Free Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City
Bustling Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is one of Southeast Asia’s best-value destinations. It’s easy to enjoy a budget break when you can gobble down a delicious bowl of pho for a couple of bucks and soak up the buzz of life at street level for free. Accommodation and transportation may be your biggest expenses, but there are plenty of activities you can enjoy in Vietnam’s southern capital without spending a dime.
1. Admire the Interior of the Central Post Office
With a neo-Baroque facade and a science-themed interior, the still-functioning Central Post Office dates back to the late 1880s. Check out the impressive tiled floor and the vintage maps painted on the concourse walls, and pause outside to admire the reliefs of Mercury, the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology.
Planning tip: If you’re interested in stamps, there’s a counter selling collector’s sets and Vietnamese stamps with colorful designs.
2. Experience the Mercantile Magic of Ben Thanh Market
Established just before World War I, Ben Thanh Market sells almost anything you could ever want. Brave the gauntlet of sellers and navigate the market’s narrow aisles to discover a hidden staircase near the South Gate, leading to a small temple where vendors pray for a good day’s business. Enjoy the views over the market.
Planning tip: Every evening, a lively night market at Ben Thanh serves delicious street food, so consider coming in the afternoon and staying for dinner.
3. Take an Evening Stroll Along Nguyen Hue Walking Street
This pedestrian-only street gets busy on weekends as tourists and local families enjoy street performers and sip cà phê (coffee) in some of the city’s coolest cafes. It’s an ideal place for people watching. Don’t miss exploring the apartment building at number 42, which is home to various boutiques and trendy spots for snacks and drinks.
Planning tip: For a prime vantage point to watch the action, consider visiting Saigon O’i inside the Cafe Apartment building, which offers great views from its balcony.
4. Splash About at Vivo Playground
Kids will enjoy cooling off from the heat at Vivo Playground, a mini waterpark featuring fountains and water jets located atop the SC VivoCity Mall just south of downtown. It’s free to access, and smaller children can have fun splashing around while older kids might prefer window shopping in the boutiques downstairs.
5. Gaze Up at the Spires of Notre Dame Cathedral
Modeled after its Parisian counterpart, Notre Dame Cathedral stands out with its red brick, neo-Romanesque design, twin bell towers, and spires that reach 60 meters (197 ft) into the sky. Inside, you can admire the stunning stained-glass windows and the walls adorned with devotional tablets, reflecting the colonial influence in Saigon.
Planning tip: The cathedral is a popular site for worship, with regular services, including a morning mass in English on Sundays.
6. Take Photos at Ho Thi Ky Flower Market
Home to an array of blossoms, Saigon’s largest flower market is open 24/7, with the bustling atmosphere peaking during early morning hours. Scented by blooms, it provides a colorful backdrop for photographs, and numerous food stalls offer delicious, inexpensive eats.
7. Visit the Colorful Cao Dai Temple
This three-story temple on Duong Tran Hung Dao serves followers of Caodaism, a faith that fuses elements from Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Christianity. To view the main hall with its dragon-circled columns, head upstairs—turn left for women and right for men.
Planning tip: Though the noon prayer ceremony attracts many visitors, it becomes more peaceful after tour groups leave. During festivals, it’s a vibrant scene with Cao Dai followers dressed in white congregating.
8. Play Shuttlecock at September 23 Park
Looking to get active? Join one of the numerous groups playing shuttlecock at this popular park near the main backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao. The traditional Vietnamese pastime, known as da cau, challenges players to keep a feather-topped shuttlecock in the air using their feet.
9. Learn About Ho Chi Minh’s Successor at Ton Duc Thang Museum
This museum showcases the life of Vietnam’s first president after reunification, offering interesting insights into Vietnam during the 1960s and 70s. Although he was overshadowed by Ho Chi Minh, Ton Duc Thang was the world’s oldest serving president upon his passing in 1980, at the age of 91.
Planning tip: The Ton Duc Thang Museum is conveniently located within walking distance of many other city sights, including the General Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral.
10. Meet English-Speaking Locals with Mundo Lingo
Mundo Lingo is an excellent opportunity to connect with English-speaking locals and other enthusiastic language learners. Regular meetups occur at a local bar, where you can chat and make new friends without the pressure to buy a drink.
11. See Murals of the Buddha’s Life at Chantarangsay Pagoda
This pagoda serves HCMC’s majority Buddhist Khmer community, showcasing 14 Buddha statues and vibrant paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha on its ceiling and walls. Built in 1946 in modern Khmer style, the temple attracts worshippers, especially during weekends.
12. Look for Shophouse Outlines on Dong Khoi Street
Dong Khoi is Saigon’s premier shopping street, filled with international and Vietnamese boutiques. Pay attention to spot the outlines of French-era shophouses that once lined this canal leading to the Saigon River, providing a glimpse into Ho Chi Minh City’s modern evolution.
Planning tip: For free air-conditioning, pop into Couleurs d’Asie to view fine-art photography that represents Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups, created by French photographer Réhahn.
13. Take a Wander Through Binh Tay Market
Located just outside Chinatown, Binh Tay Market is the city’s largest wholesale market and features an imposing clock tower and a central courtyard with gardens. It offers an array of produce and textiles while showcasing captivating Chinese-inspired architectural elements like dragons and phoenixes.
14. Listen to Birdsong at Tao Dan Park
Originally founded as Jardin de la Ville in 1868, Tao Dan Park is right in the middle of the city. Numerous features include a temple dedicated to the Hung Kings of ancient Vietnam, a flower garden, and a sculpture exhibition. Additionally, early mornings invite bird lovers who bring caged songbirds to learn from each other at the park’s “bird cafe.”
15. Enjoy the Green Spaces of Thanh Da
Discover tranquility on the narrow paths of this lightly developed peninsula, often referred to as “the green lung of Saigon” due to its rice paddies and fishing ponds. It offers an island-like countryside escape just 15 minutes from downtown.
Planning tip: Several dining options are available at the Binh Quoi Tourist Village, also featuring overnight accommodations in air-conditioned bungalows.
16. Learn About Heroic Vietnamese Women at the Southern Women’s Museum
The Southern Women’s Museum presents insights into the lives of Vietnamese women, showcasing the evolution of the ao dai, Vietnam’s national dress, along with scenes of country life. It provides a comprehensive exploration of the critical role women played during the French and American wars.
17. Pay Homage to the Chinese Goddess of the Sea at Thien Hau Pagoda
Constructed in 1760 by Chinese immigrants, the colorful Thien Hau Pagoda features traditional “seal” style architecture, dedicated to Thien Hau (Mazu), the Chinese goddess of the sea. The stunning roof adorned with intricate ceramic dioramas and writhing dragons enhances the pagoda’s atmosphere.
18. Be Dazzled by the Colorful Light Show on Starlight Bridge
For an enchanting nighttime experience, visit the pedestrian Starlight Bridge, located just behind Crescent Mall in District 7. From Thursday to Sunday evenings, the bridge dazzles visitors with a colorful light and water spectacle.
Planning tip: After enjoying the show, check out one of the many Korean restaurants in Phu My Hung, known for its vibrant Korean community.
This article was first published on July 2, 2019, and updated on September 24, 2024.
