10 Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

Cao Dai Temple is the centre of the Cao Dai faith, a religion that has taken bits of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism and Confucianism. Tourists are welcome to visit the temple and learn more about this faith, which is practised by a few dedicated followers. 

Each Cao Dai practitioner wears a white robe to enter the temple with an additional sash to signify their previous religion. The temple itself is very bright and colourful, with dragons flying up bannisters and a cloud mural decorating the ceiling.

Jade Emperor Pagoda is one of the most revered temples in Ho Chi Minh City. Originally built in 1909 by Chinese immigrants, this Taoist temple also welcomes Buddhist worshippers looking to pay their respects. 

It's incredibly atmospheric, with incense smoke hanging heavy in the air. Intricate architecture, carvings, statues of Gods and Goddesses and Chinese characters create an exotic and timeless ambience.

The Saigon Central Post Office in central Ho Chi Minh City is a glorious example of French colonial architecture. It's perfectly preserved with as much style as when it first opened in 1891. The building still functions as the city’s main post office, so sending a letter or postcard home is highly recommended for a taste of living history. 

Beautiful from any angle, this building was designed by Alfred Foulhoux, who also designed several other majestic buildings in Saigon. 

The Goddess Mariamman Temple is a beautiful example of the bright and vibrant architecture of Hindu places of worship. As the only active Hindu temple in Ho Chi Minh City, it acts as a community base for the small community of Hindus living in the city. 

Open every day, non-Hindus are welcome to visit the Goddess Mariamman Temple. Just remember to dress conservatively and take off your shoes before entering the inner temple.

The Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon is one of the few remaining strongholds of Catholicism in largely Buddhist Vietnam. Located in Paris Square, it was built in the late 1880s by French colonists. Its name was given after the installation of the Peaceful Notre Dame statue in 1959. 

A figure of the Virgin Mary statue stands in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon. Locals claimed to have seen it shedding tears in October 2005. While this incident was refuted by the Catholic Church of Vietnam, thousands of visitors still flock to this statue in hopes of witnessing a miracle.