Ho Chi Minh is one of the most bustling city in Vietnam with numerous place for you to explore in terms of attractions and cultural experiences. Unfortunately, with a limited time, experiencing all of the city is not possible. So, here is a travel to Ho Chi Minh with some recommendations to help you enjoy the city to the fullest.
- Visit theme parks in and around the city
Ho Chi Minh City is regarded as the best destination for theme parks in Vietnam, though for some reason, travelers seem to ignore them. These parks are enormously invested and established with high standard of quality, offering diverse services and activities to serve various kinds of customers, from middle class to high class, from children to adult and elderly. Therefore, it would be a big miss in your tour if you and your family don’t plan to visit one.
The most famous and easiest to access is Dam Sen Cultural Park. This is one of the most outstanding and uproarious entertaining centers in Vietnam with a wide range of activities for guests, from modern one like gaming zones, water parks to zoo or temples. If Dam Sen is still not enough, how about something of grander scale – Suoi Tien, Ky Hoa, Binh Quoi resort or Dai Nam Park will sure meet your demand. Designed with traditional Vietnam architecture touch while adopting the most state-of-the-art infrastructure, these parks will surely make your day.
- Stop for coffee
Believe it or not, Vietnam is the biggest coffee exporter in the world. And Vietnamese coffee is not only delicious, but also inexpensive and available almost everywhere. Ca phe da (black coffee with tea) has strong taste with an almost chocolate-like richness. Condensed milk can be added, giving you ca phe sua da (coffee milk ice).
Coffee shops are a huge part of the city’s culture. From side-walk shops to a grand-looking shops, it’s hard to beat having a coffee and watching Ho Chi Minh City go by. Prices varies from 33 cents from a street vendor, to $3 or more at the top-end places. Deep-roasted Trung Nguyen is the most popular local brand, which makes it a good souvenir as well.
- Get Schooled
Try Bat Trang Ceramic Village and you’ll be surprised by how artistic can the Vietnamese are. The ceramic work shop here will to replicate vases and bowls with pottery wheel. This will be a great place for you to test your artistic sense. Total cost for this half-day activity? About $7. A great family / rainy day activity.
- Learn Local
Without knowing the country or speaking the local language, surely you might wonder whether you are missing here. How about trying the local guide? Ho Chi Minh Free Tour has more than 15 volunteer guides (university students wanting to improve their English) who take visitors on a half-day walking itinerary, covering sights such as the Opera House and the People’s Committee Building. Walking around without knowing the history about the building and areas can be really boring. So, this is a great way to have access to an English-speaking local where you can ask about almost anything. Of course, as the name implies, tours are free.
- Get a Massage and Hair Wash
Ho Chi Minh City may be chaotic but Vietnamese people sure know how to provide an escape route from the chaos. Foot massages can be found everywhere with reasonable price, and you can achieve complete relaxation for an hour to 90 minutes. If you are in the mood for a more authentic spa service, get a hair wash (Goi Dau). This isn’t a regular run of the mill hair wash – a proper Vietnamese hair wash includes a head massage, face wash and mask, and a shoulder massage, too. They will even blow your hair out and style it for you after.
- Cu Chi Tunnel
A vast network of interconnecting underground tunnels used as operational headquarters by the guerillas in Vietnam War. These tunnels are essential in many of military campaigns during the war, and played a vital role in defeating the American forces. You will be allowed to explore the tunnel, here you will know the true meaning of claustrophobia, and fire AK-47 as well.
Travel guide to Ho Chi Minh City
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