5 activities to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and cultural hub. Still known to many as Saigon, HCMC is a bustling urban sprawl of busy roundabouts and interesting sights. Use this list of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City to avoid missing any must-see sights during your exciting visit to Vietnam.

See a Water Puppet Show

The tradition of water puppetry dates back to the 11th century in Vietnam, and catching a show should be high on your list for things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

Although water puppet shows attract plenty of tourists, the most authentic performances are still performed exclusively in Vietnamese. Musicians sat on each side of the stage provide the soundtrack with traditional instruments as well as the voices of the puppets. The puppets themselves, some of which are large and heavy, enact scenes from village life -- all on top of a pool of water.

Visit the Reunification Palace

The Reunification Palace, previously known as Independence Palace, is the place that the Vietnam War ended. On the morning of April 30, 1975, a North Vietnamese tank crashed through the palace wall as evacuation efforts were still underway.

The Reunification Palace was used as the command center for General Nguyen Van Thieu; strategic maps and war-related objects are still on display. Visitors can tour the building and grounds which include highlights such as the presidential office and a command bunker in the basement.

Go to Ben Thanh Market

Although very touristy, the Ben Thanh Market is still a must-see in Ho Chi Minh City. The cramped market is a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from trinkets to pigs’ feet.

Whether you’re after souvenirs, great travel photo opportunities, or just want to take a whirl in one of Asia’s most hectic markets, the Ben Thanh Market is a full-on sensory experience! You’ll need to drive a hard bargain to land a fair price.

Visit the War Market

Strangest of the markets in Ho Chi Minh City, the so-called War Market can be a little tricky to find. The market consists of cages in a basement where relics and artifacts dug up from the French and American wars in Vietnam are sold.

Plenty of other Chinese-made army surplus is on sale along with uniforms, ribbons, dog tags, and unidentifiable items lost by soldiers or pulled out of helicopter wrecks.

Find the War Market at the intersection of Yersin and Cong Tru Street, south of the Pham Ngu Lao area.

Get a Beer

The Pham Ngu Lao area in District 1 comes alive at night with scores of budget travelers eating pho, socializing, and enjoying cheap beer at simple sidewalk cafes.

Sitting on plastic stools along the busy streets to drink cheap local beer and inhale motorbike exhaust is a rite of passage for all visitors to Ho Chi Minh City. A thin lager can be had for 50 cents or less; watching traffic, people, and even rats scurrying is all part of the experience!

Bui Vien Street is the busiest and most popular for a bia hoi experience.

See more: The most impressive architectures in Ho Chi Minh City

Source: tripsavvy