Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide - 3 Days

If you are visiting Vietnam for the first time, you have to make a stop in Ho Chi Minh City if you love the big city life.

Things To Do in Ho Chi Minh City

1. War Remnants Museum

During my time in Vietnam, I did not visit that many museums or tourist attractions. Unfortunately I’m not a history bluff and museums sometimes just go over my head. However, I would highly recommend you to visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the atrocity of the Vietnam War. Be warned that the information presented is very one sided, but it made me more aware of its history. Entry fee is a modest 40,000 VND.

2. Go Shopping

Something that surprised me was shopping for clothes in Ho Chi Minh city! There are a few shopping streets with many trendy affordable boutiques. If you are curious about what I bought, make sure to check out my haul from Ho Chi Minh. In general, prices were around $15 for tops, $25 or dresses, and $25 for pants. And these are considered the trendy stores!

3. Happy Hours

Happy Hours were not that prominent in other parts of Vietnam (luckily food is so cheap in Hanoi). But many of the top rated bars in Ho Chi Minh City have happy hour specials that you should definitely take advantage of! Several of them even have ladies night specials! It’s a great chance to try out cocktails or drinks at 50% off! Here are a few offering specials:

Qui
Alley50
2 Lam Son
The Gin House

4. Go on a tour to Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels were used during war by the Viet Cong and is now a very popular tourist attraction. I actually didn’t go on this tour as I felt a bit claustrophic looking at the photos. But it’s a great experience to go back in time and visit a real bunker. There are many tour operators that will take you from Ho Chi Minh Cityon a day trip for as low as $30.

5. Walk Along Nguyen Hue Street at Night

Nugyen Hue Street is known as the walking street in Ho Chi Minh. I took a stroll during the day but the place really lights up at night. Skyscrapers on both sides have multicolored light installations. Locals are all meeting up with friends or enjoying a snack on the sidewalk. It’s a really fun vibe and very safe as well!

6. Try Non Vietnamese Food

I stuck to purely Vietnamese food during the rest of my trip. But since Ho Chi Minh is a more international city, I wanted to eat more non-Vietnamese food. Especially modern Thai! I had 3 meals of Thai food and it was delicious (check out TukTuk for the best paid thai you’ve ever had!) I also ate udon, sushi, and pizza twice!

Where to Eat and Drink in Ho Chi Minh City

Moderate/Fine Dining Restaurant

Tuktuk – Tripadvisor
Anh Tuk – Tripadvisor
Pizza 4 P’s – Tripadvisor
Hoa Tuc – Tripadvisor

Drinks

Heart of Darkness Brewery – Tripadvisor
Corked Tales – Tripadvisor
SOHY – Tripadvisor
Banana Mama – Tripadvisor
2 Lam Son – Tripadvisor
Firkin – Tripadvior

Where To Stay in Ho Chi Minh City

The best place to stay is around the Dong Khoi area close to the Saigon Opera House. I originally booked a cheap hotel called Dyn Opera Hotel. But it was a real letdown (dirty bathroom, deteriorating hallways, and less than helpful staff). I ended up splurging the last 2 nights at Myst Dong and it was worth every penny!