Your complete guide to Saigon in 2025: discover the city’s best hotels, restaurants, bars and tourist destinations – from book boutiques and designer threads to jungle cruises along the Mekong River

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is in the midst of a major urban transformation, boasting an impressive array of restaurants, bars, shops, and attractions that cater to even the most demanding traveler.

In Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, the country's most populous city and largest financial center, a cultural revival is underway. The city is witnessing a surge in the opening of new restaurants and bars, as well as an unprecedented influx of tourists. Of particular interest to our readers who value luxury, Ho Chi Minh City has transformed into a shopping paradise and a hub for young Vietnamese artists and designers. The city now boasts cutting-edge retail spaces and concept stores that showcase a dynamic vision for Southeast Asia's potential as a hub for fashion, art, and design.

Looking for assistance in planning a trip to southern Vietnam's main attractions but unsure of where to begin? We're here to help.

Staying at JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon

Formerly known as the InterContinental Saigon, this well-known hotel in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City's lively District 1 has been reintroduced to the public as the JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon just last year, introducing trendy, newly rebranded facilities, such as the Driftwood Pool Bar, to the area. Within walking distance from the city's major landmarks, including the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum, it's an ideal base for first-time visitors and a great choice for frequent travelers, offering top-tier concierge services and a residential tower with serviced flats and suites located right next door.

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Although facilities such as Executive Lounge access, a popular feature of many Marriott hotels, may seem geared more towards business travelers, the hotel is also welcoming to families. Situated on the 19th floor of the Marriott in Saigon, the lounge has a cozy, home-like atmosphere, ideal for relaxing and unwinding over evening cocktails before another day of sightseeing.

The top floor deluxe suite is well worth its name, large enough to accommodate a family of three - or four, or more, if we're being realistic - with expansive views of the surrounding area and city skyline. The amenities are refreshingly modern yet still retain some classic touches.

This hotel truly stands out in its meal service, and you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't try the banh mi here, a staple from Saigon. If Western pastries are more to your liking, the afternoon tea sets here are unmatched, consisting of delicious little cakes and canapés that are almost too beautiful to eat. For Lunar New Year, I treated myself to a chocolate "red packet" from the holiday-themed afternoon tea set and sampled some festive macarons from the in-house buffet restaurant, Market 39. Having a wide selection of even the smallest snacks gives you a glimpse into the grandeur that makes this Marriott experience truly exceptional. As founder J. Willard Marriott once said, it's the small details that make big things possible.

Please pick up some literature from the book store.

Bookstore tourism hasn't gained momentum like art or food tourism, but Ho Chi Minh City's charming Book Street makes a strong case for planning your next vacation around literary hotspots. Near popular attractions such as the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon and the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, there's always a steady flow of visitors on this picturesque strip of outdoor coffee shops and local bookstores, which offer a selection of Vietnamese titles, international bestsellers, and rare, harder-to-find titles - a peaceful retreat from the otherwise frantic area.

Shop at Rue Miche

Vietnamese fashion designers have gained popularity recently, thanks in part to the influence of K-pop. Their designs draw from popular styles among Gen Z, including the coquette aesthetic and futuristic streetwear. Retail boutique Rue Miche showcases these local brands and offers a range of arts and culture events each month, along with a juice bar called Rotten that serves refreshing coconut and pomelo drinks, perfect for hot and humid weather.

The Beuter, a fashion accessory, is often worn by Vietnamese women who are considered fashionable and trendy, known as "It girls".

Eat at Cuc Gach Quan

Cuc Gach Quan has all the characteristics of a concealed treasure - a discreet location, no public Instagram account, and very little information in English on its Facebook page - except that it is not one. Listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand guide, this local eatery inspired by Vietnamese home cooking from rural areas has been a mainstay of Ho Chi Minh City's rapidly expanding food scene for years, offering a wide range of dishes that demonstrate just how diverse the country's cuisine is.

You won't find your run-of-the-mill pho bowls here - only heartier communal dishes served in family style, such as slow-cooked pork ribs and claypot fish stew, which are as filling as they are flavorful and best enjoyed in the company of others. The ambiance deserves extra credit, designed so that guests can feel at home right from the start, surrounded by lush greenery, antique decor, colorful paper lanterns and a beautiful koi fish pond at the entrance.

Relax and unwind after a long day at Summer Experiment

Located on the second floor of a non-descript building just a short walk from the well-known Ben Thanh Market, visitors entering Summer Experiment for the first time may be surprised by what they discover. Initially, a lush garden catches the eye, followed by vintage-style furnishings nestled into an industrial-chic space - all of which hint at the unique character that Summer Experiment is cultivating, one that is marked by a relaxed atmosphere while still offering top-notch drinks and exceptional service.

These unique cocktails may not be more exotic, but they are indeed intriguing, blending homemade flavors and locally-sourced ingredients, much like Vietnam's rich and diverse natural heritage.

Explore the beaches in Vung Tau

If you find the popular resort town of Da Nang to be too crowded with tourists now, consider heading to Vung Tau, just a two-hour drive from the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, for a seaside break instead. Although it may not be as well-developed as its northern counterpart, Vung Tau offers a unique charm and raw beauty, making it an ideal destination for those seeking an authentic Vietnamese holiday experience.

Unlike Da Nang, where large luxury resorts have taken over the beachside properties, and nearby Hoi An, whose beauty has been slightly diminished by too many tourists, you're unlikely to find any tourist traps in this small town, which remains more appealing to local Vietnamese families instead.

To experience the country's famous street food culture, take a stroll along the relatively unspoiled coastline, where friends and families congregate on the streets to enjoy a meal and maybe a drink or two. The expansive beaches are lined by two picturesque hillsides, aptly named Big Mountain and Small Mountain, featuring Vietnam's own version of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.

Drifting along the Mekong River Delta

A trip to Vietnam would not be complete without a boat tour, as the country's vast network of rivers has had a significant impact on shaping its history over the years. The Mekong River is particularly notable, being one of the longest rivers in Asia, running 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 Mekong River Delta in speedboats and rowing boats, along the smaller canals, under the shade of fruit trees and floating markets. Despite its touristy atmosphere, there's nothing quite as captivating as witnessing the authentic reality of this region, characterized by rice paddies and a strong agricultural presence, with one's own eyes. Provided, naturally, you're not attempting to steer the boat yourself.

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