Explore 12 hidden gems & unusual things to do in HCMC (2024)

The first coffee seeds were imported to Vietnam in 1857 by the French. Over the course of many decades, coffee has become one of the most beloved beverages among the Vietnamese people, leading to the creation of numerous coffee drink variations.

Perhaps the most ubiquitous one in HCMC is ca phe sua da (iced milk coffee), which is available on every street corner of the city. In addition to that, there are several other “unusual” coffee concoctions that actually taste delicious, including egg coffee, coconut coffee, and mung bean coffee. A perfect place to sample all of these coffee drinks is Cong Coffee, a renowned coffee shop chain in Vietnam that also happens to be my favorite spot for gathering with friends.

Unusual things to do in HCMC at night

6. Try your luck at Lo To Show

The Lo To Show is highly popular among the locals but remains relatively unknown to many tourists.  

In South Vietnam, Lo To is a game that people eagerly participate in during Tet, the country’s biggest and most significant holiday. 

In recent times, Lo To has evolved into a weekly show. During this show, performers sing and announce numbers. It is your task to mark the corresponding number on your ticket. If you manage to form a row of four numbers, remember to raise your hand, as you stand a chance to win a prize.

There are many Lo To troupes in Ho Chi Minh City, but one of the most famous ones is the Tan Thoi Troupe (Doan Lo To Tan Thoi), whose founder and performers belong to the LGBT community. I’ll give the theater address below.

Pro tip: Since the performances are in Vietnamese, it is advisable to secure a seat in the front row to have a clear view of the numbers. Additionally, remember to bring ear protection as the music tends to be quite loud.

• Address: 141 Bac Hai, 14 Ward, District 10, HCMC (Tan Thoi Troupe)
• Show time: 18:00 – 23:00
• Ticket price: 20.000 VND/ticket (you can buy as many as you want, the more you buy, the more chance to win)

7. Hop on the Saigon Water Bus

The Saigon Water Bus offers a fantastic opportunity to admire HCMC from a unique angle—the Saigon River. 

Surprisingly, this experience is much more budget-friendly compared to cruises. A one-way ticket costs only 15,000 VND per person, and you can disembark at any point between Bach Dang Station and Linh Dong Station. 

Pro tip: I recommend experiencing the Saigon Water Bus at night when the temperature is cooler, and you can witness the stunning city illuminated by lights.

For more details, you can read my review of Sai Gon Water Bus (Click here)

• Address: Bach Dang Water Bus Station, 10B Ton Duc Thang St, District 1, HCMC
• Opening hours: 7:00 – 19:30, daily
• Ticket price: 15.000 VND/way/person

8. Stroll along Nguyen Van Binh Book Street

This book street is situated in the heart of District 1, HCMC, close to Turtle Lake. Here, you can discover a wide selection of Vietnamese and English books from well-known publishers in Vietnam. Additionally, there are book cafes and benches available where you can comfortably sit down and enjoy reading books.

• Address: Nguyen Van Binh St, Ben Nghe, District 1, HCMC
• Opening hours: 8:00 – 22:00, daily
• Ticket price: free

9. Enjoy the atmosphere at Turtle Lake

Looking for some unusual things to do in Ho Chi Minh City? Why not visit Turtle Lake? This is a popular spot where young locals often gather to enjoy snacks and drinks. It’s a fantastic place to relax and chit-chat with your family or friends.

If you buy food from the street vendors, you can sit on their mats. Alternatively, you can find a spot to sit anywhere, as long as you don’t mind getting your clothes dirty.

Note that the vendors may have to quickly pack up their mats if the police arrive, as selling food in this area is actually illegal.

Pro tip:  It’s actually more expensive buying food from street vendors around the lake. You can also opt to buy food from elsewhere and bring it with you to Turtle Lake.

• Address: Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, HCMC
• Opening hours: 24/7
• Ticket price: free

10. Enjoy some snail dishes – unusual things to do in HCMC

Snails are one of the Vietnamese people’s favorite foods when hanging out with friends. In HCMC, you can find this dish in local restaurants that serve various kinds of snails, along with some seafood options as well.

I am personally crazily in love with snail dishes in HCMC as the sauce they use is incredibly delicious and distinct from the cooking style in Northern Vietnam where I come from.

Here are some recommendations for you: 

• Quan Oc Khanh

Address: 25 Nguyen Binh Kiem, Ben Nghe, District 1, HCMC. 

Price: From 100.000-200.000 VND/person

• Oc Hoi Ngo: 

Address:  432A/27 Ba Trac St, Ward 1, District 8, HCMC. 

Price: From 100.000-250.000 VND/person 

• Oc Dao

Address: 123 Vinh Khanh, Ward 10, District 4, HCMC.

Price: From 100.000-150.000 VND/person 

11. Explore the cafe apartments at 42 Nguyen Hue St.

If you’re seeking an interesting spot to enjoy a drink and relax, this is the ideal destination to visit.

Having been constructed in the mid-1960s, the apartment was once occupied by American military officers and high-ranking officials working for the South Vietnam government. Nowadays, the building has transformed into an apartment complex that is bustling with cafes, boutiques, salons, and co-working spaces. Visiting this place, you can select a café, sit down, and relish the view of Nguyen Hue Walking Street.

• Address: 42 Nguyen Hue St, Ben nghe, District 1, HCMC

12. Indulge in local cuisine on Ton Dao Street

I stumbled upon this local food paradise by chance. This street and its neighborhood offer a wide variety of local delicacies, including snails, seafood, mixed rice, noodles, desserts, and more, all at affordable prices.

• Banh canh chao long Tra Vinh

Food: Intestine porridge/ noodles

Address: 161 Ton Dan St.

Price: 35.000 VND-50.000 VND/person

• Banh cuon nong Co Tam

Food: Vietnamese steamed rolled cake

Address: 190 Ton Dan St.

Price:  ~30.000 VND

• Thi Thi Che

Food: dessert – sweet soup 

Address: 233 Ton Dan St.

Price: 20.000 VND – 70.000 VND

More posts about Ho Chi Minh City

• A Guide to Buu Long Buddhist Pagoda in District 9, HCMC
• 10 Best budget hotels near Bui Vien Street
• Ho Chi Minh to Danang: Is sleeper bus or train better?
• HCMC travel blog: Ultimate travel guide for first-timers

Above are 12 unique and unusual things to do in HCMC. Which one is your favorite? Share your thoughts below.

Thanks for reading!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the free things to do in HCMC?

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) offers a lot of unique and free experiences for tourists. Here is the list of 10 free and interesting things to do in HCMC:

• Ton Dan Apartment
• 42 Nguyen Hue Cafe Apartment
• Bui Vien Street
• Nguyen Hue Walking Street
• Buu Long Pagoda
• Thien Hau Temple
• Sai Gon Central Post Office
• Turtle Lake
• Notre Dame Sai Gon
• The Pink Church – Tan Dinh Church

2. What to do in HCMC in 2 days?

Here is the recommended itinerary for 2 days in HCMC:

Day 1: 

• Morning: check into your hotel
• Afternoon: visit the War Remnant Museum (1 hour +) and Independence Palace (1 hour +)
• Evening: stroll along Nguyen Hue Walking Street (30 mins), have some cafe at 42 Nguyen Hue Cafe Apartment (1 hour +), and let loose at Bui Vien Street (1-2 hours)

Day 2:

• Morning: explore Sai Gon Central Post Office (30 mins)  and Notre Dame Sai Gon (30mins)
• Afternoon: discover the Pink Church (30 mins)

3. Is Grab available in HCMC?

Yes, it is.

You can book a motorbike or car taxi via this app at a very affordable price. Pro tips: Always check for discount codes in the app, sometimes I got very cheap rides with discount codes (as cheap as 1000 VND…that’s insane).

4. Is HCM a safe place to travel?

Personally, I would rate HCMC a 7/10 for its safety level.

My trips to HCMC were smooth without any problems. However, I was told by the locals that muggings were pretty common in the city. So you must always keep an eye on your belongings and hold your phone tightly while walking outside.