Information for: Ho Chi Minh City
Boasting an electric, near palpable energy, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is Vietnam’s largest metropolis. For the casual visitor, Saigon, as its still called, can seem a chaotic mess of urban bustle, with not a green space in sight. Yet thousands of expats and Vietnamese immigrants couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. They’ve long since fallen prey to the hidden charms of one of Southeast Asia’s liveliest cities
Hotels located in: Ho Chi Minh City
Crowne Plaza
The Crown Plaza Acapulco is located 5 mins from downtown and isan impressive hotel with a unique pyramidal architecture. In house you have two restaurants serving Italian and Mexican cuisine as well as a lobby bar and two poolside bars with live music.
Av Costera Miguel Aleman 123Acapulco
Tel No: +52 744 440 5555
Grand Mayan Acapulco
At this luxury resort you will enjoy modern amenities while still finding a tranquil environment to get away from it all.Every room is exquisitely furnished and offers spectacular views of either the sparkling waters of the Pacific or the exuberant tropical gardens.Relax and unwind in the Brio Spa then try a different cuisine every night [...]
Av. Costera de las Palmas 1121Acapulco
Tel No: +52 744 469 6003
Caravelle Hotel
Ho Chi Minh City’s leading international 5 Star – and has been for over half a centuryCaravelle has a great location right at the heart of everything.Boasts 5 wining and dining options within the hotel so there’s plentygoing on without leaving this upmarket chain-meets-Asian boutique.
19 Lam Son SquareDistrict 1
Tel No: +84 8 3823 4999
New World Hotel
One of Vietnam’slargest and bestinternational hotels teh New World has a great location bang in the centre of the city.Good in-house dining and drinking options and the facilities are excellent – swimming pooltennis courtsand state-of-the-art gym.
76 Le Lai StreetDistrict 1
Tel No: +84 8 822 8888
Duxton Hotel
Formerly the Saigon Prince but now part of the popular Australian chain the Duxton offers a good downtown location – the perfect central starting point for a night out. Smart boutique option with plenty going on inside and nearby.
63 Nguyen hue BlvdDistrict 1
Tel No: +84 8 822 2999
Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers
An imposing tower hotel located in the heart of the city the Sheraton Saigon delivers all the 5-star facilities/amenities that you’d expect.Greatlocationwith plenty ofsightseeing nearby.
88 Dong Khoi StreetDistrict 1
Tel No: +84 8 827 2828
Hotel Majestic
Hotel Majestic lives up to it’s name – a landmark riverside hotel that dates back to 1925.The location isperfect for business and entertainment options and it was recently voted one of the Top 10 hotels in Vietnam.The rooftop Sky Bar is a popular stop for both guests and partying locals.
1 Dong Khoi StreetDistrict 1
Tel No: +84 8 829 5514
Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
Renaissance Riverside Hotel takes the form of an impressive tower commanding a great location with striking views across the river. Impressive dining includes ‘Kabin’ one of the best Chinese restaurants in the city.
8-15 Ton Duc Thang StreetDistrict 1
Tel No: +84 8 822 0033
Culture & Entertainment Located in: Ho Chi Minh City
Le Pub
Le Pub opened in 2004 and is now one of the most popular bars in the city. Enjoying a good location in the heart of the historic Old Quarter of Hanoi this is a chilled place that’s ideal for a bit of people-watching.Drinks and food menus cater very much for the Western traveller.
25 Hang BeHoan Kiem District
Tel No: +84 4 926 2104
Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now is a well-known nightclub that’s popular with expats & tourists alike.it does getpretty crowded in here at weekends (after midnight). Serves a wide range of drinks and cocktails and the food served in the cafe is mainly Western.
2B-2C Thi SachTel No: +84 8 825 6124
Q Bar
A favouritefor both expats and tourists Q Bar boasts a huge drinks list that includes all the Western favourites. This is a stylish sophisticated and a cool place to be seen in Vietnam and is also where HCMC’s fashion-conscious alternative crowd hangs out.
7 Cong Truong Lam Son StreetDistrict 1
Tel No: +84 8 824 6325
Carmen
One of HCMC’s rarer breeds Carmen has a stone wall exterior and a cosy wine cellar-like interior (duck your head when you enter) with live music nightly – often Flamenco hence the name.
Bellevue Bar
Among the best places in Saigon for a sundowner the Majestic’s top-floor Bellevue Bar has exquisite views of the river among old-world opulence.
01 Dong Khoi Street, Dist. 1Ho Chi Minh City
Tel No: +(84 -8) 38295 517
America Discotheque
America Discotheque is the largest club in Vietnam with two distinct clubs inside and the in-house club at the Windsor Plaza Hotel. Well-known and frequented by both locals and expats this is a good central late-night dancing spot if you’re on a night out with girls!
18 An Duong Vuong StreetDistrict 5
Tel No: +84 8 833 6688
Saigon Saigon Bar
Located at the top of the upmarket Delta Caravelle Hotel, Saigon Saigon is the recent winner of the award for The Best Bar in the City. The bar has a cool French colonial ambience and some of the best views in HCMC – one of the places in town to see and be seen in.
19 Lam SonTel No: +84 8 823 4999
Restaurants Located in: Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An
Traditional Vietnamese food with both French and Chinese influences are what Hoi An is all about.Expect a refined and relaxed atmosphere and one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city.Popular with both locals and visitors -best to book in advance.
11 Le Thanh TonTel No: +84 8 823 7694
Cappuccino
Unassuming unpretentious and relaxed Cappuccino is a popular and inexpensive Italian restaurant. All the Italian favourites are covered other Western and Asian dishes are available but pizzas etc are the main things here.
222 De ThamTel No: +84 8 837 1467
Au Manoir de Khai
This five-star French restaurant is set in picturesque villa with a lush courtyard and a lavish interior. It was opened by the Vietnamese fashion guru Khai (the brains behind Khai Silk and a string of other superb restaurants and hotels in Vietnam).
Top of the Town French Restaurant
Top of the Town is a fine dining restaurant and cocktail lounge located within the Windsor Plaza Hotel. Run by a Michelin three star chef – this is genuine upscale dining which specialises incontinental cuisine and an impressive international wine selection.Also includes perhaps the most spectacular 360 degree view of all of Ho Chi Minh [...]
25th Floor18 An Duong Vuong Street District 5
Tel No: +84 8 833 6688 ext. 2702
Pau Hanna
This pleasant Hawaiian-owned bistro and bar features eclectic daily specials (pork ribs quesadillas bean soup) as well as burgers and vegetarian fare. Head upstairs for a comfier lounge setting – a good place for an evening cocktail.
Restaurant 13
Restaurant 13 is an increasingly popular traditional Vietnamese restaurant frequented by both locals and travellers.Small simple and friendly (and occasionally tricky to find – it’s opposite the Duxton Hotel)!
13 Ngo Duc KeTel No: +84 8 823 9314
Sporting/Leisure/Beauty Located in: Ho Chi Minh City
Xuan Spa
Xuan Spa is a sanctuary of luxury and tranquility skillfully designed to inspire the senses and renew the spirit.With an exclusive selection of services using Italian (Comfort Zone) products at Xuan Spa relaxation rejuvenation and recreation are the order of the day.
Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel2 Lam Son Square
District 1Tel No: +84 8 824 1234
Diamond Plaza
DiamondPlaza is a centrally located department store in Ho Chi Minh City. This glittering shopping complex is the first of its kind in Saigon and a real shoppers paradise.If you are tired of shopping try out the delicious cuisine served in the restaurant on second floor.
34 Le Duan BoulevardBen Nghe ward
District 1Tel No: +84 8 822 5500
Song
A small boutique selling sophisticated high-end clothing and accessories for both men and women.
Saigon Center
If you’re pressed for time this place is definitely worth a look the shiny modern Saigon Centre is a great place to browse for electronics clothing and handicrafts.On the premises are also a couple of cafes serving good coffee and a supermarket that may be useful if you are short of toiletries.
65 Le Loi BoulevardHo Chi Minh City
Tel No: +84 8 823 2505
Zen Plaza
Fashion shops Vietnamese and Japanese restaurants are arranged from the ground to 5th floors. Besides prestige fashion brand names of the world Zen is also a meeting place of 20 Vietnamese designers at Designer Boutiques on the ground and 1st floors.
Dam Sen Park
If the heat in teh city is getting to you then Dam Sen Park is the place for slightly bizarre fun…Something of a green haven in the midst of this bustling city the infrastructure of the park is split into 30 different sections.Attractions include a floating restaurant roller coaster and sports centre.
Entertainment located in: Ho Chi Minh City
Giac Lam Pagoda
Believed to be the oldest pagoda in greater HCMC Giac Lam Pagoda dates from 1744. It’s a fantastically atmospheric place full of gilded statues colourful wall panels and one of the country’s most impressive stupas.Home to several monks the Buddhist pagoda also incorporates aspects of Taoism and Confucianism. It is well worth the trip out [...]
Reunification Palace
This is one of the most fascinating sights in HCMC because of its striking modern architecture and the eerie feeling you get as you walk through the deserted halls. The building is preserved almost as it was on the last day of the Republic of Vietnam in 1975. A statue of Ho Chi Minh and [...]
Municipal Theatre
A grand colonial building with a sweeping staircase the Municipal Theatre is hard to miss at the intersection of Ð Dong Khoi and ÐL Le Loi. Call for information on performances held here.
Lam Son SquareDong Khoi Area
Tel No: +84 8 829 9976
Water Puppetry
There are two venues to see water puppets in HCMC: On the grounds of the War Remnants Museum and at the History Museum. Schedules vary but shows tend to start when a group of five or more customers has assembled. Expect a 20-minute show performed by truly skilled and imaginative puppeteers.
Archaeological Museum
The best of its kind in Bulgaria Varna’s fascinating Archaeological Museum is a huge place displaying some 100000 objects in 39 rooms. All exhibits originate from the Varna area and are placed in chronological order starting off with pottery and flint tools from the now-submerged Mesolithic settlements around Varna Lake.
ul Maria Luisa 41City Centre
Tel No: +359 52 681 011
Fine Arts Museum
This French colonial building houses an eclectic display of art. Spread over three floors the collection features work from the classical periods alongside abstract and modern Vietnamese pieces. The garden cafe is a preferred spot for elderly gentlemen to exchange stamp collections and sip iced tea.