{"id":9551,"date":"2026-10-28T17:00:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T09:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/?p=9551"},"modified":"2026-09-17T19:56:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T11:56:08","slug":"hochiminh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/en\/hochiminh\/","title":{"rendered":"Vietnam \u25e6 Ho Chi Minh City\uff5cA One-Day Walking Tour & Souvenir Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u25e6 One-Day Itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City<\/span><\/h6>\n

September 23 Park \u2192 Tonkin Egg Coffee \u2192 Ben Thanh Market \u2192 Independence Palace \u2192 Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral (Red Cathedral) \u2192 Central Post Office \u2192 Ho Chi Minh City Book Street \u2192 Nguyen Hue Walking Street<\/p>\n

\u25e6 September 23 Park<\/h6>\n

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 \u2014 a sport rarely seen in Taiwan. It was incredibly interesting to watch!<\/p>\n

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C\u00f4ng vi\u00ean 23<\/strong> Th\u00e1ng 9<\/strong>\r\n\r\nBen Thanh, Ho Chi Minh<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Tonkin Egg Coffee<\/h6>\n
If I had to recommend one drink you absolutely must try in Vietnam, egg coffee (C\u00e0 ph\u00ea tr\u1ee9ng) 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 \u2014 almost like drinking a liquid tiramisu. It\u2019s absolutely delicious.<\/p>\n
Tonkin Egg Coffee is a charming little caf\u00e9 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!<\/p>\n
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Tonkin Egg Coffee<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0800-2100\n1 L\u00ea Th\u1ecb Ri\u00eang, B\u1ebfn Th\u00e0nh, Ho Chi Minh City<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Ben Thanh Market<\/h6>\n
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\u2019s economic reforms began in 1986, Ben Thanh Market gradually transformed from a traditional market into one of the city\u2019s most popular tourist attractions. Today, it houses more than 1,500 stalls. If you enjoy street food, shopping for \u00e1o d\u00e0i, or browsing for Vietnamese coffee, this is definitely a place where you can discover some hidden gems.<\/p>\n
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01\uff5c\u00c1o D\u00e0i<\/h6>\n
As soon as you step into Ben Thanh Market, you\u2019ll notice several clothing shops selling Vietnam\u2019s traditional outfit, the \u00e1o d\u00e0i, along with a variety of trendy T-shirts.\nThe \u00e1o d\u00e0i is one of Vietnam\u2019s 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 \u00e1o d\u00e0i industry has become.<\/p>\n
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02\uff5cTraditional Handicrafts<\/h6>\n
Handmade crafts featuring embroidery and bamboo designs are also very popular among both locals and tourists.<\/p>\n
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03\uff5cVietnamese Coffee<\/h6>\n
Vietnam is the world\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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04\uff5cDried Fruits<\/h6>\n
Vietnam offers a huge variety of affordable dried fruits. Popular choices include jackfruit, mango, durian, and banana \u2014 and you can find them all in Ben Thanh Market.<\/p>\n
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Ben Thanh<\/strong> Market<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0600-1800\n(Fewer stalls are open in the early morning.)\nNight Market Hours: 1800-2200\nLe Loi St., Ben Thanh Ward<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Independence Palace<\/h6>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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Independence<\/strong> Palace<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0700-1800\nBen Thanh, Ho Chi Minh<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon<\/h6>\n
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\u2019s Committee Building and the riverside. Also known as the Red Cathedral (Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd ch\u00ednh t\u00f2a \u0110\u1ee9c B\u00e0 S\u00e0i G\u00f2n), 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.<\/p>\n
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Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0800-1100, 1500-1600\nSunday morning Mass is open to visitors.\n01 C\u00f4ng tr\u01b0\u1eddng C\u00f4ng x\u00e3 Paris, B\u1ebfn Ngh\u00e9, District 1<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Central Post Office<\/h6>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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Inside, you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n
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Central Post<\/strong> Office<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours:\nWeekdays: 0730-1800\nWeekends & Holidays: 0800-1700\n02 C\u00f4ng tr\u01b0\u1eddng C\u00f4ng x\u00e3 Paris, B\u1ebfn Ngh\u00e9, District 1<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Ho Chi Minh City Book Street<\/h6>\n
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 caf\u00e9s, 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.<\/p>\n
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The Highlands Coffee branch on Book Street is especially beautiful and spacious. Highlands Coffee is Vietnam\u2019s largest coffee chain and is often referred to as \u201cVietnam\u2019s Starbucks.\u201d Their signature iced milk coffee, Phin S\u1eefa \u0110\u00e1, is rich, authentic, and definitely worth trying.<\/p>\n
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Ho Chi Minh City<\/strong> Book Street<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0800-2100\n2 \u0110. Nguy\u1ec5n V\u0103n B\u00ecnh, S\u00e0i G\u00f2n<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Nguyen Hue Walking Street<\/h6>\n
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 Caf\u00e9 Apartment add a nostalgic charm to the area.<\/p>\n
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Nguyen Hue<\/strong> Walking Street<\/strong>\r\n\r\nSearch \u201cNguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 Walking Street\u201d on Google Maps<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Vietnamese Souvenirs<\/span><\/h6>\n
If you\u2019re 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.\nHowever, if you\u2019re 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 \u201cbest chocolate.\u201d It has become one of the trendiest souvenirs in Vietnam today.<\/p>\n
01\uff5cVietnamese Rice Noodles<\/h6>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\n02\uff5cDurian Coconut Soft Candy<\/h6>\n
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\u2019s a distinctive yet approachable Vietnamese souvenir.<\/p>\n
03\uff5cMAROU Chocolate<\/h6>\n
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 \u201cBean-to-Bar\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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MAROU\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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Maison Marou Saigon<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0900-2200\n169 \u0110. Calmette, Ph\u01b0\u1eddng Nguy\u1ec5n Th\u00e1i B\u00ecnh, B\u1ebfn Th\u00e0nh<\/pre>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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