You’ve got leave coming up, and you know you want a Southeast Asia getaway—after all, thousands of years of history and decades of backpackers can’t be wrong. A holiday in Ho Chi Minh City has it all: Fresh eats, friendly people and fab deals.
Get a view from the penthouse suite on the 50th floor of Bitexco Tower (OK, it’s just an observation deck), where you can have tea in the cafe as you observe your kingdom. However, there’s one thing you can’t see from up there: the Cu Chi Tunnels. Crawl through the preserved tunnels—luckily, the bugs and booby traps have been removed—then eat a meal like a Viet Cong soldier (if you dare). You could take the bus there, but check out lastminute.com.au’s cool Ho Chi Minh City car hire options to see it all on your own time.
Holidays to Ho Chi Minh City aren’t over ‘til the fat lady sings, so it’s time to head to the Saigon Opera House. This French colonial building resembles a wedding cake at night, and the bronze statues and huge chandeliers on the inside are even more striking. Plus, we bet you’ve never seen ballerinas dance while carrying baskets of rice—it’s impressive!
The markets are a must on Vietnam holidays, so get ready to drop some dong. Just look for the iconic clock tower of Ben Thanh Market, where you can find bamboo crafts, pottery, jewellery and spices, plus another suitcase to carry it all. Grab a hearty Vietnamese coffee or a nuoc mia (sugar cane juice with citrus—refreshing!) and jot down some tips as you watch tourists haggling over the last yard of gam fabric.
You can pretty much go anywhere on Ho Chi Minh City holidays and be enticed by smells from street vendors who seem to appear out of nowhere, complete with folding tables and chairs. Choosing the one with the longest line is usually a safe bet. Fried rice in a pineapple, pork-stuffed rice cakes and of course insects on a stick are all on offer. Feeling fancy? Head to the riverfront Thao Dien neighbourhood. Your view will be almost as beautiful as the French cuisine on your plate.
Ho Chi Minh City holiday partying starts on Pham Ngu Lao Street, a hotspot for backpackers and expats. You’ll find rooftop bars, roadside beer and plenty of friendly travellers willing to share some insider tips. Ready to do the dougie? You’re basically surrounded by flashy nightclubs and swanky lounges—just follow the crowds and dance the night away to rock and roll, jazz or V-pop. Pro party tips: The best drunk food in a banh mi sandwich the best hangover food is pho soup!
You, stuffing your face with spring rolls and your Instagram with envy-inducing snaps, is what’s next! Choose your best flight and accommodation with lastminute.com.au’s Ho Chi Minh City holiday packages and create your ultimate getaway. Then give yourself a pat on the back—forgetting to make plans turned out just fine.
Reviewed on 3 Nov. 2019
Reviewed on 30 Dec. 2017
^Savings based on all package bookings made with Flight + Hotel on lastminute.com.au from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.
