Ho Chi Minh City holidays

Ho Chi Minh City (still known to many as Saigon) is Vietnam at its most fast-paced and full-throttle. It’s a city of contrasts, where sleek rooftop bars overlook tangled streets of scooters, and grand colonial buildings sit alongside buzzing food stalls and neon-lit markets. If you like your city breaks energetic, vibrant, and full of flavour, Ho Chi Minh delivers.

What we love about it is the sheer energy. There’s a real sense of forward momentum here in the skyscrapers, the start-ups, the fusion food, but also a deep respect for the past. You’ll find excellent museums like the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace, alongside poignant sites like the Cu Chi Tunnels just outside the city. A guided tour is a great way to unpack some of the history.

We also recommend diving into the food scene, whether that’s sipping iced coffee in a hidden alley, trying bánh mì from a street cart, or booking a local-led foodie tour by Vespa. In the evenings, the city comes alive with rooftop cocktails, live music, and riverside dining.

Ho Chi Minh City is a brilliant introduction to southern Vietnam and makes a great start or finish to your journey. It’s modern, messy, fascinating and full of stories waiting to be uncovered.