Trip review to Ho Chi Minh: A developing tourist destination

This trip was completed in July 2024.

Having frequented cities like Bangkok and Jakarta, we find that airport transportation options are important to us and we value the seamless connectivity to the city centres. On this note, Ho Chi Minh is one of the few key Southeast Asia cities without a functioning metro system yet. Metro Line No.1 is scheduled to open by the time we were there, but it was delayed and so we could not try out the new system in time.

As such, ride-hailing apps like Grab is a popular choice for travellers arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, but finding the assigned vehicle and driver may not be straightforward given the rather chaotic carpark situation. We resorted to booking a private transfer online via Klook to avoid the stress and it was as affordable as ride-hailing.

Below are our reviews of notable parts of the trip.

Airport Lounge: Rose Business Lounge

Rating 7.7/10

While there is also a halal lounge at the airport, we find that the Rose Business Lounge provides a more comfortable resting environment as it is situated closer to the end of the International Terminal. Generally, we do not expect much from this airport as the offerings tend to be very limited. However, the lounge receives a large amount of natural light from the runway beside and they share the high ceiling of the terminal.

This lounge is good enough for a short break before a flight, but for proper meals, we recommend the restaurants which are located at the same level as the airline lounges (Le Saigonnais and Lotus Lounge) on the third level. Otherwise, there is also a new Food Village which just opened last year within the parking garage of the airport.

Accommodation: Hôtel des Arts Saigon - MGallery

Rating 8.1/10

This hotel is situated in a prime location in District 3, a short distance from most of the city’s attractions. Having opened its doors at the end of 2015, it is a relatively new hotel with a touch of modern art deco. Being more of a boutique hotel, the actual compound is not large but does come equipped with a spa, fitness centre and a rooftop pool.

Although the room size is not big, it is certainly well-appointed and felt new. We would have preferred a more spacious bathroom and basin area, though the excellent sanitary hardware somewhat made up for the lack in size. The hotel itself is quite tall among its surroundings, so the views can be amazing, in addition to the aesthetically-shaped windows with rounded edges. Room rates are around 4.3 million VND per night.

What truly stands out for this hotel is the proximity to the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, the Grand Post Office, the Independence Palace as well as Ben Thanh Market. Just a short walk from the hotel, there is also a modern vegetarian restaurant called Be An Vegetarian Café and a hidden gem massage spa called AN’s Spa.

Dining: Pizza 4P's (Hai Ba Trung outlet)

Rating 8.3/10

Turning from a bustling street into the narrow alleyway, you will be transported into an upscale restaurant setting, complete with dimly-lit interiors within glass panels, industrial metal and stone surfaces, and a garden reception area. It is quite a stark contrast with the usual Ho Chi Minh street in a good way, and we did see diners dress up for this Pizza 4P’s outlet.

The service staff was especially friendly during our visit, and even offered a complimentary starter when it took some time for our food to be served. There are a few seating areas for different ambience, with the main seating being indoor and air-conditioned. There is also a second dining level via a large metal staircase structure.

Food was prepared to a high standard and they were served in the right sequence with a good pace. The pasta came in a generous portion for sharing, but upon chatting with the staff, we found out that it may be possible to request for half portion. Highly recommend both the pizza and pasta mains. The fried chicken was surprisingly tasty too, but we found the cheesecake dessert to be only average.

Dining: Ca Phe Do Phu

Rating 7.9/10

If scoring solely for the food, this will likely receive a lower rating from us. However, what is interesting about this place is its historical gallery across the shop. The shop sells broken rice with grilled pork chop as their main dish. It came with kimchi on the side, coupled with soup and drinks. The pork chop was a little dry for our taste but overall, it retained the presentation of a local traditional fare.

Why this café deserves a mention has less to do with the food, but more to do with their attempt at educating visitors on the war history of Vietnam. Below a trapdoor in their gallery is an underground bunker which can also lead to other parts of the shophouse through a tunnel and ladder. There also also various artefacts and items on exhibit to showcase how the local family lived. In this regards, Ca Phe Do Phu is a must-visit beyond a typical local eatery.

Dining: Blank Sky Lounge

Rating 7.8/10

This sky bar is located in the tallest building of Vietnam called Landmark 81. Reservation is highly recommended and the reception is at the ground floor connected to the retail mall. To reach the bar, guests will have to transfer lifts at the hotel lobby situated at the middle floor of the building.

Compared to other bars of luxury hotels, this sky lounge is actually not as awe-inspiring in terms of the posh vibe. In fact, most areas of the lounge feel more like a café apart from the central bar counter near the lounge entrance. That aside, the sprawling view is a treat and there is even an outdoor seating area if guests are comfortable with the strong wind.

The Bitexco Financial Tower and the Tan Son Nhat Airport can be spotted in the horizon. On a good day, one can clearly see all the planes arriving into the airport since Ho Chi Minh is one of the cities where the airport is very close to the city centre. Try to reserve a table around sunset timing to catch the city lighting up.

Activity: Cafe Apartment

Rating 8.0/10

Definitely a head-turner for pedestrians on the street below, this building sports an eclectic mix of shops and displays across the exterior of the building. There are now a couple of these building designs given their popularity, but the prominent ones are located quite close to each other within walking distance.

To experience and observe the inside of an old Vietnam residential building, this will be a worthwhile visit. The unassuming entrance to the building is one thing, but being greeted by an old lift system upon entering is another pleasant surprise. There are many shops to explore within the building, and some cafes require walking through a series of corridors and doors.

Activity: Cong Vien Bo Song

Rating 7.5/10

This is a riverfront park which we chanced upon when walking through Nguyen Hue Walking Street in District 1. Connecting the City Hall to Saigon River, the pedestrianised avenue is also where one can take a good photo of the Café Apartments. Hilton Saigon, the first Hilton hotel in Ho Chi Minh which just opened in March 2024, is also located just a short walk from the park.

We found a lot more locals at this well-maintained riverfront park, although there is also a ferry terminal to take tourists on a river boat ride. There are also a few food and dining options at the park, with KATINAT being the more famous store there. They mainly sell drinks and some desserts which are popular among locals.

All in all, we think that Ho Chi Minh is definitely an up-and-coming tourist destination. With the ongoing development of its infrastructure, the city can continue to modernise while preserving the rich culture and history of its buildings. At its current stage, travellers may find that two to three days are sufficient to explore the city before continuing north towards Hoi An or Da Nang.