Once hailed as the “Pearl of the Far East,” Ho Chi Minh City today is Vietnam’s economic powerhouse, cultural hub, and gateway to Asia. Vibrant, youthful, and full of energy, the city has transformed into a modern metropolis internationally recognized as a leading MICE destination (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).

With its expansive boundaries connecting major industrial zones, maritime hubs, and tourism centers, the city serves as the foundation for a “strategic tourism triangle” that combines urban, industrial, and ecological tourism. It is poised to become Southeast Asia’s next financial center.

Independence Palace, also known as Reunification Palace, is a famous historical building located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

The palace was built in 1868 during the French colonial period under the original name Norodom Palace. After several changes and restorations, the current structure was designed by architect Ngô Viết Thụ and completed in 1966 in a modern style that harmoniously incorporates traditional Eastern architecture.

Covering an area of more than 4,500 square meters, the palace consists of three main floors, two mezzanines, a basement, and a rooftop terrace. Inside are offices, meeting rooms, reception halls, and command bunkers preserved exactly as they were during wartime.

Notably, Independence Palace was the site of a historic event on April 30, 1975, when a Liberation Army tank crashed through its gates, marking the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of the nation.

Today, Independence Palace is recognized as a Special National Monument, attracting millions of domestic and international visitors who come to learn about history. It stands as a symbol of peace, independence, and freedom for the Vietnamese people.

Nguyen Hue Walking Street connects the City People’s Committee Headquarters with the Saigon River and Bach Dang Wharf. It was inaugurated on April 30, 2015.

The street is 670 meters long and 64 meters wide, with the entire square paved in modern, clean granite. Lining the promenade are rows of green trees and two large fountains. Beneath the surface lies an underground system that includes a monitoring center, a control center for the musical fountains and lighting, as well as modern restrooms.

Nguyen Hue Walking Street is often described as an entertainment paradise, offering a wide range of cultural, recreational, and culinary activities. Visitors to Saigon are always eager to experience this lively, bustling atmosphere for themselves.

The Nguyen Hue Café Apartments are an ideal spot for capturing Instagram-worthy photos, featuring colorful fountains, the city skyline, and a vibrant ambiance. For the best photography angles, head to 42 Nguyen Hue Café Apartments, where you can capture the stunning contrast between the old colonial-era building and its modern transformation into trendy cafés and boutique shops.

Bến Thành Market is located on Lê Lợi Street in Bến Thành Ward, District 1. In front of the market lies the Bến Thành roundabout, an important traffic hub and a symbol of the city. Surrounding the market are numerous shops, restaurants, and cafés that cater to visitors’ shopping and dining needs.

The market has four main gates opening onto major streets and stands out among other markets in Vietnam for its distinctive French colonial architecture. Covering an area of about 13,000 square meters, it features a large terracotta-colored façade and an iconic clock tower, making it one of the most recognizable buildings in the city.

With its central location and unique characteristics, Bến Thành Market is not only a shopping destination but also a gateway connecting visitors to diverse tourist attractions and services, offering a full experience of Saigon’s vibrant lifestyle and local culture.

Tan Dinh Church, officially known as the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in Saigon and a truly unique destination. Renowned for its striking pink façade—a rare sight among churches in Vietnam—it stands out with its impressive Gothic architecture. The church was established in 1874, and in 1957 its exterior was repainted in a pink-orange hue, while the interior adopted a strawberry-and-cream palette, creating the iconic look seen today.

Built in the classic Gothic style, the church features pointed spires, soaring vaulted ceilings, and large, colorful windows. Inside, decorative details reflect Roman and Baroque influences, resulting in a distinctive blend of Western architectural traditions. Majestic columns, sacred statues, intricate reliefs, and vibrant stained-glass windows combine to create a space that is both spiritual and artistic. A quiet stroll through the church allows visitors to fully appreciate the historical and cultural value preserved within its walls for decades.

Located about 70 kilometers northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a unique marvel often referred to as a “city beneath the ground.”

Honored as one of the seven most adventurous destinations in Southeast Asia and among the twelve most fascinating underground wonders in the world, the tunnels stretch for 250 kilometers. Inside is a complete network of structures, including trenches, food storage areas, kitchens, wells, living quarters, workspaces, and infirmaries—interconnected like a spider’s web. Built on three solid levels at varying depths, the tunnels were designed to withstand bombs, the weight of tanks, and armored vehicles, making Cu Chi a formidable base for Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War.

Beyond their military significance, the tunnels symbolize the unwavering determination and unity of a nation that refused to surrender. Today, the Cu Chi Tunnels are celebrated as one of the most iconic representations of Vietnam’s heroic struggle, leaving an indelible mark on world history as a legendary wonder of the 20th century—a destination where visitors can journey back in time and feel the pulse of courage that once echoed beneath the earth.

Can Gio is a coastal district located southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, where numerous rivers flow into the sea. Recognized by UNESCO as Vietnam’s first mangrove biosphere reserve, it is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Thanks to these unique features, Can Gio Ecotourism Area is often described as a “green oasis” beside the bustling metropolis of Saigon. This rare mangrove forest in southern Vietnam has been acknowledged by the World Tourism Organization as the most sustainable ecotourism destination in the world. Vam Sat Ecopark currently hosts around 700 species of vertebrates, nearly 300 species of birds and fish, and about 20 species of mammals. Due to its geographical characteristics, the beach sand is black, making the water appear murky; however, the sea itself is clear and ideal for swimming and relaxation.

With its serene, untouched beauty and the simplicity and warmth of its local people, Can Gio is undoubtedly an ideal stop for a memorable holiday in Vietnam.

Just about two hours’ drive from downtown Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is a popular weekend getaway in southern Vietnam, renowned for its beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, golf courses, and the relaxed charm of a seaside town. It is a favored destination for both locals and tourists seeking a short escape.

Vung Tau is also rich in cultural heritage, blending Eastern and Western influences. The city is home to numerous historical and religious sites, such as the Christ the King statue on Small Mountain, built in 1974; Vung Tau Church, a Catholic structure with strong Asian elements, constructed in 1940; Thang Tam Communal House, which commemorates early Vietnamese settlers; and Bach Dinh, one of Vung Tau’s most famous landmarks. Built in the late 19th century on the slopes of Big Mountain, Bach Dinh once served as a retreat for the Governor-General of Indochina and Emperor Bao Dai.

With 42 kilometers of coastline, Vung Tau boasts Back Beach—one of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches—featuring long stretches of fine white sand. The area also offers rugged rocky outcrops and dramatic cliffs for those who love exploration and adventure.

Vung Tau is an ideal destination for beach lovers, golf enthusiasts, and anyone seeking peace and tranquility.

Con Dao is an archipelago located in southeastern Vietnam, about 120 nautical miles from Ho Chi Minh City. The largest island, Con Son, covers an area of 51 square kilometers and has a population of over 6,000 people (as of 2024).

Con Dao is famous for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and long sandy shores shaded by ancient tropical almond trees. The islands are also home to a national park with untouched forests and a rich, diverse ecosystem. Colorful fish swim among multi-layered coral reefs, and the area is one of Vietnam’s few sites dedicated to the conservation of dugongs, dolphins, and various species of sea turtles.

In 1861, the French colonial authorities occupied Con Dao and established the notorious Con Dao Prison—one of the most infamous prison systems during wartime. Between 1862 and 1975, tens of thousands of Vietnamese revolutionaries and patriots were imprisoned here, and nearly 20,000 lives were lost over its 113-year existence. Today, Con Dao Prison stands as a major historical site and a powerful symbol of patriotism and the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people.

From simple raw materials such as clay and bamboo, Binh Duong’s traditional craft villages have flourished through the skilled hands of local artisans. Pottery, bamboo weaving, and lacquerware not only showcase exceptional craftsmanship and creativity but also represent the rich cultural heritage of this region.

Literally “broken rice,” this dish features fractured rice grains served with grilled pork, a fried egg, shredded pork skin, and fish sauce. It is a flavorful and satisfying meal, especially popular for breakfast or lunch.

Banh Khot is one of Vietnam’s specialties and was recognized among 12 Vietnamese dishes that set an Asian record in 2012.

The main ingredient is pure rice flour, sometimes mixed with a little turmeric powder to give the cakes an appealing golden color. The fillings vary and may include scallops, fresh shrimp, minced pork, fish paste, or squid, topped with scallion oil or a sprinkle of dried shrimp. The dish is served with fresh herbs such as mustard greens, lettuce, perilla, fish mint, and aromatic herbs, along with shredded green papaya.

The best Banh Khot are those that are both crispy and chewy, with the rich flavors of rice flour, coconut milk, and shrimp roe blending perfectly. Golden and fragrant, these little cakes are enjoyed with dipping sauce and fresh vegetables.

Among the delicious fruits of Lai Thieu, mangosteen is renowned for its distinctive sweet aftertaste unique to this region. To prepare the salad, the mangosteen is peeled and sliced into round pieces resembling blooming flowers, then mixed with shredded boiled chicken, thinly sliced onions, fragrant fried shallots, Vietnamese coriander, fresh herbs, and roasted peanuts. Mangosteen salad is typically served with sweet and sour fish sauce infused with garlic and chili, accompanied by crispy prawn crackers.

Banh Beo Bi in Thuan An has been famous for generations. The dish consists of three main components: banh beo (steamed rice cakes), shredded pork skin, and fish sauce. The rice cakes are made from fragrant, glutinous rice, while the pork skin is carefully selected from the back, boiled, cleaned, and finely sliced.

The appeal of My Lien’s Banh Beo Bi lies in its distinctive dipping sauce, prepared from pure fish sauce simmered with sugar and vinegar over low heat until clear, then enhanced with garlic, chili, and pickled vegetables. To enjoy, diners simply drizzle the sauce over the rice cakes for an unforgettable flavor.

This unique dish, created more than a century ago, was recognized by the Vietnam Records Organization in 2012 as one of the country’s 50 most famous specialties and by the Asia Records Organization in 2013 as a dish of Asian culinary value.

Hu Tiu is a culinary blend of Vietnamese and Khmer traditions, resulting in three distinctive styles: Hu Tiu My Tho, Hu Tiu Sa Dec, and Hu Tiu Nam Vang (originating from Phnom Penh, Cambodia). The noodles vary in size and texture, but the hallmark of the dish lies in its clear, flavorful broth made from pork bones and marrow, dried shrimp, and dried squid.

A hearty bowl of Hu Tiu may include minced pork, lean pork slices, pork liver, shrimp, quail eggs, and fresh herbs, served with sweet, aromatic broth or topped with a rich Hu Tiu sauce. This humble yet distinctive dish embodies the essence of local culinary culture, making it an irresistible choice for visitors.

This dish features the rich aroma of fermented shrimp paste, balanced so it is fragrant without being overpowering. Its flavor combines subtle sweetness, a hint of saltiness, and the richness of crispy pork fat, enhanced by lemongrass, garlic, and a touch of chili heat. The harmony of ingredients—shrimp paste, lemongrass, and chili—creates a distinctive taste that sets this dish apart.

When enjoyed, diners savor tender slices of beef infused with a mildly spicy dipping sauce, making every bite irresistible. The highlight of the dish is its flavorful broth, enriched with the delicate sweetness of coconut water, ensuring a taste that keeps you coming back for more.