Explore Saigon in 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Top Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Attractions

Ho Chi Minh City, widely recognized as Saigon, is currently undergoing significant urban redevelopment. It boasts numerous thrilling dining spots, entertainment venues, retail outlets, and tourist draws that can cater to the most selective visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City, the most populated metropolis and primary financial powerhouse of Vietnam, is undergoing a remarkable cultural revival. This boom is marked by an abundance of newly opened restaurants and bars, alongside record-high tourist arrivals. For those inclined towards high-end experiences, this transformation has turned it into a premier shopping destination brimming with creative energy from local youth. Innovative retail spaces and conceptual boutiques are setting forth an exhilarating outlook for Southeast Asia’s potential to emerge as a key player in fashion, art, and design.

Looking for assistance in organizing your trip through the vast expanse of southern Vietnam but unsure about how to begin? We can assist you with that.

Lodge at JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon

Previously known as the InterContinental Saigon, this renowned and central hotel in Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling District 1 has been reborn under the new banner of JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon. This recent transformation introduced modern amenities including the stylish Driftwood Pool Bar. Located within easy reach of key attractions such as the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum, it serves as an ideal starting point for newcomers to the city and offers premium accommodations suitable for regular travelers too. Adjacent to the main building, a residential tower provides fully furnished apartments and suites.

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Although amenities such as Executive Lounge access—which is often a key feature at numerous Marriott properties—may seem geared primarily toward corporate travelers, this hotel maintains a strong appeal for families too. Situated on the 19th floor of the Saigon Marriott, the lounge offers an inviting, cozy atmosphere where guests can unwind with evening drinks before another action-packed day of exploring the city.

At the same time, the premium suite on the top floor lives up to its grand title; spacious enough for a comfortable stay for a family of three—or even four or more, realistically speaking—offering panoramic vistas of the nearby neighborhood and cityscape. The facilities boast a stylishly contemporary design yet preserve an unmistakable classic flair.

The meal service at this hotel really stands out, making it an exceptional place to visit; you’d miss something great if you didn’t try their banh mi — a must-have dish in Saigon. Should European-style baked goods appeal more to your palate, then look no further than the exquisite afternoon teas offered here, featuring delicate miniature cakes and savory bites so visually appealing they seem almost too beautiful to consume. During the Lunar New Year festivities, I particularly enjoyed a chocolate ‘lucky red envelope’ from the specially curated afternoon tea selection designed for the occasion, followed by tasting some seasonal macarons available at the hotel’s own dining spot called Market 39. The abundance of choices even for minor treats offers insight into how luxurious and remarkable this Marriott stay feels overall. Just as founder J. Willard Marriott often emphasized, small details indeed contribute significantly toward crafting memorable experiences.

Grab some reading material from Book Street.

While bookstore tourism has not yet reached the same level of popularity as art tours or culinary expeditions, Ho Chi Minh City’s cozy Book Street offers compelling reasons to organize your next vacation around literary destinations. Located close to major landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon and the historic Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, this picturesque street sees constant pedestrian activity thanks to its blend of open-air cafes and independent bookshops. These stores stock an array of Vietnamese publications alongside global bestsellers and elusive collector items—providing a serene escape amid the bustling surroundings.

Shop at Rue Miche

Thanks to significant support from prominent figures in K-pop, Vietnamese fashion designers have recently gained considerable attention. These designers draw inspiration from trends favored by Generation Z, blending elements like the coquettish style with avant-garde streetwear. The retail boutique Rue Miche has become a hub for showcasing top-tier talent within this scene. In addition to featuring an impressive array of clothing lines, they host monthly events centered around art and cultural activities. They also feature a trendy juice bar named Rotten, offering refreshing drinks such as cool coconut or pomelo beverages—perfect refreshers during Vietnam’s sweltering weather conditions.

Occupying two levels, some of our favorite labels at Rue Miche are from Subtle Le Nguyen, who has been favored by celebrities such as Kylie Jenner ; The Moon, made famous by Lisa from Blackpink ; often worn by Vietnam's fashion icons, known as "It girls."

Dine at Cuc Gach Quan

Cuoc Gach Quan appears like it could be an undiscovered treasure — tucked away, lacking a public Instagram presence, and offering minimal details in English on its Facebook page — but surprisingly, it doesn’t quite live up to that expectation. Despite being featured in the Michelin Bib Gourmand list, this neighborhood restaurant draws inspiration from traditional Vietnamese rural fare and remains a cornerstone of Ho Chi Minh City’s growing culinary landscape. Its extensive menu showcases the rich diversity within Vietnam's gastronomic offerings.

Here you won’t come across ordinary pho servings; instead, enjoy robust communal meals meant for sharing, like slow-cooked spare ribs and pot-stewed fish, both satisfyingly tasty when enjoyed together rather than alone. The ambiance adds extra charm with elements inviting coziness upon entry—think vibrant foliage, vintage treasures, lively colored lanterns, and an elegant koi pond greeting visitors right at the door.

End your evening with Summer Experiment.

Nestled on the second floor of an inconspicuous structure near the well-known Ben Thanh Market, visitors entering Summer Experiment for the first time may experience unexpected delight. Upon entry, one is greeted by a flourishing garden followed by retro-inspired decor filling an industrial setting—a blend that shapes the venue’s personality with relaxed yet sophisticated ambiance, offering top-notch beverages and customer care.

This does not imply that the cocktails lack intrigue, as they involve experimentation with homegrown flavors and locally sourced ingredients, reflecting the richness and vibrancy akin to Vietnam’s varied ecosystem of plants and animals.

Stroll along the shores of Vung Tau

If bustling beach destination Da Nang feels overcrowded nowadays, think about heading south to Vung Tau—a mere two-hour journey from central Ho Chi Minh City—for your coastal retreat. Though less sophisticated than its northern counterpart, Vung Tau offers an unpolished allure and distinctive character ideal for travelers looking for a genuinely Vietnamese vacation.

Unlike Da Nang, where massive luxury resorts dominate the beachside real estate, and nearby Hoi An, the beauty of which has been ever-so-slightly dampened by overtourism, you're unlikely to find any tourist traps in this tiny town, which remains more popular with local Vietnamese families instead.

If you want to experience the country's famed pavement culture, take a walk along the relatively untouched coastline, where friends and families gather on the streets to share a bite to eat and maybe a pint or two. The extensive beaches here are flanked by two beautiful hillsides, aptly named Big Mountain and Small Mountain, complete with Vietnam's own version of the Christ the Redeemer statue.

Drift alongside the Mekong River Delta

Visiting Vietnam isn’t considered complete without taking a boat tour since the nation’s vast river system has significantly influenced its historical development throughout the ages. Among these waterways, the Mekong stands out for being one of Asia's longest rivers, stretching from southwest China across Southeast Asia, passing through Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and ultimately reaching southern Vietnam.

At this location, you will encounter tour guides and locals from Vietnam maneuvering through the renowned Mekong River Delta using both speedboats and traditional rowing boats. They navigate along narrower waterways shaded by lush fruit trees and pass by bustling floating markets. Despite how touristy it might appear, witnessing firsthand the genuine essence of this area—with its extensive rice fields and strong agricultural focus—remains incredibly captivating. Of course, this assumes you’re merely an observer and not trying to steer the boat yourself.

Gloria Tso remained as a guest at the JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon.

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