Vietnam's version of the big apple, Ho Chi Minh is a city that never sleeps. Day or night, you will be greeted with a dizzying orchestra of scooter horns and dancing bright lights. Vietnam's rich history and the energy of this city large population makes this a truly interesting and divine place to explore.
Unsure of what this city has to offer? Here is our curated travel guide to help...
When To Go
It is best to travel to Vietnam during their dry season which is from December to April. Although it is a largely Buddhist country, they do still celebrate Christmas and New Year, making December to January a festive time to visit the city.
We chose to visit Vietnam during their wet season which is from May to November. Visiting during their wet season does mean you will encounter more humidity, and with that comes a higher chance of tropical storms.
We travelled to Vietnam in September, 11 days of our 14-day trip were filled with sun, mostly without a cloud in the sky! We did get caught in a tropical storm for 3 days but most of that was with very light to no rain. Although we were a bit stickier from humidity during the storm it was actually a nice relief from the heat we had been experiencing days prior. It did, however, mean that we had to cancel our plans to travel to the coast as a precautionary. All in all, it didn't affect our trip very much and the weather was stunning for the remainder of our time in Vietnam.
How Long To Stay
We flew in and out of Ho Chi Minh with Air New Zealand, which led to us planning in two days on either side of our travels to spend in the city. The four days we spent in Ho Chi Minh were not quite enough we definitely recommend slightly longer to really enjoy the vibrancy and culture that is on offer!
How To Get Around
Uber's are easy to find and can take you from A to B very cheaply. We used this as our main source of transport. Not all the driver's spoke English but all were very friendly and made for a comfortable ride. We had been warned about some Taxi drivers overcharging tourists, this was part of the reason we chose Uber as we could check that they were following the right route.
Things To Remember
Tipping is not essential, but it is greatly appreciated. Keep in mind, the extra $10 tipped goes a lot further for them than it does for you back home. Although there is no need to tip everyone, people who you spend a longer period of time with or who work specifically hard for you should be tipped in our experience.
Vietnam has quite a traditional and modest culture, if you're planning on visiting any temples or sites considered sacred it is best that you make sure to dress modestly. It is customary to cover your shoulders and wear something that falls below the knee.
Our Pick's
Mekong Delta
For our first day in Ho Chi Minh City we decided to get out of the city and explore the river wonderland otherwise known as the Mekong Delta. We had our tour guide Ted from With Locals guide us through the Vietnam countryside showing us the locals way of life.
It was a great way to start the trip as he made us a lot more comfortable with the customs and taught us some basic Vietnamese which we used the remainder of our travels. The tour was completely private which meant we had that much more of an opportunity to learn more from Ted throughout the day.
We would recommend the tour to absolutely anyone who is eager to learn more about Vietnam. The experience was truly one of a kind and allowed us to go to areas we otherwise wouldn't have!
Cu Chi Tunnels
These large mazes of wartime tunnels & relics will interest anyone who is intrigued by the Vietnam War. We have local tour guides well known to us in Ho Chi Minh City that we can arrange a private tour so you can experience the city and the tunnels like a local.
Ben Thanh Market
One of Ho Chi Minh's oldest landmarks, this market offers a great atmosphere that makes for an authentic Vietnamese experience. The markets weaving rows of stalls has everything from basic supplies to souvenirs.
The Vietnamese people have a strong entrepreneurial spirit so prepare yourself to be haggled as you make your way through this maze of a market. Our rule of thumb was to get around 30% to 50% off the original price we were given. Even if you're not a big shopper, a venture to this market makes for great people watching and is an experience not to be missed.
We took an Uber to the market and explored on our own quite comfortably. It is best to venture to the market in the morning or night as the heat will be more comfortable.
Water Puppet Show
The traditional performance is as much extraordinary as it is fun. Live old-fashioned music accompanies the performance based on Vietnamese culture, traditions and folklore.
After our visit to the Mekong Delta, our tour guide Ted took us to the Water Puppet Show at Golden Dragon, one of the cities main water performance theatres. The show lasts about an hour from memory and makes for perfect pre-dinner entertainment.
Dinner Cruise
Enjoy traditional Vietnamese food as the lit skyline of the city glides passed you. Music is accompanied with traditional dances throughout creating an energetic atmosphere. This dinner cruise lets you to experience another side to this lively city that is not to be missed.