Is Ho Chi Minh City Worth Visiting? Full Analysis With Comparison

Is Ho Chi Minh City Worth Visiting? The simple answer is yes, it is definitely worth as a standalone city. It has multiple IGable tourist attractions within walking distance, the most unique war tunnel, a sad and moving museum, a bunch of great food, and incredible nightlife at a reasonable cost.

However, it will get a little complicated if we are to select between HCMC, Hanoi, Nha Trang, and Da Nang. Afterall, our annual leave is very limited. If you are flying from the US, EU, or other Countries far away from Asia, you may have a hard decision to make. Not to mention there are various wonderful destinations nearby including Bangkok, Luang Prabang and Kula Lumpur. Vietnam is just one point ahead of Vietnam. Unlike most other destinations in South Asia, you will want to apply for the Visa beforehand.

If you want to dedicate 2 weeks in Vietnam, the best tactic is to do 4 days and 3 nights in HCMC, Hanoi, Nha Trang, and Da Nang, respectively. If you only have a week, the best way is to pick two out of them. As for whether to select Ho Chi Minh City over others, I will provide my analysis based on my multiple previous trips to Vietnam.

What is Ho Chi Minh City?

First things first, Ho Chi Minh City is not part of Hanoi. Instead, it is in the opposite direction. Ho Chi Minh City used to be called Saigon and was once the capital city of Southern Vietnam. On the other hand, Hanoi used to be the capital city of Northern Vietnam. With the fall of Southern Vietnam, Saigon was taken over by the communists and renamed Ho Chi Minh City. Although carrying the founder’s name, the Ho Chi Minh embalmed body is in Hanoi instead.

HCMC is also the city with the most tourists inflow, earning the most tourism income for the Country each year, followed by Hanoi, Da Nang, and Nha Trang. So, if we judge by the number, HCMC is NOT a skippable city in Vietnam.

Let’s start with the most unique things to do in HCMC.

Ho Chi Minh: The Most Unique Attractions In Vietnam

As the first tourist city by number, Ho Chi Minh stands out from other Vietnamese cities as the most cosmopolitan city, the best nightlife, and representative icons of modern Vietnamese history.

The Most Cosmopolitan City In Vietnam

Despite not being the capital City, HCMC is the most important economic hub in Vietnam. It has taller skyscrapers, like the Saigon deck compared to Hanoi. At the same time, the city’s layout is a lot less condensed than that of Bangkok, with more space. Other than that, it has a good mixture of French colonial buildings, smaller local cafes, restaurants, and houses scattered throughout the area. Adding the beautiful Saigon river and the cafes at the coastal lines. It offers a unique sense of modernity and coziness.

You can’t find this blend of feeling anywhere else in Vietnam or even Asia, like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, or Singapore.

The Best Nightlife in Vietnam

Undeniably, HCMC has the best nightlife in Vietnam. It has the vibrant bar street (Bui Vien) with live performances every day as compared to the smaller one at Old Quarter Hanoi. If you are looking for live music, the city has plenty of acoustic bars to offer.

HCMC is also famous for its luxurious VIP barber shops, where you can indulge in a hair massage treatment delivered by skilled local beauticians. This experience is a must-try for both men and women. Additionally, as the country’s economic hub, you’ll find a vibrant mix of beautiful locals, making HCMC a unique destination in Vietnam.

The Best Representing Icons Of Vietnam Modern History

The end of the Vietnam War in 1975 determined the trajectory of the modern development of Vietnam. Being the once Southern Vietnam capital, HCMC has the best to offer for you to experience that part of history.

For example, you can visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnel by joining a half-day tour. The tunnel is over 250 kilometers dug and was used by the North Vietnamese troops to fight against the US and the South. There, you can learn how the locals used innovative ways to fight the war. Additionally, you can crawl inside the photo and even shoot real guns there.

The city also houses the saddest and moving museum related to that part of history – War Remnants Museum. It is a museum dedicated to the photographs, artifacts, and old newspaper regarding the realities of the war during that time. It even has deep-dive showcases of the multi-generative effect of the chemical weapon Agent Orange. It is probably the most reflective and moving museum in Asia.

Ho Chi Minh’s Main Attractions Similar To Other Places In Vietnam

Similar to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Nha Trang, HCMC has a bunch of IGable French colonial architecture. In District 1 (main areas), you can find most of the icons like Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, Opera House, and the Central Post Office within 3 km walking distance .

As for food, you will find the same street food similar to Hanoi in Ben Thanh Market in District 1. Additionally, if you take a GrabBike for less than 20 minutes from District 1 to Ho Thi Ky Food Street in District 10, you will find a wider variety of seafood, including the exotic “sea cockroach,” compared to Nha Trang and Da Nang. As for local Vietnamese food, HCMC, similar to Hanoi, also offers a good range of affordable Michelin-listed local restaurants. My favorite one is Bep Me near Ben Thanh Market in District 1.

Again, due to the French Colonial history, HCMC, like many places in Vietnam, has a lot of high-quality French Fine dining at cheap prices. The most popular options include Cocotte, Le Corto Sigon, and La Villa.

Not to mention, similar to any place in Vietnam, HCMC also houses a lot of great cafes. It also has an icon called café apartment, the famous café cluster in an old apartment building.

In short, whatever Vietnam in general is famous for, like IGable architecture, street food, local food, cafes, cheap French dining, and the bike traffic, HCMC also has it.

Suitability For Travel With Kids

Similar to Acquarium in Hanoi, Vinswonder in Nha Trang or Vinswonder in Hoi An (a city just near Da Nang), HCMC has multiple attractions suitable for traveling with kids. That includes the Saigon Zoo, Botanical Garden, and several theme parks, including the recently opened Gand Vinswonder in the city.

If you think the War Remnant is too heavy for kids, these attractions shall occupy you a great deal of good day time. Alternatively to bars and parties, HCMC, similar to Hanoi, also offers traditional water puppet shows and a bamboo circus show.   

Ho Chi Minh City Is Worth Even As A Layover Option

Because most of the city attractions are so close to each other (within a 3 km distance), HCMC can deliver great value to you even if you are using it as a transit destination. In less than 24 hours, you could cover most of the great spots in the city. Not to mention, the city’s airport (SGN) also has some of the greatest lounges with good local Vietnamese and international food.

Price Level In The City

Last winter, I had another trip to Vietnam, starting from Hanoi, then Nha Trang, and then Ho Chi Minh City. I had great food, accommodations, and adventures in all these places. Most importantly, I find their price level more or less the same. For example, you can easily have good street food for less than 1 USD, good French Fine dining for less than 20 USD, and accommodation per night with a good gym for around 20 – 30 USD.

So I would say HCMC is similar to other places in Vietnam; it is not expensive at all. As compared to other destinations in Asia, it is cheaper than Bangkok, Kula Lumpur, and the Maldives. A lot cheaper than Hong Kong and Singapore. A bit more expensive than Laos.

Comparing Ho Chi Minh City To Other Major Vietnamese Tourist Cities

Below, I will compare the city to other major Vietnamese cities that I have been to, with its pros and cons.

Versus Hanoi

People usually hesitate between Hanoi and HCMC. I have been to both cities multiple times in the past. In some sense, they are very similar; both are the major hubs of Vietnam, one being the capital city and the other being the major economic hub. Both have good French colonial buildings like the St Joseph Cathedral Hanoi versus Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica Cathedral. Good traditional shows in Opera House, cafes, local and international food. As mentioned below, HCMC is more cosmopolitan than Hanoi.

As for infrastructure, both have best-value hotel offers. Access to exchange shops in HCMC and Hanoi is easy. Most icons are within walking distance. Hailing a grab for a short distance ride is also very easy.

Hanoi has more icons related to traditional Vietnamese culture, like the Hanoi Citadel, the Temple of Literature, and Tran Quoc Pagoda. On the other hand, the icons in HCMC focus more on the Vietnam War during 1954 – 1975, such as the Independence Palace, Cu Chi Tunnel, and War Remnant Museum.

Given that Hanoi used to be the capital city of Northern Vietnam, it also has icons like Ho Chi Minh Minh Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Although HCMC has better nightlife and entertainment, Hanoi has a unique train street at the city center. Other than that, you can also take a day trip from Hanoi to the famous Ha Long Bay.  

Ideally, you visit both cities as I did. However, if you are to choose one, you should pick Hanoi if you need to visit Ha Long Bay with more interest in ancient temples and imperial dynasties. If you want to experience the more modern history of Vietnam and the vibe of the Country, then it should be HCMC.

Versus Da Nang

Da Nang is quite a different animal compared to HCMC and Hanoi. Instead of being a Cosmopolitan city, Da Nang is a more laid-back destination. It is famous for water activities and nearby cultural sites like Hoi An. Other than that, the most popular destination there is the Golden Gate Bridge ( the bridge with the stone giant hand).

If you are looking for the feeling of being in a small and tranquil village, Da Nang should be your choice. But if you want a more well-balanced understanding of the recent history of Vietnam, local culture, and vibe, you should go for HCMC.

If it is your first time visiting Vietnam, my recommendation is to go for Hanoi or HCMC first instead of Da Nang. You will learn more about Vietnam in both cities than in Da Nang.

Versus Nha Trang

Nha Trang, as one of the new growing tourist cities of Vietnam, is more like Da Nang than Hanoi or HCMC. Nha Trang is more like a resort-island. You will find most hotels situated on the coastal line of the main road. The attractions mainly include water activities like scuba diving, mud-bathing, Vinswonder, and its waterpark on VinsPearl island. Other than that, it is also famous for its seafood buffet.

Similar to Hanoi and HCMC, it has a lot of good massage shops and beach bars. However, it is limited in icons with historical significance. The same comment goes for Nha Trang, it is not a destination for first-time Vietnam visitors. This is especially true with the lack of international flights to its airport.

However, it only takes an hour’s flight from HCMC to Nha Trang. During my last visit, I just took a cab from the city center to HCMC airport and then to Nha Trang. The whole process was less than 3 hours.

So, Should I Visit HCMC?

Of all the places I visited in Vietnam—and even in Asia—I love Ho Chi Minh City the most. The city strikes a well-balanced blend of cosmopolitan energy and modest charm, which I find more appealing than the over-commercialization of Bangkok. The local cuisine, international dining options, vibrant coffee culture, and fine dining experiences provide countless reasons to visit HCMC, not just once, but multiple times. Most importantly, it remains affordable, especially considering the quality and value offered.

This allure is a key reason why HCMC attracts the highest tourist inflow in Vietnam. Unless you prefer traditional Vietnamese culture—such as in Ha Long Bay (and by extension, Hanoi)—or coastal beach destinations like Da Nang or Nha Trang, you should consider visiting Ho Chi Minh City.

Of course, the best option is to experience them all!