Ho Chi Minh - a city that people both love and hate

How to describe the city of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam is much like its dual nomenclature, "Saigon" and "Ho Chi Minh," embodying a strong duality. The architecture is beautiful, the history is poignant; your eyes are in paradise, while your ears are in hell—a description not exaggerated for Ho Chi Minh. It's unbelievable that Saigon, once dubbed the "Eastern Paris," has transformed into a city dominated by motorbikes, with the constant symphony of honking filling the air. However, the city is rich in coffee culture, boasts affordable prices, beautiful architecture, and city walks that are undeniably on a Southeast Asian level. As a backpacker, how could you miss this place? 📋 Two-day itinerary: Day 1: - Ho Chi Minh City—Tao Dan Park—Pink Church—Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon—Central Post Office—Coffee Apartment—Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum—City Hall Square—Pham Ngu Lao Street 🚌: Entire day by bus or walking 🎫: Except for the Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum (30,000 VND), all other attractions are free. Morning: Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, take bus 109 directly to the hostel to store luggage, then walk to the Tan Dinh Church (Pink Church) for a photo stop. Along the way, there are many street vendors offering delicious and cheap snacks. Afternoon: Take bus 3 or walk to the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon. Continue on foot to the adjacent Central Post Office, where you can send a postcard. Evening: Walk to the Coffee Apartment, a building housing various branded coffee shops. Night: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum, and on the way, explore City Hall Square (there's no need to explore much, but the clock tower building is impressive). In the evening, check out the bars on Pham Ngu Lao Street or simply find a cafe on the street to sit and enjoy the breeze. Day 2: - War Remnants Museum—Independence Palace—Binh Tay Market (Chinatown)—Ho Chi Minh City Airport 🚌: Entire day by bus or walking 🎫: War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace tickets are both 40,000 VND. Morning: Visit the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace to learn about the Vietnam War. Afternoon: Take bus 56 to Binh Tay Market in Chinatown for food and exploration. Visit the filming location of the movie "The Lover." ⚠️ Some Tips: 1. The timeline is for reference only. 2. Except for the second day's journey from Independence Palace to Chinatown, which uses public transportation, I walked to other attractions. Although the distances are not far, it's essential to gauge your stamina. 3. Ho Chi Minh is quite hot during the day, so sunscreen is recommended. 4. Bus fares are generally 6,000 VND per trip, and wearing a mask is mandatory for boarding. 5. Ho Chi Minh has a lot of motorbikes; be cautious when crossing the road. It's best to cross with the locals and take care of your belongings, being mindful of motorbike theft. #hochiminhguide