#1 Cuchi Tunnels

Cuchi Tunnels is a must-visit location when visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Here, you’ll be exploring the vast network of underground tunnels from the 1940s, expanded by guerrilla Viet Cong forces during the American War. The tunnels were used as hiding places as well as communications, supply routes, hospitals, and living quarters. Cuchi Tunnels are approximately 250 KM stretches from Ho Chi Minh City until the Cambodian borders. 

#2 War Remnants Museum

Speaking of war, enhance your experience by taking a trip to the War Remnants Museum. This place was established in 1975 and it's definitely not for the fainthearted as the images and displays from the American War are extremely graphic. However, a place I would definitely recommend spending more time to read and walk through the whole place if you are interested in such history.

#3 Re-Unification Palace

If you are up for it, you can continue learning about the American War journey by visiting the Re-Unification Palace as the place was designed by Ngo Viet Thu for South Vietnam's former President Ngo Dinh Diem during the American War. You’ll be able to see the unique underground bunker where it holds the war room, telecommunication centre, and equipments used back then.

#4 Notre Dame Cathedral

Located in Paris Square, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, built in the late 1880s by French colonists, is one of the few remaining strongholds of Catholicism in a Buddhist majority religion in Vietnam. The cathedral’s distinctive neo-Romanesque features include the all-red brick façade, stained glass windows, two bell towers containing six bronze bells that still ring to this day, and a peaceful garden setting in the middle of downtown Ho Chi Minh City District 1, stands almost 60 metres tall. Locals claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary statue in front of Cathedral shed tears in October 2005. Although it was refuted by the Catholic Church of Vietnam, many visitors still come around in hope to witness a miracle. 

#5 Saigon Central Post Office

Located next to Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office is a grand post office that is preserved from the French colonial times. It has a distinctive French architecture with looping arches and intricate marble floors but the large portrait of Ho Chi Minh hanging at the end of the building serves as a reminder that we are in Vietnam. The cool part is that this post office is still functioning and many tourists send a postcard back to their hometown for remembrance of their visit in Vietnam. 

#6 Cafe Apartment

Located on the popular Nguyen Hue Street of District one, this place offers not only one coffee shop but nearly 30 stores including restaurants, beauty parlors, co-working space, bookshop and more. This 9-storey apartment was once home to American military officers and high ranking officials working for the South Vietnam government. Most of them are now remodelled and is gaining much attraction from all over the world. If you love people watching, this would be the perfect place for you to sit and sip a cup of coffee at the balcony that looks out on the Walking Street. 

#7 Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market is one of the best shopping spots in Saigon. They sell everything from ceramics, clothes, coffee, nuts, and more! You could sit for a meal before you go around the place for a little bargaining shopping spree. When night falls, the inside of the building closes but surrounding glows up into a night markets that sells tons of clothes, nuts, and more. It use to be a street food heaven but it seemed to have changed over the years and the only food place you can find is an overpriced stall that serves local dishes. If you walk around outside of the market, you can find a few banh mi and coffee bikes that are cheap and pretty good. Also, check out the Malaysian Street for halal banh mi and coffee, they aren’t too bad too. 

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