Temples in Ho Chi Minh City
- 01
Jade Emperor Pagoda
A small, incense-filled temple built by the Cantonese community and completed in 1909, with carved wooden panels and a mix of Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian images.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, before the heat
- Tickets
- Entry has typically been low-cost or free, but check on the day. Remove shoes if asked, cover shoulders and knees, and be discreet when taking photographs.
- 02
Mariamman Temple
A late-19th-century Tamil Hindu temple dedicated to Mariamman, built by the Nagarathar trading community and now visited mostly by Vietnamese and Khmer worshippers.
- Time needed
- 20 to 30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning
- Tickets
- Entry is typically free or by donation. Remove shoes, dress modestly and confirm current visiting hours before you go.
- 03
Thien Hau Temple
A Cholon temple dedicated to Thien Hau, the sea goddess also known as Mazu, with ceramic roof figures and a courtyard thick with incense.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning
- Tickets
- Entry is free. Remove shoes where asked, dress modestly, and be discreet when taking photos.
Day trips in Ho Chi Minh City
- 04
Cu Chi Tunnels
A network of tunnels dug by Viet Cong forces, partly opened to visitors at two sites northwest of the city, with reconstructed passages, displays and bunkers.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day including travel
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning, when it is cooler
- Tickets
- Most visitors join a guided tour or hire a car; entry fees apply and are paid at the site or through tours. Check current fees and opening hours with the operator.
- 05
Mekong Delta Day Trip (My Tho and Ben Tre)
A full-day boat-and-village excursion into the Mekong Delta, usually to My Tho and the islands near it, with canals, orchards and a river trip.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Dry season, December to March
- Tickets
- Book through a licensed tour operator or hotel. Check what is included, how long the road journey is, and whether vegetarian meals can be arranged.
Landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City
- 06
Saigon Central Post Office
A working post office from the French period, built between 1886 and 1891, with a high vaulted hall, painted maps and rows of old telephone booths.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Mid-morning, when the hall is cooler and not yet crowded
- Tickets
- Entry to the hall is generally free during opening hours. It is a working post office, so confirm current hours before you go.
- 07
Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
A Catholic basilica of red brick built between 1877 and 1880, which stands at the heart of the French colonial quarter next to the Central Post Office.
- Time needed
- 20 to 30 minutes for the square and exterior
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon, when light on the brick is softer
- Tickets
- Entry rules for visitors can change with renovation work and services. Check current access, and dress modestly if going inside.
Culture in Ho Chi Minh City
- 08
Ho Chi Minh City Opera House
A French-colonial theatre completed in 1900 on Lam Son Square, still used for concerts and performances, and a good stop for architecture and an evening show.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes outside; 1 to 2 hours for a show
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Evening, for a performance
- Tickets
- Entry is by performance ticket. Check the official programme and book ahead for popular shows.
Palaces in Ho Chi Minh City
- 09
Reunification Palace
The former presidential palace of South Vietnam, completed in 1966 and the site of the end of the war on 30 April 1975. Rooms are preserved in period style, and the grounds are shaded.
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Weekday morning or late afternoon
- Tickets
- Entry is ticketed, and parts of the building are closed on state occasions. Check current hours and fees on the official site before you go.
Museums in Ho Chi Minh City
- 10
War Remnants Museum
A museum of the Vietnam War told through photographs, captured equipment and testimony, in the former US intelligence headquarters building. It is moving and graphic, and one of the most visited sights in the city.
- Time needed
- About 2 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Opening time on a weekday, before tour groups arrive and before midday heat
- Tickets
- Entry is ticketed; check current opening hours and fees on the museum's channels before you go. Photography is usually permitted, but behave respectfully in the galleries.
