18 Feb
Thien Hau Pagoda
Built by the Cantonese Congregation in the early 19th century, this gorgeous pagoda is dedicated to the deity Thien Hau and always has a mix of worshippers and visitors, who mingle beneath the large coils of incense suspended overhead.
17 Feb
Giac Lam Pagoda
Believed to be the oldest pagoda in HCMC (1744), Giac Lam is a fantastically atmospheric place set in peaceful, garden-like grounds. The looming Bodhi tree in the front garden was the gift of a monk from Sri Lanka in 1953. Next to the tree is a gleaming white statue of Quan The Am Bo Tat standing on a lotus blossom, a symbol of purity.
17 Feb
Jade Emperor Pagoda
Built in 1909 by the Cantonese (Quang Dong) Congregation in honour of the supreme Taoist god (the Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, Ngoc Hoang), this is one of the most spectacularly atmospheric pagodas in HCMC, filled with statues of phantasmal divinities and grotesque heroes
17 Feb
Learn About Vietnam’s Culture Over Dinner
We will begin the evening with the best Wontan soup in town and some fresh coconut. Watch how the chef makes the soup, a traditional recipe passed down the family for 4 generations.
17 Feb
Ben Thanh Market
Easy to find in the heart of District 1 where Le Loi, Tran Hung Dao and Le Lai converge at the central roundabout. Often crowded and bustling but makes for a great atmosphere. Be prepared to haggle hard for what you want - it's part of the experience! As is the freshly prepared local food.
17 Feb
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City
Peaceful and somber, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City is an easy place to escape the maniacal buzz of motorbikes for a few minutes. Constructed by the French in the 1800s, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City appears strangely out of place with its Gothic and Roman-style architecture. Twin towers reaching to 190 feet capture the interest of people strolling by.
17 Feb
Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup )
No matter what time day or night, a steaming bowl of pho noodle soup is never hard to find in Vietnam. Just as pad thai in Thailand, pho is Vietnam's unofficial national dish exported with pride all over the world.
17 Feb
Reunification Palace
Probably the most popular stop for tourists with a short time in Ho Chi Minh City, the Reunification Palace was the official ending point of the Vietnam War. On April 30, 1975 North Vietnamese forces smashed through the gate - with photographers waiting - and captured the compound.
17 Feb
Vietnamese Water Puppet Show
Vietnamese water puppetry dates back to the 11th century and has changed very little since. Bulky wooden puppets are actually controlled from beneath a pool of water; the performance is accompanied by traditional music. How the puppeteers do their jobs underwater is a well-guarded secret.
14 Feb
Xoi chien (Bloating fried sticky rice)
A round plate of Xoi chien phong, placed next to a plate of buttery roasted chicken, is always attractive to anyone. A lump of sticky rice will become a plate of Xoi chien phong as big as a grape-fruit by talent chefs. In the past, Xoi chien phong was offered only in the Binh Duong Restaurant, Dong Nai Province. At present, you can taste the dish in star classified hotels in Ho Chi Minh City.
