Starlight Bridge
The Starlight (Anh Sao) Bridge in Canh Doi Park, Phu My Hung urban area, District 7, spans Thay Tieu Canal, connecting the Crescent (Ban Nguyet) Lake with the Dao Canal. Named the Starlight Bridge, it features a surface adorned with LED lights.
There is a water spray system on both sides of the bridge, along with a seven-color light system that is turned on from 6 p.m. and constantly changes, creating the illusion of walking among thousands of stars.
The list of 10 spots are part of "Ho Chi Minh City - 100 interesting things," announced by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism in early December. The list was compiled based on more than 104,000 votes across 10 categories, including sightseeing tours, entertainment programs, shopping destinations, accommodation facilities, eateries, cafes, events, and delicacies.
Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran
Ba Son Bridge
The Ba Son Bridge, also known as Thu Thiem 2 Bridge, is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Saigon River, connecting District 1 with Thu Duc City.
The bridge offers panoramic views of iconic city structures, including the Landmark 81 building, Bitexco building, and Bach Dang Wharf.
Visitors can be fined for halting on the bridge for photographs though.
Photo by VnExpress/Tuan Viet
Jade Emperor (Ngoc Hoang) Pagoda
The Jade Emperor Pagoda, also known as Phuoc Hai Tu, venerates Kim Hoa Thanh Mau (the Goddess of Fertility) along with 12 midwives who oversee childbirth.
Erected from 1892 to 1900, the pagoda on Mai Thi Luu Street in District 1 covers an area of over 2,000 m2 and is a place where people seek blessings for successful business, peace, merit, and especially for fertility and the well-being of children.
The pagoda earned recognition as a national architectural and artistic heritage by the government in 1994.
U.S. President Barack Obama visited the pagoda during an official trip to Vietnam in May 2016.
Photo by VnExpress/Minh Tam
Thu Ngu Flagpole
The Thu Ngu Flagpole, a historic structure on Ton Duc Thang Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, was constructed by the French in October 1865 to guide vessels navigating in canals in the Sai Gon-Gia Dinh area.
Over its 158-year existence, the flagpole has undergone various changes in both form and function, the most recent being in 2011, and it was officially recognized as a city historical relic by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City in 2016.
Photo by VnExpress/Gia Minh
Bach Dang Wharf
Bach Dang Wharf, at 2 Ton Duc Thang Street, opposite Nguyen Hue Walking Street, comprises a 1.3 km-long area with both a wharf and park spanning 23,400 m2. It is a popular spot for leisure and a popular gathering place for people to watch fireworks displays during holidays. After more than half a year of construction, the park opened in January 2022.
The park, spanning 5,000 m2 parallel to Ton Duc Thang Street, offers a green environment with grass and lotus flower arrangements, providing an open view towards the Saigon River. It is equipped with an automatic watering and lighting system.
Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran
Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street
Stretching over 670 meters, Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street extends from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee headquarters to Bach Dang Park. The street serves as a hub for major cultural and artistic activities in the city, operating throughout the day. On Saturday and Sunday nights, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., vehicles are restricted.
Due to limited cover or shade, visitors are advised to bring hats or umbrellas.
Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran
Saigon Waterbus Station
The Saigon Waterbus Station near Bach Dang Wharf and Nguyen Hue walking street serves as the primary station among the 12 stops on the Saigon River bus route. Visitors can purchase tickets for VND15,000 (60 U.S. cents) and enjoy a sightseeing cruise along the Saigon River.
The station area also features cafes and riverside restaurants that open from 4 p.m.
Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran
Hao Sy Phuong
Hao Sy Phuong is an alley at 206 Tran Hung Dao Street, District 5.
To get into the alley, you have to walk through a dimly lit area with old jade green walls. The alley is around 100 meters long, housing about 50 households. There are two entrances to the alley, opening onto the main roads Ngo Quyen and Tran Hung Dao.
Visitors can experience cultural aspects of the Hoa people, the community of Chinese descent in Saigon, the Earth God altar, and the Ancestor altar at the entrance.
Previously a popular spot for tourists and film crews, this had some effects on the daily lives of the people living there. In 2020, residents put up signs prohibiting photography. Those signs have since been taken down, and visitors are now welcome to explore freely. However, it's encouraged to be mindful of noise levels and to ask for permission before taking photos.
Photo by VnExpress/Phong Vinh
Turtle Lake
The Turtle Lake area, also known as International Square, is located at the intersection of Pham Ngoc Thach, Tran Cao Van, and Vo Van Tan streets in District 3. Surrounding the lake are numerous restaurants, bars, and cafes, making it a popular spot for entertainment.
In early 2023, the area around the Turtle Lake street is set to become a weekend walking street, with themed events on two weekends each month. These themes will be tied to the city's developmental journey.
Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran
Le Minh Xuan incense-making village
Every Lunar New Year, Le Minh Xuan incense-making village in Binh Chanh District buzzes with activity and attracts tourists seeking photo opportunities. Visitors can observe the process of making incense sticks, from mixing powders to adding fragrances like agarwood, cajuput powder, and cinnamon powder, to the stages of drying and packaging.
Incense sticks are available for purchase at wholesale prices, ranging from VND25,000-40,000 ($1-1.65) per pack, weighing approximately 1-1.2 kg.
Photo by VnExpress/Huynh Nhi
Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee office
The HCMC People's Committee office building stands in front of Nguyen Hue Walking Street. The building on Le Thanh Ton Street took two decades to construct, from 1889 to 1909. Architect Fernand Gardès designed the building, drawing inspiration from the bell towers in northern France. Sculptor Louis-Lucien Ruffier oversaw the exterior architectural decoration.
Recognized as a national architectural and artistic relic in 2020 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the location is open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays at the end of each month.
Together with the Saigon Opera House, Saigon Central Post Office, the HCMC People's Committee office building stands as one of Ho Chi Minh City's lasting French architectural legacies.
Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran
