I happened to have a short vacation, so I decided to visit Vietnam. The last time I came to Ho Chi Minh City was when I was in elementary school. Returning again after so many years, I could still feel the vibrant energy and lively atmosphere of the city. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city and economic center of Vietnam. Most of the major attractions are concentrated in District 1, making it easy to explore on foot or by using Grab for short rides.
This time, I stayed at a hotel across from September 23 Park, which made it possible to visit all of these attractions on foot while also shopping to my heart’s content for souvenirs. Aside from the slightly nerve-racking experience of crossing the streets, Ho Chi Minh City is actually a great city for walking around.
Contents
◦ One-Day Itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City
September 23 Park → Tonkin Egg Coffee → Ben Thanh Market → Independence Palace → Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral (Red Cathedral) → Central Post Office → Ho Chi Minh City Book Street → Nguyen Hue Walking Street
◦ September 23 Park
September 23 Park is a downtown park built to commemorate the Vietnamese resistance fighters who bravely sacrificed their lives resisting the French forces when they forcibly landed in Saigon on September 23, 1945. My hotel was located right across from the park, and every morning many locals gathered here to exercise. Besides dancing, jogging, and spending time with friends or partners, I also saw people playing shuttlecock kicking — a sport rarely seen in Taiwan. It was incredibly interesting to watch!
Công viên 23 Tháng 9 Ben Thanh, Ho Chi Minh
◦ Tonkin Egg Coffee
If I had to recommend one drink you absolutely must try in Vietnam, egg coffee (Cà phê trứng) would definitely be tied for first place with Vietnamese lemonade! Egg coffee consists of a rich and aromatic cup of Vietnamese drip coffee topped with a creamy foam made from whipped egg yolk, condensed milk, and sugar. The texture is smooth, thick, and indulgent — almost like drinking a liquid tiramisu. It’s absolutely delicious.
Tonkin Egg Coffee is a charming little café located not far from September 23 Park and Ben Thanh Market. It was recommended by locals, and their signature egg coffee definitely lives up to the hype. Their cheese croissant is also surprisingly good!
Tonkin Egg Coffee Opening Hours: 0800-2100 1 Lê Thị Riêng, Bến Thành, Ho Chi Minh City
◦ Ben Thanh Market
Built in 1914 during the French colonial era, Ben Thanh Market has long been a central marketplace in Ho Chi Minh City. Even after World War II, it remained an important place where locals came to shop for daily necessities and enjoy street food. After Vietnam’s economic reforms began in 1986, Ben Thanh Market gradually transformed from a traditional market into one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Today, it houses more than 1,500 stalls. If you enjoy street food, shopping for áo dài, or browsing for Vietnamese coffee, this is definitely a place where you can discover some hidden gems.
01｜Áo Dài
As soon as you step into Ben Thanh Market, you’ll notice several clothing shops selling Vietnam’s traditional outfit, the áo dài, along with a variety of trendy T-shirts. The áo dài is one of Vietnam’s most iconic garments. I even saw travelers using translation apps to discuss custom tailoring details with shop owners, which shows how well-developed the custom áo dài industry has become.
02｜Traditional Handicrafts
Handmade crafts featuring embroidery and bamboo designs are also very popular among both locals and tourists.
03｜Vietnamese Coffee
Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer, with Robusta beans making up the majority of its production. Robusta coffee has a stronger bitterness and higher caffeine content than Arabica, and personally, I really enjoy it. Many stalls here sell coffee beans, and vendors often invite you to smell different varieties before offering grinding and packaging services on the spot. Coffee lovers will probably find themselves spoiled for choice.
04｜Dried Fruits
Vietnam offers a huge variety of affordable dried fruits. Popular choices include jackfruit, mango, durian, and banana — and you can find them all in Ben Thanh Market.
Ben Thanh Market Opening Hours: 0600-1800 (Fewer stalls are open in the early morning.) Night Market Hours: 1800-2200 Le Loi St., Ben Thanh Ward
◦ Independence Palace
Built in 1966, Independence Palace served as the presidential residence of the former South Vietnamese government. The building contains more than 100 rooms and halls of various sizes, designed to accommodate diplomatic meetings, banquets, residential quarters, and military command operations. In 1975, North Vietnamese forces stormed the palace and raised their flag above the building, marking the end of the nearly 20-year Vietnam War. Many of the rooms and interiors have been preserved exactly as they were on the day the palace fell.
Located behind the main building, there is also an exhibition area showcasing the century-long history of the palace as well as modern Vietnamese history, which is definitely worth visiting.
Independence Palace Opening Hours: 0700-1800 Ben Thanh, Ho Chi Minh
◦ Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, the Central Post Office, and Book Street are all located close to one another, making this area a perfect starting point for a leisurely city walk toward the People’s Committee Building and the riverside. Also known as the Red Cathedral (Nhà thờ chính tòa Đức Bà Sài Gòn), Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of the most iconic landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City. With its unmistakably European architectural style, the cathedral was built in 1880 by French architects inspired by Notre-Dame de Paris. The statue of the Virgin Mary standing in front of the cathedral was gifted by the Vatican and has since become a popular photo spot for visitors.
Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon Opening Hours: 0800-1100, 1500-1600 Sunday morning Mass is open to visitors. 01 Công trường Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, District 1
◦ Central Post Office
Built in 1891, the Central Post Office stands right beside Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon and is the oldest post office in Vietnam. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the same engineer behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Inside, you’ll find a wide variety of souvenirs, stamps, and postcards, and you can even mail postcards directly from the post office. I especially recommend the souvenir shops on both sides of the main entrance. Their products are generally more refined, and they sell unique paper-cut postcards that are rarely found elsewhere. They make wonderful keepsakes or thoughtful gifts for friends back home.
Central Post Office Opening Hours: Weekdays: 0730-1800 Weekends & Holidays: 0800-1700 02 Công trường Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, District 1
◦ Ho Chi Minh City Book Street
I really loved the atmosphere of Book Street. Despite being only a short stretch of road, it is filled with charming independent bookstores and open-air cafés, making it the perfect place to sit down and relax after picking up a book you like. There are also many hand-drawn souvenirs and artistic keepsakes here, making it a wonderful place to slowly browse and hunt for unique finds.
The Highlands Coffee branch on Book Street is especially beautiful and spacious. Highlands Coffee is Vietnam’s largest coffee chain and is often referred to as “Vietnam’s Starbucks.” Their signature iced milk coffee, Phin Sữa Đá, is rich, authentic, and definitely worth trying.
Ho Chi Minh City Book Street Opening Hours: 0800-2100 2 Đ. Nguyễn Văn Bình, Sài Gòn
◦ Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Nguyen Hue Walking Street is one of the best places in the city for a leisurely stroll. The boulevard stretches from the Ho Chi Minh City Hall all the way to the riverside, with a large public square running through the center. Modern commercial buildings line both sides of the street, while historic structures such as the famous Café Apartment add a nostalgic charm to the area.
Nguyen Hue Walking Street Search “Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street” on Google Maps
◦ Vietnamese Souvenirs
If you’re planning to buy souvenirs, I recommend heading straight to a supermarket where you can get everything in one place. Popular supermarket chains such as Co.opmart, WinMart+, and Aeon Citimart all have branches throughout the city. However, if you’re looking for cashews, An Dong Market is still the better option thanks to its more affordable prices. Another highly recommended souvenir is MAROU, the Vietnamese chocolate brand once praised by The New York Times as producing some of the “best chocolate.” It has become one of the trendiest souvenirs in Vietnam today.
01｜Vietnamese Rice Noodles
This time, I bought several varieties of Vietnamese rice noodles that are rarely seen in Taiwan. They make thoughtful souvenirs that feel both authentic and unique.
02｜Durian Coconut Soft Candy
My family loves durian-flavored snacks, and these durian coconut soft candies were a big hit. The coconut helps mellow out the strong aroma of durian, making the flavor smoother and easier for most people to enjoy. It’s a distinctive yet approachable Vietnamese souvenir.
03｜MAROU Chocolate
MAROU is a premium chocolate brand founded in Vietnam by two Frenchmen. From harvesting cacao beans to producing the final chocolate bars, the entire process is completed in Vietnam, making it one of the rare true “Bean-to-Bar” chocolate makers in the country. The brand works closely with small cacao farms across Vietnam and uses single-origin cacao beans from different regions. Each chocolate bar reflects the unique characteristics and story of its place of origin. Personally, I especially love their chocolate desserts. This time, I tried the seasonal limited-edition Madame Cam, which layered bittersweet chocolate and fresh orange mousse over a chocolate biscuit base. The flavor was rich yet beautifully balanced, with a sophisticated taste that felt more refined and grown-up.
MAROU’s packaging is also incredibly eye-catching, drawing inspiration from Vietnamese architecture and traditional craftsmanship. Whether as a gift or a personal keepsake, it feels stylish and thoughtfully designed.
Maison Marou Saigon Opening Hours: 0900-2200 169 Đ. Calmette, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Bến Thành