So you’ve booked your flight to Vietnam and you’re wondering what are the best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City? Smart move coming to Vietnam’s most electric city. While Bangkok gets all the attention and Singapore empties your wallet, Saigon (as the locals still call it) delivers the perfect mix of culture, history, and pure energy without the tourist trap pricing.
Let me walk you through the five absolute must-see spots that’ll make your trip legendary, plus a bonus sixth stop that separates the tourists from the travelers who actually get this city.
1. Saigon Opera House: Where French Elegance Meets Vietnamese Soul
Located right in the heart of District 1 at Lam Son Square, the Saigon Opera House (officially the Municipal Theatre) is your first clue that this city has layers. Built in 1897 when the French were running the show, this isn’t some dusty museum piece, it’s a living, breathing performance venue that still hosts world-class shows.
The building itself is pure eye candy. Think ornate carvings, gilded balconies, and a ceiling that’ll have you craning your neck like you’re in the Sistine Chapel. The architecture nerds among you will notice it was modeled after Paris’s Petit Palais, but honestly, it’s got its own vibe that’s distinctly Saigon.
What to do there: Book tickets for the AO Show or Teh Dar if you want your mind blown. These aren’t your grandmother’s opera performances – they’re contemporary Vietnamese circus acts mixed with traditional storytelling. No Vietnamese language skills required; the visuals do all the talking. Shows run about 75-90 minutes, tickets range from 500,000 to 2,000,000 VND depending on your seat.
Pro tip: The area around the Opera House comes alive at night. Grab dinner on nearby Dong Khoi Street before the show, then stick around after to see the building lit up like a colonial-era jewel box.
For a full write-up of the Saigon Opera House and what to expect, check out our detailed guide here.
2. Jade Emperor Pagoda: The Most Atmospheric Temple You’ve Never Heard Of
Forget the Ben Thanh Market tourist traps for a second. If you want to see where actual Vietnamese people come to pray, burn incense, and connect with something bigger than themselves, the Jade Emperor Pagoda (Chua Ngoc Hoang) is your spot.
Built in 1909 by the Cantonese community, this Taoist temple dedicated to the Jade Emperor—basically the supreme god in Taoist belief – is atmospheric in a way that’ll make you forget you’re in a city of 9 million people. The second you step inside, you’re hit with the smell of burning incense, the sight of smoke curling toward ornately carved wooden ceilings, and the quiet murmur of prayers.
What makes it special: The Hell’s Garden out back. No joke, there’s a courtyard filled with statues depicting the Ten Regions of Hell in vivid, slightly terrifying detail. It’s like walking through a 3D moral warning system. The main hall houses statues of the Jade Emperor himself, flanked by his protectors, all draped in silk robes and surrounded by offerings of fruit, flowers, and burning joss sticks.
Location: 73 Mai Thi Luu Street, District 3 (about a 15-minute taxi from District 1)
Entry: Free, but bring small bills if you want to buy incense or make an offering
Dress code: Respectful attire. This is an active place of worship, not a photo op. Cover your shoulders and knees.
Check out our dedicated post all about the Jade Emperor Pagoda here.
3. Thien Hau Temple: Where the Sea Goddess Watches Over Cholon
If you’re going to visit one temple in Saigon’s sprawling Chinatown district (Cholon), make it Thien Hau Temple. Dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu (Thien Hau in Vietnamese), this 19th-century temple is a masterclass in how immigrant communities keep their culture alive thousands of miles from home.
The Cantonese and Fujianese communities built this place in the 1760s, and it’s been the spiritual heart of Cholon ever since. What sets Thien Hau apart isn’t just the gorgeous architecture, though the ceramic figurines on the roof and the massive incense coils hanging from the ceiling are Instagram gold – it’s the energy. This place hums with devotion.
What to see: Those giant spiral incense coils hanging from the ceiling can burn for weeks. Worshippers write prayers on red paper and attach them to the coils, sending their wishes skyward with the smoke. The main altar houses a statue of Thien Hau herself, flanked by her assistants who could “see for a thousand miles” and “hear for a thousand miles.” The detail work is incredible.
Location: 710 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5 (Cholon)
Best time to visit: Early morning (6-8 AM) when locals come to pray before work, or during Tet (Vietnamese New Year) when the place explodes with celebration
Getting there: Cholon is about 20 minutes from District 1 by taxi. Combine this with a walking tour of Chinatown and you’ve got a solid half-day adventure.
Unsure to visit? Our full detailed post about Thien Hau Temple might help make a decision.
4. War Remnants Museum: The History Lesson You Can’t Skip
Look, I get it – you’re on vacation and the last thing you want is a downer. But if you’re going to understand Vietnam, you need to spend a few hours at the War Remnants Museum. This isn’t optional. This is where you learn what the “American War” (as it’s called here) actually looked like from the Vietnamese perspective.
Opened in 1975 right after the war ended, the museum pulls no punches. The photos are graphic. The stories are heartbreaking. The leftover military hardware parked outside, American planes, helicopters, tanks drives home just how insane the scale of this conflict was.
What you’ll see:
- The Agent Orange exhibit, which documents the ongoing effects of chemical warfare on multiple generations
- Photographs by war correspondents who died covering the conflict
- The “tiger cages” where prisoners were held in brutal conditions
- Actual military equipment, including a US F-5A fighter jet and a Chinook helicopter
Fair warning: This museum doesn’t sugarcoat anything. It’s emotionally heavy, politically one-sided (this is a Vietnamese government museum, after all), and absolutely essential to understanding the country you’re standing in.
Location: 28 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3
Entry fee: 40,000 VND (about $1.60 USD)
Time needed: 2-3 hours if you read everything; less if you just walk through
Pro tip: Go early or late to beat the tour bus crowds. Midday gets packed.
5. Cu Chi Tunnels: The Underground Network That Changed Everything
You want to see something genuinely insane? Head to Cu Chi, about 70 km northwest of the city, and crawl through the same underground tunnels the Viet Cong used to fight a superpower to a standstill.
The Cu Chi tunnel network stretches over 250 kilometers – yes, kilometers of underground passages that housed entire communities during the war. We’re talking living quarters, hospitals, weapons factories, and command centers, all hidden beneath the jungle while B-52s dropped bombs overhead.
What you’ll do:
- Watch a (very propaganda-heavy) documentary about the tunnels
- Crawl through a widened section of the tunnels (the originals are way smaller; they’ve been expanded for Western tourists who can’t fit)
- See booby traps that’ll make you wince
- Visit the shooting range where you can fire an AK-47 or M16 if that’s your thing (loud as hell, not cheap)
Two sites to choose from:
- Ben Dinh: Closer to the city (1.5 hours), more touristy, easier access
- Ben Duoc: Farther out (2.5 hours), less crowded, more authentic feel
Getting there: Book a tour or hire a private car. Don’t attempt this on a motorbike unless you’re an experienced rider—traffic out there is no joke.
What to bring: Water, comfortable shoes, and a sense of humor about tight spaces. If you’re claustrophobic, skip the tunnel crawl and just explore the above-ground exhibits.
For More Information On Visiting Cu Chi Tunnels In Ho Chi Minh City, check out our full article.
BONUS: Kim’s Tavern Super Girl Bar – Where the Real Saigon Experience Begins
Alright, you’ve done the culture, you’ve done the history, you’ve earned yourself a proper night out. And here’s where I let you in on the secret that separates the guidebook tourists from the guys who actually experience Saigon: Kim’s Tavern Super Girl Bar.
Located at 20 Huynh Thuc Khang Street in District 1, Kim’s is where your evening truly comes alive. While other bars give you overpriced cocktails and mediocre DJs, Kim’s delivers something you won’t find in your Lonely Planet guide. An authentic, energetic, and genuinely fun night with some of the most beautiful and welcoming bar girls in Ho Chi Minh City.
What makes Kim’s different:
We’re not some sleazy tourist trap. Kim’s is a two-floor super bar with a proper setup! Two full bars so you’re never waiting for a drink, an upstairs games area with pool and shuffleboard, and here’s the kicker: VIP girl service. That means our gorgeous staff fetch your drinks tableside so you can focus on having fun instead of fighting your way to the bar.
The atmosphere is exactly what you want after a long day of temple-hopping and tunnel-crawling. Good music, cold beer, and the kind of warm welcome that makes you forget you’re thousands of miles from home. Whether you’re an expat who’s been in Saigon for years or a first-timer trying to figure out this chaotic, beautiful city, you’ll feel right at home.
When to visit: Any night of the week, but Friday and Saturday are when things really pop off. Check the website for themed events, Kim’s throws legendary parties that become the stuff of traveler legend.
The bottom line: You came to Vietnam for experiences you can’t get anywhere else. The temples and museums show you the soul of the country. Kim’s Tavern shows you the spirit of the people – welcoming, fun-loving, and ready to make sure your night is unforgettable.
Final Thoughts: Your Perfect HCMC Itinerary
Here’s how I’d structure your time if you’ve got 3-4 days in the city:
Day 1: War Remnants Museum in the morning (while you’re fresh and can handle the emotional weight), then Saigon Opera House in the evening for a show. End the night at Kim’s Tavern.
Day 2: Full-day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels. You’ll be exhausted when you get back, but you earned a cold beer and some laughs at Kim’s.
Day 3: Morning at Jade Emperor Pagoda, afternoon exploring Thien Hau Temple and Cholon, evening back in District 1 for dinner and you guessed it…Kim’s Tavern.
Day 4: Shopping, street food, whatever you missed, and one last night at Kim’s before you fly out.
Ho Chi Minh City rewards the curious. Yes, hit the famous spots, they’re famous for a reason. But don’t make the rookie mistake of thinking your hotel’s rooftop bar or some generic expat pub is where you’ll find the real Saigon. That happens at places like Kim’s, where the welcome is genuine, the vibe is electric, and you’ll leave with stories worth telling.
See you at the bar, kings.
Lots of love from all the girls at Kim’s Tavern Super Girl Bar xoxo
