First time in HCMC, what are the must-see spots?

Question

Hey guys! What are the main sights worth checking out in HCMC? Looking for the first-timer essentials. What would you put at the top of the list?

hello_its_sam · Answer

These are the main ones I'd look at:

Reunification Palace
A historic landmark closely tied to the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
French-built cathedral from the 1800s and one of the city's best-known landmarks.

Saigon Central Post Office
Beautiful French colonial architecture. Easy to combine with the cathedral since they're right next to each other.

War Remnants Museum
Photos, military equipment and personal stories from the Vietnam War. Pretty heavy, so keep that in mind.

Ben Thanh Market
Food, souvenirs and clothes. Worth a wander if you enjoy a busy market.

Thien Hau Temple, Cholon
An old Chinese temple dedicated to the goddess who protects sailors.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
A large Buddhist pagoda with beautiful architecture and a peaceful atmosphere.

Bitexco Financial Tower
Head to the Saigon Skydeck on the 49th floor for city views.

Dong Khoi Street
Boutiques, cafés and historic colonial buildings. Nice for a stroll.

Cu Chi Tunnels
A trip outside the city to explore the wartime tunnel network. You can go into some of the narrow tunnels yourself.