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Travel blogs, photos and features from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide

The ultimate guide to the best things to do and see in Ho Chi Minh City

Also known as Saigon, Vietnam’s largest city in the south of the country has loads to offer visitors, including a wealth of history, great food and friendly locals. Start here with my basic Ho Chi Minh City travel tips, or jump down below to read my latest Ho Chi Minh City travel blogs.


When to Visit

Probably the best time of year to visit Ho Chi Minh City is between December and April, as this is when the humidity is lowest and there’s the least chance of rain.

From March to May, temperatures get much hotter, and then between May to December is rainy season, so there’s a good chance you’ll get very wet! However, as such a big city with so much going on, there’s always something cool to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City regardless of the weather!


Top Things To See

War Museum – Visiting the War Museum is an important experience to have in Ho Chi Minh City to get a better grasp on Vietnam’s history. I found traveling as an American in Vietnam sometimes to be hard, and though there is a lot of propaganda, some of it is definitely worth seeing.

Mekong Delta – Just outside of Ho Chi Minh City is the Tien Giang province, the perfect place to take a boat trip around some of the islands in the Mekong River delta. It’s a bit of a hike to get there from the city, so leave plenty of time. The most popular islands are Ben Tre and Phoenix islands, where you can learn about a seemingly cult-like figure known as the Coconut Monk!

BiaCraft – You might not expect to find such a place in this city, but Ho Chi Minh has its very own hipster craft brewery! They have an extensive range of beers, all brewed on site, and also serve some tasty American style food. It manages to be both a super hipster western joint while still maintaining a Vietnamese atmosphere throughout.


Ho Chi Minh City Tours

In such a big and busy city as Ho Chi Minh City, taking a tour will save you time and get you to parts of the city you might otherwise overlook.


LGBTQ – Gay Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide

Vietnam generally is a pretty tolerant country when it comes to LGBTQ issues, though there aren’t as yet any specific legal protections for LGBTQ travelers. However, Ho Chi Minh City definitely has an open gay scene, and these are a few of the best things you should know about visiting gay Ho Chi Minh City.

Republic Lounge – Probably the most popular gay club in town, this place is slick, modern and features excellent DJs. They also regularly host drag shows Thursday through Saturday and occasionally live music events too, and serve some tasty fusion food.

Whiskey & Wares – Run by two Americans, this is one of the more high end places in town to come for a drink, though it’s not pretentious. With a nice selection of, you guessed it, whiskeys as well as some Vietnamese inspired cocktails, it attracts a mixed crowd of locals and travelers.

Nadam Spa – It’s a little bit out of town, but the trip to this men’s only spa is definitely worth it in order to pamper yourself and mill around with half naked men. There’s a dry sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and a café, and professional spa services including massage, scrubs, facials and haircuts are also offered.

More gay travel resources here.


Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Deals

Ho Chi Minh City has every kind of accommodation you could imagine, and something to suit every budget. I’ve found that using major hotel booking websites can be really useful for finding last-minute deals.


Follow @travelsofadam on Instagram for more travel tips!


Ho Chi Minh City Travel Blogs