Solo Traveling to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh, formerly Saigon, is an attractive destination with many things to do and witness the harmonious blend of history, culture, and modernity in Vietnam. This city is perfect for those who want to experience the bustling atmosphere of Vietnam.
It can be a great choice for solo travelers as you will be enchanted by the warm hospitality of the locals and various sights that depict the dynamic life of this city. Other than that, according to Forbes, Ho Chi Minh’s also known as one of the best destinations for Solo Travelers in 2022.
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Essential Things You Need to Know Before Going to Vietnam!
What essential things should you prepare and know before traveling to Vietnam? Here are some tips!
1. Find Out the Vietnamese Currency Exchange Rate
Firstly, the Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the currency used in Vietnam, with an exchange rate of approximately 1.58 VND, equivalent to 1 Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). If you buy an item priced at 100,000 VND, it’s equivalent to spending around 63,000 IDR. Check out the newest rate here!
2. Get a SIM Card with Sufficient Internet Data
Secondly, remember to get a SIM card with sufficient internet data. You wouldn’t want to be unable to access essential apps like maps and online transportation to explore various tourist spots in Vietnam, would you?
3. Get Your Translator App Ready!
Do you need to improve in Vietnamese? Worry not! You can always have a translator app ready to help you interpret Vietnamese wherever you go! You can use applications like Google Lens to make it easier to translate and read Vietnamese text in front of you.
4. Know the Districts in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, with the biggest and busiest airport! No wonder flight tickets to Ho Chi Minh City are pretty popular. The city is divided into 24 districts, with District 1 being the city center with a popular commercial area among tourists!
Exciting Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City!
As the largest and busiest city in Vietnam, there are lots of things to do you can explore in Ho Chi Minh. The best part is these places are entirely safe for solo travelers. Curious to know more about this city? Make sure you’re reading ’til the end!
1. Explore the Beauty of Ho Chi Minh City with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
You can find the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus tour in Ho Chi Minh. To ride this bus, you just need to buy the tickets online, and you can freely hop on and off the bus during the ticket’s validity period. There are two options for ticket validity, 24 hours and also 48 hours.
The buses operate every 30 minutes, and you must wait at the designated stops. These stops include popular tourist spots in Ho Chi Minh, such as Saigon Opera House, Nguyen Hue Street, Nha Rong Wharf, Tran Hung Dao Statue, and many more.
2. 360° View of Ho Chi Minh City at Saigon Skydeck
Fancy to witness the beauty of this city in 360º view? Go to the 49th floor of Bitexco Financial Tower! Here you can enjoy a 360º view of Ho Chi Minh City and the Saigon River from a height of 178 meters! Be prepared to ride a high-speed elevator to the first observation deck to see this stunning view.
Remember to visit the World of Heineken through an interactive 4D tour before indulging in a glass of cold beer, or you can take home a personalized Heineken bottle with your name. It’s a lot of fun, isn’t it?
Price: USD 9.48*
Operational days and hours: Every day, 9.30 am-9.30 pm local time
Address: 36 Đ. Hồ Tùng Mậu, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam (Check on Google Maps)
3. Witness the Living History of Ho Chi Minh City: Saigon Central Post Office
Wait, why would anyone go to the post office during the holiday? Well, don’t be mistaken; Saigon Central Post Office is not just an ordinary post office! During the French colonial era, this building was crucial in connecting Vietnam with two other Indochinese countries, Cambodia and Laos.
The building is historically becoming a masterpiece. It was designed by an architect named Foulhoux. The Saigon Central Post Office combines European neoclassical architecture with captivating Asian decorations, making it a fascinating tourist attraction.
With its magnificent structure adorned with elegant ornaments, it’s no wonder this building has become an iconic landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. Remember to take pictures at their various aesthetic spots, t-mates!
Operational days and hours: Every day, 7.30 am-6 pm
Address: 02 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam (Cek di Google Maps)
4. Deep Dive into The Vietnam War History at Cu Chi Tunnels
Visiting Vietnam won’t be complete if you don’t explore its historical attractions. One of them is Cu Chi Tunnels! At this site, you can learn about the intelligence, loyalty, hard work, and resilience of Vietnam while exploring one of the remaining monuments of the Vietnam War!
Cu Chi Tunnels is located underneath Ho Chi Minh City, it’s a secret labyrinth with a length of up to 200 kilometers. These holes were hand-dug and inhabited by Vietnamese guerrilla forces to hide from the American invasion.
Experience firsthand what it was like to be a Vietnamese soldier in the 1950s as you crawl through these mysterious secret tunnels!
Price: USD 41.81*
Operational days and hours: Every day, 7 am-5 pm local time
Address: Phú Hiệp, Củ Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Check on Google Maps)
5. Heaven for Book Enthusiasts, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street!
Are you a book enthusiast? If so, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is your perfect destination! This 100-meter-long street is filled with over 20 bookstores, each with unique designs and a wide variety of books from different genres and authors.
But wait, it’s more than just a place for book lovers! Nguyen Van Binh Book Street also features aesthetic cafes, stationery stores, book exhibitions, and more. It’s suitable for leisurely strolls or enjoying a cup of Coffee at a cozy roadside café~ What a life!
Operational days and hours: Every day, 8 am-10 pm local time
Address: Đường Nguyễn Văn Bình, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam (Check on Google Maps)
6. Spiritual Tour at Chua Ba Thien Hau Pagoda
Vietnam is also famous for its spirit travel. If you want to experience one, visit Chua Ba Thien Hau Pagoda or Lady Thien Hau! It’s a Chinese-style and the oldest temple in the Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City, first built around 1760.
The pagoda’s interior is adorned with beautiful dioramas showcasing scenes of a Chinese city, featuring intriguing depictions of demons, animals, merchants, and much more. It truly feels like stepping into the enchanted world of ancient tales!
You will also notice dozens of incense coils above the main worship area. Visitors can purchase these incense coils, write their names, and hang them from the temple’s ceiling.
Address: 36/7B Huỳnh Tấn Phát, Tân Thuận Tây, Quận 7, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam (Check on Google Maps)
Time to Try Various Special Cuisines in Vietnam!
Apart from being filled with captivating tourist destinations, your trip to Vietnam will be more joyful by exploring authentic Vietnamese cuisines! Let’s explore various favorite Vietnamese dishes, check out the recommendations below~
1. Experience Unique Coffee Time at Cafe Apartment
The Cafe Apartment building is a fascinating blend of modern and classic allure in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Built-in the mid-1960s, the building, originally an ordinary apartment complex, has been transformed into a multifunctional space.
Currently, Cafe Apartment is home to several cafes, workshops, fashion stores, and co-working spaces. To reach the upper floors, you must use a paid elevator, where you need to pay 3000 VND.
The most popular cafe here is Saigon Vieux Cafe, with a beautiful balcony, and Balcony Cafeteria, which has a slightly old but comfortable terrace. If you’re a tea lover, take advantage of Partea, an English-style tea cafe in two apartments.
2. Enjoy Your Authentic Coffee at Cong Ca Phe
Cong Ca Phe is a coffee shop that you can find in various major cities in Vietnam, such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. This cafe offers a variety of coffee blends from Vietnam, with their most popular menu being frozen drinks made with coconut milk.
The coffee chain is known for its unique and trendy coffee shops with a distinct Vietnam War-inspired theme. The interior often includes vintage and retro elements, just like in the wartime era. You can feel the overall ambiance creates a nostalgic and historical atmosphere.
Cong Cà Phê offers a variety of coffee blends and beverages; one of their most popular offerings is frozen drinks made with coconut milk. They also serve other creative flavors, including seasonal ones, such as peppermint and durian, all blended with coconut milk and ice to create refreshing drinks akin to milkshakes.
3. Try Pho, a Must-Try Vietnamese Specialty!
Pho is an absolute must-try when you’re in Vietnam. Famous pho restaurants in Vietnam can simmer their beef broth for 6-8 hours before it’s ready to be served. Pho is considered comfort food and is a popular street food found throughout Vietnam and in Vietnamese restaurants worldwide.
Some people prefer the simple and earthy flavors of Northern pho found in Hanoi. In contrast, others may enjoy the more complex composition of Southern pho with various fresh vegetables.
When it comes to the best pho in Ho Chi Minh City, Pho Le is the answer. Pho Le has been serving Southern-style pho since the 1970s. The highlight of this dish is the large bowl containing broth, rice noodles, slices of beef, and fresh veggies!
Let’s Explore The Beauty of Vietnam by Solo Traveling to Ho Chi Minh!
Reading this article definitely makes you want to travel to Vietnam soon, right? Moreover, Ho Chi Minh City is very safe for solo travelers! Can’t wait to go solo traveling to Vietnam and explore the destinations, cultures, and also top culinary there~
Let’s go plan your holiday to Vietnam right away! Ensure to find the best activities in Vietnam only on tiket.com app!
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*Prices and terms are subject to change without prior notice.
