Ho Chi Minh Metropolis was the fourth cease throughout our whistle-stop two weeks in Vietnam and I’d allowed simply over full two days right here. I used to be already regretting not discovering extra time to tour this unimaginable nation. We might have spent so much longer in our final cease, Hoi An. So was three nights sufficient in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis?
We liked quite a lot of issues about our time right here. However I’ll be sincere and say HCMC didn’t seize me like Hanoi did. It’s a contemporary metropolis with quite a lot of western influences. Historical past has an enormous half to play in that and we had the chance to discover a few of this throughout our keep.
On this put up I’m sharing our Ho Chi Minh Metropolis itinerary and why we expect that three nights was excellent.
*This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks*
About Ho Chi Minh Metropolis
Is it Ho Chi Minh Metropolis or Saigon? After we have been flying from Da Nang our tickets stated Ho Chi Minh Metropolis however the airport employees informed us we have been flying to Saigon.
The names are used interchangeably in all places. However why?
Throughout our keep we have been informed the Southern Vietnamese favor the pre-unification title and solely use HCMC on official paperwork.
Saigon was the capital of French Indonesia within the nineteenth and twentieth Centuries and the hub for western forces throughout what’s identified right here because the American Conflict. The town’s modernisation got here after Vietnam’s reunification however the colonel influences remained.
Instantly noticeable as you stroll round are the pavements. These are few and much between in Hanoi the place everybody shares the identical thoroughfares. Excessive rise workplace blocks and business boulevards dominate town centre. For those who get pleasure from procuring there are malls and loads of designer manufacturers.
This makes HCMC really feel very acquainted to western guests. For those who’re searching for genuine Vietnam, it’s slightly tougher to search out.
What Ho Chi Minh is nice for is being a launch pad for seeing the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mykong Delta should you’re quick on time.
What to do in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis in three days
Right here’s what we acquired as much as throughout our three days and nights in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis:
Day one in Saigon
After two days in Hoi An we caught a flight from Da Nang and landed at Tan Son Nhat Worldwide Airport early within the afternoon.
We had deliberate to go to the Conflict Remnants Museum, which was only a quick stroll from our lodge, however a storm got here in and compelled us to delay going out till the night.
By this time the museum was closed so we determined to delay our training concerning the struggle till one other day.
As a substitute, we booked a Seize taxi to discover the pedestrianised streets round District 1 and located ourselves exterior the Bitexco Monetary Tower, which has an remark deck. After going up the Lotus Tower in Sri Lanka the summer time earlier than we thought it could be enjoyable to see Saigon from above.
Bitexco Monetary Tower Sky Deck
The tower was inbuilt 2010 and ranks quantity 5 in CNN’s 25 most iconic towers on the planet.
It’s straightforward to identify on Ho Chi Minh Metropolis’s skyline because it has a round platform suspended three quarters of the way in which up. This isn’t the Sky Deck, as I’d mistakenly thought, however a helicopter pad for the worldwide finance firms based mostly right here.
The Sky Deck is on the forty ninth flooring, 178 meters up, and has 360 diploma views of town.
There’s additionally a restaurant, interactive shows, photograph props and free telescopes. This made the expertise rather more attention-grabbing for the youngsters as they have been in a position to spot landmarks and discover out extra about them.
Tickets to the Sky Deck price 240,000 VND (about £7.50) per grownup and 160,000 VND (about £4.90) per baby below 12. Underneath 4s are free. This was a 3rd of the worth it price us to go up the Lotus Tower in Columbo and was rather more attention-grabbing.
Day two in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis
In Hanoi, Prepare Road had been prime of the lady’s Vietnam want checklist. Whereas we have been in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis the Cu Chi Tunnels was a non-negotiable for Mr Tin Field.
I wasn’t positive how family-friendly the struggle tunnels can be so determined so as to add a sweetener for the youngsters, and guide a tour that included the Mekong Delta the place there can be boat rides, biking and a yummy lunch included.
We booked our day journey by TNK Journey which tour firm masking quite a lot of South East Asia. We had a greta expertise with them and would guide once more subsequent time we’re within the area.
We selected a small group tour of as much as 10 folks and acquired fortunate that there have been solely seven of us. This made it really feel extra private.
Comparable excursions for big and small teams can be found by Get Your Information*.
It was a protracted time out and regardless of preliminary protests on the 6.30am choose up time, the tour was a success with our women.
They significantly liked the Horrible Histories-style info our information Khôi offered on the struggle tunnels; man traps and all.
The Cu Chi Tunnels
Vietnam’s well-known struggle tunnel advanced stretches 250km from the Cambodian border to HCMC. Some cafes within the metropolis have hidden entrances put there by the homeowners’ grandparents throughout the struggle.
It took us two hours to drive from town to the Ben Dinh tunnels customer centre, which actually introduced dwelling the dimensions of the underground community.
The Ben Dinh tunnels are considered one of two complexes open for guests. Jenny and Jay from Travelynn Household visited the Ben Duoc tunnel advanced a couple of weeks earlier than.
Khôi started by taking us on a stroll across the jungle above the tunnels, displaying us air holes that had been disguised as termite hills, secret hatches and the sources the Vietnamese fighters used, usually recycling bomb shells and discarded American tools.
Outdated tyres have been used to make the ‘Ho Chi Minh sandal’ that tricked enemies into considering you have been strolling in the other way.
We then had an opportunity to stoop by one of many tunnels. In actuality these aren’t precisely like they might have been within the twentieth Century. Khôi defined which were made at the very least two occasions bigger than the originals as a result of guests stored getting caught. There’s additionally a ‘soldier’ guiding you thru to make sure security.
The tunnel at Ben Dinh for vacationers is 100m lengthy with shafts to the floor each 20m. Our 11-year-old made it 40m, I made it to 60m and Mr Tin Field and our nine-year-old adopted the soldier all the way in which to the tip.
After the tunnel we visited the sphere kitchen the place we tried tapioca dipped in sugar and chilli. This carbohydrate-rich root was a weight loss program staple for the troopers because it was straightforward to reap underground.
We have been glad we have been on a guided tour as there was so much to see hidden alongside the winding jungle paths. We spent two hours trying round and the place on the street once more at 10.45am simply as plenty of different excursions have been arriving.
From the tunnels we travelled one other two hours to the Mekong Delta for the following a part of our day journey from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis.
Mykong Delta
A day is under no circumstances the optimum period of time to discover the Mekong Delta however our tour gave us a style of life on the finish of the world’s twelfth longest river.
We took a ferry from My Tho throughout the muddy-looking Mekong River to Bentre Provence.
An enormous darkish cloud chased us over the water and let go of its load in a crash of thunder. At this level I used to be fearing the worst with the women because it was previous lunchtime and we have been getting moist, albeit with heat rain.
Fortunately our first cease was a coconut candy manufacturing unit the place we have been in a position to pattern the confectionary. Mr Tin Field additionally braved a shot of snake wine.
Subsequent we hopped on a tuk tuk to a village the place we ate essentially the most huge unfold of fish, rice, noodles and spring rolls.
This was adopted by an perception into the totally different companies within the space, from fishing to breeding crocodiles for export to China.
We needed to forego the standard cycle across the village due to the pouring rain however have been in a position to feed the crocodiles and cat fish (dinner for the crocs) earlier than boarding a sampan boat for a experience across the palm-lined waterways.
Subsequent we hopped on one other sampan to Unicorn Island. The 4 islands on this a part of the Delta are named after important creatures for the Vietnamese. In addition to Unicorn Island there’s Tortoise, Phoenix and Dragon Island.
Unicorn Island is the biggest. Right here we tasted tropical fruits whereas listening to people music and visited a honey farm have been the bees have been extremely placid.
The farm additionally breeds boa snakes, which the nine-year-old was eager to fulfill after dealing with one in Sri Lanka the earlier summer time.
I actually thought the tropical storm may need messed with the child’s’ mojo however they solely grumbled the tiniest bit on the finish of the day once they realised they have been soaked by.
Today journey is touristy with stops at locations the place it’s hoped you’ll purchase one thing. However we by no means felt pressured into doing so.
Day three in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis
Day two had been so full on that we determined to deal with ourselves to a slower begin and a few sightseeing within the metropolis.
Conflict Remnants Museum
This museum was only a quick stroll from our lodge and, after being rained off on day considered one of our keep in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, I used to be eager that we visited right here first.
We’d all learnt so much concerning the American Conflict the day earlier than, so it felt like an excellent place to proceed the historical past lesson.
Nevertheless, we’d been spoilt by Khôi who used humour and attention-grabbing information to clarify what’s a really sobering topic.
In distinction the museum was dated and disjointed. It didn’t maintain the women’ curiosity for lengthy.
Having stated that, the images exhibition was heart-stopping and the recreated torture chambers exterior have been brutally lifelike.
However this isn’t an interactive museum for youngsters, other than the youngsters space on the highest flooring. Adults can take turns entertaining little ones right here whereas their associate takes within the displays elsewhere. There’s dressing up bins and toys.
We have been completed after an hour together with an ice cream break on the cafe.
If you wish to discover out extra about this Saigon attraction I’d advocate studying Travelynn Household’s information to visiting the Conflict Remnants Museum.
Entry to the Conflict Remnants Museum received’t break the financial institution. It’s 40,000 VND (about £1.20) for adults and 20,000 VND (about 60p) for below 16s. For those who’re travelling with teenagers they’ll get extra out of it.
Procuring in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis
With two pre-teens we weren’t going to get away with bypassing Ho Chi Minh Metropolis’s outlets.
If you wish to go to a market Ben Thanh in District 3 is essentially the most well-known within the metropolis. There’s garments, souvenirs and meals to be bagged however don’t anticipate to do a lot haggling such as you would possibly in Hanoi’s business streets. Most stalls have indicators saying ‘fastened worth’.
Simply across the nook is a contemporary shopping center – the Saigon Centre.
That is small by Center East requirements however with cheaper costs than in Oman the place we reside. So we didn’t thoughts spending a bit of cash on Zogg swimming goggles, pool toys and a brand new rash vest for the nine-year-old – all useful to have forward of or subsequent vacation spot, Phu Quoc.
Road meals problem
To mark our final night in HCMC we visited Bến Nghé Road Meals Market, not removed from our lodge.
There’s round 30 meals stalls right here promoting varied road meals. It’s price saying the costs aren’t road meals costs. Predominant meals have been between 100,000 and 190,000 VND (£3 to £5.80).
After shopping for spring rolls as starters we sat down and challenged the women to purchase the remainder of our meal.
They liked this and dashed off to search out fulfil our major course requests for a pork dish (we have been taking advantage of its availability exterior the Center East) and a ‘bizarre’ dish. The ladies got here again with barbecued pork ribs and rice, and one thing they referred to as a ‘squidy factor’.
They have been significantly enthusiastic about dessert as they’d been eyeing up a stall whereas discovering the opposite programs. I used to be offered with an enormous mango ice cream and the women shared an Oreo milkshake and mound of shaved ice.
It’s protected to say Bến Nghé Road Meals was an enormous hit regardless of being comparatively dear.
Wish to discover out about extra points of interest and locations to go to in Saigon? I can advocate studying this information to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis with youngsters by Travelynn Household.
The place we stayed
We spent our three nights in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis at Orchids Saigon Lodge* in District 3. It’s strolling distance from the Conflict Remnants Museum, Bến Nghé Road Meals and the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon.
One of many causes I selected this lodge was as a result of it had a swimming pool. Our women at all times ask if I’ve booked a lodge with a pool, even when we’re staying in a metropolis. So discovering one appeared like a bonus. It was additionally useful for downtime in-between sightseeing.
If it is a should for you then take a look at Orchids Lodge*.
Nevertheless, if you wish to keep someplace with character then this place isn’t for you. It is usually used for enterprise conferences and conferences, so has a company vibe.
Orchids Lodge doesn’t have connecting or household rooms however we got rooms subsequent to one another as requested once we booked. The rooms have been snug and had every little thing we wanted.
Breakfast was a big buffet with loads of alternative. There was an excursions deck in the primary reception however nobody was pushing excursions.
Examine availability for Orchids Lodge Saigon*.
Summing up our three nights in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis
There’s a part of me that wished we’re reversed our 14 day Vietnam itinerary and began within the south. I believe I’d have loved Ho Chi Minh Metropolis extra this fashion spherical.
For me it didn’t really feel totally different sufficient to different cities we now have visited all over the world, so three nights in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis was sufficient for us.
I don’t suppose our alternative of lodge helped both. There was nothing mistaken with it and we loved having the small pool space to loosen up in, nevertheless it was very company and impersonal. As soon as inside, we might have been wherever.
We loved the Sky Deck and our enjoyable dinner at Bến Nghé Road Meals Market. And our day journey to the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mykong Delta was absolutely the spotlight.
We additionally learnt so much from Khôi, not least that the Vietnamese language is advanced. Get your inflection mistaken and there’s a wonderful line between saying ‘thanks’ and ‘shut up’!
On that be aware, I’ll shut up. The ultimate on our two week journey from north to South Vietnam was Phu Quoc.
Extra studying about Vietnam journey
Ho Chi Minh Metropolis was the fourth cease throughout our 14 day Vietnam itinerary which began in Hanoi, together with an tour to the well-known Prepare Road, after which moved on to Ha Lengthy Bay for a two night time cruise and on to Hoi An for 3 nights.
You may meet up with the remainder of our journey by trying out my Instagram account the place there are three Tales about our two weeks in Vietnam.
Normally I’d additionally advocate the Lonely Planet’s vacation spot information that can assist you plan your journey, however I purchased the Vietnam 2023 version and was a bit disillusioned. A variety of the data was generic and I noticed a number of errors.
I’d counsel attempting the Tough Information* or Eyewitness journey information* as an alternative.
Disclosure: this put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks marked with *. For those who click on on considered one of these and make a purchase order I’ll earn some fee. This doesn’t have an effect on the worth you pay.
