The sheer number of fun and exciting things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, may seem overwhelming at first. This is Vietnam’s largest city, after all.
However, many of the most popular activities and attractions are within District 1, making it more manageable.
A friend’s wedding in Ho Chi Minh City motivated me to make up for lost time and visit Vietnam after I skipped it during my first backpacking trip through Southeast Asia in 2008.
Kel and I arrived five days before the wedding to acclimate to the new culture, food, and traffic patterns. As our sleep improved, we saw and experienced more of Saigon.
What follows is a list of the best things we did during five full days of sightseeing. I’ve also included a few attractions and day trips on my to-do list that we didn’t ultimately have time for.
What To See in Saigon
1. War Remnants Museum
One of the most challenging, albeit eye-opening, things to do in Ho Chi Minh City is a visit to the War Remnants Museum, dedicated to preserving the memory of the Vietnam War.
Previously known as the “Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes,” it was established in 1975, shortly after the end of the war.
Everything here is told from the perspective of the Vietnamese. The alternative viewpoints are thought-provoking for Americans like me, who grew up with different narratives.
The museum features a variety of exhibits that showcase the terrible effects of the war on the Vietnamese people, including photographs, weapons (i.e., guns, landmines), and documents.
Several outdoor displays include larger military equipment such as tanks, helicopters, and howitzers.
One of the most powerful exhibits is the “Agent Orange Room,” which displays the effects of the defoliant and chemical weapon on Vietnamese civilians.
The museum also has a section on the war crimes committed by American troops, including the My Lai Massacre, which resulted in the murder of more than 500 civilians.
The images are sometimes graphic, but I believe it’s essential to view them as a reminder of the horrors of war and why it’s best avoided.
You can visit the War Remnants Museum on your own or do a guided tour that includes the Ben Thanh Market (the city’s largest market).
Emotionally, the experience reminded me of walking through S-21, the former Khmer Rouge prison in Phnom Penh used during the Cambodian…
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