Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is a city of contrasts, modern yet deeply traditional, fast-paced yet full of quiet corners waiting to be discovered.
Beyond famous landmarks, Saigon is best experienced through daily life, local culture, and small meaningful moments.
If this is your first time visiting the city and you want to experience Saigon in an authentic and memorable way, here are 10 must-have experiences you shouldn’t miss.
1. Motorbike City Tour - Experience Saigon Like a Local
Motorbikes are the heart of transportation in Vietnam and an essential part of Saigon’s identity.
Joining a motorbike city tour allows you to:
- Navigate through small alleys and local neighborhoods
- Observe everyday life up close
- Feel the rhythm and energy of the city from a local perspective
This experience is widely considered a signature activity for international travelers.
Recommended tour operators:
- Áo Dài XO
- Saigon Vespa Adventure
- Vespa Tours
2. Street Food - Discover Saigon’s Vibrant Food Culture
Street food is deeply woven into daily life in Saigon.
With affordable prices and an incredible variety of flavors, exploring street food is one of the best ways to understand the city.
Beyond pho, make sure to try:
- Vietnamese banh mi
- Com tam (broken rice)
- Hu tieu (southern-style noodle soup)
- Bun bo
- Local snacks, desserts, sugarcane juice, and Vietnamese iced coffee
Every district - and often every alley - has its own food specialties waiting to be discovered.
3. Visit a Spa - A Must-Have After a Flight or Long Day of Exploring
After a long flight or hours of walking through the city, taking time to relax your body and mind is essential to fully enjoy your journey.
Why spas in Ho Chi Minh City are popular with travelers:
- Affordable prices compared to many countries
- Well-trained and experienced therapists
- A wide selection of relaxation and therapeutic treatments
Tinh Thuc Spa - A Quiet Wellness Escape in the City
Tinh Thuc Spa is a therapeutic spa with over 5 years of experience, receiving nearly 800 five-star reviews on Google Maps and TripAdvisor from both locals and international visitors.
- Located in a quiet alley in District 3, on Tran Quang Dieu Street - a well-known local shopping street for Vietnamese brands
- Just 10 minutes from District 1
- Approximately 15 minutes from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, making it ideal for:
- Travelers waiting for hotel check-in
- Guests recovering after a long flight
- A refreshing stop before a long journey
Tinh Thuc Spa offers a peaceful atmosphere - a gentle contrast to Saigon’s busy streets.
4. Explore Local Markets - Experience Everyday Saigon
While Ben Thanh Market is the most famous, visiting local markets gives you a more authentic view of daily life in Saigon.
- Binh Tay Market - one of the city’s largest wholesale markets
- Other local markets worth visiting:
- Nguyen Thai Binh
- Ban Co
- Xom Chieu
- Thi Nghe
- Nguyen Van Troi
Here, you’ll experience:
- Lively local trading
- Fresh vegetables, fruits, and seafood
- Small food stalls serving authentic local dishes
5. Visit Buddhist Temples - Finding Calm in a Busy City
Buddhism is one of Vietnam’s main religions and plays an important role in cultural life.
Stepping into a temple often brings a sense of quiet, reflection, and balance, away from the city’s constant movement.
Recommended temples in Ho Chi Minh City include:
- Vinh Nghiem Pagoda - the largest in the city
- Buu Long Pagoda - known for its unique architecture
- Jade Emperor Pagoda - popular for blessings and spiritual wishes
- Ba Thien Hau Temple - a historic Chinese temple
- Vietnam Quoc Tu - a major Buddhist center, known as the permanent resting place of the heart relic of Venerable Thich Quang Duc, a symbol of compassion and peace in Vietnamese history
- Giac Lam Pagoda - the oldest pagoda in Saigon
- Phap Hoa Pagoda, Pho Quang Pagoda, Hoang Phap Pagoda
- Mariamman Hindu Temple - a colorful Indian temple in the city center
6. Visit Churches - Saigon’s Architectural & Spiritual Diversity
Saigon is a multicultural city shaped by different historical periods and belief systems.
Alongside Buddhist temples, Catholic churches represent an important part of the city’s architectural and cultural heritage, influenced by French colonial history and local communities.
Many churches are not only places of worship, but also architectural landmarks, each reflecting the character of its surrounding neighborhood.
Notable churches include:
- Tan Dinh Church (Pink Church) - famous for its pastel pink façade
- Huyen Sy Church - one of the oldest churches in the city
- Cho Quan Church - known for its Gothic architecture
- Cha Tam Church (Chinatown) - blending Catholic and Chinese influences
- Dominican Church (Ba Chuong)
- Ky Dong Church
7. Museums & Historical Sites - Understanding Vietnam Through Its Past
To better understand Vietnam beyond its modern skyline, visiting museums and historical landmarks offers valuable insight into the country’s complex and resilient history.
These sites help travelers connect with Vietnam’s journey - from ancient culture and colonial times to modern history.
Key places that you can visit:
- War Remnants Museum - a powerful and emotional perspective on the Vietnam War
- Independence Palace - a symbol of reunification
- Ben Nha Rong (Ho Chi Minh Museum) - where President Ho Chi Minh began his journey abroad
- Cu Chi Tunnels - an extensive underground network used during wartime
- Ho Chi Minh City Museum
- Museum of History
For those interested in arts and traditional knowledge, we have some interesting suggestions for you:
- Fine Arts Museum
- FITO Museum (Traditional Vietnamese Medicine)
- Ao Dai Museum - celebrating Vietnam’s traditional dress
8. One-Day Trip to the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta represents a unique cultural landscape in southern Vietnam.
On a one-day trip, you can:
- Visit floating markets
- Travel by small boats through coconut palm canals
- Explore traditional craft villages such as pottery, mat weaving, and coconut-based products
This experience offers a slower pace and a deeper look into rural life.
9. Join a Local Workshop - Create Your Own Souvenir
Saigon has a growing number of creative workshops where travelers can:
- Learn traditional and modern crafts
- Create a personal souvenir to take home
Popular workshops include:
- Mosaic art
- Pottery
- Silver jewelry making (rings, necklaces, bracelets)
10. Coffee Culture - The Soul of Saigon
Last but not least, coffee is an essential part of daily life in Saigon, enjoyed in many different ways.
- Apartment cafés - experience local life inside old residential buildings, you can check at Nguyen Thien Thuat apartment, 42 Nguyen Hue…
- Traditional cloth-filter coffee (Ca Phe Vot): Ba Lu, Cheo Leo, Phan Dinh Phung…
- Sidewalk coffee (Ca Phe Bet): Notre Dame area, 30/4 Park, Turtle Lake, Thu Thiem Tunnel rooftop…
- Specialty & roastery cafés: La Viet, Hoff, Tonkin, Bosgaurus, Sipply…
Ho Chi Minh City is not just a place to visit - it’s a city to observe, feel, and experience slowly.
We hope your journey in Saigon is filled with meaningful moments and memorable discoveries.
Tinh Thuc Spa looks forward to welcoming you and taking care of you in our peaceful space, right in the heart of the city 🌿
