Things to Do in Hcmc

About Hcmc

Eight million motorbikes flood the streets daily, and you can smell the exhaust mixed with fresh coffee from every corner. Ho Chi Minh City runs on this chaos—French colonial buildings pressed against glass towers, pho carts doing business beside craft cocktail bars. The noise never stops. Walk any boulevard and you'll find the pattern: old pagodas with incense burning, then a tailor shop, then a café with Italian espresso machines. Rooftop bars look down on the opera house. Street vendors still use manual scales at Ben Thanh Market while office workers tap payment apps three blocks away. The past doesn't fade here. It crowds right up against the new and neither side backs down. What works is the lack of planning—you can't manufacture this kind of density. Family pho stalls that opened in 1950 now share walls with co-working spaces, and somehow both survive. The heat helps. So does the coffee culture, which runs deep and all day long. You'll see the French influence in the wide boulevards and shuttered windows, but the energy is pure Vietnamese—fast, loud, opportunistic. Nobody waits. Traffic laws are suggestions, business happens on sidewalks, and the best food comes from carts that move locations daily. The city grew too fast for urban planners to control, and that mess created something most modern cities can't replicate. Real density. Real mixing of income levels and time periods and purposes, all compressed into neighborhoods where a scooter can take you from century-old temples to new development in four minutes.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Download Grab app for reliable motorbike taxis and cars with upfront pricing. Avoid traditional taxis without meters. Cross busy streets slowly and steadily—motorbikes will flow around you. Rent a motorbike only if experienced; traffic is chaotic but follows unspoken rules.

Money: Carry Vietnamese Dong in small denominations (500,000 VND notes often refused). Many places accept USD but give change in Dong at poor rates. Use ATMs at banks or malls, avoid standalone machines. Negotiate prices at markets—expect to pay 30-50% of initial asking price.

Cultural Respect: Remove shoes when entering homes and some restaurants. Dress modestly at temples (cover shoulders/knees). Don't point feet toward altars or people. Use both hands when giving/receiving business cards or gifts. Avoid public displays of affection beyond hand-holding.

Food Safety: Eat at busy street stalls with high turnover—locals are your best guide. Avoid pre-cut fruits, ice in questionable establishments, and undercooked meat. Bottled water only; even for brushing teeth initially. Pho for breakfast, bánh mì for lunch—follow the Vietnamese eating schedule.

When to Visit

Ho Chi Minh City's tropical climate offers two distinct seasons, each with unique advantages. The dry season (December-April) brings sunny skies, temperatures of 75-95°F (24-35°C), and minimal rainfall (under 2 inches monthly). This peak period sees hotel prices increase 40-60% and crowded attractions, but perfect weather for walking tours and outdoor dining. March-April can be swelteringly hot with high humidity. The rainy season (May-November) features daily afternoon downpours, temperatures of 77-88°F (25-31°C), and 8-12 inches of monthly rainfall. However, mornings remain sunny, prices drop 25-40%, and the city feels more authentically local. September-October offers the heaviest rains but spectacular post-storm sunsets. Tet (Vietnamese New Year, late January-February) brings lively celebrations but many businesses close for a week and prices spike. Mid-Autumn Festival (September-October) features beautiful lantern displays. Budget travelers should consider May-August: fewer crowds, significant savings, and rain typically lasts only 2-3 hours daily. Business travelers prefer dry season for reliable outdoor meetings, while culture ensoiasts enjoy rainy season's intimate café culture and local authenticity.