Self-Guided Walking Tour of District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City | Vietnam Purple Travel Guide

Today is your first full day in Ho Chi Minh City. We will start our day at Bitexco Tower with fantastic 360-degree views over Ho Chi Minh City.
Then we continue on to Saigon Centre for some shopping or an early lunch, and then continue on to other highlights like the Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office. The Saigon Cathedral of Notre Dame, and the very informative, but depressing, Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum that remind us about the Vietnam War.
If you feel like experiencing Ho Chin Minh City’s rowdy and noisy nightlife, then there is probably no better place than Bui Vien Walking Street.

Here is today’s self-guided walking tour of District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City:

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.

Bitexco Tower and Saigon Skydeck

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Looming over the city is the Bitexco Financial Tower, a sleek, futuristic skyscraper famously modeled after Vietnam's national flower, the lotus. A stop here is your opportunity to ride to the Saigon Skydeck, which offers unparalleled, 360-degree panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s the perfect vantage point for appreciating the city's chaotic beauty, spotting the historical landmarks you’ve just explored, and planning your next steps from above. To see what to expect from the view, get ticket information, and find out the best time to visit, check out our comprehensive guide to the Bitexco Tower and Saigon Skydeck.

Nguyen Hue Promenade

(map, reviews, website)

Next on your itinerary is the vibrant, bustling Nguyen Hue Promenade, the pedestrian heart of modern Ho Chi Minh City. This wide, tree-lined boulevard offers a fantastic contrast to the old colonial architecture, stretching grandly from the historic People's Committee Building down to the Saigon River. It is a vital artery for local life, famous for its dazzling nightly street performances, water-light shows, and the iconic, multi-story Café Apartment Building—a vertical stack of independent shops and cafes perfect for people-watching. Taking a self-guided stroll here allows you to truly feel the city’s pulse, capture incredible photos, and find your own hidden café spot. Click here for our detailed Nguyen Hue Promenade guide.

Saigon Centre

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A fantastic modern counterpoint to the city’s colonial architecture is the gleaming Saigon Centre complex. While primarily a shopping destination, this landmark building is a hub of contemporary Saigon life and a great stop for a break. Inside, you'll find the luxurious Takashimaya Saigon department store, which offers an incredible array of high-end international and Vietnamese brands. Most importantly for a weary traveler, the complex features a massive, world-class basement food court with every kind of Asian cuisine you can imagine—a perfect place to discover your next favorite local dish or grab a delicious snack. To plan your visit, find dining options, and check current hours, read our guide to Saigon Centre.

Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office

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As you continue your architectural journey, you will arrive at the stunning Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office, a true masterpiece of French colonial architecture. Though still a functioning post office, it feels more like a grand, meticulously preserved railway station or a 19th-century European salon, complete with vaulted ceilings, elegant archways, and a huge portrait of Ho Chi Minh himself. Stepping inside is like stepping back in time—you can even sit at the beautiful wooden desks and write a postcard to send home! This landmark is a perfect blend of history and utility, and a must-see for its incredible interior detail. For a deeper look at the Post Office's history, and information about the Gustave Eiffel design, check out our full Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office guide here.

Saigon Cathedral of Notre Dame

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Just steps away from the Post Office stands the majestic Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, a striking testament to the city's colonial past and the religious heart of the community. What makes this cathedral truly remarkable is its construction: nearly all of the original building materials, from the dark red bricks of the facade to the stained glass, were shipped directly from France in the late 19th century. Although it is often undergoing lengthy restoration, admiring its towering Romanesque architecture and twin spires from the outside offers a powerful moment of stillness amid the city's buzz. To learn about its specific French origins, and understand its historical significance in the context of Saigon, click here for our detailed guide to the Saigon Cathedral of Notre Dame.

Reunification Palace / Independence Palace

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Your next stop, and arguably one of the most significant historical stops in Ho Chi Minh City, is the monumental Reunification Palace (also known as the Independence Palace). This building from the 1960s is a live-action piece of history and the exact location where a North Vietnamese tank crashed through the front gates in 1975, signaling the end of the war. Touring the Palace offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, allowing you to walk through the lavish state rooms, the President’s private quarters, and the chilling, subterranean war command bunker. It is a powerful experience that connects you directly to the nation's turning point. To see the original photo of the tank, explore the detailed floor-by-floor descriptions of the command center, and get essential information on tour times and ticket prices, read our complete guide to the Reunification Palace.

War Remnants Museum

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For a profoundly moving and essential experience, a short detour will take you to the War Remnants Museum. This institution offers an unflinching, vital perspective on the brutality and lasting human cost of the Vietnam War (known locally as the American War). The experience begins before you even step inside, with a collection of powerful artifacts, including tanks, helicopters, and artillery, displayed in the courtyard. Inside, the exhibits are raw and graphic, providing detailed, documented accounts that will challenge and inform your understanding of 20th-century history. It requires emotional preparation, but it is an excellent opportunity for self-discovery through learning. To ensure you maximize your visit, and find detailed opening hours and ticket information, consult our dedicated guide to the War Remnants Museum.

Jade Emperor Pagoda

(map, reviews)

For a spiritual detour, visit Jade Emperor Pagoda, a temple of incense-filled mystique that feels a world away from the city noise. Built by the Cantonese community, this pagoda is a dazzling blend of Taoism and Buddhism, famous for its magnificent and sometimes intimidating papier-mâché and wooden statues of deities, guardians, and the powerful Jade Emperor himself. Look closely for the famous 'Hall of the Ten Hells' with its intricate carvings depicting karmic punishments, and the popular shrine where locals pray for fertility. It is an unparalleled opportunity to observe ancient, living rituals. For the history and spiritual importance, check out our comprehensive guide to the Jade Emperor Pagoda.

Bui Vien Walking Street

(map, reviews)

Shift gears entirely and prepare for a sensory explosion at Bui Vien Walking Street, the undeniable epicenter of Ho Chi Minh City’s nightlife. As the sun sets, this street transforms into a pedestrian-only carnival of sound, color, and motion. Music blasts from every open-front bar, street vendors sizzle local delicacies, and fire dancers put on impromptu shows in the middle of the crowd. It is raw, chaotic, and an absolute must-see for people-watching and soaking up the city's modern, boisterous energy. Grab a famously cheap 'Bia Hoi' on a plastic stool, or enjoy the view from a rooftop bar, Bui Vien is where you truly discover the city's sleepless spirit. To find out more, and get essential safety tips for navigating the crowds, please read our guide to Bui Vien Walking Street.

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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

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