Explore Saigon in 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Top Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Attractions
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s most populated urban center and principal economic powerhouse, is undergoing a significant cultural revival characterized by an abundance of newly opened restaurants and bars, along with record-high tourist arrivals. This surge holds particular appeal for discerning consumers seeking luxurious experiences; the city has transformed into a premier destination for upscale retail therapy and creative expression among young Vietnamese talents. Innovative new venues and thematic boutiques present dynamic prospects for Southeast Asia’s role in shaping the realms of fashion, art, and design moving forward.
Looking for assistance in mapping out your journey through the vast expanse of southern Vietnam but unsure about how to begin? We can assist you with that.
Lodge at JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon
Previously known as the InterContinental Saigon, this renowned and conveniently situated hotel in Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling District 1 has been reborn under the name JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon just recently. It now features modern amenities including the stylish Driftwood Pool Bar. Located within easy reach of key attractions like the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum, it serves both newcomers to the city and seasoned travelers who appreciate exceptional concierge service. Adjacent to the main building, you'll also find a residential tower offering fully furnished apartments and suites.
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Although amenities such as Executive Lounge access — often a key feature at numerous Marriott properties — might seem geared primarily toward business travelers, this hotel maintains a welcoming atmosphere for families too. Situated on the 19th floor of the Saigon Marriott, the lounge offers a cozy ambiance where guests can unwind with evening drinks before exploring the city’s attractions during another action-packed day.
In the meantime, the premium suite on the top floor aptly lives up to its name, offering ample space for a family of three—or even four or more—while providing panoramic vistas of the adjacent neighborhood and cityscape. The facilities boast a contemporary and refreshing elegance yet maintain an unmistakable classic appeal.
The true highlight of this hotel lies in its dining services, and missing out on trying the banh mi would be a shame – it’s an essential dish in Saigon. Should Western-style baked goods appeal more to your palate, then the afternoon teas offered at this establishment stand unmatched; they feature exquisite miniature cakes and appetizers so visually stunning that one might hesitate to consume them. During the Lunar New Year celebration, I savored a chocolate ‘red envelope’ dessert included in the specially curated afternoon tea menu for the occasion, followed by tasting some seasonal macarons available at the in-house buffet restaurant called Market 39. The abundance of options even for minor treats provides insight into what makes staying at this Marriott property particularly remarkable. Just as founder J. Willard Marriott often emphasized, small details ultimately create something significant.
Grab some literary works from Book Street.
While bookstore tourism has not yet gained traction like art or culinary tours, Ho Chi Minh City’s cozy Book Street presents a compelling reason to structure your vacation around literary destinations. Situated close to popular sites such as the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon and the bustling Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, this picturesque lane brimming with outdoor cafes and independent bookshops attracts constant visitors. The stores here offer an array of Vietnamese publications alongside global bestsellers and elusive collector items—a peaceful escape amid the lively surroundings.
Shop at Rue Miche
Thanks to prominent support from K-pop artists, Vietnamese fashion designers have recently gained significant attention. They draw inspiration from Generation Z trends—ranging from flirtatious aesthetics to avant-garde streetwear designs. The retail boutique Rue Miche showcases top-tier brands along with an impressive lineup of art and cultural events each month. Additionally, they feature a trendy juice bar named Rotten where one can enjoy refreshing drinks like cool coconut or pomelo beverages during this warm and muggy season.
Occupying two levels, some of our favorite labels at Rue Miche feature Subtle Le Nguyen, which has been sported by numerous celebrities. Kylie Jenner ; The Moon, popularized by Lisa from Blackpink ; often worn by Vietnam's fashion icons, known as "It girls."
Dine at Cuc Gach Quan
Cuoco Gach Quan appears like a concealed treasure at first glance – owing to its inconspicuous location, lack of a public Instagram profile, and minimal details available in English on its Facebook page – but disappointingly fails to live up to that expectation. Recognized in the Michelin Bib Gourmand list, this local restaurant draws inspiration from traditional Vietnamese rural fare and has become an integral part of Ho Chi Minh City’s burgeoning culinary landscape over several years. Its menu showcases the extensive variety within Vietnam’s rich gastronomic offerings.
Here you won’t encounter ordinary bowls of pho; instead, enjoy robust communal meals meant for sharing, like slow-cooked spare ribs and clay pot fish stew—dishes that are both satisfyingly full-flavored and best savored together with others. The ambiance merits extra praise too, crafted to make visitors feel right at home upon entry through an inviting setting adorned with verdant plants, vintage treasures, vibrant paper lanterns, and a stunning koi pond greeting them at the door.
End your evening with Summer Experiment.
Nestled on the second floor of an inconspicuous structure near the well-known Ben Thanh Market, visitors entering Summer Experiment for the first time may experience unexpected delight. Upon entry, one is greeted by a flourishing garden followed by retro-inspired decor within an industrial setting—a combination that shapes the establishment’s personality, offering relaxed ambiance yet maintaining top-notch beverages and customer care.
This does not imply that the cocktails lack intrigue; they explore indigenous tastes and locally obtained components, reflecting the abundant and varied array of plants and animals found throughout Vietnam.
Stroll along the shores of Vung Tau
If the bustling resort city of Da Nang feels overcrowded nowadays, perhaps opt for a trip to Vung Tau, located only a two-hour drive from central Ho Chi Minh City. Although less developed than its northern counterpart, VungTau offers an unpolished allure and distinctive character ideal for travelers looking for a genuinely Vietnamese vacation.
In contrast to Da Nang, where large-scale luxurious resorts overshadow the coastal properties, and neighboring Hoi An, whose charm has been somewhat diminished by excessive tourism, you won’t encounter many touristy spots in this small town. It continues to be favored primarily by Vietnamese locals rather than visitors.
To immerse yourself in the renowned street culture of this nation, stroll alongside the less frequented shoreline, where locals often meet up with their buddies and loved ones outdoors for some food and perhaps a beer or two. These expansive shores are bordered by two picturesque hills known as Big Mountain and Little Mountain, each adorned with a replica resembling Vietnam’s interpretation of Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
Drift through the Mekong River Delta
Visiting Vietnam isn’t complete without taking a boat tour since the nation’s vast system of rivers has significantly influenced its historical development throughout the ages. The Mekong stands out notably as one of Asia's longest waterways, stretching from southwest China right down to Southeast Asia via Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and ultimately reaching southern Vietnam.
At this spot, you will observe tour guides and local Vietnamese traversing the iconic Mekong River Delta using both speedboats and traditional rowing boats. They navigate through narrower waterways shaded by lush fruit trees and near bustling floating markets. Despite how touristy it might appear, witnessing firsthand the actual landscape of this area—filled with expansive rice fields and deeply rooted in agricultural life—is truly captivating. This holds true provided, naturally, that you do not attempt to steer the boat yourself.
Gloria Tso remained as a guest at the JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon.