Top 10 Must-See Tourist Attractions in Saigon

Independence Palace in Saigon is an early French-built landmark known for its unique architecture and was once regarded as the most beautiful mansion in Asia. This palace has served as the residence of the most powerful figures and remains a symbol of peace and territorial integrity for Vietnam. With its historical significance and beauty, the palace is one of the top attractions for tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City. The Independence Palace is also known by several other names such as Reunification Palace, Governor-General's Palace, and Norodom Palace. The building was designed by architect Ngô Viết Thụ and was once the residence and office of the President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam during the war.

Independence Palace sits on a vast 120,000 m² area and stands 26 meters tall. It is an architectural masterpiece, blending Eastern influences with modern design, all according to feng shui principles. Visitors can explore its architecture and view a range of valuable exhibits. Inside, the palace houses more than 100 rooms, each designed in distinct styles, including the offices of the President and Vice President, Cabinet room, large meeting rooms, reception halls, ambassador rooms, and the President's family quarters, along with areas like the kitchen, hallways, and more.

Address: 135 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa Street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

With its spiritual aura, Saigon draws visitors with its ancient, solemn architecture, including hundreds of old temples. The saying 'worship with respect, avoid with caution' reflects the belief that all living things possess an invisible force. Over time, this reverence has led to the establishment of many places of worship like temples, pagodas, churches, and shrines. Among the most famous landmarks in Cholon is the Ba Thien Hau Temple, one of the oldest Chinese temples, built in 1760. This site is not only significant spiritually but also historically and artistically, attracting both local and international tourists.

The Ba Thien Hau Temple holds great cultural importance to the Chinese community in Saigon. Nearly 300 years old, it preserves distinct features of traditional Chinese architecture. Intricate carvings, sculptures, and historical artifacts are still maintained here, which makes it an even more fascinating destination for tourists. Despite the presence of other nearby temples, Ba Thien Hau Temple always draws a large crowd, including locals and tourists who come to offer prayers. It is also a popular spot for photographers, especially during the Lunar New Year, when many come to capture images in traditional ao dai attire.

The temple is divided into three main areas: the Front Hall, the Middle Hall, and the Main Hall, each dedicated to various historical Chinese deities. The Main Hall houses the statue of the goddess Thien Hau, carved from a single block of wood, which stands out in the tranquil and sacred atmosphere. The Front Hall is dedicated to the god Phuc Duc Chanh Than (the guardian of the land), and the Middle Hall features an ancient incense burner over 130 years old, known for its exquisite carvings.

Address: 710 Nguyễn Trãi, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.

Giac Lam Pagoda was built in the spring of 1744 by the layman Ly Thuy Long, a person of Chinese descent, who funded its construction. Initially named Son Can (Son meaning mountain and Can meaning fertile hill), it later became known as Cam Son due to its location on Cam Son hill. The pagoda was also called Cam Dem because the founder, Thuy Long, whose nickname was Cam, was known for making and selling cushions, and locals referred to him as Mr. Cam Dem. In 1774, Zen Master Phat Yi - Linh Nhac (the abbot of Tu An Pagoda) appointed his disciple Zen Master To Tong - Vien Quang (commonly known as Vien Quang) to serve as the new abbot, and it was then that the pagoda was renamed Giac Lam Pagoda.

The pagoda has undergone major renovations three times, in 1798-1804, 1906-1909, and in early 1999. Today, Giac Lam Pagoda features a traditional 'Tam' architectural layout, consisting of three connected wings. The original pagoda did not have a 'Tam Quan' gate (which was built in 1955), and the current gates are situated along Lac Long Quan Street, facing south. The old gate posts feature Chinese couplets. The pagoda's structure follows a traditional four-pillared layout with a tiered roof design, where the roof slopes are uniform.

In 2007, construction began on a lecture hall and monks' quarters. The Tam Bao area includes the main hall, the dining hall, and the lecture hall, all arranged in a rectangular layout with dimensions of 22m by 65m, raised approximately 1 meter above the garden grounds. In front of the main hall is a rectangular courtyard measuring 20m by 10m, which leads to a small garden with a statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara made from colored stone. A special feature of the garden is a large Bodhi tree, a gift from Narada (Sri Lanka), who, together with Venerable Hong Tu and Master Buu Chon, personally planted it here.

Address: 565 Lac Long Quan Street, Ward 10, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Tan Dinh Church, officially known as the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tan Dinh, is a Catholic church located in Ho Chi Minh City, part of the Tan Dinh Parish. Along with Notre-Dame Cathedral, it is one of the earliest and largest churches in the city. Tan Dinh Church was constructed in 1870, making it one of the oldest in the city. In 1929, the church was expanded with the addition of a tall tower and the renovation of the bell tower. The church features classical Roman architecture with a unique design, its vibrant pink color creating a stunning beauty under the Saigon sunlight.

The entire structure is painted in pink, with a main tower and two smaller side towers. Atop the main tower, standing 52.6 meters tall, is a 3-meter-high bronze cross. Inside, there are five bells with a total weight of 5.5 tons. The two smaller towers are adorned with lanterns and multiple windows featuring floral patterns, contributing to the church's strong yet graceful appearance. The interior is grand, with two rows of Gothic columns leading to the main altar, made of Italian marble, which enhances the architectural beauty of the entire building. On the left side of the columns are statues of female saints, while the right side is dedicated to male saints. Despite several renovations and expansions over the years, the church has managed to preserve its original architectural style.

Address: 289 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

Located next to the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office in District 1, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is a haven for those passionate about reading culture. It is Vietnam's first-ever book street complex, designed with an open space that allows visitors to freely explore and immerse themselves in the reading culture of Saigon. Despite being a relatively new addition to the city, the street has quickly become a favorite spot for many young people, earning rave reviews. This over 100-meter-long street features rows of book stalls, each with a unique design.

The Nguyen Van Binh Book Street stretches from the Hai Ba Trung Street entrance to the Notre-Dame Cathedral and is organized into various sections, including a book stall area, a coffee-and-book corner, a section selling newspapers, magazines, and cultural items. There are also spaces for children's play, book exchanges, exhibitions, and monthly themed events. On weekends, the street becomes even livelier, with more visitors browsing and purchasing books. With 20 book stalls offering an extensive selection from politics, society, technology, science, to foreign languages, there is something for every reader. Authors also use the street as a venue to launch new books and interact with their audiences.

Address: District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

If you're a fashion enthusiast, you can't miss this vibrant hub, home to hundreds of famous brands and high-quality goods in both form and substance. After a long day exploring Saigon, Diamond Plaza is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Diamond Plaza is a high-rise building in Ho Chi Minh City, consisting of 22 floors divided into two sections: the commercial area and residential apartments. Completed in 1999, it is located at the intersection of Le Duan and Pham Ngoc Thach Streets, right behind the Notre-Dame Cathedral in the city center.

Diamond Plaza serves as an office building, a hospital, and a shopping and entertainment center. The shopping mall occupies the ground to the fourth floors, with a food court on the fourth floor, a play area on the fifth, a movie theater system, a gym on the 13th floor, a swimming pool on the 14th floor, and a helipad on the rooftop. Since its opening, the building and its mall have become a phenomenon among the local youth, making it a popular hangout spot for many young people in the city.

Address: 34 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Nguyen Hue Flower Street is the name given to Nguyen Hue Street in Ho Chi Minh City during the Tet Lunar New Year celebrations, transformed into a pedestrian-only flower display since the Lunar New Year of 2004. Before that, it was commonly known as Nguyen Hue Flower Market. This is one of the most beautiful streets in Ho Chi Minh City, located in Ben Nghe Ward, District 1. The street stretches over 700 meters from the People's Committee building to Bach Dang Wharf, lined with high-rise buildings and bustling shopping centers. During Tet, it transforms into a vibrant flower street, attracting thousands of visitors and becoming a favorite destination for people celebrating the Lunar New Year.

Here, in the heart of the city, you’ll find not only creative decorations but also scenes that reflect traditional Vietnamese culture and rural life, such as lotus ponds with fishing nets, winding rivers with rickety wooden bridges, countryside roads with cart rides and street vendors, and boats carrying flowers. These displays bring visitors a sense of nostalgia, warmth, and novelty. Flowers are an essential part of the Nguyen Hue Flower Street. The organizers showcase a variety of flowers, from familiar blooms to rare ones from Da Lat and even flowers from northern regions. The result is a stunning, colorful mosaic that celebrates the Spring Festival.

Nguyen Hue Flower Street is a significant cultural tourism project, bringing vibrant beauty to the city every Spring. It is not only a popular destination for local residents but also for tourists, overseas Vietnamese, and international visitors. The Nguyen Hue Flower Street Exhibition is held annually from the 28th of the 12th lunar month to the 4th day of the Lunar New Year. Alongside the Flower Street is the Book Street Festival, taking place at the same time and location, featuring a wide variety of books and publications from many publishers. In addition to Nguyen Hue Flower Street, Ho Chi Minh City also hosts other flower exhibitions throughout the city, including at Tao Dan Park, Gia Dinh Park, and the Ong Do Street.

Address: Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Located at 2 Paris Commune Square, District 1, Saigon Central Post Office is the largest post office in Vietnam and a must-see attraction for visitors to Ho Chi Minh City. Built by the French between 1886 and 1891, the building blends Western architectural style with Eastern decorative elements. If you find yourself in Saigon, don't miss this historic structure.

Inside, the vaulted ceiling above the entrance is supported by two rows of columns, and the intricate iron trusses are adorned with elegant patterns. Passing through the main doors, visitors are greeted by two historical maps on the vaulted ceiling: “Saigon et ses environs 1892” and “Lignes télégraphiques du Sud Vietnam et du Cambodge 1936.” The post office has 38 counters offering a range of postal services, with a telegraph network extending across Vietnam and internationally.

Many tourists come to the Saigon Central Post Office not just to admire its distinctive architecture but also to immerse themselves in the old-world charm. The building still houses antique mailboxes and vintage phone booths. You can sit on the polished wooden benches that have lasted over a century. Inside, time seems to slow down, and every corner offers a glimpse of old Saigon.

Address: 2 Paris Commune Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon, with its refined French architecture, is considered one of the most beautiful, significant, and nearly the oldest cathedrals in the city. Nearly 140 years have passed since its inauguration, and despite numerous changes, it remains a cherished landmark, not just as a religious symbol but as a defining icon of the city and a must-visit attraction for any tourist to Ho Chi Minh City.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon is located at 1 Paris Commune Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Initially, three potential sites were proposed for its construction: the old Truong Thi School, the area of the Great Church, and the current location. Today, it is considered to be in the heart of the city, facing Nguyen Du Street and with its back to Le Duan Street. This structure is unique as it stands without a surrounding courtyard or fence, offering an unobstructed view from all sides—making it a striking feature in the urban landscape.

The cathedral measures 91 meters in length, 35.5 meters in width, with a main dome rising to 21 meters, and the two bell towers reaching nearly 57 meters in height. The exterior is made from green stone and exposed brick, while the interior holds an exceptional architectural charm that sets it apart from all others. The main nave, designed to accommodate up to 1,200 people, is the largest and most striking area inside. The cathedral spans a total length of 93 meters, a width of 35 meters, and its vaulted ceilings soar to nearly 21 meters, with the layout featuring a central nave, two side aisles, and two side chapels.

Address: 1 Paris Commune Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Amid the bustling and prosperous Saigon of today, few are aware of the deep historical scars the city has endured. To reach the present and look towards a brighter future, one must acknowledge the dark and painful past that has shaped the lives of countless generations. The tears, the blood, the sacrifices, the suffering... all these are preserved at the War Remnants Museum. This place is always filled with visitors, yet it is far from a typical tourist spot. Here, silence often prevails, as somber faces reflect on the tragedy, and eyes glisten with emotion.

The War Remnants Museum is managed by the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City. It is part of the network of Vietnamese museums, global peace museums, and a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The museum focuses on the collection, preservation, and exhibition of materials and artifacts that document the atrocities and the aftermath of the wars imposed upon Vietnam by foreign aggressors. Its mission is to educate the public, especially the younger generations, about the spirit of struggle for independence, the importance of opposing aggression, and the values of peace and international solidarity.

The War Remnants Museum houses over 20,000 documents, artifacts, and photographs, with more than 1,500 items featured in eight permanent exhibits. Over the past 35 years, the museum has welcomed over 15 million visitors, both domestic and international. With approximately 500,000 visitors each year, the War Remnants Museum has become a prominent cultural destination, highly regarded by visitors both from Vietnam and abroad.

Address: 28 Vo Van Tan, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.