Must-Visit Attractions in Ho Chi Minh City: Historical Sites and Museums

Adorned with the golden hues of the Southeast Asian sun, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is a destination that mixes the beauty of history with the modern symphony in the most unique manner. With the awe-inspiring skyscrapers touching the sky, there are French colonial buildings that will amaze you. No doubt, the Ho Chi Minh City attractions are not just destinations but an experience to explore.

As you explore the beautiful landscape, you will see various Ho Chi Minh City historical attractions, which will give you a quick peek into the rich history and evolution here. However, with so many top places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City, it can be a challenge to plan your itinerary to ensure you explore the city’s history at its best.

Well, fret not! To help you out, we have listed here the must-visit historical sites in Ho Chi Minh City. In this Ho Chi Minh City travel guide, we will list down all the museums and historical sites that you must visit to explore the cultural richness and growth to date in the most enlightening manner.

Ho Chi Minh City Sightseeing: Historical Sites and Museums

Ho Chi Minh City is situated on the shores of River Saigon, flowing around the Mekong Delta. Hence, it was once known as Saigon city. Being the largest city and the economic center of Vietnam, the city is a well-known tourist spot, welcoming over 5 million international and 35 million national tourists last year.

Additionally, at the 2023 World Travel Awards, Ho Chi Minh City was awarded titles that redefined its tourism city status. The city was awarded the two titles as below:
● Asia’s Leading Festival & Event Destination
● Asia’s Leading Business Travel Destination

So, if you are looking to explore the cultural attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, then here are the top ones that you should definitely go for.

War Remnants Museum

Looking for the must-visit museums in Ho Chi Minh City? Well, then, this is the one where you will find the memories of the brutal consequences of the Vietnam War. Built in 1975, this museum is a three-story building with over 20000 different artifacts and documentary evidence of the vicious war and the story of independence. Of these, 1500 are exhibited in the 8 permanent themes.

While exploring, you will also fight fighter planes, cannons, and tanks placed for display. The French guillotine and the prisoner’s jail, known as the ‘tiger cage,’ will give you chills as you pass by. There is a section of the exhibition dedicated to Agent Orange, which was a chemical spray that resulted in genetic deformations.

This is a museum that does not glorify war but showcases the harsh reality of the same. The basic details to know while you plan to visit this Ho Chi Minh City historical attraction are as follows:

Address: 28 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC
Timings: 7:30 AM – 6 PM.
Entry Fee: VND 20,000 to 40,000, depending on age and status.

Saigon Central Post Office

This is one of the most famous landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City, which was built in the late 19th century. Design during French colonialism, this building showcases the perfect combination of Renaissance and Gothic architecture. The classy marble flooring and the phone booths at the corner offer a unique appeal to the place.

If you are looking to click some pictures with state-of-the-art architecture, then this is going to be a perfect site. Additionally, if you want to send some memoirs to yourself in the form of a postcard, you can do the same as well.

Address: 2 Cong Xa Paris Road, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Timings: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Entry Fee: Nil

Cu Chi Tunnels

History is not always stored in museums but at times at places where it actually took place. Cu Chi Tunnels is one such historical site in Ho Chi Minh City, which was a part of the Vietnam War. This vast network of tunnels served as a hiding place for Vietnam’s Congress soldiers.

To reach this tunnel for exploration, you would need to take a 1.5-hour-long speedboat ride. To take the complete tour of the tunnel, you would need 6 hours in total. Your tour will start with a movie from the 1950s and will take you around some of the most interesting aspects of the era. Check the wartime medical tents, the old rubber tires, and other places here.

The entire system of tunnels is around 250 km long. There are two entrances, Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc, which you can select to enter and explore. Do not miss exploring the lower and tighter spaces if you wish to. Remember, if you are claustrophobic, then you must avoid visiting here.

If you want, you can try the rice served here, which was the favorite meal of the 43rd Sapper Battalion.

Address: Phu Hiep, Phu My Hung, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Timings: 7:30 AM – 12 PM and 1:30 PM – 5 PM
Entry Fee: VND 15,000

Independence Palace

Your search for the best museums in Ho Chi Minh City will end with the Reunification Palace. The palace was the residence of the Southern Vietnam’s President during the wartime. But since then, it has been left stranded and was frozen in time.

Connected to the dark days of Vietnam, this is also one of the places that will offer you a glimpse of the history. The grand hall, classy interiors, underground tunnels, bunkers, war rooms, and antique furniture here are all worth exploring.

While here, ensure the beauty of the palace is maintained, and take a guided tour to get all the information on the history you need.

Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Thanh, District 1
Timings: 8 AM to 4 PM
Entry Fee: VND 40,000 (adults) and VND 20,000 (children)

Ho Chi Minh City Museum

Built in 1885, its other name is Gia Long Palace. This museum is a place where you can experience the growth of the city through various artifacts, war materials, ceramics, and photographs. With beautiful neoclassical architecture and a garden in front, this museum is nothing less of a marvelous building that makes it one of the must-visit museums in Ho Chi Minh City.

Located close to the Independence Palace, this 2-stunned castle building mixes the European-styled corridors and staircases with the Oriental rooftop. There is a tunnel network in the underground which was used by President Diem.

Some of the prominent exhibitions that you will find in this museum include:
● Nature-Archeology Gallery
● Geography-Administration Exhibition
● Trade Port-Trade-Service Gallery
● Culture of Saigon Gallery
● Revolution Struggle Exhibit
● Souvenirs of War Resistance Exhibit
● Vietnam Currency Gallery.

A perfect example of Vietnam’s triumphs and all the pains, this museum has got it all.

Address: Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, District 1
Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: VND 30,000

Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine

Popularly known as the Fito Museum, this is one of the many privately owned museums. This is one of the best museums in Ho Chi Minh City that showcases medicines dating back to the Stone Age. With over 3000 exhibits, you can explore the evolution of medicine and experience the merger of traditional and modern medicine here.

With the English-speaking staff on the campus, you would be able to explore the perfectly preserved herbal medicines used in the past. Additionally, there are displays of vessels, wines, cabinets, scales, and shops all scattered in the building. This 6-floored building with 24 rooms covers everything from ancient scriptures to machinery that helped in developing medicines.

The museum’s architecture reflects the influence of Chinese medicines on Vietnamese culture. The red and gold lacquered plaques in the decor with a distinctive front yard that gives a nostalgic feeling make this a must-visit place on the list.

Address: 41 Hoang Du Khuong, Ward 12, District 10
Timings: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: VND 1,80,000 (Adults) and VND 90,000 (Students or Elderly)

Ao Dai Museum

Nothing is as beautiful as witnessing the beautiful culture of a country, and one way to explore this is to understand the country’s traditional attire. This is what the Ao Dai Museum stands for. Considered to be one of the top Ho Chi Minh City attractions, this museum is surrounded by beautiful coconut trees and canals that make it a picture-perfect location.

Here, you will get a chance to see the beautiful outfits that were once owned by the royals and famous celebrities. Each of these outfits tells you the story of the beautiful culture and tradition of the place, which is worth knowing. The best part is that you can even try the outfits here and get your pictures clicked if you wish to do so.

Address: Ao Dai Museum, 206/19/30 Long Thuan Street, Long Phuoc Ward, District 9
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: VND 1,00,000

Ho Chi Minh Museum

This museum was built by the French authorities in 1863 and was used as their customs house. Popularly known as Dragon House, this museum is different from the Ho Chi Ming City Museum. In fact, your Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing will be incomplete without exploring this place, which gives you a glimpse into the lives of Vietnam’s founders.

The museum is dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, who was the prime minister and then the president of Northern Vietnam. He played an important role in the war and helped drive the French out of the country to gain freedom. His life is displayed in varied themes over here.

Address: 19 Ngoc Ha Street, Doi Can Ward, Ba Dinh District
Timings: 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Entry Fee: VND 40,000

Conclusion

Nothing can tell you the history of a place better than the museums and historical sites. All these must-visit museums in Ho Chi Minh City, accompanied by the astonishing historical sites in Ho Chi Minh City, are a perfect example of the same.

By exploring these must-visit Ho Chi Minh City historical attractions, you can gain insights into the beautiful past and present of Vietnam. But while you visit these places, ensure to follow the protocols. Respect the cultural treasures that have been stored here, as these will help you enrich your travel experience and preserve them for future visitors.

As you explore Ho Chi Minh City, take the time to absorb its rich history. Take a moment to reflect on the past and appreciate the present that is beautifully woven with threads of historical significance.

So, if you are a history buff looking to take a peep into the past, then pack your bags, plan your travel, and explore the beautiful museums to get insights into the marvelous culture of Vietnam. Let the famous landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City tell you the tale of the country with pride.