Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon, as many still call it) is one of those places that grabs your attention immediately and never really gives it back.
This was a full-day tour designed to show us the highlights before releasing us into the shopping wilds, which honestly felt like a pretty solid plan. It ended up being a fun mix of history, architecture, city energy, and the kind of browsing that somehow turns into “Well… I guess I do need this little cinnamon box.”
The drive through the city was entertaining all by itself. The traffic is something to behold – especially the scooters, which seem to move in every possible direction at once and yet somehow avoid complete disaster. I don’t understand the system, but apparently there is one.
Our first stop was at a lacquer factory and showroom. To say that I’m a fan of lacquer art is an understatement. I guess it comes from my dad and his love for asian art. We were treated to a demonstration of how the artwork is applied to various types of wood (cedar, teak, plywood, etc.) plaques and then how the lacquer is applied, layer after layer, drying for days in between, until it can all be polished to a super shine. There were three art mediums used to create designs; the traditional mother of pearl shell, painting, and a surprising medium – crushed duck egg shells. Not chicken, because it is thinner, but duck, which is sturdier. The results (above) were stunning.
Second stop was Reunification Hall, the former presidential palace. We only stopped for photos, but it’s one of those places where you can feel the weight of history even from the outside. It was a good reminder that this city has lived through a lot and still somehow manages to buzz with nonstop energy.
We also drove past Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was unfortunately wrapped up in scaffolding and restoration. A little anticlimactic, but I suppose even famous landmarks need a facelift now and then. Across the street, though, was the lovely Central Post Office, which turned out to be a much more charming stop than I expected. The building itself is beautiful, with that classic French colonial style, and yes – if you’re into stamps or mailing things from faraway places, this was your moment.
Then came Ben Thanh Market, and that was when things shifted into full sensory overload. If you can think of it, someone was probably selling it. Souvenirs, clothes, snacks, trinkets, gifts, things you didn’t know existed but suddenly felt you should own – it was all there. Markets like that are never really just about shopping for me. They’re about people-watching, wandering, and taking in the everyday rhythm of a place.
After that, we made our way to Dong Khoi Street, one of the city’s busiest and most interesting streets. It used to be called Rue Catinat back in the French colonial days, and it still has a little bit of that old-world-meets-modern-city feel. There were plenty of shops to poke around in, selling porcelain figurines, lacquerware, cinnamon boxes, and all manner of things designed to test your luggage space and self-control.
We had some time on our own for lunch and more exploring, and we ended up eating at the buffet at Bong Sen Hotel, which was a nice break from the heat and the bustle. By that point, sitting down with a plate of food and air conditioning felt like excellent life choices.
By the end of the day, Ho Chi Minh City felt vibrant, layered, and endlessly in motion. It’s not the kind of place that tiptoes into your memory – it barrels in on a scooter, honks twice, and stays with you.
It was a busy day, but a good one. A little history, a little shopping, a lot of city energy… and exactly the kind of travel day I always enjoy.