Ho Chi Minh City, the Way Locals See It
Every Gaido article about Ho Chi Minh City, written with the help of our local guides: where to eat, what to skip, and the tours worth your time.
Saigon Private Tour: 4-Hour Motorbike Street Food Ride
The best bánh xèo in Saigon is down an alley with no sign, and you will walk right past it. Unless you are on the back of a motorbike with a local who knows where to stop. Eight street dishes, hidden alleyways and a guide named Kevin, in four hours from $58.
Essential Travel Tips for Ho Chi Minh City First-Timers
Always charge card payments in Vietnamese Dong rather than your home currency — that one detail saves nearly 8% on every transaction. Practical first-timer advice for Saigon: crossing motorbike traffic without stopping, settling the cyclo price before you climb in, which district actually suits you, and when the afternoon rain arrives.
5 Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City for Solo Travelers
Saigon is one of the easier cities to do solo — once you know where to look. A private street food tour, two essential museums, the city's most legendary bánh mì stall, and a hidden jazz bar that's perfect for a night alone.
Places Locals Actually Love in Ho Chi Minh City
The War Remnants Museum at 10 AM is the tourist version of Saigon. The city locals actually live in runs on different rhythms: pho at 6 AM when the broth is freshest, night markets after 9 PM when the food vendors are in full swing, and a park that transforms at dusk into the neighbourhood's outdoor living room.
Where to Eat and Drink in Ho Chi Minh City: A Local's Guide
The best meals in Saigon happen at plastic stools, through unmarked doors, and in pitch-black restaurants. From crispy rice paper snacks by Turtle Lake to craft cocktails grown on-site, these are the spots Ho Chi Minh City locals actually visit.
Private Tours in Ho Chi Minh City That Are Actually Worth It
A home kitchen in District 6, a 300-year-old floating temple only reachable by boat, a motorbike food tour through backstreet alleyways, and an 11-hour Mekong Delta adventure by kayak and bike. Four private tours that show you the Saigon most visitors never find.
5 Best Outdoor Escapes in Ho Chi Minh City for Nature Lovers
Between the concrete towers and bustling markets of Ho Chi Minh City, you'll find pockets of green where locals gather at dawn for Tai Chi, families picnic on weekends, and travelers discover a quieter side of Saigon.