures near the emerald pond. The pagoda’s gold-topped tower is a significant feature, offering a striking visual experience. It’s a peaceful retreat where visitors can enjoy the spiritual and tranquil atmosphere.

📍 Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ihERkuZPLqsHEafV7

A large and popular shopping destination for both locals and tourists, Ben Thanh Market is housed in a historic building dating back to the early days of Saigon. It offers a wide variety of goods, including clothing, food, watches, souvenirs, spices, and even toys. It's a one-stop shop for everything you might need.

📍 Location: https://goo.gl/maps/BFvkPFZe4pwXoK3v8

Explore the grandeur of one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, the Imperial Citadel in Hue. This ancient palace, rich in history, beautifully preserves its original design. The exterior is surrounded by three layers of brick walls, and the highlight inside is the throne hall, adorned with vibrant red hues. It's a must-see destination for anyone visiting Ho Chi Minh City.

📍 Location: https://goo.gl/maps/JcRriYA24H51qdD29

A popular nightlife hotspot, Bui Vien Street is a famous pedestrian street lined with street food vendors, restaurants, bars, and clubs. It offers a lively atmosphere to enjoy all night long. Located just one kilometer from Ben Thanh Market, you can easily combine shopping with a night out on this vibrant street.

📍 Location: https://goo.gl/maps/cxZxcv9xfPAikgyz5

This unique building in Ho Chi Minh City is home to nine floors filled with a variety of cafes, restaurants, clothing shops, and small stores. Each shop is styled differently, providing a perfect place to relax and explore the city. Originally built as a residential building for the government and military in the 1950s, it still maintains its classic charm with vintage wall colors.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2p1WbKVjBm3Uq3rb7

The largest post office in Vietnam, the Saigon Central Post Office is an iconic colonial-era building with soft yellow walls and green accents. The architecture is reminiscent of French design, with beautiful arched windows both inside and out. In addition to postal services, it’s a great place to walk around, take photos, and purchase postcards and stamps as souvenirs.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rcJQ7sDDa4qzwcjQA

Water puppetry is a traditional Vietnamese art form that tells stories based on local legends and folklore. The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater offers captivating performances featuring puppets of people, animals, and vehicles, all performed on water. The elaborate set design enhances the spectacle, making it an unforgettable cultural experience exclusive to Vietnam.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3ax6XPASSr7huvm9A

Located in the heart of the city, Ho Chi Minh Square is a central hub surrounded by many popular attractions. The square was built in honor of President Ho Chi Minh, who played a significant role in the unification of Vietnam. At the center stands a statue of the president, with the City Hall building in the background—perfect for photos and sightseeing. The square also serves as a relaxing spot to enjoy the city and its flower gardens at night.

📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XBjszsUKEzWZiN4Y7

Travelers can enter Ho Chi Minh City with a passport that has at least 6 months of validity remaining, and they do not need to apply for a visa or submit documents for a COVID test or vaccination status. Visitors can stay in the country for up to 30 days without these requirements. However, it's recommended to prepare other necessary documents for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, such as round-trip flight tickets, an internet SIM card, and a travel itinerary.

Vietnam shares many similarities with Thailand, especially in terms of travel and seasons, making it a popular destination for tourists year-round. Here is some basic information about Ho Chi Minh City that may be of interest:

Ho Chi Minh City, named after a significant figure in Vietnam's independence movement, is located in the southern part of the country in Southeast Asia. It is the largest city in Vietnam, covering over 2,000 square kilometers and consists of 19 districts and 5 suburban areas. It serves as the economic hub of the Saigon region and is a key destination for foreign investment.

The most convenient and quick way to travel to Ho Chi Minh City is by direct flight, which takes about 2 hours from Thailand, depending on the flight schedule. The destination is Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). Airlines offering direct flights include Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Vietnam Airlines, and Vietjet Airlines.

Most visitors prefer using motorcycles or bicycles for their quick and affordable transport within the city. For those traveling in larger groups, public transport options are also available, such as trains, buses, taxis, and boats, offering a comfortable and relaxed way to enjoy the city’s atmosphere.

Vietnamese is the national and official language, though regional dialects may vary. In some areas, Chinese is also spoken due to past Chinese rule. However, in major tourist spots in Ho Chi Minh City, English is commonly used for communication.

The currency used in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND), which is available only in banknotes.

It is important to check the time difference when traveling to another country to avoid confusion. Ho Chi Minh City operates on the same standard time as Thailand, which is UTC/GMT +7 hours, so you can enjoy your travels without worrying about time differences.

Ho Chi Minh City can be visited year-round, and the weather is similar to Thailand, making it easy to travel comfortably. The city experiences two main seasons: