Ho Chi Minh - which many people still call Saigon, its former name - offers a lot of attractions and activities to visitors, which is not surprising considering that it’s the biggest city in Vietnam. Because of its history and its size, not to mention the sheer volume of motorcycles on the road on a daily basis, it can be overwhelming for visitors, especially for those who are in Ho Chi Minh or the first time. Frequent visitors, meanwhile, may imagine themselves already jaded by what the city can offer to them. The good news is that there’s always something new and different that it can offer to guests, whether they’re first-time visitors eager to veer away from the crowds or seasoned travelers who want to go down the road less traveled. Use this guide for some of the best non-touristy things to do in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
1. Dine at Kent Quán on the Saigon Canal
In the past, the Saigon Canal, otherwise known as Kênh Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè — gained an unwholesome reputation of being nothing more than the dumping site for sewage materials. These days are gone now, and visitors can enjoy dining at one of the restaurants in the area, such as Kent Quán, to enjoy good food and great views. The ideal time to visit here is at night, when the area comes truly alive.
KENT Quán
Address: 648a Trường Sa, Phường 17, Phú Nhuận, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Facebook page: KENT Quán
Opening hours: 11am - 1am (daily)
2. Explore Cu Chi Tunnels
Located about an hour’s drive away from the city, the Cu Chi tunnels are actually a network of narrow underground passageways used by the Viet Cong as their hiding spots, medical bays, and supply routes during the Vietnam War. These tunnels, which are estimated to span 250 kilometers, give guests insights on how the Vietnamese were able to beat the American troops. Bravehearted travelers can take the opportunity to explore some tunnels if they wish.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Address: TL15, Phú Hiệp, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: 7am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Starts from 63 USD
3. Meet a cat at a pet cafe
Editor’s note: establishment is permanently closed
Feline lovers should not miss out on dropping by at the Tokyo Pet Center, a cat cafe where they can pet adorable kitties from all over the world, even breeds from as far as the US and Russia. If, on the other hand, you are a dog person, there’s also a floor specifically for friendly canines that you can also have fun playing with. There’s also a pet hotel on the top floor if you want your own pet to be pampered even while you’re away.
Tokyo Pet Center
Address: 284 Nguyễn Trọng Tuyển, Phường 10, Phú Nhuận, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8:30am - 9:30pm (daily)
Price: Starts from 1 USD
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4. Enjoy water games at Dam Sen Water Park
As a city with a tropical climate, Ho Chi Minh’s heat can easily take a toll on visitors, especially those who are not used to staying in warm places. Beat the heat at Dam Sen Water Park, which features a number of rides and slides that will delight kids and kids at heart. The best part is that the water park is easily accessible even if you take public transportation, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding this place.
Enjoy water games at Dam Sen Water Park
Address: 3 Hoa Binh Street, Ward 3, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Website: Dam Sen Water Park
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5:30pm; Sun: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Price: Starts at 4.75 USD
Ho Chi Minh City Tour Guide
Luan Larry
5. Drink locally brewed craft beer at Belgo Belgian Craft Beer Brewery
It might be strange to find a microbrewery for Belgian craft beer in a Vietnamese city, but Belgo Belgian Craft Beer Brewery does its job very well. If you don’t like drinking on an empty stomach, there are food items on the menu as well. The clams and mussels are highly recommended. There are vegan- and vegetarian-friendly options offered as well. If you’re lucky, you can even catch a live band performing when you visit the restaurant.
Belgo Belgian Craft Beer Brewery
Address: 159A Nguyen Van Thu, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
Opening hours: 11am - 12am (daily)
6. Chill out in the Van Thanh Pool
The swimming pool in Van Thanh Park also provides you with a good alternative to beat the heat. For a small fee, you can spend the entire day soaking in the water or lounging on the poolside. Food and drinks can be purchased here. Once you’ve had your fill of swimming, you can explore the rest of the park grounds, which features picturesque gardens and ponds.
Van Thanh Pool
Address: 48/10 Dien Bien Phu Street | Ward 22, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
Price: 3 USD
7. Try ice skating at Vincom Mega Mall
If you want to try something different to beat the heat while in Ho Chi Minh, why not try going ice skating in the city? Vincom Mega Mall is home to the biggest ice rink there, allowing up to 100 people to skate to their heart’s content at a time. When you’re done having fun on the ice, you can also explore the numerous shops and restaurants in the mall.
Vincom Mega Mall
Address: Vincom Mega Mall Số, 161 Xa lộ Hà Nội, P, Quận 2, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8am - 11pm (daily)
Price: 10 USD per hour
8. Attend a painting workshop (from USD 34.0)
Here’s another activity where you can exercise your creativity. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to paint but never had the opportunity to do so, here’s your chance to do so. Don’t worry about what supplies to bring, as everything that you will need will be provided to you. Children are allowed here provided that they are accompanied by an adult.
Painting workshop at a beautiful art space!
Duration: 3 hours
9. Challenge your friends to a board game afternoon at Monopolatte Cafe Au Play
Posted by Don Boyd Nguyen on Sunday, 29 March 2015
If you’re a fan of board games, make sure to bring your friends here. Monopolatte Cafe Au Play features several board games that guests are welcome to use. Wash down your victory - or defeat - with a coffee, or enjoy dining on Western cuisine while having fun playing in the cafe.
Monopolatte Cafe Au Play
Address: 27 Tong Huu Dinh | Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: 7am - 10pm (daily)
10. Learn to make silver jewelry (from USD 44.0)
Vietnam is known for being the home of artisans. If you want to learn how to make silverware and accessories, you can actually learn from the experts in Ho Chi Minh. The activity offered by Viator also provides you with the opportunity not just to see the jewelry being made by experts, it also allows you to learn more about the history and significance of the silver industry in the city.
Silver Jewelry Making workshop
Duration: 3 hours
The road less traveled
For some people, the extent of what Ho Chi Minh can offer to visitors revolves around known tourist attractions such as the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace. While these places certainly do deserve a visit, there are also other attractions and activities worth checking out. By using this list, you can take the less beaten path in terms of tourism if you want to enjoy a different kind of adventure.
History
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