Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

The war years and the country's reunification are a big theme, told through museums, memorials and a market full of military surplus. Head into Chinatown, around District 5, and the mood shifts to incense-filled pagodas, temples with Chinese roots and local markets selling conical hats, bamboo goods and street food. Evenings bring night markets, bamboo-circus performances and skyline views from high observation decks.

The city is also a good base: day trips reach war history sites, coastal mangrove forests, quiet beaches beside fishing villages and mountains topped with pagodas. Our local guides added a note to each place, and you can narrow the list to day trips, markets, museums or religious landmarks.