Choose from 164 Fun Things to Do in Vietnam
Cham Island (Cu Lao Cham)
- Shops and facilities are limited on the Cham Islands: Don’t forget your sunscreen.
- Both public boats and tour boats can be dangerously crowded: Use common sense before boarding.
- While bikinis are fine on the beach, put clothes on when leaving the beach or exploring villages.
Flag Tower
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Dong Khoi Street
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Forbidden Purple City
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Dong Xuan Market
- The market gets very crowded; those with claustrophobia should avoid.
- Wholesalers will usually refuse to sell small quantities.
- Buyer beware, as not all the branded goods here are authentic.
- Don’t forget to bargain for better prices, though most vendors do not speak English.
- The market is not very wheelchair-friendly, as there are numerous narrow and crowded aisles.
Cholon District
Cholon, Saigon's Chinatown district, dominates the west bank of the city, boasting the attractions of Quan Am Pagoda, Thien Hau Temple, Binh Tay Market and numerous teahouses. Visit this long-established Chinese community (the largest of its kind in Vietnam) and soak up the fascinating culture, architecture and sights.
Quan Am Pagoda - a Chinese-style Buddhist temple - features beautiful courtyards, gardens, a pond and a Jade Emperor. At Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the sea, check the stunning carved porcelain ceiling designs.
Cholon Mosque and Cha Tam - the catholic cathedral - as well as the thriving Binh Tay market also add to the rich texture of this historic community.
Practical Info
Cholon, covering districts 5 & 6, can be reached by boat from the jetty on Saigon river down Ben Nghe channel, or by taxi or bike. Head for Binh Tay Market as a central starting point. From here hire a cyclo by the hour to leisurely cruise Nguyen Trai Road and its nearby streets to Quan Am pagoda and Thien Hau temple as you take in the area's unique atmosphere.
Cu Chi Tunnels
- This site is a must for history buffs.
- Touring the tunnels involves hunching over to walk underground. If you’re prone to claustrophobia, consider giving this one a pass.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for uneven surfaces.
- Don’t forget to bring insect repellent to fend off mosquitoes.
Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station
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Coi Nguon Museum
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Coc Ly Market
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Hai Van Pass
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Cua Dai Beach
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Cat Cat Village
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Dam Market
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Dong Ba Market
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Con Dao National Park
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Do Temple
- This is an active place of worship, so visitors should be respectful of worshippers.
- Visitors must wear modest clothing that covers the shoulders and the knees.
- It’s free to enter the temple but donations are accepted.
- The temple is not wheelchair friendly, as there are a number of steps throughout the grounds.
Da Ban Stream
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Giac Lam Pagoda
Giac Lam Pagoda is widely recognized as an important and historic pagoda, the oldest temple in the city. Built in 1744 on an undeveloped area of jungle, it has since been consumed into the west of the city.
Originally thatched, the buildings have undergone significant remodeling at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Historically significant, it is now protected as an official cultural heritage site.
In the main garden stands a famous bodhi tree donated by Sri Lanka to the temple in 1953, in its shade stands a statue of bodhisattva Aralokiteshvara. In the grounds also stands a 32 meter (100 foot) high seven story hexagonal stupa; in total there are over 100 statues to admire.
There is also an eerie and worth seeing funerary chamber with photos and shrines dedicated to former monks of the temple. At the main altar, Buddhists pray for peace and good health. By writing their names and their relatives' names on paper and sticking it into the grand bell they believe their wishes will be carried when the bell is struck and echoes into heaven.
Practical Info
Located on Lac Long Quan, to the north of District 5, (not in Cholon area). May be combined with a visit to Cholon but a cyclo or taxi trip would be necessary to reach it.
Usual temple rules apply - respectful clothing, no hats, no smoking - but here shoes are permitted.