Southeast Asia is top of the list if you want to stretch your pennies as far as possible when you travel.
And one budget destination in the region, in particular, is soaring in popularity right now.
Ho Chi Minh City is a busy, bustling city of culture.
It’s densely populated and can feel chaotic at times but there’s something to see and do at every turn and you can guarantee you’ll never be bored here.
More than 3 million foreign tourists have visited Ho Chi Minh City so far this year, a 30.3% increase from last year.
Ho Chi Minh was formerly known as Saigon, but many people still use its original name.
The City embraces its rich Vietnamese culture, and this is one of the main reasons why it stands out from the crowd.
But there are other great reasons to visit too:
Unforgettable Food In Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is foodie heaven. It’s famous for its street food and incredible nightly food markets, but you’ll also find an impressive fine dining scene here.
For street foods and cheap eats that you’ll enjoy shoulder-to-shoulder with the locals, you should check out Ho Chi Minh City’s food markets.
The Ben Thanh Market serves as both a day and night market with the night market opening from 6 pm to 10 pm.
This market is huge and has 4 main entrances (as well as 12 sub entrances) so getting around can be confusing, but getting lost is half the fun!
Try to enter via the South Entrance which serves as the main market entrance for the market, because this is where you’ll find the 3-faced clock tower which is the symbol of the area.
Ho Thi Ky Food Street is another great food market if you’re looking to experience an abundance of local Vietnamese delicacies.
If you prefer fine dining (and have a little cash to flash) then you’ll find everything from high-end French, Italian, Chinese and Indian food as well as traditional Vietnamese restaurants.
Anan Saigon is the only Michelin-star restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll find this at No. 89 Ton That Dam Street and it opens from 5 pm – 11 pm serving high-end contemporary cuisine inspired by traditional Vietnamese menus. If you’re going to splurge then this is the place to do it!
A Budget Hot Spot
Not in the mood to splurge?
Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to visit if you’re traveling on a tight budget.
That’s because there are so many things to see and do without spending a single cent.
One of the best of these is visiting the Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, which is the largest flower market in Ho Chi Minh City.
The flower market here is open 24/7 but it’s at its busiest in the early hours of the morning. Entrance is free and the market is a riot of beautiful flowers and color.
On the subject of color, don’t miss Cao Dai Temple, which is a beautiful and colorful temple dedicated to Caodaism. This is a Vietnamese religion that incorporates elements of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity.
The Cao Dai Temple itself is a riot of color in rich shades of pink, blue, and orange. Clouds are painted across the ceiling. It truly is a work of art in its own right and a must-visit spot.
Finally, entry to several fascinating museums in Ho Chi Minh City is free of charge.
These include the Southern Women’s Museum and the Ton Duc Thang Museum.
Uncovering Fascinating Culture
Ho Chi Minh City is a melting pot of diverse cultures, with people from across Southeast Asia (and beyond) calling the city home.
This means you’ll find a whole host of different cultures here, but it is the Vietnamese history and culture in the city that’s worth exploring.
Visit the Saignon Central Post Office, an imposing canary yellow building constructed in the classic French colonial style.
This fascinating cultural attraction is also a great place to view the Notre Dame Cathedral.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Vietnam War, then the Cu Chi Tunnels are a must-visit attraction.
The Cu Chi District has a network of tunnels stretching over 250 kilometers (known as the Cu Chi Tunnels) which were used by the Viet Cong to hide from South Vietnamese and American forces throughout the Vietnam War.
You can actually enter and use these fascinating tunnels at 2 different points but be warned: you will get dirty if you take this trip!
Admission costs 15,000 VND (60 cents in USD) so this is also a budget activity option.
Another interesting war-related attraction is the War Remnants Museum, where remnants of the war are found (as the name suggests).
Out-of-commission planes, tanks, bombs and helicopters fill the courtyard but it is the thought-provoking (and graphic) photos inside the museum that will stay with you long after you return home. Admission costs 40,000 VND ($1.59) here too.
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