Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide

Extremely Helpful Information for Travelers Planning Their Own Trips to Ho Chi Minh City. Written by Expat Fredrick Wilson who has lived in Vietnam for over a decade. He is also the owner of Back of the Bike Tours, The Best Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City.

🍚Ho Chi Minh City Food Guide

When it comes to food, that’s our business! We have been operating food tours for over a decade. Below we have our top picks for street food and restaurants. You can also use the links below to deep dive into each of those food categories. You can also read our complete Ho Chi Minh City Food guide here for an overall view of the food scene in Ho Chi Minh City!

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide Advice

Is it Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon? And Are They The Same Thing?

Yes, Ho Chi Minh City and Saigon are the same thing, and the city’s official name is now Ho Chi Minh City. Before the end of the American-Vietnam War, the city was called Saigon. You’ll find that across Vietnam, the old name of Saigon remains on the people’s lips and across branding. You can call it either Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon during your travels and no one will mind or find it offensive.

Is Ho Chi Minh City Worth Visiting?

Your trip to Vietnam guarantees to give you an exciting time with various destinations to see, as this beautiful country stretches from North to South with plentiful landscapes and renowned natural heritages.

While designing your itinerary, you might ask, Is Ho Chi Minh City worth visiting? Known as the economic powerhouse of Vietnam, it frequently gets overlooked as nothing more than a staging point for your trip through Vietnam. Let’s dive into this article to find the ultimate reasons why you should visit our city and what you should do to make the most of your time in Ho Chi Minh City.

Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive for Tourists?

Ho Chi Minh City is indeed a budget-friendly destination, offering a diverse range of experiences for travelers with various financial preferences. The city’s unique blend of rich and working-class elements creates an environment where affordability and quality coexist.

• Accommodation: Whether you’re a solo traveler on a tight budget or seeking luxury, Ho Chi Minh City caters to all. Hostels provide clean, air-conditioned rooms with Wi-Fi and optional breakfast for as low as $4.5 – $9 per night. Those looking for a more upscale stay can find reputable hotels ranging from $20 – $200 per night.
• Dining: Dining options in the city are abundant and affordable. Noodle shops offer bowls of soup for as little as $2. You can savor local flavors at reasonable prices, making it easy to enjoy local food without breaking the bank.
• Entertainment: From sightseeing to rooftop bars, Ho Chi Minh City offers a variety of experiences suitable for different budgets. You can choose your adventure based on your financial preferences, ensuring an enjoyable visit without financial concerns.

Ho Chi Minh City has a mix of boutique shops, craft breweries, and budget-friendly eateries, making it a budget-friendly destination where travelers of all sorts of budgets will find something within their price range. If you research your trip and plan your major expenses ahead of time, you can have a very comfortable and fun vacation in Ho Chi Minh City.

What is Ho Chi Minh City’s Population?

Ho Chi Minh City is the most crucial hub of Southern Vietnam for education and business. Vietnamese from all over Vietnam come flocking into Ho Chi Minh City to pursue a better life every year. The current population of Ho Chi Minh City sits around 13 million people in an area about 2,000 square Kilometers.

Is Ho Chi Minh City Safe?

The city is generally safe for tourists, however, like any other touristy place, always be careful with your belongings. Violence, such as gun shootings and personal attacks, is not a norm in Vietnam thanks to the country’s strict policy, but pickpockets, purse snatching, and other petty crimes are still notorious in this commercial center. Overall, don’t walk around with valuables,  keep them in your safe or at home. Fancy necklaces and bracelets aren’t necessary when traveling and catch a lot of attention in poor neighborhoods all over the world. That said, Ho Chi Minh City is a very safe place to travel and the people are caring.

Does Ho Chi Minh City have a Nightlife?

At night is where Saigon, becomes really interesting. From sundown to midnight, the city becomes so lively with streets full of young people, Cocktail bars, Karaoke clubs, Rooftop Lounges and corners full of music and entertainment activities. The most crowded places at night are in District 1 at Nguyen Hue Walking Street and Bui Vien Beer Street. 

On Nguyen Hue Walking Street, there are shining restaurants and street food stalls all over. Young people sit freely on the pavement and in the middle of the street to eat street food, play games, sing and chit-chat happily. A must-see address on this street is the Coffee Apartment at no. 42 – a complex of uniquely designed cafés, restaurants and fashion boutiques. You can also walk to the nearby Ben Thanh Market and have a quick look at the night market. 

Foreigners hang out more at the Bui Vien Beer Street, which explains its nickname by locals “Backpacker Street”. Even though the street is quite short, it is full of interesting bars, pubs, and beer restaurants with a party atmosphere. At night, many shops place chairs and tables outside on the street so customers can enjoy their drinks while people-watching.

If you want to dress up for a long night of drinks and dancing, Ho Chi Minh City as you covered with upscale bars with fancy cocktails, hidden speakeasies, rooftop clubs, and so much more. Read on in our Nightlife section to find the best activities in the city to make your night a blast.