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Ho Chi Minh City

How to see Ho Chi Minh City like a local

It’s easy to get caught up in the streets of Saigon. The colonial buildings and heaving markets of the downtown districts hold countless discoveries for curious travellers. Want to get under the surface? Here are a few ideas that will show you a different side of Ho Chi Minh City. 

Poke around Apartment 42 

Long considered one the most character-filled buildings in the city, the apartment at 42 Nguyen Hue has become a hotspot for Saigon-chic retailers and hip dining outlets. Each floor has more to offer, including balcony cafes, jewellery stores, and clothes outlets.

Sneak away to the spa 

There are many spas in Ho Chi Minh City, so it’s just a matter of finding the one that meets your wishes. You can book a day spa in a gorgeous villa, enjoy a first-rate foot massage in District 1, or carve out a few hours for a pampering package at a five-star hotel spa.

Sip sundowners by the river

This should actually be a must-do for anybody who loves sunset cocktails with a view. Ho Chi Minh City is set along a river, meaning riverside bars, with happy hour specials, and long, lingering sunsets are part of the deal. 

Sail away on the Saigon River

There are many ways you can do this, from private yacht to tiny fishing boat. Book one of the dinner cruises that leave just after sundown. The buffets on these boats are usually extensive, and you may get a live music or dance performance in the mix.

Grab late-night eats

The open-air restaurants on streets are where youthful Ho Chi Minh City dwellers go after the party to fill up on steaming noodle soup, fluffy fried rice, and shrimp dim sum. If you’re looking for a late-night meal in Saigon, grab a seat and enjoy.