The 3 destinations below are all located in the city center, so it is very convenient to get there. Instead of doing the “regular” such as sitting in the café or shopping, you can invite some friends to explore these spots and have some quality time together.
The Independence Palace
Address: Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1
Opening hours: 8 am – 3:30 pm
The Independence Palace is a national historical and cultural relic and one of the first 10 special national monuments of the country. The Palace is 4,500m2 wide and has a usable area of 20,000m2, located in a green, tree-lined campus.
 |
| It is a national historical and cultural relic and one of the first 10 special national monuments of the country. (Photo: Zing News) |
Inside the Palace, there are more than 100 galleries decorated in different styles such as meeting rooms, working rooms…
Ticket price for adults is VND 65,000/person, including the ticket to the exhibition area “From Norodom Palace to Independence Palace”. It is noted that the Palace closes quite early, tourists can start their journey in the morning to have more time to explore this place.
 |
| The Palace also attracts young people due to its unique architecture and many beautiful corners for perfect photos. (Photo: Zing News) |
In addition to the historical value, the Palace also attracts young people due to its unique architecture and many beautiful corners for perfect photos. Many visitors say that early morning is the most suitable time for taking pictures in the Palace.
Do Phu Coffee – Dai Han Broken Rice
Address: three branches in Ho Chi Minh city
Opening hours: 7 am – 10 pm
In Ho Chi Minh City, there are 3 branches of Do Phu coffee – Dai Han broken rice restaurant. Many tourists stop by branch 1 located on Dang Dung Street (District 1).
Before 1975, this was one of the secret operations of the Saigon Special Forces, which was led by Tran Van Lai (Nam Lai). Since 1946, the house has been handed over to Do Mien and his wife to sell broken rice and coffee but is actually a place to store and transfer confidential letters and documents.
 |
| In the past, the shop used to be one of the secret operations of the Saigon Special Forces. (Photo: Zing News) |
Tran Vu Binh, the owner of the shop, restored the original from the secret basement to the wardrobe, sewing machine, secret mailbox, and even household appliances in the 1960s-1970s.
Visiting the shop, customers will sit and enjoy the meal in the space of a secret base and learn more about the history.
 |
| Customers can enjoy the meal in the space of a secret base and learn more about the history. (Photo: Zing News) |
In addition to the impressive space, imbued with history, the food here is also delicious to many customers. Kimchi broken rice and Banh quay coffee (bagel twists eaten with coffee) are the most significant two dishes here.
A special broken rice dish including ribs, pork skin, Vietnamese steamed egg meatloaf, fried eggs at the restaurant costs VND 70,000. If diners order extra dishes such as ribs, skin, kimchi, it will add VND 5,000-35,000 to the total price.
 |
| A dish of broken rice at the shop. (Photo: Zing News) |
Ho Chi Minh Museum of Fine Arts
Address: Pho Duc Chinh, District 1
Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm
Recently, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts has become a favorite destination of young people, especially those who love to explore culture and art.
The building was a very impressive work in the French architectural style, combining a few lines of oriental architecture in the decoration of tiled roofs, ceramic columns, and patterns on the roof.
 |
| The building was a very impressive work in the French architectural style, combining oriental architecture. (Photo: Zing News) |
The exhibition space is divided into two main areas: ancient – early modern art and modern art with more than 22,000 artifacts, precious collections, and national treasures, reflecting the unique artistic features of Ho Chi Minh City and the Southern region.
Tickets to visit the museum cost VND 30,000/pax. Some famous check-in corners can be mentioned such as the corridor overlooking the Bitexco tower, the spiral staircase, etc.
 |
| Visitors can take many beautiful photos at the Museum. (Photo: Zing News) |
 |
| The exhibition space includes the ancient – early modern art and modern art. (Photo: Zing News) |
 |
| The spiral staircase in HCM Museum of Fine Arts. (Photo: Zing News) |
Reunification Palace
Reunification Hall, also known as Reunification Palace or Independence Palace, is located in the heart of Sai Gon now known as Ho Chi Minh City. It is where the collapse of the authority of the Republic of Vietnam and the entire liberation of Southern Vietnam took place on April 30, 1975.
Nguyen Huu Thai – A Witness of April 30
At noon on April 30, 1975 among some officials and soldiers of the Southern Liberation Army in Saigon Radio’s studio, there was a special man who witnessed the historical moment when President of the Republic of Vietnam Duong Van Minh and the cabinet of the Saigon administration broadcast the statement of unconditional surrender. He is Nguyen Huu Thai, former President of the Student Association of Saigon.
Ho Chi Minh City, a modern metropolis
Forty-five years after the country’s reunification, Ho Chi Minh City has transformed from a war-damaged city into a major economic hub in the country and Southeast Asia. With a population of around 13 million, the city aims to become a smart and modern urban area.
Visiting historical places helps inspire patriotism
April 30th is reunification day, one of the most important historical events of the nation. On the occasion, many people visit historical landmarks to learn more about the war and the value of peace.
Historical relic sites refresh memory about Sai Gon’s liberation
Historical relic sites in Ho Chi Minh City are packed with tourists these days as the spirit of the great victory in 1975 that liberated the south and reunified Vietnam lingers on.
