Beaches, forests, tunnels, and landmarks across the new Ho Chi Minh City, from downtown Saigon to the islands.
DestinationsBack Beach (Bai Thuy Van) runs nearly 8 km along Vung Tau, about 2 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. Free entry, gentle surf, and some of the best budget seafood in the south.
DestinationsDam Trau Beach sits 12 km from Con Dao town, backed by old forest and fronted by coral just meters from shore. Free entry, quiet sand, and easy snorkeling.
DestinationsFounded in 1975, the War Remnants Museum documents the Vietnam War through aircraft, tanks, and thousands of photographs. Allow 1 to 2 hours. Entry 40,000 VND.
DestinationsFront Beach (Bai Truoc) is Vung Tau’s calm, west facing beach made for sunsets, promenade walks, Hon Ba island, the White Palace, and fresh seafood after dark.
DestinationsHo Tram is a quiet beach strip two hours from Ho Chi Minh City, with casuarina trees, calm water, and upscale resorts, plus nearby Binh Chau hot springs.
DestinationsPlan your Cu Chi Tunnels visit: Ben Dinh vs Ben Duoc compared, what the tunnel crawl really feels like, how to get there, and who should skip it.
DestinationsCan Gio’s UNESCO mangrove reserve is the forest in the forest city sea trip. Vam Sat boats, Monkey Island, bird watching, crab fishing, and Can Thanh seafood.
DestinationsWalk historic central Saigon in two to three hours, from Ben Thanh Market to the Opera House, Dong Khoi Street, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office.
DestinationsExplore Cho Lon, Saigon’s historic Chinatown: Binh Tay Market, Thien Hau Temple, Cha Tam Church and the herbal medicine streets, with food stops.
DestinationsSkip the tour buses in District 3, where Turtle Lake, old cafes, and street food stalls show how Saigon actually lives, eats, and hangs out.
DestinationsBinh Thanh district blends busy local markets like Ba Chieu with quiet riverside streets, plus easy access to Landmark 81, the city’s tallest tower.
DestinationsCross the river to Thu Thiem for Saigon’s best skyline views: the riverside park at sunset, the new bridges, and the city’s future taking shape.
DestinationsTour the Independence Palace, where time stopped in April 1975: the war rooms, the presidential quarters, and the tanks on the lawn, with ticket info.
DestinationsStroll Dong Khoi, Saigon’s most storied boulevard, from the 1897 Opera House past colonial facades, luxury boutiques, and hidden rooftop cafes.
DestinationsVietnam’s tallest building has the country’s highest viewpoint. Here is how to visit the Landmark 81 Skyview: tickets, best times, and what you will see.
DestinationsVisit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, the atmospheric Taoist temple Barack Obama toured in 2016, with its incense halls, turtle pond, and carved woodwork.
DestinationsVinh Nghiem is Saigon’s great modern pagoda: a soaring 1960s tower, serene courtyards, and major Buddhist festivals through the year. Plan your visit here.
DestinationsFounded in 1744, Giac Lam is the oldest temple in Ho Chi Minh City: ancient wooden halls, a sacred bodhi tree, and 280 years of quiet history.
DestinationsThe bubblegum pink Tan Dinh Church is Saigon’s most photographed church. Pair it with Tan Dinh Market’s food stalls for a perfect half day in District 3.
DestinationsNguyen Hue Walking Street is Saigon’s evening living room: a grand pedestrian boulevard of lights, music, and crowds. Here is how to enjoy it.
DestinationsBui Vien is Saigon’s famous backpacker street: loud, cheap, and chaotic. An honest guide to what to expect, what it costs, and how to stay safe.
DestinationsBen Thanh Market is Saigon’s most famous market. How to shop it, bargain well, eat inside, and dodge the tourist traps, with honest local advice.
DestinationsHo Thi Ky is Saigon’s flower market by day and a buzzing Cambodian flavored food street by night. How to experience both halves in one visit.
DestinationsWalk the Saigon River from Bach Dang Wharf to Thu Thiem: promenades, sunset spots, river buses, and the city’s best free skyline views, in one evening stroll.
DestinationsLong Hai is the calm beach town between Vung Tau and Ho Tram: a long sandy shore, the Dinh Co temple, and some of the freshest seafood on the coast.
DestinationsMinera Hot Springs Binh Chau is the south only natural hot spring resort: mineral pools, mud baths and the famous 82 degree egg boiling zone, 2 hours away.
DestinationsCon Dao blends sobering history, pristine beaches and superb diving 45 minutes by air from Ho Chi Minh City. Flights, ferries, prisons, beaches, turtles.
DestinationsPair the Cu Chi tunnels with the noon ceremony at the Tay Ninh Cao Dai Holy See. One direction, one full day: timings, transport and the Ba Den option.
DestinationsMy Tho sits 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City: Vinh Trang pagoda, river islands, coconut candy workshops and sampan rides. The perfect first delta day trip.
DestinationsBen Tre is Vietnam coconut capital: sampan rides through nipa palm canals, coconut candy workshops and peaceful homestays, 2 hours from Ho Chi Minh City.
DestinationsCai Rang floating market starts at 4am on the river at Can Tho. Sleep in the delta capital, take a dawn boat, and see Vietnam most famous water market right.
DestinationsCai Be is the classic Mekong day trip: a gentle floating market, craft villages and canal rides, just 2 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. How to do it well.
DestinationsDa Lat sits 1500 m above the heat: pine forests, waterfalls, coffee farms and spring weather year round. The complete 2 to 3 day plan from Ho Chi Minh City.
DestinationsMui Ne pairs Saharan style dunes with a fishing village coast: white and red dunes at sunrise, the Fairy Stream walk, and Vietnam best kitesurfing winds.
DestinationsSmall Mountain holds Vung Tau two great viewpoints: the 1862 French lighthouse and the 32 m Christ the King statue you can climb inside. Free entry.
DestinationsHon Ba is the Vung Tau islet you reach on foot at low tide: a rocky causeway, a 19th century temple, and a 2 hour window. How to time the walk safely.
DestinationsBach Dinh is Vung Tau white colonial villa museum: French 1898 architecture, shipwreck ceramics, frangipani gardens and a bay viewpoint. Entry 15,000 VND.
DestinationsSuoi Tien is a Buddhist mythology theme park like no other: giant dragons, the Unicorn Palace, Crocodile Kingdom and a water park, 20 km from downtown.
DestinationsFounded in 1864, the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is the city green lung: 20 hectares of ancient trees, 500 plus animals, and a history museum next door.
DestinationsBinh Quoi is a riverside village 20 minutes from downtown: thatched houses, lotus ponds, folk games and a famous weekend southern buffet by the water.
