The streets of Ho Chi Minh City are always in fast-forward, yet District 1 is rewarding to explore at your own pace. Key sights lie closely together here, where highlights are compact enough to explore on foot and layered enough to easily fill a full day. Vietnam‘s southern capital also reveals itself in the spaces between its landmarks; the sizzling grilled pork, the hiss of a coffee machine and a moped’s tooting horn.
Read on to see how you can soak in its key sights and in-between surprises in just one day.
Prepare for the day
The first consideration is where you’ll stay, and whether you’re a city regular or a first-timer in Ho Chi Minh City, it’s likely you’ll be staying in District 1. JW Marriott Hotel and Suites Saigon provides a perfect launchpad for Saigon sightseeing; it’s luxurious, welcoming and has a fantastic buffet breakfast to fuel up for an exciting day on foot.
It is best to expect the unexpected in this tropical environment in any season, but there are some key things to ensure you have a great day – be sun smart, have plenty of water and take an umbrella. It’s also always best to have some cash on hand for quick bites or a thirst-quencher at one of the countless street stalls.
Part 1. Admire some colonial heavyweights
The natural first stops for your journey are the historic Saigon Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon. You can easily access these architectural masterpieces via the aptly named Book Street – a narrow pedestrian-only street lined with bookstores and quaint cafes – which lies directly adjacent to the hotel.
Built in the 1880s, both buildings are beautiful examples of the French colonial influence in Vietnam. The gorgeous green, gold and white interiors of the post office are watched over by the ever-present Ho Chi Minh, whose portrait dominates one end of the office, which is still fully functional and a great spot to buy and post a memento.
Part 2. Explore Vietnamese war history
From here, it’s two blocks south-east to the Independence Palace. This is the site of the Fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975 and subject of one of the most enduring images of the end of the Vietnam War, when the North Vietnamese forces broke through the palace gates with a tank. It remains a fascinating snapshot of a pivotal time in Vietnam’s history and admission to the well-preserved palace and its exhibition is affordable at around A$4.50.
The War Remnants Museum is just a further five minutes away and half the price of admission. It’s very moving and emotionally intense – please note, they do not hold back on graphic imagery here, but it is worth visiting for those interested in the war and its lasting influence.
Part 3. Fresh air and an unforgettable bite
By now you may want to decompress and a stroll two blocks away through Tao Dan Park is a great way to gather your thoughts and soak in some greenery. The 10-hectare space is one of the city’s largest parks, dotted with towering trees, well-maintained pockets of bright flowers and a handful of sights including Hung King’s Temple and the traditional Lam family tomb. Pull up at a bench and enjoy the cooler environment as local families gather and go about their daily exercise.
Close by are two of the city’s hottest banh mi spots: Banh Mi Huynh Hoa and Banh Mi Hong Hoa. Both are prone to the occasional line but worth waiting for. If opting for Hong Hoa, order the #1 (which comes stuffed with pate, mayo, a variety of Vietnamese cold cuts, pork floss, pickled veggies and fresh salad) and a Vietnamese iced coffee. Drop crumbs all over yourself, bite into a powerful chilli, fall half off your plastic stool – it’s all part of the experience as mopeds stream past your kerbside position.
Part 4. Start the journey back
You’ll need a stroll after that, so head one block south and walk through September 23rd Park on the way to the high-energy Bui Vien walking street. It’s most lively in the evening when the street closes to traffic and people spill across it, but it’s nice to wander through during the day to get a sense of the area. Return in the evening if you’re feeling game, but expect it to be bursting with tipsy tourists.
Turn back to the northeast on the journey back to JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon. This will take you to Ben Thanh Market 10 to 15 minutes’ walk away, the city’s largest market with roughly 1,500 stalls. Barter for some souvenirs, get fitted for a new outfit, discover unique loose tea and coffee and grab another bite at one of the many food stalls if you’ve still got room.
Part 5. Toast the day
Keep moving back towards your home away from home, stopping off for a photo at the bronze Statue of Ho Chi Minh and the beautiful colonial Saigon Opera House. You can cool down in the Vincom Center with some air-conditioned shopping if you’d like, then it’s the perfect time to sit down with some amber and toast your day exploring Saigon.
This area has several spaces from leading local breweries, including Heart of Darkness Craft Brewery, Pasteur Street Craft Beer and 7 Bridges Saigon Craft Beer – all within a 10-minute walk of JW Marriott. Alternatively, head back, sink into a comfy seat and savour a world-class cocktail at JW Marriott’s Pisco Hana, a Nikkei-style bar where Peruvian-Japanese flavours are explored with precision and creative flair. Get the Miso Passion – rhum with curry leaves, miso passion fruit and clarified pineapple.
Alternative transport
If a long day on your feet isn’t possible or doesn’t appeal to you, dominant rideshare company Grab is an easy way to explore District 1 by moped or car. Taxis are also freely available, while JW Marriott can arrange transport at an additional cost. It is also worth noting that the busy and narrow city streets and alleyways can be tricky to navigate via wheelchair, so make sure to consider appropriate transport needs ahead of schedule.
Discover Ho Chi Minh City
Feature image: Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Source: Shutterstock
The writer was a guest of JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon.
