8 cheap or free things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
Interests
Activities
Explore Buddhist temples
Temples are free to enter in Vietnam, and there are plenty of breathtaking religious sites scattered throughout Ho Chi Minh City. Must-visits include the Mariamman Hindu Temple in District 1, Jade Emperor Pagoda in District 3, and the technicoloured Cao Dai Temple, which is located 100km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City.
Check out Ho Chi Minh City’s Iconic Backpackers District
Pham Ngu Lao Street in Ho Chi Minh City is on the western edge of District 1 and is renowned as the place where most backpacking travellers stay during their holiday. A 25-minute taxi ride from Tan Sot Nhat International Airport, it comprises numerous lanes and back alleys though the main thoroughfares.
Join a Free walking tour
Joining a free walking tours in Ho Chi Minh is ideal if you want to know the history of the city and its most popular landmarks as you’ll be accompanied by a knowledgeable local. A quick search online will lead you to several non-profits or universities organising free walking tours to help local youths improve their English.
Visit Notre Dame Cathedral & Saigon Central Post Office
While Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office are arguably some of Ho Chi Minh City’s top attractions, they’re actually free to enter. Featuring well-preserved colonial French architecture, the former gained public interest back in October 2005, when locals claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary statue shedding tears.
Watch a free concert at Ho Chi Minh Opera house
The Opera House in Ho Chi Minh is an elegant, colonial building at the intersection of Le Loi and Dong Khoi Street in District 1, very close to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral and the classic Central Post Office. Opera House was built in 1897 and is used for staging not only opera but also a wide range of performing arts.
Songbird Singing Competition At Tao Dan Park
Tao Dan Park, located in District 1, offers visitors a much-needed respite from the bustling city centre. It’s usually busy in the morning, with people jogging and practising tai chi. Great for relaxing with some delicious Vietnamese coffee, you’ll also see locals with caged songbirds gathering at nearby cafes.
Enjoy Cheap Street Food
Vietnamese food is nutritious, savoury, and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Although Ho Chi Minh City is home to plenty of fine-dining restaurants and luxury hotels, you can still find plenty of roadside eateries, vibrant street markets, and street food carts to satisfy your appetite for Vietnamese delicacies.
Tips
The best time to visit the temples is during religious festivals such as Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year, and Buddha’s Birthday, offering lively atmosphere of prayer ceremonies, traditional music and dance performances.
It’s best to explore backpackers district after dinner when hundreds of young travellers take to the streets to enjoy cheap beers and street food.
Most tours are held in the morning, from 08:00 until 12:00, stopping at locales such as Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market, and Saigon Central Post Office. As you’ll be outdoors for the majority of the tour, be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat, as well as some cash to pay the entrance fees for selected tourist spots.
If you’re unable to splurge on a ticket, free performances are often held in front of Ho Chi Minh Opera House on Saturday mornings.
