Ho Chi Minh is a city that is full of life, and while you are there, you are going to find that you are being pulled in numerous different directions. After all, there are cultural delights to experience nearby all the boutiques and markets, and you are going to have no idea where to begin!
5 Extraordinary Places to Visit While in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
1. Cu Chi Tunnels
Back during the war, soldiers spent days digging tunnels, so they could easily move throughout the country without being found by their enemies. You get to crawl through a small section of the tunnels, although please note, you will not see all the kitchens, living areas, armories, trapdoors, and command centers that are located underground.
2. Mariamman Hindu Temple
This is the only active Hindu Temple within this city, and it is open every day. The bright architecture will capture your attention, just make sure that you are dressed appropriately if you want to enter the inside of the temple.
3. The Central Post Office
Post offices are becoming scarce in some parts of the world, but in Ho Chi Minh, you can still send a postcard or letter back home from this gorgeous French colonial building. Gustave Eiffel designed this post office and it is just as amazing, both inside and out, as it was when it first opened back in 1891.
4. The Reunification Palace
The war changed this city and the country for many years, but no one wants to forget what happened over there. The Reunification Palace looks exactly as it did when an Army tank, driven by the North Vietnamese Army, drove through the gates back in 1975. When you enter the palace, you will see secret rooms, the command bunker, and a grand reception hall or two.
5. Binh Tay Market
This market can be found within the largest Chinatown area in Vietnam and it has been open since the 1880s. The locals shop here the most, but that is exactly why you must take the time to visit. The two-story building is filled with fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meat, as well as textiles and handicrafts. This is an excellent place to try some of the traditional cuisine, while experiencing life like a local and watching them go about their day-to-day activities. It is best to visit this market in the morning, but you will find something that interests you at any time of the day.
Ho Chi Minh is a fascinating city to visit and as you can see, there are so many extraordinary things to do when you are there. Start with the five places listed above and then see what else piques your attention as you wander through the streets and talk to the locals that you meet.
