I’ve always believed that the best way to know a place is through its streets, its food, and the rhythm of everyday life.
In Saigon, whether I was wandering the streets, market, tasting the freshest pho, or standing in silence at the War Remnants Museum. This city has a way of making you feel every flavor, every sound, every story.
6 Things I Loved Most in Saigon (And Why This City Always Surprises Me)
Stepping into Saigon hit me like a sensory overload, the sounds of honking everywhere, the smells of food that you can't quite figure out what, the energy. It’s chaotic, it’s delicious, and honestly, it makes you feel alive in a way few places do. If you’re planning a trip here, here are the top experiences that’ll stick with you long after you leave.
1. Ho Thi Ky Market > Ben Thanh Market
Real talk, Ben Thanh is overrated. It’s crowded and expensive, and you can get way better eats elsewhere. Ho Thi Ky Market (flower market turned food street at night) was next level. Coffee here was only 15k VND, and the food? Finger licking goodness.
Right at the entrance I stopped at the first stall and got four grilled oysters for RM9, and a bowl of noodles with kangkung and 4 huge prawns for less than RM15. Then there was the coconut ice cream, not overly sweet, with seriously strong coconut flavor, and that crunchy topping was perfect for the heat.
This is the kind of place where the locals eat, and you immediately feel like you’re living the real Saigon life.
2. War Remnants Museum: Way More Than a Museum
I wasn’t expecting to be so moved, but exploring the War Remnants Museum was one of the most eye opening parts of my trip. The storytelling and displays are so immersive that you almost feel transported back in time.
it does gets busy during peak tourist season, but if you give yourself time and actually read the exhibits, you’ll learn way more than anything you’ll find online. It gives real context to parts of history that just can’t be fully grasped from online reading or any other sources. The exhibit will show real pieces of the war, real photographs, pictures and letter taken during the war.
3. White Rabbit Amusement Park : Shooting Range + More Fun
This one was a total surprise. I found a shooting range at White Rabbit Amusement Park through Klook, and honestly, it was so worth it.
You get a coach who shows you how to shoot , and suddenly you’re living your “sniper for a day” fantasy. It’s cheap, fun, and not a typical tourist thing, which made it even more memorable and plus the park itself has plenty of other rides and attractions to keep you entertained.
4. Send Postcards from Saigon!
You can also send postcard from the official postoffice in Saigon back home or anywhere in the world to yourself or your love ones. It's a really fun activity to do and inexpensive as well.
Plus, the building has a french colonial vibe to it and it's really gorgeous to look at.
5. Vietnamese Food Isn’t Just Pho + Banh Mi (And Here’s Why It’s So Herby)
This is probably the only country I travelled to that I never get bloated after a meal.
Vietnamese food isn’t heavy or greasy, it’s fresh, light, and filled with herbs, and there’s a reason for that.
Vietnamese cuisine is all about balance , balancing salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami flavors and fresh herbs play a huge role in that. Herbs aren’t just garnish for Vietnamese, they’re an essential part of the meal, adding brightness, aroma, and even health benefits like digestion support and antioxidants. Fresh cilantro, Thai basil, mint, perilla, and more are served with almost every dish so you can customize your flavor experience right at the table. So don't be surprised if your plate of salad side dish is bigger than your mains.
This emphasis on fresh herbs and daily sourced ingredients also explains why Vietnamese food feels lighter and healthier compared to other cuisines, it focuses on freshness and balance, not heavy sauces or tons of fat.
Pho and Banh Mi are just the start. You must try com tam (broken rice with grilled meat and more), bun cha (grilled meat with noodles), bun thit nuong (rice noodles with grilled meat and herbs), and fresh spring rolls. Every dish comes with that mountain of herbs, and adding them changes everything.
Bonus tip : head to Malaysian Street, try to spot the sweetest and kindest Pak Hamid! He sells the best bingka ubi/labu and curry puff I ever tasted and he speaks Bahasa Melayu perfectly as well! He is always around Haji Osmal Restaurant area at Malaysian Street.
6. Crossing the Street: Saigon’s Ultimate Level‑Up Moment
If there’s one thing that’ll make you feel like a certified traveler, it’s crossing the street in Vietnam. Motorbikes and cars everywhere. People riding like it’s GTA.
Here’s the trick: don’t stop, don’t panic, just walk they will avoid you. Go slow, steady, and trust that drivers will weave around you. Once you do it without fear, you feel like you’ve unlocked a new level of confidence on the road.
Final Thoughts:
Saigon is loud, flavorful, and full of surprises, from markets where you feast like a local, to museums that make history feel alive, to foods that redefine what fresh really means. If you go in with your senses open and a little courage, this city will give you stories worth sharing.
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Anjali Kanabathy (k.viwyaanjali@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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