The modern, electrifying side of Vietnam with a unique elegance
A booming economy has given Ho Chi Minh city (often still referred to as Saigon) a new energy and lease of life. Socially the city is flourishing with a sophisticated café culture, an exciting dining scene and burgeoning interest in eclectic art.
Ho Chi Minh also has the largest remaining assortment of French architecture, most famously the Notre Dame cathedral, which lends the city’s sprawl a unique elegance. Wide boulevards turn to narrow streets and timeless alleys are a delight to explore along with its ancient pagodas and thriving street markets. The War Remnants Museum in the city and the Cu Chi tunnels outside the city give an insightful but sobering account of Vietnam’s more recent history, and no visit to this country is complete without paying homage to this infamous chapter.
In around two hours, you can also reach the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh. Cruise along winding waterways by sampan (a traditional wooden boat), then step ashore for cycling excursions past sprawling fruit orchards and rice fields. At Hoa Loc village, you’re welcomed into a family home to craft local cakes by hand. Over in the hamlet of An Khanh, see how sticky rice is made using ancestral methods.
Highlights
Trace the city’s history through its architecture as you admire the grand facade of the Gia Long Palace and one of the city’s oldest walking bridges
Enjoy a street food tour by Vespa to taste local delights such as bánh mì (baguette sandwiches), bun mam (noodle soup with fermented fish sauce) and bánh xèo (savoury pancakes)
Journey to the Mekong Delta to explore riverside villages by bicycle, then roll up your sleeves for a cooking class inside a local home
Vietnam’s energy is boundless. You can really feel it on the streets of Ho Chi Minh. I remember my first ever moment there; sitting at a local cafe, sipping on traditional Vietnamese coffee and watching people whiz by on the backs of Vespas.

David D'Arcy
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Ho Chi Minh
There are many incredible places to stay in Ho Chi Minh. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
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Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our Ho Chi Minh example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
Where to go

Can Tho
The buzzing cultural and commercial centre of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho sits on the southern bank of the Hua River, one of the Mekong’s main distributaries as it flows out past endless paddy fields into the South China Sea.
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Con Dao
An archipelago of 16 islands located off the south coast of Vietnam in the tranquil waters of the South China Sea, Con Dao is a tropical paradise of stunning natural beauty which spells adventure, relaxation and lazy sun-filled days.
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Dalat
With its cooler climate and French colonial feel, you’ll find the charming city of Dalat to be uniquely different from the rest of Vietnam. Known as “The City of Eternal Spring”, Dalat boasts a very temperate climate and its surrounding green countryside is blessed with lakes, waterfalls, evergreen forests and gardens.
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Danang
Danang is central Vietnam‘s largest city, an important port sat at the half way point between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.
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Halong Bay
Over 2,000 limestone islets and plinths rise out from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin to make up the exquisite Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Hanoi
Hanoi is a bustling and fascinating place – a whirlwind of colours, smells and sounds and a wonderful place to get a real flavour of life in Vietnam.
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Hoi An
With its pretty architecture and beguiling riverside setting packed into its neat size, Hoi An is small enough to stroll around and soak up its rich wealth of heritage.
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Hue
Hue sits on the banks of the Perfume River and is another of Vietnam’s safeguarded heritage sites under UNESCO and an interesting blend of old and new.
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Lan Ha Bay
Limestone outcrops blanketed in lush vegetation rise up from the still, jade coloured water. Your boat glides smoothly across the glassy surface, the shapes and shadows of the islets changing as you navigate this watery paradise. This is La Ha Bay, the smaller, quieter and altogether more serene neighbour of Halong Bay.
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Mekong River Cruises
Spanning 4,350 kilometres, the Mekong River is the lifeblood to innumerable communities across Asia. From its icy beginning on the Tibetan Plateau, the river then winds through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia before breaking into Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.
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Nha Trang
The Nha Trang area is home to some of Vietnam‘s best luxury beach escapes, set in hidden coves well away from the vibrant town itself.
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Ninh Binh and Tam Coc
Rather than a destination in its own right, Ninh Binh is an excellent location from which to explore the breathtaking and quintessentially Vietnamese countryside that surrounds it.
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Phu Quoc
A sleepy palm fringed island a short flight from Saigon, Phu Quoc is an idyllic retreat after exploring the highlights of Vietnam.
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The Northern Highlands
Rarely visited and sometimes not even accessible, Vietnam‘s cool Northern Highlands is a rural medley of diverse hill tribes, deep valleys and soaring mountains.
Discover moreMeet your Asia team
Vietnam travel guides
Plan your trip to Ho Chi Minh
Whatever you want from your adventure in Ho Chi Minh, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.


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We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.











































