Vietnam's largest city, Ho Chi Minh, which is also the country's most populous urban center and a major financial hub, is witnessing a cultural revival of sorts. This is evident in the numerous restaurant and bar openings, as well as a significant increase in tourism. For our readers who are interested in luxury, Ho Chi Minh has also become a shopper's paradise and a hub for young, creative Vietnamese individuals. The city now boasts a variety of exciting new spaces and concept stores that showcase a vibrant vision for Southeast Asia's future as a leading center for fashion, arts, and design.
Planning a trip to the vibrant heart of southern Vietnam but unsure where to begin? We're here to assist you.
Stay at JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon
Formerly known as the InterContinental Saigon, this renowned and centrally located hotel in Ho Chi Minh City's vibrant District 1 was re-launched to the public as the JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon just last year, unveiling a range of fashionable, newly refurbished facilities, including the Driftwood Pool Bar, to the area. Within walking distance from major city landmarks such as the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum, it's an ideal base for both first-time visitors and seasoned travelers, with top-notch concierge services and a residential tower offering serviced apartments and suites next door.
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Although perks like Executive Lounge access - a highlight of many Marriott hotels - may seem to be geared more towards the corporate business traveler, the hotel is also very welcoming to families. Situated on the 19th floor of the Marriott in Saigon, the lounge has a cozy, homey atmosphere, which is ideal for relaxing and unwinding over evening cocktails in preparation for another busy day of sightseeing.
The top-floor deluxe suite lives up to its name, spacious enough to accommodate a family of three - or four, or even more, if needed - with breathtaking views of the surrounding area and city skyline. The amenities are stylishly contemporary yet still maintain a touch of classic elegance.
The hotel truly excels in its meal service, and you should definitely try the banh mi here - a traditional dish from Saigon. If you prefer Western pastries, the afternoon tea sets are exceptional, consisting of delectable little cakes and canapés that are almost too beautiful to eat. During Lunar New Year, I enjoyed a chocolate "red packet" from the holiday-themed afternoon tea set and sampled festive macarons from the in-house buffet restaurant, Market 39. Being spoiled for choice when it comes to even the smallest snacks gives you a glimpse of the grandeur that makes this Marriott experience truly exceptional. As founder J. Willard Marriott would say, it's the small details that make a big difference.
Please collect some literature from the book district
Literary tourism hasn't yet become as popular as art or food tourism, but Ho Chi Minh City's quaint Book Street is a great reason to consider planning a trip around literary attractions. Located near popular tourist sites such as the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon and the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, this charming pedestrian street is always bustling with visitors stopping by the outdoor cafes and local bookstores that sell a mix of Vietnamese and international books, including rare and hard-to-find titles - a peaceful escape from the otherwise chaotic surroundings.
Shop at Rue Miche
Thanks to the support of K-pop, local Vietnamese fashion designers have been gaining popularity lately. Their fashionable clothing combines styles popular with Gen Z, including the flirtatious aesthetic and futuristic streetwear. Retail boutique Rue Miche showcases the top Vietnamese brands, along with a diverse range of arts and culture events each month. The store also features a juice bar, Rotten, which serves refreshing coconut and pomelo drinks, perfect for the hot and humid climate.
This style, often favored by Vietnam's popular young women, is named after Beuter.
Enjoy dining at Cuc Gach Quan
Cuc Gach Quan has all the characteristics of a little-known treasure - a discreet location, no public Instagram account, and limited English information on its Facebook page - except it isn't one. Recognized by the Michelin Bib Gourmand guide, this local eatery, inspired by traditional Vietnamese home cooking from the countryside, has been a mainstay of Ho Chi Minh City's expanding food scene for years, offering a diverse array of dishes that showcase the rich diversity of the country's cuisine.
You won't find traditional bowls of pho here - only hearty communal dishes served family style, such as slow-cooked pork ribs and claypot fish stew, which are as satisfying as they are delicious and better shared than eaten alone. The atmosphere earns extra points, designed so guests feel at home from the moment they enter, surrounded by lush greenery, antique items, colorful paper lanterns, and a beautiful koi fish pond at the entrance.
There's a night event at Summer Experiment.
Located in a discreet building on the second floor, just steps from the bustling Ben Thanh Market, visitors entering Summer Experiment for the first time may be taken aback by what they encounter. Initially, a vibrant garden greets the eye, followed by a space filled with vintage-style furniture, which suggests the establishment's unique character. Despite its laid-back atmosphere, the bar offers a wide range of high-quality drinks and top-notch service.
It doesn't mean the cocktails are any less intriguing, experimenting with homegrown flavors and locally sourced ingredients, rich and vibrant just like Vietnam's diverse array of flora and fauna.
Explore the shores of Vung Tau
If the popular resort town of Da Nang has become too touristy for your taste, consider heading to Vung Tau, just a two-hour drive from the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, for a seaside getaway instead. Although not as developed as its northern counterpart, Vung Tau offers a unique, unpolished charm that is ideal for travelers seeking a more genuinely Vietnamese holiday experience.
Unlike Da Nang, where numerous high-end resorts occupy the beachfront property, and nearby Hoi An, which has lost some of its charm due to over-tourism, you're unlikely to discover any touristy traps in this small town, which remains more popular with local Vietnamese families instead.
To immerse yourself in the country's vibrant pavement culture, take a leisurely stroll along the scenic coastline, where locals and families come together on the streets to enjoy a meal and perhaps a drink or two. The extensive beaches are flanked by two picturesque hillsides, known as Big Mountain and Small Mountain, featuring a replica of Vietnam's own iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
Cruise along the Mekong River Delta
A trip to Vietnam is not complete without a boat tour, as the country's extensive network of rivers has had a profound impact on its history. The Mekong River is especially notable as one of the longest rivers in Asia, stretching from southwestern China to Southeast Asia, passing through Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and finally, southern Vietnam.
Here, you'll see tour guides and local Vietnamese navigating the namesake Mekong River Delta in speedboats and rowing boats, along smaller canals, under the shade of fruit trees and floating markets. Despite its touristy atmosphere, there's nothing quite as captivating as witnessing the region's reality firsthand, characterized by rice paddies and an economy still predominantly driven by agriculture, provided you're not attempting to navigate the boat yourself.
Gloria Tso stayed as a guest at the JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon.
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