Discover Ho Chi Minh City
with Cathay Pacific

In Ho Chi Minh City – still known to most as Saigon – arty pockets meet sleek skyscrapers, and the motorbike-saturated streets have a soundtrack of their own. On leafy boulevards, amid crumbling colonial French buildings are found some of Ho Chi Minh City’s best eateries.
Discover street food stalls run by grandmothers who have perfected the art of pho and banh mi next door to contemporary cooks of the Vietnamese diaspora, who have returned to their roots to set up shop. The roaring city is constantly reinventing itself with new galleries, boutiques and music venues – but those new to the city should first learn about the country’s tumultuous history. Read on for our list of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

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Take in the buzzing energy of District 1

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Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Tuck in to street eats

Pull up a plastic chair on the leafy pavement outside the Lunch Lady’s stall and order whatever’s on the menu. The noodles on offer rotate by the day of the week, and Anthony Bourdain cemented Nguyen Thi Thanh’s fame when he slurped down her Friday special – rich, porky bun bo Hue – on his show No Reservations. But the Lunch Lady’s fame is well deserved, with every day of the week serving up delicious bites. Go early, because when the broth’s sold out, you’ll have to come back tomorrow.

Take in a slice of colonial Saigon

Under the French occupation in late 19th century, the city became known as the “Pearl of the Orient''. Although much of the city’s grand colonial-era architecture has been destroyed, some impressive sights to see in Ho Chi Minh City still remain. In District 5, you’ll find the Notre-Dame Cathedral and grand Post Office. Modeled on its Parisian namesake with materials shipped over from France, the cathedral towers over the neighbouring dome-roofed Post Office – which still offers mailing services to this day. The pretty pink Tân Dinh Parish Church, City Hall and Opera House are also worth visiting.

See the city from on high

Ho Chi Minh City is the nation’s financial capital, and with all that investment comes towers rising above the city. Rising about it all is the 461-metre Landmark 81, Vietnam's tallest building. The observation deck sits right at the very top of the tower, offering a bird’s-eye view of the city. For less lofty but more vibey views, hop between the city’s many open-air rooftop bars for cocktails in the sky – it’s an essential thing to do in Saigon.