Ho Chi Minh City
Perched on the banks of the majestic Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City is where exotic food, French Colonial architecture and memories of Vietnam war meet. Commerce and culture come together offering an almost dizzying combination of sights, sounds and more mopeds than you’ve possibly ever seen, making it a place to begin a trip to southern Vietnam.
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Places to stay
It’s easy to choose the right Vietnam hotel to relax in after a long day of sightseeing with a range of hotels catering to a wide range of budgets, style and location. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, Ho Chi Minh is a vibrant city steeped in French and Asian influences, pristine Buddhist temples, and fascinating architecture.
Accommodation in Vietnam ranges from charming hostels and frills-free guesthouses to luxury resorts and stylish city hotels. To be located close to bustling city centre, key attractions and restaurants opt for a hotel in districts 1, 2 or 5. Weather you’re staying in Ho Chi Minh for a stopover or planning to spend a weeks holidays, there’s plenty of great places to stay in this lively Vietnamese city.
Things to do
Stroll incense-infused alleyways and temples or negotiate sleek designer malls beneath 21st-century skyscrapers, there’s something for everyone in Ho Chi Minh City.
Dive into the cultural attractions first with a visit to the Reunification Palace - the former residence of the President of South Vietnam then take a tour of the War Remnants Museum to get an understanding of the history of the Vietnamese war. The Củ Chi tunnels and Siagon River Express are other popular guided tours, easily accessible from Ho Chi Minh.
The shopping scene offers more than just boutique outlets and shopping malls. Visit the traditional street markets scattered across the city’s districts to discover bespoke tailoring and the national dress, the 'ao dai' from high-quality silk. Alternatively look for local handicraft, art and jewellery or bargain for reasonably priced tech goods. Let your mood, budget and style be the guide to exploring the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh.
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Food and drink
Ho Chi Minh City is packed with great restaurants serving a combination of French, Chinese and local Vietnamese cuisine. The mix of food cultures make it a must-visit city to sample Saigon’s street food stalls bakeries. Be sure to sample bowls of pho (beef noodle soup) and crunchy bánh mì (pork rolls) from Ben Thanh Market and An Dong Market.
Siagon has a legendary nightlife that varies from one district to another from street pubs to trendy rooftop bar and swanky nightclubs for a vibrant night out.
Mekong Delta
This watery world of rice paddies, fruit orchards, mangrove forests, sugar-cane groves and shifting swamplands, all tended by conical-hatted farmers, is often referred to as the country's 'food bowl'.
But it's the random encounters with Khmer monks, children riding water buffalo, or squawking birdlife and isolated Buddhist temples spotted from the seat of a pushbike as you ride past that makes time spent in and around the Mekong Delta such a diverse and memorable experience.
Getting around
From the airport: there are several options for getting a taxi from the airport to the city center (District 1). The taxi queue is on your left when you exit through the main door on the ground floor of the terminal building. Ensure to ask the driver to turn the meter on. Bus companies, private transfer or ride share options can take you to your destination with minimal stress.
In and around the city: most popular attractions are within walking distance from most of the hotels. If you organise a tour transport is taken care of, alternatively why not take a cyclo tour. Hiring a scooter is not advised.
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Disclaimer: ^ Qantas Frequent Flyer members will earn 3 Qantas Points per A$1 value unless otherwise specified, for hotel stays booked through qantas.com/hotels, except Classic Hotel Rewards and Airbnb bookings. Points Club members will earn 25% more Qantas Points, and Points Club Plus members will earn 50% more Qantas Points. Qantas Points will be credited to your account at least 8 weeks after check-out. Qantas Points may be earned by the member in whose name the booking is made. Members will not be able to earn points on additional charges paid to the accommodation provider for extras (including cots, breakfasts and other incidentals) on check-in or check-out (as applicable).
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