Ho chi minh city (Vietnam) Explored: 25 Must-See landmarks and archaeological sites to Add to Your Bucket List
Our guide features 25 can’t-miss landmarks and archaeological sites in Ho chi minh city (Vietnam) for your next adventure. Explore the best of Ho chi minh city (Vietnam) with our list of top-rated landmarks and archaeological sites. For thrill-seekers, we’ve compiled 25 exciting landmarks and archaeological sites. Journey through Ho chi minh city (Vietnam) and discover 25 fascinating landmarks and archaeological sites with unique stories.
Information about Ho chi minh city (Vietnam)
Ho Chi Minh City is considered the commercial and financial center of Vietnam, and it has a prominent history dating back hundreds of years, where the “Khmer” people originally settled there, and the Vietnamese seized its rule in the seventeenth century, then the French invaded it in 1859, and made it the capital of “Cochinchina” in in 1862, which gave it a wealth of elegant architecture and wide boulevards that still exist to this day. The city was named after the spiritual leader of Vietnamese communism Ho Chi Minh, but the city center is still called “Saigon” after its former name, and today the city is a popular tourist destination thanks to its fascinating culture, classic French architecture and elegant skyscrapers, in addition to to ornate temples.
A list of the best Landmarks and archaeological sites in Ho chi minh city
Looking for the best landmarks and archaeological sites spots in Ho chi minh city (Vietnam) ? Our curated list features the most exceptional destinations, meticulously selected by our team, and based on the experiences of fellow travelers. Start planning your next adventure with us.
1- Buu Long Pagoda
Buu Long Pagoda – Bo Long Pagoda is located in District 9 of Ho Chi Minh City. It was ranked among the 20 most amazing Buddhist temples in the world by the prestigious American National Geographic magazine. It was built in 1943 and subsequently restored within 5 years starting from 2007. Today, it has the typical architecture of Thai and Indian temples mixed with the styles of the Vietnamese Nguyen Dynasty, creating a unique beauty.
Place address: 81 Nguyễn Xiển, Long Bình, Quận 9, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
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2- Hoang Phap Pagoda
Hoang Phap Pagoda – Huangphap Temple covers an area of 6 hectares, dates back more than half a century, and is characterized by its unique architecture and scenic surroundings composed mostly of a group of tall and lush trees, especially famous for its three-arched gate with oriental architectural style (red tiles and curved roof) It also houses the Buddha Temple, which is designed in a modern architectural style mixed with traditional architectural style.
Place address: Số 196 Đường Lê Lợi, Tân Thới Nhì, Hóc Môn, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
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3- Cho Quan Catholic Church
Cho Quan Catholic Church – Chu Quan Catholic Church is a beautiful 19th-century church located on the border of District 5 in Ho Chi Minh City. It features ornate colonial architecture and a 20-meter-high tower. This church has been at the heart of political turmoil for centuries and has been rebuilt three times, though Its connection to Vietnam’s glorious past, stunning architecture, and gorgeous garden make it one of the most popular attractions for worship, history exploration, and relaxation in Ho Chi Minh City.
Place address: 120 Trần Bình Trọng, Phường 2, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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4- Nghia An Hoi Quan Pagoda
Nghia An Hoi Quan Pagoda – Nghia An Hoi Quan Temple is a Buddhist temple dedicated to General Quan Cong of the Han Dynasty in the 3rd century. Featuring ornate woodwork and vivid paintings, it is evidence of the multicultural nature of Ho Chi Minh City. It was built By Chinese immigrants from Chaozhou in the early 19th century, its traditional architecture perfectly reflects aspects of their culture and religious heritage.
Place address: 678 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường 11, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
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5- Quan Am Pagoda
Quan Am Pagoda – Quan Am Temple is a beautiful 19th-century Buddhist temple dedicated to Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy. Featuring a delightful Chinese-style design, it is considered one of the most attractive temples in Ho Chi Minh City, opening its ornate red and gold doors to welcome visitors with its beautiful architecture and art. Ornate and colorful sculptures, it also includes a picturesque garden, an artificial pond, a spacious courtyard, and a main altar, and it abounds with incense, bright and beautiful colors, and unique architecture.
Place address: 12 Lão Tử, Phường 11, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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6- Thien Hau Temple
Thien Hau Temple – Thien Hau Temple is a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess “Mazu” who is believed to protect ships and people in the sea and save them by flying on a mat or a cloud. It was built in 1760, and when you enter through its iron gate you will see a huge stone incense burner in front of the entrance to the altar Mazu, the exterior is beautifully designed with a traditional curved ceiling on which small porcelain figures stand, symbolizing themes from Chinese religions and myths, while the interior design contains colorful dioramas decorating the ceiling by representing scenes from the nineteenth century in a Chinese city.
Place address: 756 Yale St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
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7- Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda – Vinh Nghiem Temple is located in District 3 in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Completed in 1971, it is the largest Mahayana temple in the city, covering an area of 6,000 square metres. It is also the first temple to incorporate traditional Vietnamese elements into a concrete structure. With a large statue of Buddha surrounded by wooden carvings of sacred animals such as dragons, unicorns, turtles and phoenixes.
Place address: 339 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường 14, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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8- Giac Lam Pagoda
Giac Lam Pagoda – Built in 1744, Giac Lam Pagoda is the oldest Buddhist temple in Ho Chi Minh City, and as such was listed as an Important Historic Site by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture in 1988. The pagoda is located in Binh Thanh district, surrounded by a spacious walled garden, and fronted by Statues of mythical dragons that are believed to protect temples in the area. Inside, this richly decorated shrine consists of three areas: a ceremonial hall, a chanting hall, and a dining hall. This large and sprawling establishment houses beautiful images of Buddha in various incarnations, along with many Taoist deities Each has its own altar, and all the wooden columns are decorated with red and gold Chinese characters.
Place address: 565 Lạc Long Quân, Phường 10, Tân Bình, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
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9- Musulman Mosque
Musulman Mosque – The Muslim Mosque, also known as Saigon Central Mosque or Dong Du Mosque, is located off the famous shopping street Dong Quy, and dates back to 1935. It was originally built for the Indian Muslim community living in Ho Chi Minh City. It is distinguished by its colorful exterior, which includes Four high minarets, providing worshipers with a quiet space to practice their beliefs.
Place address: 66 Đông Du, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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10- Xa Loi Pagoda
Xa Loi Pagoda – Sa Loi Pagoda is a Buddhist temple complex consisting of seven main buildings surrounded by a picturesque garden in Ho Chi Minh City. It was built in 1956 and previously served as the seat of Buddhism in southern Vietnam. Today it is considered one of the most famous attractions in the city, and includes A ceremonial hall, a bell tower and many impressive statues, it is also famous for its interior walls depicting the life of Buddha.
Place address: 89 Bà Huyện Thanh Quan, Phường 7, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
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11- Ta quan Le Van Duyet Tomb
Ta quan Le Van Duyet Tomb – Le Van Duet’s tomb is a revered religious complex and memorial to a local peasant-turned-outstanding general who helped transform Vietnam into the modern, unified country we know today and rose to become one of Vietnam’s most important military heroes. The tomb was built to honor his life and leadership after his death in 1830. Renovated in 1937 and 2008, it is decorated with elaborate mosaic dragons, ornate woodwork, and decorated with various altars.
Place address: 1 Vũ Tùng, Phường 1, Bình Thạnh, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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12- Khanh An Monastery
Khanh An Monastery – Khanh An Monastery began as a humble temple erected by Buddhist monk Tri Hien in 1905, and a wealthy family later donated six hectares of land for its expansion. During the French occupation, the monastery was used by Vietnamese revolutionaries to organize protests, and was therefore vandalized by the French. On multiple occasions, and in 2006, the monastery underwent a 10-year renovation, which resulted in a beautiful Japanese-inspired monastery made almost entirely of wood.
Place address: 1055, 3D QL1A, An Phú Đông, Quận 12, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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13- Huyen Si Church
Huyen Si Church – The over 100-year-old Hoen Si Church is the oldest and second largest Catholic church in Ho Chi Minh City, named after Queen Nam Phuong’s grandfather; Wife of the last king of Vietnam, and built in the Gothic style that characterizes many European cathedrals, the church is a popular haven of peace among Catholic Vietnamese and visitors looking to discover more of the city’s attractions.
Place address: P, 1 Đường Tôn Thất Tùng, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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14- Hoi Khanh Pagoda
Hoi Khanh Pagoda – Hoi Khanh Pagoda is an 18th-century Buddhist shrine surrounded by vast greenery and lush trees, including many eucalyptus trees that are more than a century old. Although it has been renovated and expanded several times over the past three centuries, its structure remains intact. A great example of traditional Vietnamese architecture.
Place address: 35 Yersin, Phú Cường, Thủ Dầu Một, Bình Dương, Vietnam
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15- St Francis Xavier Church
St Francis Xavier Church – St. Francis Xavier Church, also known as Cha Tam Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Ho Chi Minh City, with a distinctive colonial façade painted in yellow and white. It was founded thanks to the efforts of the Chinese Catholic priest Francis Xavier Tam Assou in the year 1900, and is the only Catholic church in the city with horizontal lacquer panels resembling a Chinese pagoda on the inside.
Place address: 25 Học Lạc, Phường 14, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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16- Cholon Mosque
Cholon Mosque – The Cholon Mosque stands out in sharp contrast to the ornamentation and liveliness of the neighboring temples in Chinatown. It has a simple blue and white building. It includes an ablution basin in the courtyard and a tiled mihrab in the wall of the prayer hall to indicate the direction of Mecca. It was built in 1935 by southern Muslims. India, exuding an aura of serenity, provides an interesting insight into the Islamic culture of Vietnam.
Place address: 639 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường 11, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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17- Ngoc Hoang Pagoda
Ngoc Hoang Pagoda – The Jade Emperor Pagoda, also known as the Turtle Pagoda, is one of the five most important shrines in Ho Chi Minh City. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century by the Cantonese community who migrated from Guangzhou Province in southwestern China. It is a wonderful representation of Mahayana Buddhism practiced widespread in Vietnam. In the main hall, is the Jade Emperor or the ‘God of the Heavens’, with the help of two assistants, the emperor decides who can enter this ‘higher realm’, and those who do not pass this gate will meet the formidable ‘God of Hell’ on the left who will send sinners to one of the levels The ten hells.
Place address: 73 Đường Mai Thị Lựu, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
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18- Phung Son Pagoda
Phung Son Pagoda – Phong Son Temple is located in District 11 of Ho Chi Minh City. It was built between 1802 and 1820. It was declared a National Historical and Cultural Monument by the government. Many notable artifacts were found, including more than 40 gilded wooden statues.
Place address: 1408, Đường Đường 3/2, Phường 2, Quận 11, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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19- Saigon Cao Dai Temple
Saigon Cao Dai Temple – Completed in 1955 when the Cao Dai Army was formed after the Japanese occupation of Indochina, the Saigon Cao Dai Temple is a temple dedicated to Cao Dai who believe all religions are ultimately the same and seek to promote tolerance around the world, honoring every From Buddha, Jesus Christ, the Messenger Muhammad and Confucius, in addition to Joan of Arc and Julius Caesar.
Place address: 891 Đ. Trần Hưng Đạo, Phường 1, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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20- Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon – Built by French colonialists in the late 1880s, Our Lady of Saigon Cathedral is one of the few remaining strongholds of the Catholic community in Buddhist-majority Vietnam. Located in Paris Square, it was named after the erection of Our Lady of Peace in 1959. The cathedral is about 60 meters high, and its neo-Romanesque features include an all-red brick facade (imported from Marseille), stained-glass windows, and two bell towers containing six bronze bells that still ring today.
Place address: 01 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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21- Ong Bon Pagoda
Ong Bon Pagoda – Ong Bon Temple in Ho Chi Minh City is a Taoist temple dedicated to Ong Bon, the protector of happiness and prosperity. Designed in Chinese style, it features an intricately carved altar, behind which is a gilded cabinet illuminated by LED lights to show the presiding deity. Walls are adorned with a mural Amazing for tigers and dragons, you can also find shrines to other deities such as Thien Hau and Quan Am.
Place address: 264 Hải Thượng Lãn Ông, Phường 14, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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22- Chau Thoi Pagoda
Chau Thoi Pagoda – Chau Thuy Temple is considered one of the oldest monuments in Binh Duong Province, and it is characterized by its charming natural scenery and quiet spiritual atmosphere, which attracts large numbers of tourists from Vietnam and abroad. This temple was established by the Buddhist monk Khanh Long in the seventeenth century , and is located on the top of Mount Chao Thuy at an altitude of 82 meters above sea level, and to reach it, tourists can climb 220 concrete steps built by monks in 1971 or drive along another path, but most visitors choose to take a walk on the path shaded by green trees in order to enjoy Beautiful scenery and fresh air on the mountain.
Place address: Xã Bình Thắng, Dĩ An, Binh Duong, Vietnam
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23- Cu Chi Tunnel
Cu Chi Tunnel – The Kuching Tunnel is part of a huge war museum in Ho Chi Minh City, and offers visitors a peek into the secret lives of Vietnamese soldiers in 1948. The site contains more than 120 kilometers of underground tunnels with hidden doors, living areas, kitchens, storage facilities, hospitals, and command posts. After the war against the French, Vietnamese soldiers expanded the tunnels and included effective air filtration systems, which helped them survive Chu Chi carpet bombing.
Place address: Đ. Tỉnh Lộ 15, Phú Hiệp, Củ Chi, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 733814, Vietnam
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24- Saigon Central Post Office
Saigon Central Post Office – The Saigon Central Post Office is one of the most prominent and beautifully preserved remnants of the French colonial era in Ho Chi Minh City. It may be the largest post office in all of Southeast Asia. It is located near the Cathedral of Our Lady of Saigon. The two cultural sites can be visited together for a chance to imagine life. In Vietnam during the times of the Indo-Chinese Empire. Designed by Alfred Foulhoux, the building features arched windows and wooden shutters, and is still exactly as it was in its heyday in the late 19th century.
Place address: 2 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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25- Giac Vien Pogoda
Giac Vien Pogoda – Giac Vin Temple is the oldest temple in Ho Chi Minh City, dating back more than 160 years, and has an important cultural and artistic significance in the mind and heart of the Vietnamese people, and tourists can feel its peaceful and calm atmosphere that is completely different from the lively atmosphere in the city, which makes it an ideal destination To ease your mind and gain some knowledge about Buddhism in Vietnam and the way of life of the people of the south.
Place address: Phường 3, Quận 11, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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Conclusion
As your journey through Ho chi minh city (Vietnam) comes to an end, we hope you take with you unforgettable memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. This amazing region is home to diverse landscapes, ancient cultures, and welcoming communities that have something special to offer every traveler. Our guide has provided you with the top destinations and hidden gems that make Ho chi minh city (Vietnam) such a unique and special place. But, we encourage you to continue to explore this region on your own and uncover new adventures and treasures along the way. As you journey back home, don’t forget to reflect on the moments that made your trip so special and share your experiences with others. Remember to keep the spirit of adventure and curiosity alive in your everyday life and continue to seek out new experiences. We hope our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels and until next time!