Hochiminh City is not only first-choice for bustling nightlife but also for shopping several hundreds of stuff from the cheap to the high-end one.
‘’Panoramic view’’ of Hochiminh City
Hochiminh City is one of the most significant cities in Vietnam such as Hanoi (in the North), Danang (in the Central) ad Hochiminh City (in the South). It is nearby so many very-fantastic tropical beaches of Nha Trang beach, Mui Ne beach, and Con Dao isolated island, etc. It has nearly 8 million people within the area of 2.061,04 km².
Its previous name is Saigon and famous for playing an essential role during Vietnam – French war. The local community well-got liberty on 30th April 1975, and we still celebrate this special event every year. Nowadays, the provincial government remains some principal French-style architect which prove the existing of the French army in Vietnam. For instance, it is Notre Dame, Opera House, and the Central Post Office, which was built in the 19th century.
What are you looking for Hochiminh City? It is the modern city with the Western style, and the local people are super open-minded and easy-going. They welcome new culture, cuisines, and new concept also. To access to this city, you will find it easy with a wide range of affordable public transportation. However, off course, Vietnam train and bus system is not as comfortable as yours. If it takes you only 2-hour by flight, you need to spend up to 30 hours by train and bus.
Best time to explore the best Hochiminh City
Hochiminh City is warm year-round and just available two main seasons of hot and super hot. It means that you can visit it for a whole year and suitable for a tropical beach holiday. However, the humidity is much better when compared to Hanoi capital. The rain is around 60% while Hanoi sometimes up to 80%.
The weather difference between Hanoi and Hochiminh City is quite huge. Hanoi has two main seasons of summer and winter while Hochiminh City is summer whole year. Its average temperature is from 30 to 40 degree. It has heavy rain from May to November while it becomes drier from December to April.
Hochiminh City Do and See
Shopping is the top attraction of Hochiminh City, where it owns so many shopping malls and trading centers. If you are a fashionista, you shouldn’t miss a drop-in this downtown and check it out how it please you are demanding with many global brand names. In the Vietnamese concept, Boutique fashion is the top luxury choice so you can find it easier when compared to other countries in Southeast Asia.
Hochiminh City suits to wide demanding from the local price to refine-handmade crafts and the top luxury global brand names. However, Hochiminh City still plays a central role in the daily lives of locals and visitors, which also attract you somehow.
1. Ben Thanh market – one of the biggest one in Hochiminh City
There are two famous local markets: Ben Thanh market and China town market. If Ben Thanh Market is a typical landmark of the local community, China town market is a symbol of China community in Vietnam. Ben Thanh Market is the most crowded places for both domestic and foreign tourists at day and night also. What can you find it out in this place? The answer is everything from food, clothes, souvenirs until pop-up street food stalls, etc…
2. Vincom center – the luxuries one in Hochiminh City
If Ben Thanh is the paradise for local daily cheap stuff, Vincom center is the check-in place for hot girls and boys. The luxurious Vincom Center belongs to Vingroup – the owner is Vietnamese. It is the largest trading center with nearly 300 shops spread out its buildings. The leading global fashion brand names are Hugo Boss, Hermes, Ralph Lauren, etc…
- Opening Hours: 09:00 – 22:00.
- Address: 171 Dong Khoi & Binh Tay market
3. Binh Tay or Chinatown market
The local named it Binh Tay or also called Chinatown market. Even its District-5-location is a little bit far from the city center (District 1 and 3), it is on the top bucket list of international travelers. Coming there for experiencing the Buddhist religion, the vibrant atmosphere of the full daily life. We imagine it looks like a complex of Chinese architecture, charming handicrafts, lacquerware, textiles, and open are of street food stores, etc…The typical street food is Vietnamese noodles, ‘’Banh Bao’’ (steamed cake with pork inside), and sausages.
- Opening Hours: 07:00 – 18:00.
- Address: 57 Thap Muoi, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City
4. Diamond Plaza
Diamond Plaza in District 1 is a very convenient shopping stop which is nearby almost Hochiminh City’s landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, and April 30th Park. The main kinds of stuff you find out here are fashion separated into men’s and women’s, homeware, global brand name sporty shoes/clothes, jewelry, game area, and cinema, etc…What you do when your feet can’t step forward anymore? Don’t worry, just drop-in one of multiple dining and entertainment venues and sample Vietnamese cuisines.
- Opening Hours: 09:30 – 22:30
- Address: 34 Le Duan Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
5. Art Galleries on Dong Khoi Street
There are so many art galleries gathered on Dong Khoi Street in District 1 – one of the top luxurious street in Hochiminh City downtown. The more different art galleries, the more diverse the price from rough to the world’s leading modern art. If you are looking for boutique art galleries with higher quality, should consider Le Xuan Art Gallery, Cua Hang Saigon Crafts and especially Apricot Gallery are on the top high-end one.
- Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00
- Location: Dong Khoi, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
6. Landmark 81 – one of the highest Skyview Observatory in Southeast Asia
Skyview Observatory at an altitude of nearly 400 meters is covered with clear glass to help visitors quickly see the whole city. The local government opened it in July 2018 and nowadays becomes the most famous check-in place of the Hochiminh City young generation.
If you are afraid of heigh, you should consider to join it or not. However, in the local opinion, it is reasonable when compared with another strong feeling Skyview Observatory. So let’s try and explore how amazing it is.
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