3 UNCONVENTIONAL THINGS TO DO IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Tours

I could not stop the feeling for Saigon (also known as Ho Chi Minh City) which I have unconsciously nurtured lately, so I just decided to write a short article to bolster the reason why you should take Saigon as a part of your Vietnam tours as soon as possible. Besides beautiful destinations already renowned for its authenticity that you can easily find on any travel page, here I am telling you more about three secret wonderful things about this city that I am sure you will love it.

Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City: Try a bus trip.

1. Try a bus trip.

Even though I had always identified myself as a Saigon-born and bred, I rarely know Saigon. Moved to District 2 from the busy District 1 more than eighteen years ago, my knowledge about this city was all but very limited. In 2012, I moved to the downtown to attend college, made some friends with whom I have spent time wandering haphazardly to explore the city, and thus I have started to learn more about things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. If you ask me about something in Saigon that I will miss the most when I am gone, I would say the bus with no hesitation. Regarding the bus, it has been a love-hate relationship when it comes to my opinion; I hate the bus only when I am not on it, bus drivers are so erratic and vociferous; I love the bus when I am on it, looking through the brownish tinted windows with emotional songs playing from my phone. At times when it starts to rain, I am fascinated by how raindrops establish an instant rapport with my views from the bus; it is beautiful beyond expression in words. The bus in Saigon is indeed a perfect place for introverts to have their energy charged to the fullest, trust me. If you happen to be a traveler, do not hesitate to catch a bus in Vietnam on a rainy day to verify if my words are true.

Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City - Talk to the local people

2. Talk to the people in Ho Chi Minh City

Besides the bus, Saigon people (or you better call them Saigonese, and anyone who lives in Saigon is considerably a Saigonese regardless of where they originally came from) are also something that has taken up a corner in my heart. It might be a little over-generalizing to say, but in my experience, I think Saigonese are friendly, not so judgmental, and kind; they make you feel like home. Driving in Saigon on any day, it is not rare to see a cooler put on the sidewalk with free iced tea serving anyone in need. Or when you are lost, you can ask anyone nearby for directions, and I am sure that they will help you with very detailed instructions (I am well aware that some horrible people who will show you the wrong way too, but not so much.) Robbery and pickpockets do exist, they can make your life miserable as a visitor, but overall I think that most Saigonese will always give you a hand when you are in trouble; occasionally they even invite you to have lunch at their home after an adequate conversation. As mentioned above, Saigonese does make you feel like home; wherever you go, Saigon is always waiting for you with arms wide open.

Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City - Try random Vietnamese street food

3. Try random Vietnamese street food.

Since my list is rather interminable, I have to pick street food to be the last thing mentioned in this note. With just 100,000 VND (~ 5 US dollars) in your pocket, you have so many options when it comes to street food: sup cua, banh mi, pho, ha cao, bot chien, and more. I am not really an epicure by any standard, so the mentioned dishes are mostly what I get whenever I am out for street food. I would recommend that you go for a quick google search instead of hearing me prating about these dishes.

So that was three things I like the most about Saigon, how about you? If you’re planning on visiting Vietnam in general or visiting Saigon in particular, would you fall in love with the three things mentioned above? 

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