Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon as it was known in the past is a name that evokes different emotions in different people. For some, the city is chaotic and wild. For others, the city is vibrant and energetic. Despite the vast difference in the view of people who visit it, Ho Chi Minh is a destination that should not be missed out on. Let’s take a look at five reasons why you should visit the city that is known as the “Pearl of the Orient”.
5 reasons to visit Ho Chi Minh City
1. Crazy nightlife
Once the sun sets in Ho Chi Minh City, the people come out to play and have fun. The city is rightly called the nightlife capital of Vietnam. The city is home to many bars and clubs which offer cheap beer, great food, and music. One of the most popular streets in the city during the night is Pham Ngu Lao Street. This street is where people head to for a night out in the city. You can find dozens of nightclubs, bars, and street food stalls here for you to choose from. If you are looking for something a bit quieter and with less fist-pumping music, try one of the many rooftop bars all around the city, or just head to District 1 where every second building has a rooftop bar with stunning views and tasty cocktails.
2. Amazing food
Vietnamese cuisine is an unmissable experience in the country and there is no better place to try it out than in Ho Chi Minh City. You can find both multiple award-winning restaurants as well as amazing street food eateries. Some of the most famous foods you need to try out while in the city are pho, bahn mi, spring rolls, fish soup, and banh xeo. If you like trying out new dishes, the city has a bunch of experimental fusion restaurants like Blanch or even french restaurants like Jardin des Seins. And it’s not just the food, even the coffee here is out of this world. You’ll find cafes and small street food eateries selling these delicious and energizing concoctions.
3. Motorbike tours
Motorbikes are synonymous with Ho Chi Minh city. Everywhere you go in the city, you’ll never be alone. All thanks to the motorbikes that will always be zipping past you. One of the best ways to experience the craziness that is Ho Chi Minh City is through motorbike tours. These tours are a great way to see the entire city. Exploring the streets on a motorbike is an exhilarating way to get a feel for this energetic city.
Please note that motorbike helmets are absolutely compulsory in Vietnam and you will be fined if you are caught not wearing one.
4. Rich history
Though from the outside, Ho Chi Minh city might not look like it will have much history, the city is actually chock full of history. There are many areas you can visit to take a peek at the history of not just the city but the country as well. Places like the War Remnants Museum, which is one of the most popular museums in the country, showcases the brutality of the Vietnam War. Another site you can check out is the Gothic-style central post office designed and built-in in 1886 by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel (the same person who designed the world-famous Eiffel Tower). Right opposite the post office is another prominent building, the Notre-Dame cathedral which was built between 1863 and 1880 and is one of the most photogenic churches in the country.
5. Easy access to other tourist spots
Ho Chi Minh City is the perfect place to stay in Vietnam as it gives you easy access to some of the most popular tourist spots like the Mekong Valley and Cu Chi tunnels. Just a few hours outside of Ho Chi Minh City, the world-famous Mekong Delta can be found. This delta is a world away from the bustling city life of Ho Chi Minh with its lush mangrove forests, winding rivers, floating markets, and rice fields. Another place you can visit nearby is the vast network of underground tunnels called Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels were built and used by the Vietcong to evade detection and were instrumental in numerous military campaigns during the Vietnam War.
Visit Ho Chi Minh city and experience the energy of the city first hand. But before you hop on the plane, you will need to get a Vietnam visa which you can apply for through the Vietnam embassy or consulate in your home country or online using a government-approved visa company like BDATrip. If you are traveling from a country like Canada, you can directly apply for a Vietnam visa here.Visit Ho Chi Minh city and experience the energy of the city first hand. But before you hop on the plane, you will need to get a Vietnam visa which you can apply for through the Vietnam embassy or consulate in your home country or online using a government-approved visa company like BDATrip. If you are traveling from a country like Canada, you can directly apply for a Vietnam visa here.
