GAY HO CHI MINH
Discover this City with our Quick and Practical Guide to Visit the Best Attractions, Savor Typical Dishes and Have Fun in the Best Gay Bars. All this through the Rainbow Eyes of the World Mappers
What to See, Best Places to Sleep, Where to Eat and to Have Fun in HO CHI MINH?
Find it out with the World Mappers !
FUN FACTS about HO CHI MINH
The city that today is a fusion of tradition and modernity, was born with the name of Saigon. On May 1, 1975, Saigon changed its name and was renamed Ho Chi Minh City, named after the Vietnamese communist leader who died in 1969.
WHAT TO SEE in HO CHI MINH?
10 THINGS TO SEE in HO CHI MINH
Independence Palace
Also known as the Reunification Palace, it is a building of great historical value for Vietnam. The palace was the president's residence during the Vietnam War and is still the symbol of the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975.
Notre Dame Cathedral and Post Office
Both built by French settlers in the late 19th century, they provide a glimpse of what Ho Chi Minh City looked like during the colonial era.
Tam Dinh Church
Known as the Pink Church. We've never seen an entirely pink church before and it's definitely worth a visit. Opening hours are limited, but the charm that distinguishes it is given above all by the external appearance.
Thien Hau Pagoda
It is located in District 5 of Ho Chi Minh (also known as Saigon's Chinatown). A Taoist Temple dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau dating back to the late 19th century. Inside the Pagoda one is enchanted by the smoke from the large spirals of incense that hang from the ceiling.
Chinatown
The Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh, known by the name of Cholon, like almost all the Chinese districts of the largest cities in the world, offers a glimpse into the life of this community between shops selling oriental products and temples. In the area, the Binh Tay Market is worth a visit; frequented by the local population especially for breakfast, you can find everything there as in any market in Southeast Asia.
War Remnants Museum
A reminder of the ferocity and brutality of war that has been fought in this country. Some testimonies collected in the museum can be a very strong experience for some people.
Bui Vien Street / Pham Ngu Lao Street
This is where the avenues of backpacker tourism to discover Ho Chi Minh are located. With streets full of hostels, restaurants, bars, travel agencies and massage parlors, it is certainly an area suitable for young people.
Ben Thanh Market
Perhaps the most popular market in the city, attended by thousands of people every day. The ideal place to do some shopping for souvenirs, clothing or something to eat.
Opera House
Another representation of late 19th French colonial architecture in Ho Chi Minh. The AO Show, a show full of acrobatics, traditional music and dance, was highly recommended to us but unfortunately we were unable to go. If we come back to this city we won't miss it a second time.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Just outside the city, we recommend visiting these underground galleries which were of great importance during the Vietnam War. Some tunnels have been enlarged in order to allow tourists an easier descent underground. The site is visited by a lot of people every day and is likely to get annoyingly crowded, so we advise you to arm yourself with a little patience and prepare to sweat when you're underground. We do not recommend this experience, however, to those suffering from claustrophobia.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Visiting this city at its best depends essentially on how long you have to fully enjoy it. Here is a solution based on the number of days available to you:
Day 1 - Modern & Ancient Ho Chi Minh - Google Maps
(By opening the Maps with Google, you can easily follow our path)
3 BEST EXCURSIONS from HO CHI MINH
We advise you to book the best excursions here: Viator - Musement - Get Your Guide
Chi Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai Temple
Mekong Delta & Vinh Trang Temple
Cai Be Floating Market
Click'n'Go - Click on Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
to find them on the Map or visit their Website
WHERE TO SLEEP in HO CHI MINH?
5 BEST GAY FRIENDLY HOTELS in HO CHI MINH
Huong Sen Annex Hotel *** ® Tested by World Mappers
WHERE TO EAT in HO CHI MINH?
3 BEST RESTAURANTS in HO CHI MINH Quality / Price
€€ - Rice Field Restaurant ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Five Oyster
GAY NIGHTLIFE in HO CHI MINH
BEST GAY PLACES, BARS & CLUBS in HO CHI MINH
Here are some places where you can spend pleasant evenings after walking around the city all day. Some of these are openly gay, others more generally gay-friendly.
Tipsy Unicorn ® Tested by World Mappers
Thi Bar ® Tested by World Mappers
TRAVEL TIPS about HO CHI MINH by World Mappers
To get around the chaotic traffic of the city in the best possible way and at speed, we relied on Grab, a widespread application throughout South-East Asia thanks to which it is possible to book a ride in a safe and fast way (we have always preferred to move moped, but rides by car are also available and, in the rest of South-East Asia, also by Tuk-Tuk); just download the app on your mobile phone, associate your credit card and book the "Grab closest to you". If you don't have a credit card, you can easily pay in cash at the end of the ride. After the first time you won't be able to do without it!
If you are looking for the best photo spots in Ho Chi Minh City, don't miss the Apartment Café at 42 Nguyen Hue Street. A building home to many clubs that with their signs make the facade an extravagant mix of lights and writings. We chose a bar at random and sat on the balcony to admire the movement of the pedestrian area of the city.
You cannot visit Ho Chi Minh and not go up to one of the many panoramic bars to see the city lit up at night. The Saigon SkyDeck is the highest and most famous sky bar in Ho Chi Minh, but there are many others from which the view is just as beautiful. We really liked the Saigon Social Club of the Hotel des Arts Saigon where they serve excellent cocktails (the Happy Hour is from 5 to 8 pm, two cocktails for the price of one) accompanied by good music and a breathtaking view. In these places the prices are obviously much higher than in Vietnam.
What to See near Ho Chi Minh?
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