Ho Chi Minh, formerly called Saigon, is one of Asia’s most famous destinations. Although Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital and where most travelers to Vietnam would first land, there are a lot of good reasons why you should include Ho Chi Minh in your list of places to see in Vietnam. Read on to find out some of the good reasons why you should visit the city of Ho Chi Minh.
1. Convenient Visa Processing
Getting visa on arrival at Tan Son Nhat Int’l Airport in Ho Chi Minh city
Several years ago, obtaining a visa for Vietnam is a bit complicated, as it requires visiting the Vietnam embassy and applying personally. The good news is that Vietnam has now introduced the e-visa, which you can apply at Evisa-Vietnam.com. With the Vietnam e-visa, you don’t need to go through the hassles of going to an embassy to apply for your visa since you can simply do it online.
The process of applying will require only less than 10 minutes of your time, which is absolutely hassle-free. Simply fill out the form and make a payment. Wait for the pre-approval letter to be sent to your email and print it out. Once you arrive at the airport in Ho Chi Minh, simply present the letter to the immigration and you’re good to go!
2. Stunning Architecture
Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
Ho Chi Minh boasts some of Vietnam’s most impressive architecture and this is one good reason why this city should be included in your Vietnam itinerary. The Notre Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace, and the Saigon Central Post Office are some of the most popular structures in the city with awe-inspiring French colonial architecture.
3. Vibrant Street Food Scene
Bui Vien Street-in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Like most of the major cities in Vietnam, the street food scene in Ho Chi Minh is truly exciting. Anywhere you go, you’ll find street food stalls and small eateries on the roadside offering cheap and delicious Vietnamese foods, such as a piping hot bowl of Pho. Eating street food is no doubt, one of the best things you can do in Vietnam and the best way to experience this is in the streets of Ho Chi Minh.
4. Cheap and Delicious Beer
Cheap and Delicious Beer in Saigon
The best way to end your day in Ho Chi Minh is with a bottle of local beer. And the best thing about the beer in this part of the world is that it’s extremely cheap! A bottle should cost you around $.50. In fact, it’s been said that Ho Chi Minh is a beer drinker’s paradise. When nighttime comes, you’ll find those tiny little plastic chairs arranged in the sidewalks. Take a seat in one of these chairs and grab a cheap bottle of beer along with a bunch of locals.
5. Rich and Colorful History
A tourist trying to enter a tunnel at Cu Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam
Although Hanoi is more traditional compared to the modern city of Ho Chi Minh, the city actually boasts several historical landmarks. For one, the city is home to the Cu Chi tunnels and the War Remnants Museum, along with a host of iconic landmarks that says a lot about the rich and colorful history of Vietnam. So if you want to learn more about the history of the country, then the Ho Chi Minh is a perfect destination for you.
6. Bustling Markets
Cho Ben Thanh or Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
If you want to indulge in a bit of shopping while in Vietnam, then the Ho Chi Minh is the best place to be. The city is home to a number of bustling markets, such as the Ben Thanh Market, which is filled with more than 3,000 stalls, selling everything you can think of! From cheap souvenirs to local handicrafts, shopping at these markets is an experience you’ll never forget.
7. Charmingly Chaotic Atmosphere
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIET NAM- Impression, colorful scene of Asia city in rush hour after rain evening, crowd of Vietnamese people wear raincoat, on motorbike, crowded on street,
Like Hanoi, the city of Ho Chi Minh can be a bit overwhelmingly busy, however, it has a different charm to it. As the largest city in Vietnam and the commercial hub of the country, Ho Chi Minh is home to more than 8.4 million people and more than a million motorbikes. With an atmosphere like nowhere else in the country, exploring Saigon is a truly exciting experience.
8. Exciting Nightlife
Exciting Nightlife in Saigon
The nightlife scene in Hanoi is exciting, especially at the Old Quarter, however, the area has a strict curfew. On the other hand, Ho Chi Minh does not have any curfew and this is why the nightlife here is more exciting. When evening comes, the city comes alive, and night owls start filling up the rooftop bars, clubs, pubs, restaurants, and cafes.
So if you’re heading to Vietnam soon, consider dropping by at Ho Chi Minh. Spending a few days in the city should be enough to cover everything that this wonderful city has to offer!
