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Southeast Asia is at the top of the list if you want to stretch your dollars as far as possible on your trip.
And one budget destination in the region in particular is extremely popular at the moment.
Ho Chi Minh City is a busy, vibrant cultural city.
It’s densely populated and can feel chaotic at times, but there’s something to see and do everywhere and you can be sure you’ll never be bored here.
More than 3 million foreign tourists have visited Ho Chi Minh City so far this year, an increase of 30.3% from last year.
Ho Chi Minh used to be called Saigon, but many people still use the original name.
The city embraces its rich Vietnamese culture, and this is one of the main reasons why it stands out from the crowd.
But there are even more good reasons to visit:
Unforgettable food in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a foodie’s paradise. It’s known for its street food and incredible nighttime food markets, but you’ll also find an impressive gastronomic scene here.
For street food and cheap eats that you can enjoy shoulder to shoulder with the locals, visit Ho Chi Minh City’s food markets.
Ben Thanh Market serves as a day and evening market, with the night market open from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
This market is huge and has 4 main entrances (and 12 sub-entrances) so it can be confusing getting around, but getting lost is half the fun!
Try to enter through the southern entrance, which serves as the main entrance to the market, as this is where you will find the three-faced bell tower, the symbol of the area.
Ho Thi Ky Food Street is another great food market if you want to experience an abundance of local Vietnamese delicacies.
If you prefer fine dining (and have some cash on hand), you’ll find everything from upscale French, Italian, Chinese and Indian cuisine to traditional Vietnamese restaurants.
Anan Saigon is the only Michelin star restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City. Located at No. 89 Ton That Dam Street, it is open from 5pm to 11pm and serves high-quality contemporary cuisine inspired by traditional Vietnamese menus. If you’re going to splurge, this is the place to do it!
A budget hotspot
Don’t feel like spending?
Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to visit if you are traveling on a budget.
That’s because there are so many things to see and do without spending a single cent.
One of the best of these is a visit to the Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, the largest flower market in Ho Chi Minh City.
The flower market here is open 24/7, but is busiest in the early morning hours. Entry is free and the market is a riot of beautiful flowers and colors.
In terms of color, don’t miss Cao Dai Temple, a beautiful and colorful temple dedicated to Caodaism. This is a Vietnamese religion that contains elements of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity.
The Cao Dai Temple itself is a riot of color in rich shades of pink, blue and orange. Clouds are painted on the ceiling. It really is a work of art in itself and a place you should definitely visit.
Finally, admission to several fascinating museums in Ho Chi Minh City is free.
These include the Southern Women’s Museum and the Ton Duc Thang Museum.
Uncovering fascinating culture
Ho Chi Minh City is a melting pot of diverse cultures, with people from all over Southeast Asia (and beyond) calling the city their home.
This means that you will find a whole range of different cultures here, but it is the Vietnamese history and culture in the city that is particularly worth exploring.
Visit Saignon’s Central Post Office, an imposing canary yellow building built in the classic French colonial style.
This fascinating cultural attraction is also a great place to view Notre Dame.
If you want to learn more about the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a must-visit attraction.
The Cu Chi district has a network of tunnels stretching over 250 kilometers (known as the Cu Chi Tunnels) used by the Viet Cong to hide from South Vietnamese and American forces during the Vietnam War.
You can enter and use these fascinating tunnels at 2 different points, but be warned: you will get dirty if you make this journey!
Entrance costs 15,000 VND (60 cents in USD), so this is also an option for a budget activity.
Another interesting war-related attraction is the War Remnants Museum, where (as the name suggests) remains of the war are found.
Decommissioned planes, tanks, bombs and helicopters fill the courtyard, but it’s the thought-provoking (and graphic) photographs in the museum that will stay with you long after you get home. Entrance costs 40,000 VND ($1.59) here too.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
